downgrading car lifestyle

[keo]

I do think about downgrading or just getting rid all together. As some posters have said, what is the point the roads are rubbish, speed cameras etc. it’s sits in the garage most of the time as I don’t like parking it anywhere and I admit I am to precious about it. I also find I need to be in the mood to drive it just for the pleasure of driving. This is hard nowadays with the reasons mentioned and I do 20k boring miles a year for work. So it just grinds you down.

But how long will you be able to drive cars with a screaming supercharged V6 behind your head? I fully admit it’s quite anti social when the exhaust valves are open. Every time I drive it though the first button I press is to open the exhaust

I am trying to enjoy it while I can. Another problem is I like swapping and changing cars and I have an atom and Caterham itch I would like to scratch. I just don’t think it’s financially viable at the minute as if I sold the Exige now I think I’d lose a fortune and with me still moving the car I don’t see the value init.

[Networkgeek]

I must admit, I'm terrible when it comes to selling cars. At present, I have -

BMW M2
Renault Clio RS200 Cup
VW T5 camper van

I often think about selling the M2, then I look at Motorway / WBAC etc and immediately change my mind. I also don't know what car I would replace the M2 with. It's an utterly fantastic daily (minus the annoying DCT gearbox), the cold start will drastically improve any rubbish day at work.

I've looked at a new BMW 118i, and it surprised me how good boring cars have become, but I can't see myself owning something so dull, even if the running costs will be much cheaper.

Something will have to go this year, but it will be to free up cash, instead of buying something new.

[Floater]

I've never had anything even remotely expensive, a 330d or 7.5 GTI PP being the most expensive but i've 'downgraded' to an old E53 X5 (60k miles and pretty mint) and a 987.1 3.2 S. All bases covered from camping to hooning around in the countryside and if either explode in a sower of bolts and piss, it won't break the bank.

Liberate yourselves from PCP and leasing insanely expensive cars and embrace analogue older cars that you can work on and still have your local garage fix. It's the modern thinking man's approach.

[resolve10]

Floater said:

Liberate yourselves from PCP and leasing insanely expensive cars and embrace analogue older cars that you can work on and still have your local garage fix. It's the modern thinking man's approach.

It is if you're handy with a spanner or have a relationship with a very good garage, for a lot of regular people the relative reliability of a 0-3 year old car over a 10 year old car is a comfort. It's why PCP is so popular, particularly with non-car people.

[Deep Thought]

Floater said:

Liberate yourselves from PCP and leasing insanely expensive cars and embrace analogue older cars that you can work on and still have your local garage fix. It's the modern thinking man's approach.

Agred. However the general public want a hassle free means of getting from A to B and thats (pre COVID at least) been facilitated by the myriad of cheap PCP and lease deals.

Those are now starting to come back, but yes, its very possible to spend an absolute fortune on "the monthlies" of something quite mundane or generic.

But for someone with an interest in cars, ie, most people on here, yes its a great way to get fun and interesting cars without blowing your brains out on monthlies or depreciation.

Even though where we live is quite rural, we've a reputable BMW / performance car indy living literally a mile a way so its easy for me to have older cars and have him do the work at a fraction of main dealer prices. Hes happy for me to provide the parts so i can get the best deals online, then he fits them.

[Deep Thought]

Networkgeek said:

I must admit, I'm terrible when it comes to selling cars. At present, I have -

BMW M2
Renault Clio RS200 Cup
VW T5 camper van

I often think about selling the M2, then I look at Motorway / WBAC etc and immediately change my mind. I also don't know what car I would replace the M2 with. It's an utterly fantastic daily (minus the annoying DCT gearbox), the cold start will drastically improve any rubbish day at work.

I've looked at a new BMW 118i, and it surprised me how good boring cars have become, but I can't see myself owning something so dull, even if the running costs will be much cheaper.

Something will have to go this year, but it will be to free up cash, instead of buying something new.

Same here - M2 DCT. I do toy with selling it but as you say its a fantastic daily and even taking it the three miles in to town for the proverbial pint of milk puts a smile on my face.

As you say - what do you change it to? Theres really nothing out there thats better for the money and does what i need it to do.

[SeeNoWeevil]

I go through a constant cycle of 'nice' car > mundane car > nice car.

I'm quite partial to the warm hatch. I had a 1.2 Ibiza FR, threw a set of Pilot Sport 4s on it and it was lots of fun while costing pennies.

[Jermy Claxon]

Not a downgrade as such, more of a shift in philosophy. I used to spend as little as possible on everyday cars so I could spend more on optimum weekend cars which served one purpose only - fun.

Now I can't be bothered with impractical weekend cars that over the years have seen less and less use. Life has moved on, and if I go anywhere at weekends it's usually 4-up with luggage. So I have no more toys, and just have (slightly) nicer family cars instead. Less hassle, more space in the garage, and an easier life, but I get to sit in something nice every time I drive, not just when I drive for fun.

So instead of downgrading, maybe consolidation is an option for some.

[RSTurboPaul]

MX-5, surely.

[Networkgeek]

Deep Thought said:

Same here - M2 DCT. I do toy with selling it but as you say its a fantastic daily and even taking it the three miles in to town for the proverbial pint of milk puts a smile on my face.

As you say - what do you change it to? Theres really nothing out there thats better for the money and does what i need it to do.

This is exactly the problem with the M2. They punch well above their price point, and to get anything subjectively better, you'll need to spend Porsche Cayman GTS money (imo). Looking at AT, you'll need to part with the best part of £50k for a decent example. Call me cheap, but I can't justify that cost to change.

[Deep Thought]

Networkgeek said:

This is exactly the problem with the M2. They punch well above their price point, and to get anything subjectively better, you'll need to spend Porsche Cayman GTS money (imo). Looking at AT, you'll need to part with the best part of £50k for a decent example. Call me cheap, but I can't justify that cost to change.

Agreed.

Particularly when its maybe changing you at best in to the same year of car.

Mines 2018. Assuming i got £25K for mine on a private sale, i'd have to find £25K to move to... the same year of GTS.

[Networkgeek]

Deep Thought said:

Agreed.

Particularly when its maybe changing you at best in to the same year of car.

Mines 2018. Assuming i got £25K for mine on a private sale, i'd have to find £25K to move to... the same year of GTS.

Good point, yeah it would be the same age of car.

My M2 is also an 18 plate, and it hurts knowing I paid £33k for it 2 year ago

[Dr_Rick]

Networkgeek said:

Deep Thought said:

Agreed.

Particularly when its maybe changing you at best in to the same year of car.

Mines 2018. Assuming i got £25K for mine on a private sale, i'd have to find £25K to move to... the same year of GTS.

Good point, yeah it would be the same age of car.

My M2 is also an 18 plate, and it hurts knowing I paid £33k for it 2 year ago

I paid just over £33k for my 66-plate in the middle of 2019. I'm about to offload it for £23k to trade this weekend. Don't think I'm doing bad to be honest.

[YoungStuart]

Don’t understand the question, it’s down to how you want to hang onto youth. Approaching 80 years old and just bought a Boxster. It’s just how you feel.

[SS427 Camaro]

I’m staggered @ the £ financial hit that some on here are taking on their cars……
But, I’m Trade and have to turn a profit on everything. Losing money on a car or bike is alien to me.
Apart from a new “ company Rep mobile “ red Sierra 1.6LX in August 90, I’ve never bought a new car. The newest car I’ve ever owned was my much missed G registered 1989 R5 GT Turbo, which I bought in 94 and stupidly sold in 99, to buy an R19 16V M401 TKP - what an underrated car these are !

I can well understand the frustration of having something Quick & gorgeous sitting on the kerb side / driveway / garage, being barely used, due to Britains chronically over crowded / ££ Scamera infested / watching our Every move / pot hole infested roads. The war against the British motorist, who is an easy target because no one in Britain stands up against this ste…

A pal has just returned from Daytona Speed Week, several guys asked him re “ what the F is going on in Britain re the demonisation of the car / motorcycle and why the F are we not fighting back @ all these rules & regulations.
Let alone the “ Great Khuuunt “ and his Tax the poor / Control us / Ulez rip off.

To think back to the early 80s and the very quick 3 Litre Capri I had and the many “ Street Races “ that were taking place every day / night in East London. Those days seem so far away now…..
But I’m Not giving up on Fast cars / Fast bikes. I need to find the £ to put my first Griff back on the road, plus the Camaro.
My lovely low miles Clio RS182 is definitely a keeper along with my long term resto project MK1 3 Litre Capri.
I also intend to own another E46 M3 & an VX220 Turbo, even if I have to share it with my youngest son.

Edited by SS427 Camaro on Thursday 21st March 21:34

Edited by SS427 Camaro on Thursday 21st March 23:13

[Mr Tidy]

said:

I’m staggered @ the £ financial hit that some on here are taking on their cars……
But, I’m Trade and have to turn a profit on everything. Losing money on a car or bike is alien to me.
Apart from a new “ company Rep mobile “ red Sierra 1.6LX in August 90, I’ve never bought a new car. The newest car I’ve ever owned was my much missed G registered 1989 R5 GT Turbo, which I bought in 94 and stupidly sold in 99, to buy an R19 16V M401 TKP - what an underrated car these are !

I can well understand the frustration of having something Quick & gorgeous sitting on the kerb side / driveway / garage, being barely used, due to Britains chronically over crowded / ££ Scamera infested / watching our Every move / pot hole infested roads.
To think back to the early 80s and the very quick 3 Litre Capri I had and the many “ Street Races “ that were taking place every day / night in East London. Those days seem so far away now…..
But I’m Not giving up on Fast cars / Fast bikes. I need to find the £ to put my first Griff back on the road, plus the Camaro.
My lovely low miles Clio RS182 is definitely a keeper along with my long term resto project MK1 3 Litre Capri.
I also intend to own another E46 M3 & an VX220 Turbo, even if I have to share it with my youngest son.

I'm not so surprised at the financial hit people are taking as I bought my only nearly new car in 2008, a pre-registered 2007 BMW 123d that had done less than 20 miles.

In 6 and a half years and 81K miles I lost over £15K on it.

But once I realised I didn't need a diesel as I wasn't doing business miles I discovered Straight 6 N/A manual BMWS and haven't looked back.

My teenage BMWs may throw up an unplanned £300/400 bill most years, but I don't mind as they aren't depreciating any more and are so much nicer than the 123d to drive.

Love your flashback to the 80s too.

I bought a 1982 2.8i Capri in 1984 and drove it like a hooligan in SW London, and anywhere else I went really.

Sadly I had to sell it after just a year for a house deposit, but in 1987 I was able to afford another and remember getting the speedo needle to the end of the clock on the M25 - happy days!

I can understand the attraction of an E46 M3 as my current fun car is a Z4M with the same engine which is just sublime.

And a VX220 Turbo must be exciting, just a bit too raw for me nowadays!

[Skeptisk]

I downsized from cars to motorbikes many years back. More fun, much more bang for your buck and they are small enough to fit in the garage with our main car.

About six years back I tried to reverse the trend and replaced a Aygo I was using for a short commute with a 997. It was a waste of time and money. The 997 was a lovely thing but I was worried about leaving it parked and rarely used it in anger (as I still had motorbikes). I kidded myself that I would use it over the winter when I was riding…but in crap weather I didn’t take either! Plus the roads are just too crowded and whereas on a motorbike it is easy to overtake (safely) in the 997 I was always getting stuck behind people on B roads.

I have just bought a standard Golf Mk8 to share with the wife. 50 mpg, reasonable comfort on motorways, a boot big enough for the dog and just enough pep to keep up in transport - more than enough.

[thepritch]

Even non performance cars cost! I have a r56 mini which I adore. Plenty of fun for me. But I also have an old defender. The exact opposite of a performance car, in fact it’s diabolical. But oddly it’s a hoot. Lots a smiles on my face every time I clamber in. Admittedly I do live off the beaten track so get to enjoy a mile or so off road every day.

For me, cars don’t need to be quick, but they have to have some sort of character. My line up concludes with a mk1 MX5 - three cars with very different personalities.

Maybe I’m just not a properly built PistonHeads car nut : and find things like Astons and Lamborghinis dull. The car that currently tops my list of desirable cars is the Microlino!!

[keo]

Mr Tidy said:

In 6 and a half years and 81K miles I lost over £15K on it.

You say over £15k so I don’t know the exact figures. But £15k over 6.5 years is less than £200 a month. I’d say that is pretty good considering it was a new car as well.

[DonkeyApple]

Sometimes downgrading is the result of spending more money, not less.

Everyone, ultimately, has a type of car that they eventually learn they prefer over others but even when you do finally have that epiphany, one still tends to keep buying more expensive stuff in some form of denial of reality.

There will be people who love hot hatches or sheds but keep buying more expensive stuff until one day they pluck up the courage to upgrade to what they truly enjoy. Right now there are probably a million and more blokes getting into cars that aren't really what they want to be driving and while for some an upgrade to what they are currently using might be someone much more expensive, for others the real upgrade is to something that they actually want and actually get real pleasure from.

When you start to focus on cars purely on a monetary basis then it's all a bit of a waste of time and money as those people end up driving what they think other people think they should be driving rather than just driving what it is they want to.