One car fits all, or comfy cruiser and sunny day weapon?
Discussion
RobM77 said:
That's a very good question 
For me the two car thing is obvious, because I need a big car due to my sports and hobbies, but love track driving in small, fast, lightweight and responsive cars. The next question of budget though isn't quite so obvious! Thankfully things have naturally fallen into place for me because what I like, want and need in a practical road car (it's a long list, but the biggies are RWD, manual box, no control delays and a low roofline & CofG) can be attained quite cheaply (BMW 3 series) and if you spend more then you just get a newer car rather than a better car. For the track cars, you do tend to get more the more you spend, so that's where my money goes. As a result of this, my ratio is 1:3 road:track initial outlay, and the running costs are probably around that too.
I've got similar requirements for my road car and as you say, you choose you budget and pick up a suitable BMW, however I've gone for a 50:50 split, as realistically my road car is where I spend most of my time. For me the two car thing is obvious, because I need a big car due to my sports and hobbies, but love track driving in small, fast, lightweight and responsive cars. The next question of budget though isn't quite so obvious! Thankfully things have naturally fallen into place for me because what I like, want and need in a practical road car (it's a long list, but the biggies are RWD, manual box, no control delays and a low roofline & CofG) can be attained quite cheaply (BMW 3 series) and if you spend more then you just get a newer car rather than a better car. For the track cars, you do tend to get more the more you spend, so that's where my money goes. As a result of this, my ratio is 1:3 road:track initial outlay, and the running costs are probably around that too.Craikeybaby said:
I've got similar requirements for my road car and as you say, you choose you budget and pick up a suitable BMW, however I've gone for a 50:50 split, as realistically my road car is where I spend most of my time.
^This, I tried driving around in a "sensible car" for 6 months, it was soul destroying. Considering it's where I'd be spending 95% of my time, I couldn't drive a car I didn't find interesting and sorry but a diesel 3 series definitely falls into that category.The problem then occurs that you spend more money than you should on your daily to get something semi-interesting leaving either less money for the toy or you then have to find more money.
My ideal combo would probably be a Maseratti Quattroporte for family duties, one of the few practical performance saloons that still excites me and a TVR Tuscan or Exige as a toy, unfortunately I can't afford both. Must work harder
white_goodman said:
Very interesting topic. What interests me is if you go down the 2-car route, how much of your budget do you attribute to each vehicle?
It seems I'm quite happy to drive a daily which is worth a fraction of my weekender. Single, Child-free and with a low annual mileage, I bought an old 525i and I'm currently refreshing it from shed to barge status.
I love my BMW, I always had the option to 'upgrade' to a newer car but it's mid-90s 'analogue' vibe endeared it to me and basically none of the refinements or technologies of later cars appeal to me.
Of course, only petrolheads would understand this!
The old BMW doubled as a tow car for my Caterham race car until a couple of years ago, and will soon perform the same duties for a Lotus Elan racer. The Caterham was worth about 10x as much as the BMW, and even once I've finished refreshing the BMW the Elan (which will actually belong to my Dad but which I will be heavily invested in!) will be worth about 20x!
I've often considered a motorbike as a toy, in terms of excitement and bang for buck they really can't be beaten. £10k will buy you A LOT of motorbike with supercar worrying pace and all the thrills you can handle and it would also sit nicely alongside a decent but sensible-ish daily.
Unfortunately I have far too little restraint and too high a regard for the future well being of my family for them to deprived of a partner, father and major money earner. Without fail, EVERY ONE one of my friends I know who has a bike has had an off, seriously EVERY ONE, one of them being fatal and the rest being out for weeks or months recovering. I know there are some people who have been riding for years without any incident but as far as I am concerned they seem to the exception to the rule and I have far too much riding on it to risk my ongoing ability to care and provide for my family to the vagaries of blind luck.
Unfortunately I have far too little restraint and too high a regard for the future well being of my family for them to deprived of a partner, father and major money earner. Without fail, EVERY ONE one of my friends I know who has a bike has had an off, seriously EVERY ONE, one of them being fatal and the rest being out for weeks or months recovering. I know there are some people who have been riding for years without any incident but as far as I am concerned they seem to the exception to the rule and I have far too much riding on it to risk my ongoing ability to care and provide for my family to the vagaries of blind luck.
I'd love to tuck the 911 in the garage and run a snotter for daily duties. Problem is with two under two's and a business to run I don't think I'd ever drive the thing!
Although im not exactly pushing the envelope on the daily commute It's quite nice to jump in it after work and enjoy the car on the way home, Or nip out on an errand and have a cheeky blast at the same time.
Although im not exactly pushing the envelope on the daily commute It's quite nice to jump in it after work and enjoy the car on the way home, Or nip out on an errand and have a cheeky blast at the same time.
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