Is it stupid to drive a nice car?
Discussion
After many years I finally have a car I always promised myself. It's no supercar or mega expensive GT, but I guess it's one of those iconic cars that 99% of car enthusiasts will recognise. I still recall the first time I actually saw one in the metal, the sound it made and the way it shot off into the distance. That was 25 years ago and I can still picture it, clear as day.
So November last year I fly several hundred miles to view a potential purchase. I paid a deposit and 8 months later I finally fly back to collect it. I may be a middle aged, balding fat bloke but it was like all my childhood Christmas mornings rolled into one. A couple of months on and I'm just as happy with my purchase. Maybe even more so? Anyway, last weekend myself and a few friends went for a blast around North Wales. We started at Betws-y-coed and eventually ended up at Brecon some 500 miles later. It was great fun and exactly what I had in mind when I bought my car.
A couple of days ago, whist chatting, someone said I was stupid to use my car in this way. They seemed to think a sedate Sunday morning drive, before returning home to wash and wax my ''investment'' was a far more sensible idea. I told them the story of seeing my first example as a younger man and the impression it left on me, but they just didn't get it. I said that I felt it was almost a responsibility for the owners of such cars to let them be seen, but more importantly heard!, doing what they were built for. I remembered JK saying something similar about driving his Miura too? I also remember a few 'mad' comments when Monkey Harris took his E30 M3 and went rallying in it.
So, I suppose I just wondered what other people thought? Do owners of iconic, different, unusual, super, hyper (delete as appropriate) cars have a responsibility to let them be seen and heard? Or is that just nonsense? If it is nonsense though, where do the car enthusiasts of tomorrow get their inspiration if all the 'inspirational cars' are in garages, under cover between auction appearances for blue chip investment?
A couple of snaps from last weekend. The 02's have a bit more go, thanks to being stroked to 2.2, Schrick cam etc.
So November last year I fly several hundred miles to view a potential purchase. I paid a deposit and 8 months later I finally fly back to collect it. I may be a middle aged, balding fat bloke but it was like all my childhood Christmas mornings rolled into one. A couple of months on and I'm just as happy with my purchase. Maybe even more so? Anyway, last weekend myself and a few friends went for a blast around North Wales. We started at Betws-y-coed and eventually ended up at Brecon some 500 miles later. It was great fun and exactly what I had in mind when I bought my car.
A couple of days ago, whist chatting, someone said I was stupid to use my car in this way. They seemed to think a sedate Sunday morning drive, before returning home to wash and wax my ''investment'' was a far more sensible idea. I told them the story of seeing my first example as a younger man and the impression it left on me, but they just didn't get it. I said that I felt it was almost a responsibility for the owners of such cars to let them be seen, but more importantly heard!, doing what they were built for. I remembered JK saying something similar about driving his Miura too? I also remember a few 'mad' comments when Monkey Harris took his E30 M3 and went rallying in it.
So, I suppose I just wondered what other people thought? Do owners of iconic, different, unusual, super, hyper (delete as appropriate) cars have a responsibility to let them be seen and heard? Or is that just nonsense? If it is nonsense though, where do the car enthusiasts of tomorrow get their inspiration if all the 'inspirational cars' are in garages, under cover between auction appearances for blue chip investment?
A couple of snaps from last weekend. The 02's have a bit more go, thanks to being stroked to 2.2, Schrick cam etc.
No I think everybody, would like to drive a nice or better car if they could.
I have my dream car, for the summer LeMan's and car show season.
I also have a run around car as well. It keeps the running cost down on my other car.
I bought it for the 'EVERY MILE IS A SMILE' Factor.
I have my dream car, for the summer LeMan's and car show season.
I also have a run around car as well. It keeps the running cost down on my other car.
I bought it for the 'EVERY MILE IS A SMILE' Factor.
Edited by SEE YA on Sunday 27th July 08:51
First off nice car mate. 
Secondly, your car do what you like with it. It would be stupid to drive it flat out all the time (which I know wasn't the question or inference) but that applies to any car regardless of performance/pedigree/provenance etc.
IMO there is no point in owning a performance car and not using the full rev range every once in a while plus the more infrequently you do the more special it feels when you do use the revs in "aurally pleasing range".
Secondly, your car do what you like with it. It would be stupid to drive it flat out all the time (which I know wasn't the question or inference) but that applies to any car regardless of performance/pedigree/provenance etc.
IMO there is no point in owning a performance car and not using the full rev range every once in a while plus the more infrequently you do the more special it feels when you do use the revs in "aurally pleasing range".
A car is a mode of transport, it should be driven as and when you please, as often or little as you like, be that Sunday mornings or every day.
Unless the engine explodes and there are no replacement parts, or you hate the driving experience but love the shape, then having them as art is a little daft.
Enjoy!
Unless the engine explodes and there are no replacement parts, or you hate the driving experience but love the shape, then having them as art is a little daft.
Enjoy!
It depends on how many cars you have, If I had a sickeningly massive wedge of money in the bank I'm sure that I'd spend most of my time car collecting. I know I'd never have the time to drive them and give them the attention they deserve.
If that were the case I'd also be making some purists blood boil by having specialists re-engineer certain cars to my specification.
Tangent there, I like to drive, and don't think twice about how many miles I put on any of my cars. I don't buy them to sell on again.
If that were the case I'd also be making some purists blood boil by having specialists re-engineer certain cars to my specification.
Tangent there, I like to drive, and don't think twice about how many miles I put on any of my cars. I don't buy them to sell on again.
Echo the above. 
Drive. Enjoy!
Your money. Your car. Your choice.
Can you calculate the monetary value of the pleasure derived from an epic drive in a well sorted car?
If it wasn't for 'proper' enthusiasts (not implying museum type collectors aren't enthusiasts) we wouldn't have classic Le Mans, Goodwood hillclimbs, vintage rallies etc.
Do what makes you happy.
Btw, congrats on the purchase. That trip looks like my idea of motoring nirvana.
Drive. Enjoy!
Your money. Your car. Your choice.
Can you calculate the monetary value of the pleasure derived from an epic drive in a well sorted car?
If it wasn't for 'proper' enthusiasts (not implying museum type collectors aren't enthusiasts) we wouldn't have classic Le Mans, Goodwood hillclimbs, vintage rallies etc.
Do what makes you happy.
Btw, congrats on the purchase. That trip looks like my idea of motoring nirvana.
Great pics and seems a good time was had and heard!
It's a tricky one and I do understand some of the comments that you hear to some extent. I love using my cars, and use them as intended but sometimes it's hard not to get caught up with what they say. As an example I make an annual trip to the Ring/ Spa in my M3 with a few like minded friends in their toys ( Lotus Élan, UR Quattro , Golf Rallye etc). Last year in the Ring car park I was approached by a local M3 fan who said very seriously that I was mad to drive the car on track given it's value, condition etc This is the first time I've ever had that and it did make me think, that comment and the sad fact that both the UR and the Rallye came back slightly rearranged meant that we didn't go this year, the first time in ten years.
Having said that, we have all said we have missed the trip and I expect we we all go again next year. The ever rising values of these cars and cars like it in one way is a good thing but can also have a detrimental effect on the ownership experience in terms of use.
My M3 currently has it's fair share of stonechips and wears its use with pride so for the time being I will continue to use it as intended and let as many people see it as they are becoming an ever rarer sight as time goes on. There may be a time when I'm old and crumbly that I may retire it but I can't see that happening anytime soon, besides, to paint it and turn it into a queen would mean it would never be used in anger again, that would be a waste of a great car.
It's a tricky one and I do understand some of the comments that you hear to some extent. I love using my cars, and use them as intended but sometimes it's hard not to get caught up with what they say. As an example I make an annual trip to the Ring/ Spa in my M3 with a few like minded friends in their toys ( Lotus Élan, UR Quattro , Golf Rallye etc). Last year in the Ring car park I was approached by a local M3 fan who said very seriously that I was mad to drive the car on track given it's value, condition etc This is the first time I've ever had that and it did make me think, that comment and the sad fact that both the UR and the Rallye came back slightly rearranged meant that we didn't go this year, the first time in ten years.
Having said that, we have all said we have missed the trip and I expect we we all go again next year. The ever rising values of these cars and cars like it in one way is a good thing but can also have a detrimental effect on the ownership experience in terms of use.
My M3 currently has it's fair share of stonechips and wears its use with pride so for the time being I will continue to use it as intended and let as many people see it as they are becoming an ever rarer sight as time goes on. There may be a time when I'm old and crumbly that I may retire it but I can't see that happening anytime soon, besides, to paint it and turn it into a queen would mean it would never be used in anger again, that would be a waste of a great car.
I used to use mine all the time, it was my daily driver for years. But now it's a lot tougher to get spares - headlights are scarce, no windscreens at the moment, not sure how many wing mirrors there are, etc. So every time I take it out, there's a risk that something trivial like a stone getting kicked up or someone parking carelessly could see it off the road for months. But there's no point owning it and keeping it in cotton wool, so it's a difficult balance. Right now, I use it maybe a couple of days a week.
I bought an 04 E46 m3 with just under 28,000 miles last year. She is now just coming up for 60,000. I've done more miles in a year than it did in the first 9 years of it's life. Not in the same league as an E30 but the prices for very low miles mint E46s seem to be on the rise.
Maybe I should have stashed her away under a cover but surely that defeats the purpose of owning these cars. They were designed to be driven hard. It drives me nuts to see people with very nice high performance cars pootling about at 40. If you want to do that buy a micra. These cars should be used as intended and mine has made me giggle and smile with every drive. Thats what ownership should be about. Life should be about happiness and experiences, you can't take money with you when you die so enjoy what you've worked hard to get.
Maybe I should have stashed her away under a cover but surely that defeats the purpose of owning these cars. They were designed to be driven hard. It drives me nuts to see people with very nice high performance cars pootling about at 40. If you want to do that buy a micra. These cars should be used as intended and mine has made me giggle and smile with every drive. Thats what ownership should be about. Life should be about happiness and experiences, you can't take money with you when you die so enjoy what you've worked hard to get.
Due to bad driving skills, rust and separation, I'm driving normal (rental) cars when I'm back in the Uk. At the moment I'm driving a Focus ecoboost, It has worse mpg than my Elise, dull as a hell to drive and feels like its controlled by a computer, the dashboard looks like its from the set of Aliens. The last rental was even worse. So, if you enjoy driving drive something entertaining and fun that you like.
On the flip side of what has been said. My Lotus has been off the road for 7 months waiting for a replacement clam, the Iti nearly perforated away and if the windscreen is chipped, there are no more replacements in the correct colour.
Wouldn't put me off though, have fun before you cant anymore, these cars wont get any cheaper or easier to find spares for.
On the flip side of what has been said. My Lotus has been off the road for 7 months waiting for a replacement clam, the Iti nearly perforated away and if the windscreen is chipped, there are no more replacements in the correct colour.
Wouldn't put me off though, have fun before you cant anymore, these cars wont get any cheaper or easier to find spares for.
jamieboy said:
I used to use mine all the time, it was my daily driver for years. But now it's a lot tougher to get spares - headlights are scarce, no windscreens at the moment, not sure how many wing mirrors there are, etc. So every time I take it out, there's a risk that something trivial like a stone getting kicked up or someone parking carelessly could see it off the road for months. But there's no point owning it and keeping it in cotton wool, so it's a difficult balance. Right now, I use it maybe a couple of days a week.
I looked to see what you own.An Alfa RZ,nice and very rare so you should be careful with it if those items you mention are so
difficult to find.
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