Cars you have bought but regretted?
Discussion
My 2nd car. Ford Escort 1.4 Ghia. This was to replace the 1.3 Super Allegro that died on me. The Allegro was slow, pea green with a vinyl roof but at least it had a slight bit of character.
The Escort I found soulless and a rot box.
It didn't stay with me long and then there comes my second regret.
Audi 90 2.3 20V. I was young and not earning much money but I thought that it would be a great idea to bid for this ex company car in a sealed bid auction at the company I worked for at the time.
I won and loved it at first as it was so much faster than anything else I had had before.
I could even live the fact that it was an auto. That was until the box started developing problems. In the end it cost me a load to fix (even with the help of a friend of a friend at a garage) and it was sold soon after.
Finally there was the Saxo diesel I bought when I decided I didn't want to spend all my money fuelling the Supra twin turbo.
Barely drove it in the end as it was such a soul destroying experience. Taught me a valuable lesson about not getting hung up on fuel costs though as if you buy a nice car then you might as well drive the thing.
The Escort I found soulless and a rot box.
It didn't stay with me long and then there comes my second regret.
Audi 90 2.3 20V. I was young and not earning much money but I thought that it would be a great idea to bid for this ex company car in a sealed bid auction at the company I worked for at the time.
I won and loved it at first as it was so much faster than anything else I had had before.
I could even live the fact that it was an auto. That was until the box started developing problems. In the end it cost me a load to fix (even with the help of a friend of a friend at a garage) and it was sold soon after.
Finally there was the Saxo diesel I bought when I decided I didn't want to spend all my money fuelling the Supra twin turbo.
Barely drove it in the end as it was such a soul destroying experience. Taught me a valuable lesson about not getting hung up on fuel costs though as if you buy a nice car then you might as well drive the thing.
Owned quite a few, but in chronological order the only real regrets that stand out were:
1988 205 GTI - bought in 1997 at an age when I clearly didn't know any better. Had always fancied one and bought in haste from a crap local trader. I thought I was being clever by insisting it had a new cambelt before I picked it up. He obviously got a pack of monkeys to do it as they made a right mess of it, squealed like mad. Then the car wouldn't start - ECU had gone, and lucky for me a clever mobile mechanic bodged it rather than charging me for a new one. Even when it was working the car was a total disappointment. I know, not the popular view, and clearly mine wasn't the best example, but... nope. Lesson learned #1. Part-ex'd it after 5 weeks for a spanking new Saxo VTR when they first came out for what I'd paid for it. Suddenly felt a lot better about life. I was in heaven with a) a brand new car and b) the VTR/VTS were huge fun. Great memories.
1996 328i Coupe automatic - bought in 2001. Replaced the Saxo as I was doing more miles to commute and figured I 'needed' a big comfy auto. Unfortunately bought again in haste, and overpaid for a leggy example from a very established trader who said his wife had been using it for a year or so. Fully stamped service book, everything seemed right. My trusted mobile mechanic later told me it hadn't been serviced in years judging by the oil. Loved the car at first (the novelty of all that sublime power, felt like a private jet) but endless things needed doing (can't remember it all - but break lines split, endless fuses replaced, suspension had to be expensively set up etc.) and then when the auto stopped bothering to kick down and the rattles from the engine bay became a bit too much I decided it was time to get shot. Again, had to part-ex it (lost 5k in 9 months in depreciation alone) but the silver lining was I changed it for a 97 Civic VTI which I loved. Lesson learned #2.
2005 Grand Scenic 1.9DCI - quelle surprise. Bought in 2011 against my better judgement but it was local, super cheap and I figured they can't be THAT bad - I'd use the money saved against something better to offset the repairs. To be fair, it was a really nice car to drive and great family car. But the problems came thick and fast - I honestly can't remember them all but several garage visits and great expense followed, then it stranded us - luckily only a few miles from home. Then it stranded us, fully loaded up for a French summer holiday, whilst we were queuing to get on the ferry. Eventually managed to bump it to get going. Kept going into limp-home mode, failing to start (though it just needed putting in gear and rocking back and forth each time to start it), then the dash started playing up, then something else, then something else. Gave up. The place I part-ex'd it obviously weren't too clever - I left it running on his driveway for 20 minutes whilst I looked at the car I was buying from him (knowing it wouldn't start when I wanted to leave!), and he STILL took it in part-ex. I bagged a great deal as well, getting over book for the Scenic and paying under book for the 100k 2003 CRV I replaced it with (and which has been with us ever since and hasn't skipped a beat. Another silver lining). Pretty much covered my losses on all the repairs. Lesson learned #3.
1988 205 GTI - bought in 1997 at an age when I clearly didn't know any better. Had always fancied one and bought in haste from a crap local trader. I thought I was being clever by insisting it had a new cambelt before I picked it up. He obviously got a pack of monkeys to do it as they made a right mess of it, squealed like mad. Then the car wouldn't start - ECU had gone, and lucky for me a clever mobile mechanic bodged it rather than charging me for a new one. Even when it was working the car was a total disappointment. I know, not the popular view, and clearly mine wasn't the best example, but... nope. Lesson learned #1. Part-ex'd it after 5 weeks for a spanking new Saxo VTR when they first came out for what I'd paid for it. Suddenly felt a lot better about life. I was in heaven with a) a brand new car and b) the VTR/VTS were huge fun. Great memories.
1996 328i Coupe automatic - bought in 2001. Replaced the Saxo as I was doing more miles to commute and figured I 'needed' a big comfy auto. Unfortunately bought again in haste, and overpaid for a leggy example from a very established trader who said his wife had been using it for a year or so. Fully stamped service book, everything seemed right. My trusted mobile mechanic later told me it hadn't been serviced in years judging by the oil. Loved the car at first (the novelty of all that sublime power, felt like a private jet) but endless things needed doing (can't remember it all - but break lines split, endless fuses replaced, suspension had to be expensively set up etc.) and then when the auto stopped bothering to kick down and the rattles from the engine bay became a bit too much I decided it was time to get shot. Again, had to part-ex it (lost 5k in 9 months in depreciation alone) but the silver lining was I changed it for a 97 Civic VTI which I loved. Lesson learned #2.
2005 Grand Scenic 1.9DCI - quelle surprise. Bought in 2011 against my better judgement but it was local, super cheap and I figured they can't be THAT bad - I'd use the money saved against something better to offset the repairs. To be fair, it was a really nice car to drive and great family car. But the problems came thick and fast - I honestly can't remember them all but several garage visits and great expense followed, then it stranded us - luckily only a few miles from home. Then it stranded us, fully loaded up for a French summer holiday, whilst we were queuing to get on the ferry. Eventually managed to bump it to get going. Kept going into limp-home mode, failing to start (though it just needed putting in gear and rocking back and forth each time to start it), then the dash started playing up, then something else, then something else. Gave up. The place I part-ex'd it obviously weren't too clever - I left it running on his driveway for 20 minutes whilst I looked at the car I was buying from him (knowing it wouldn't start when I wanted to leave!), and he STILL took it in part-ex. I bagged a great deal as well, getting over book for the Scenic and paying under book for the 100k 2003 CRV I replaced it with (and which has been with us ever since and hasn't skipped a beat. Another silver lining). Pretty much covered my losses on all the repairs. Lesson learned #3.
Edited by paulmaurice99 on Wednesday 24th September 16:37
B7 Audi S4 Cabriolet, manual. The most overrated, yet underwhelming car I have ever had the displeasure of owning. Not particularly fast (way, way slower than the Merc CLK500 I stupidly p/xed for it), very thirsty, hateful gearbox (4,200rpm in 6th gear at 90mph in a 4.2l v8 - come on, Audi!).
Jaguar X Type 2.5 Auto. Just s
t
Jaguar X Type 2.5 Auto. Just s
t Mondeo ST24 - replaced my XR4x4 and at the time I just found it too smooth/competent in comparison to the XR4x4...lasted 8 months.
Z4M Roadster - replaced my Cerbera and I had never had a Convertible so thought I would try one it was a big mistake...lasted 5 months.
E92 M3 - always wanted a M3 of any sort for as long as I can remember but used it as a daily and ended up pretty much hating it...lasted 10 months.
520d Touring - replaced my X5 4.8is really liked the car itself but absolutely hated the engine and should have gone for the 530d instead.
Z4M Roadster - replaced my Cerbera and I had never had a Convertible so thought I would try one it was a big mistake...lasted 5 months.
E92 M3 - always wanted a M3 of any sort for as long as I can remember but used it as a daily and ended up pretty much hating it...lasted 10 months.
520d Touring - replaced my X5 4.8is really liked the car itself but absolutely hated the engine and should have gone for the 530d instead.
Easy, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.1. Firstly, the rear window imploded and covered my 1 year old son in glass and Jeep said it was nothing to do with them, Jeep customer service, what a joke. Build quality was woeful,and THE WORST diesel engine ever manufactured, I found out it's the same engine they use to power the sweeper part on road sweepers, it didn't go any faster when you pressed the accelerator, it just got noisier. Mind you, I did see it in Bicester the other day, so it's still going - shame.
0llie said:
R56 MINI Cooper S. Great engine, but not all that fun to drive after my R50. Hopelessly unreliable, and I found it to be very unstable at high speed, strange as every other one I have driven has been exemplary. Sold it after 2 1/2 months and 4k miles, lost about £1k.
My 2001 Discovery cost me a stupid amount of money in repairs in the 6 months I had it. I loved the car, but this one must have been a Friday afternoon car! Sold after 6 months and 7k miles, lost about £6k.
What he said^^^My 2001 Discovery cost me a stupid amount of money in repairs in the 6 months I had it. I loved the car, but this one must have been a Friday afternoon car! Sold after 6 months and 7k miles, lost about £6k.
Although I lost 2k on mine in 6 months, was glad to see the back of it!
Jag X-Type 3.0 Sport.
Was a bargain at the time, as I bought it from a friend and it came up for sale at the same time I had decided I needed something bigger than my Alfa 147 2.0 Selespeed which was also showing symptoms of the selespeed failing.
The sat-nav was st, the stereo had a cassette (Cassett!? in 2005!??), it was averaging 23mpg, and after only a few months, I realised it just wasn't 'me'.
Traded it in for a Citroen C6.
Was a bargain at the time, as I bought it from a friend and it came up for sale at the same time I had decided I needed something bigger than my Alfa 147 2.0 Selespeed which was also showing symptoms of the selespeed failing.
The sat-nav was s
t, the stereo had a cassette (Cassett!? in 2005!??), it was averaging 23mpg, and after only a few months, I realised it just wasn't 'me'. Traded it in for a Citroen C6.
Funny lot aren't we? I love my 3 litre X type manual jag, bought on the cheap and drives just fine. When this one dies or becomes too uneconomical to repair, I'm getting another newer one as my second / winter car.
As I mentioned earlier, the biggest disappointment has been the Chimaera. However, I still remember getting excited about getting an Audi A3 as a company car back about 1998. Turned out to be a 1.6 sport with crap seats and too low gearing for the motorways. It just buzzed at speed and while it was well built, it was just boring and stodgy. I actually preferred my previous company car, a Rover 620i.
As I mentioned earlier, the biggest disappointment has been the Chimaera. However, I still remember getting excited about getting an Audi A3 as a company car back about 1998. Turned out to be a 1.6 sport with crap seats and too low gearing for the motorways. It just buzzed at speed and while it was well built, it was just boring and stodgy. I actually preferred my previous company car, a Rover 620i.
I regret a few of mine.
206 GTI: I just hated it mostly. I suppose it felt too grown up V's the modified 106 XSi it replaced. I also disliked the interior a lot and it was a joint car with my then girlfriend. The latter being the worst idea of the lot I'm sure she'd agree.
BMW E36 328i Sport: A car Inreally wanted and really liked but it cost me an awful lot of money very year from the off.
Westfield: I only regret this a little. When I bought it cars were selling really quickly so I jumped in a little too quickly. I should have waited and saved some more cash too. It may have been cheaper than the silly money Ive since spent on it.
206 GTI: I just hated it mostly. I suppose it felt too grown up V's the modified 106 XSi it replaced. I also disliked the interior a lot and it was a joint car with my then girlfriend. The latter being the worst idea of the lot I'm sure she'd agree.
BMW E36 328i Sport: A car Inreally wanted and really liked but it cost me an awful lot of money very year from the off.
Westfield: I only regret this a little. When I bought it cars were selling really quickly so I jumped in a little too quickly. I should have waited and saved some more cash too. It may have been cheaper than the silly money Ive since spent on it.
2007 mk2 V70 2.4 petrol 'Sport' 84k miles
Bought it last September as a cheap family barge after 10 years of company cars, whilst completing probation / checking new job was for me. Managed to put up with it until March.
Only plus point were the front seats were far comfier than our sofa. Otherwise horrific car in pretty much every other respect. Handling was so bad I assumed suspension was shot; gobsmacked when garage said it was in A1 condition.
Biggest surprise was how little room there was in the back. Smallest child really struggled to get in and out of his car seat.
Bought it last September as a cheap family barge after 10 years of company cars, whilst completing probation / checking new job was for me. Managed to put up with it until March.
Only plus point were the front seats were far comfier than our sofa. Otherwise horrific car in pretty much every other respect. Handling was so bad I assumed suspension was shot; gobsmacked when garage said it was in A1 condition.
Biggest surprise was how little room there was in the back. Smallest child really struggled to get in and out of his car seat.
Volvo V50 1.8, what a pile of crap. Up a slight incline on the A1 I pulled out to overtake a truck, 1/4 of a mile later I had to change down to get past 
. Shortly afterwards the ABS unit packed up, apparently it was a common fault, at least Volvo coughed up half for a new one. The 850 I'd had before was miles better.
. Shortly afterwards the ABS unit packed up, apparently it was a common fault, at least Volvo coughed up half for a new one. The 850 I'd had before was miles better.309 GTI for me.
Purchased new in 88 (E) and was being recovered with less than 500 miles on the clock. Got it back weeks later and was being recovered again on about 2k. This nightmare saga continued for two years of painful ownership with under 40k on the clock.
When on the 7th time,may of been 6 could of been 8 times(I lost count) it broke again I said I don't want the car back and excepted a £5,000 loss on it in 2years. Prior to the final breakdown the garage had it for 7 weeks (I had been given a 309 XS courtesy car) and they said we have found the problem and it will not happen again. They were wrong!!
Bumped into the next owner whom I knew from seeing him local to me out and about,and he told me it broke on him also. But his garage had found that the engine was running out of line,fixed this and had been perfect. This was my problem they were just putting new alternators on and not investigating why it was smashing them.
Purchased new in 88 (E) and was being recovered with less than 500 miles on the clock. Got it back weeks later and was being recovered again on about 2k. This nightmare saga continued for two years of painful ownership with under 40k on the clock.
When on the 7th time,may of been 6 could of been 8 times(I lost count) it broke again I said I don't want the car back and excepted a £5,000 loss on it in 2years. Prior to the final breakdown the garage had it for 7 weeks (I had been given a 309 XS courtesy car) and they said we have found the problem and it will not happen again. They were wrong!!
Bumped into the next owner whom I knew from seeing him local to me out and about,and he told me it broke on him also. But his garage had found that the engine was running out of line,fixed this and had been perfect. This was my problem they were just putting new alternators on and not investigating why it was smashing them.
Pebbles167 said:
Jaguar X Type 3.0 sport - Completely underwhelming in every way. Then it shat its self and cost me a fortune.
awooga said:
Funny lot aren't we? I love my 3 litre X type manual jag, bought on the cheap and drives just fine
There we are you see, I bought mine when they were not so cheap, and was expecting a lot more 
Morningside said:
For some odd reason I was persuaded to swap my V8 SD1 for a Maestro.
What an utter utter pile of crap. Kept telling me that the battery was not charging (yes, it was the talking one). It was as I checked it with a meter.
Then parked at the traffic lights it emitted the most awful amount of white smoke I have ever seen coming from a car.
I have two comments to make.What an utter utter pile of crap. Kept telling me that the battery was not charging (yes, it was the talking one). It was as I checked it with a meter.
Then parked at the traffic lights it emitted the most awful amount of white smoke I have ever seen coming from a car.
Who the actual f
k talked you into that one.And lastly, I had to check your location, in the 80s I bought an SD1 V8 off a fat geezer that replaced it with a Meastro.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff