How emotionally attached are you to your car?
Discussion
See that this made TOTD so I'm inclined to come back to it.
When I drove home the evening the guy was picking it up I did shed a tear for the car I got married in and I drove my wife in the hospital in to have our first baby, and brought them back a couple of days later.
The buyer's from around here and I saw it the other day, all shiny. First thought: that's an amazing looking 159. Second glance: that's MY 159!
On another note, we sold our SLK the other day, a car we had a lot of great times in. Didn't hurt me one bit (except for the fact that I now only have 1 car on the road so feel properly naked).
He did came to pick it up when the sun was out, drove away topless and I immediately thought to myself "damn, I also want a convertible"
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When I drove home the evening the guy was picking it up I did shed a tear for the car I got married in and I drove my wife in the hospital in to have our first baby, and brought them back a couple of days later.
The buyer's from around here and I saw it the other day, all shiny. First thought: that's an amazing looking 159. Second glance: that's MY 159!
On another note, we sold our SLK the other day, a car we had a lot of great times in. Didn't hurt me one bit (except for the fact that I now only have 1 car on the road so feel properly naked).
He did came to pick it up when the sun was out, drove away topless and I immediately thought to myself "damn, I also want a convertible"
.I have a Passat B5.5 (pd130)
It's not expensive, it's not fancy, it's actually very hard to break the law in it because it's so goddam slow - but I'm very fond of it.
It's also been round the Nurburgring, across Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Austria and has kept me warm and dry the whole time.
It's hilariously easy to maintain and parts like engine mounts are dirt cheap and easy to change.
It's as dynamic as a flip flop but I can I can smash up and down the motorway all day at big numbers and feel comfortable at the other end.
It's not expensive, it's not fancy, it's actually very hard to break the law in it because it's so goddam slow - but I'm very fond of it.
It's also been round the Nurburgring, across Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Austria and has kept me warm and dry the whole time.
It's hilariously easy to maintain and parts like engine mounts are dirt cheap and easy to change.
It's as dynamic as a flip flop but I can I can smash up and down the motorway all day at big numbers and feel comfortable at the other end.
msremmert said:
I have a Passat B5.5 (pd130)
It's not expensive, it's not fancy, it's actually very hard to break the law in it because it's so goddam slow - but I'm very fond of it.
It's also been round the Nurburgring, across Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Austria and has kept me warm and dry the whole time.
It's hilariously easy to maintain and parts like engine mounts are dirt cheap and easy to change.
It's as dynamic as a flip flop but I can I can smash up and down the motorway all day at big numbers and feel comfortable at the other end.
It's not expensive, it's not fancy, it's actually very hard to break the law in it because it's so goddam slow - but I'm very fond of it.
It's also been round the Nurburgring, across Germany, France, the Czech Republic and Austria and has kept me warm and dry the whole time.
It's hilariously easy to maintain and parts like engine mounts are dirt cheap and easy to change.
It's as dynamic as a flip flop but I can I can smash up and down the motorway all day at big numbers and feel comfortable at the other end.
That picture does look like a group of guys that took the wrong exit on a winter holiday 
.PS: a lot of cars going back and forth to the wife for a replacement (the 159 was too big a diesel for her small commute, the SLK not possible with two kids), and for now this is the only car we can both agree on (a part from another 159 but in petrol
):
I'm pretty convinced I need to buy one as part of the grieving process.
Edited by ZesPak on Tuesday 23 August 09:08
I loved my first car, a Celica 190, partly as it was my first car (and a good one at that) and partly for the role it played in my lifestyle as a young guy. Lot of adventures were experienced with it. Trading it in for something sensible was a little heart-breaking, and in retrospect one of the silliest things I've done in my motoring life even though it made sense at the time.
Next car I had a quite a bit of affection for was my Accord V6 coupe. Pretty useless car in many ways but I liked its subtle naffness and wafty nature.
My S2000 I loved even though it was deeply frustrating at times. I shed a tear (partly guilt) for driving it into a wall.
Tried going back to a Celica, but time changes cars as well as people. I still liked it, but it was a bit too rattly for me 10 years later.
Audi TT I liked a lot, more than I thought I would. Fast, nice noise (V6), comfy and probably the most ego-flattering car in terms of people complimenting it.
Lexus I respect and quietly admire to look at, but its a bit too boring in character to have any strong attachment to.
So to answer the question - in theory a lot, in practice right now not very.
Next car I had a quite a bit of affection for was my Accord V6 coupe. Pretty useless car in many ways but I liked its subtle naffness and wafty nature.
My S2000 I loved even though it was deeply frustrating at times. I shed a tear (partly guilt) for driving it into a wall.
Tried going back to a Celica, but time changes cars as well as people. I still liked it, but it was a bit too rattly for me 10 years later.
Audi TT I liked a lot, more than I thought I would. Fast, nice noise (V6), comfy and probably the most ego-flattering car in terms of people complimenting it.
Lexus I respect and quietly admire to look at, but its a bit too boring in character to have any strong attachment to.
So to answer the question - in theory a lot, in practice right now not very.
Many cars I miss, 4.2 Series 1.5 E-Type Coupe, 911 2.4 Targa and 2.4S, Austin Gipsy tilt, Grinnal Scorpion and my red E39 M5, now replaced with a late Bluewater one but the thing I will give to my son is the Velocette 500 Thruxton bike I have owned, pranged, nursed, rebuilt for over 40 years. She has just had a "birthday" and is looking spectacular! Could not think of selling her...
Shed a tear when my mx5 left. I spent a year and a half absolutely ragging it every day and it never once gave me any trouble. Replaced it with a Focus ST170 estate which I've had since May last year. I think defending my car choice has made me get far too attached to a focus estate with a silly exhaust.
Can't say i've been emotionally attached to a car, but as another poster has said, it's more about the reflections of the journeys you have had with the car, and the fact that cars are so much of a part of our lives they become like pets (but they dont crap on your carpet). I would however say that a fair case could be made for becoming emotionally attached to your FIRST car....it's more special because of the opportunities it brings and the experiences it affords (back seats flat ahem )..After having had 5 or 6 cars you become much more 'meh'.
)..After having had 5 or 6 cars you become much more 'meh'. I bought a Bravo HGT in 2003, I was 21.
Lovely car. Sounded brilliant, quick enough at the time what I really wanted was a coupe 20VT but I couldn't afford one having a small child and a mortgage and earning peanuts. I owned it for 3 years selling it on for an E46 328 CI.
How I missed that car, the BMW was brilliant but I pined for that car so much that I sold the BMW and bought a 20VT.
7 years later and I can't sell the damn Fiat. I don't feel attached to it until I step out of the Jag and see it. She lives with my dad, sat alone on his drive (I have no space for her) not being washed and waxed weekly but left dirty and un-driven.
Could I watch someone drive away in her? I'm not sure I could - I think she's the stroppy daughter I never had.........
Lovely car. Sounded brilliant, quick enough at the time what I really wanted was a coupe 20VT but I couldn't afford one having a small child and a mortgage and earning peanuts. I owned it for 3 years selling it on for an E46 328 CI.
How I missed that car, the BMW was brilliant but I pined for that car so much that I sold the BMW and bought a 20VT.
7 years later and I can't sell the damn Fiat. I don't feel attached to it until I step out of the Jag and see it. She lives with my dad, sat alone on his drive (I have no space for her) not being washed and waxed weekly but left dirty and un-driven.
Could I watch someone drive away in her? I'm not sure I could - I think she's the stroppy daughter I never had.........
I am very attached to my current car (BMW M235i), the best and fastest car I have ever owned.
keep on debating on whether to get it to the bodyshop and get the stone chips etc sorted out on it or not worry about and just enjoy the car and take it on track days again (its been on one).
Apart from what I currently own, I do miss my Fiat Grande Punto Sporting 1.4 16v Starjet.
It was my 1st car and it had character (it was Exotica Red with the Sunroof) with its asthmatic horn that coughed into life and the air conditioning system that kept on getting leaves in it (was hilarious when the leaves finally escaped and got cut up in the fans).
keep on debating on whether to get it to the bodyshop and get the stone chips etc sorted out on it or not worry about and just enjoy the car and take it on track days again (its been on one).
Apart from what I currently own, I do miss my Fiat Grande Punto Sporting 1.4 16v Starjet.
It was my 1st car and it had character (it was Exotica Red with the Sunroof) with its asthmatic horn that coughed into life and the air conditioning system that kept on getting leaves in it (was hilarious when the leaves finally escaped and got cut up in the fans).
I've always been emotionally attached to my cars for various reasons:
-Fiesta ST: first car i bought with my own cash. Kept it immaculate
-Focus ST: first proper performance car I bought and first car purchased new. Also took it on my first Euro road trip in 2014 so have fond memories of it
-Golf GTI: the car I treated myself to after a year fighting bast**d cancer. Start of a new era in my life
Without any emotional attachment I'd be too tempted to swap and change my car every year!
-Fiesta ST: first car i bought with my own cash. Kept it immaculate
-Focus ST: first proper performance car I bought and first car purchased new. Also took it on my first Euro road trip in 2014 so have fond memories of it
-Golf GTI: the car I treated myself to after a year fighting bast**d cancer. Start of a new era in my life
Without any emotional attachment I'd be too tempted to swap and change my car every year!
Been lurking on here for years and finally decided to get a login to contribute to this thread! I would say I can get quite attached to my cars. For me it was a truly wonderful 2001 Ford Fiesta 1.25!
We've had this car in our family for 13 years. After passing my test I was using this car and boy was it fun. It was comfortable, had a revvy engine and so much character. It was my way of getting experience as a teenager in light modifying (LEDs, wiring in a new headunit, speakers, sub and amp and fitting a glorious induction kit which sounded fantastic in tunnels. It always worked hard and always put a smile on my face. Hardly anything went wrong with it. It stayed pretty rust free even after ten years, then it decided the arches needed some bubbling. In 13 years it only done around 63k miles
When I got a new job, I bought a diesel Audi and I never wanted to get rid of the Fiesta but I was forced to sell it by my parents (who funnily enough owned the Fiesta for longer than I did, but didn't grow an attachment to it). Really did feel like I had sent my dog off to be put down; after being with us for so long, it felt wrong to just give it to someone else who may not treat it right. Sold it to a girl who was happy for me to contact her and check on the car. Couple of months down the line, she mentioned the clutch had gone (was fine for the last 13 years). Also noticed that the car wasn't showing up as insured and had no MOT. So looks like it has gone to car heaven.
The Fiesta was like a little pug; it worked hard even if it it wasn't propelling you into the back of your seat, but it made me smile and willed me on as I made progress with the car! The feel of the car was fantastic too, much better than the Audi in so many ways; the fiesta really would be the car I would choose if I just wanted to go for a drive. The steering was good and had decent feedback, the gear change was good, the car was fairly light, the throttle was cable-operated so was responsive and buzzed when you hit 4000rpm and made a great noise with just an induction kit in my opinion. I drove to sixth form in this car, took my mates out in it, went to my first few car meets in it, took me to work and back (100 mile+ commute) when my Audi went in for servicing and I even dynoed it for fun (made 83.8bhp; book figures were 75bhp). Great memories!
You start to think of them as people or pets. I suppose when your car is involved in many life experiences and you make a lot of memories with it, you will naturally become attached to it. Wish I never sold it, should have ignored my parents, just insured it and kept it on a side road. Could have treated the rust and given it a full respray by now. Yeah sounds mad, but this is Pistonheads and we are all mad.
We've had this car in our family for 13 years. After passing my test I was using this car and boy was it fun. It was comfortable, had a revvy engine and so much character. It was my way of getting experience as a teenager in light modifying (LEDs, wiring in a new headunit, speakers, sub and amp and fitting a glorious induction kit which sounded fantastic in tunnels. It always worked hard and always put a smile on my face. Hardly anything went wrong with it. It stayed pretty rust free even after ten years, then it decided the arches needed some bubbling. In 13 years it only done around 63k miles
When I got a new job, I bought a diesel Audi and I never wanted to get rid of the Fiesta but I was forced to sell it by my parents (who funnily enough owned the Fiesta for longer than I did, but didn't grow an attachment to it). Really did feel like I had sent my dog off to be put down; after being with us for so long, it felt wrong to just give it to someone else who may not treat it right. Sold it to a girl who was happy for me to contact her and check on the car. Couple of months down the line, she mentioned the clutch had gone (was fine for the last 13 years). Also noticed that the car wasn't showing up as insured and had no MOT. So looks like it has gone to car heaven.
The Fiesta was like a little pug; it worked hard even if it it wasn't propelling you into the back of your seat, but it made me smile and willed me on as I made progress with the car! The feel of the car was fantastic too, much better than the Audi in so many ways; the fiesta really would be the car I would choose if I just wanted to go for a drive. The steering was good and had decent feedback, the gear change was good, the car was fairly light, the throttle was cable-operated so was responsive and buzzed when you hit 4000rpm and made a great noise with just an induction kit in my opinion. I drove to sixth form in this car, took my mates out in it, went to my first few car meets in it, took me to work and back (100 mile+ commute) when my Audi went in for servicing and I even dynoed it for fun (made 83.8bhp; book figures were 75bhp). Great memories!
You start to think of them as people or pets. I suppose when your car is involved in many life experiences and you make a lot of memories with it, you will naturally become attached to it. Wish I never sold it, should have ignored my parents, just insured it and kept it on a side road. Could have treated the rust and given it a full respray by now. Yeah sounds mad, but this is Pistonheads and we are all mad.
I'm as emotionally attached to my car as I am my toaster, my microwave or my power drill. That is somewhere between f
k all and a tiny bit annoyed when it fails to operate as expected. The reason for this is because I have family and friends who take up far more of my time and "emotional attachment". I know some people will be at the other end f the spectrum and that's cool but I can't help think they are missing out on something.
k all and a tiny bit annoyed when it fails to operate as expected. The reason for this is because I have family and friends who take up far more of my time and "emotional attachment". I know some people will be at the other end f the spectrum and that's cool but I can't help think they are missing out on something.pablo said:
I'm as emotionally attached to my car as I am my toaster, my microwave or my power drill. That is somewhere between fk all and a tiny bit annoyed when it fails to operate as expected. The reason for this is because I have family and friends who take up far more of my time and "emotional attachment". I know some people will be at the other end f the spectrum and that's cool but I can't help think they are missing out on something.
Lol at the "I've got a better life than you guys" comment. It is possible you know to have an emotional attachment to a car as well as enjoying life with family and friends!k all and a tiny bit annoyed when it fails to operate as expected. The reason for this is because I have family and friends who take up far more of my time and "emotional attachment". I know some people will be at the other end f the spectrum and that's cool but I can't help think they are missing out on something.I was very attached to my first car, a Rover 25 1.4Si that I drove all the way to Italy and back a few years ago. Managed 3500 miles in 2 weeks without anything breaking, and I then put on about 60k over the 3 years I had it, until someone decided to re-arrange the rear end of it at some traffic lights. It's all about the memories that you have in the car and the period of your life when you had it.
3500 miles in 2 weeks wouldn't have been the same in a comfortable barge, it was great with 4 guys in it, lots of tunes and no air-con in the 38 degree heat!
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