What's the longest you have kept a car?
Discussion
Thirteen years. I bought my 1997 Rover 200vi in 2002, sold in January this year, having added 128k miles.
As a petrolhead I should have chopped and changed frequently, but I got attached to the old dog. That and I couldn't find a modern replacement that could match the performance, economy, responsiveness and comfort.
I really dislike the majority of modern cars, so eventually settled on a Swift Sport, which is about as old school as hatches get these days.
My parents had the following:
Ford Cortina 2000E - 16 years (sold 1995, currently SORNed)
Nissan Prairie 1.5GL - 19 years
Mitsubishi Carisma 1.8 auto- 19 years
Vauxhall Signum 2.2 - 11 years and counting
As a petrolhead I should have chopped and changed frequently, but I got attached to the old dog. That and I couldn't find a modern replacement that could match the performance, economy, responsiveness and comfort.
I really dislike the majority of modern cars, so eventually settled on a Swift Sport, which is about as old school as hatches get these days.
My parents had the following:
Ford Cortina 2000E - 16 years (sold 1995, currently SORNed)
Nissan Prairie 1.5GL - 19 years
Mitsubishi Carisma 1.8 auto- 19 years
Vauxhall Signum 2.2 - 11 years and counting
1.5 years, havnt owned a car ive really gotten attached to yet, gonna spend a fair chunk on my next one and hope to keep it for 3-5 years (got my eye on a 10 plate Alfa Mito Cloverleaf since my 147 was the only car id really developed an attachment too, although I spent £600 on it and just needed to much work for my wallet).
CTS86 said:
Bought my Civic new in March 2007 with the intention of running it for 3 years.
212k miles later and it refuses to die so is still in my ownership (although its replacement arrived a couple of months back so it's about to be sold).
So nearly 9.5 years.
Sounds slightly similar to me. Focus bought at the fag end of 2006, didn't intend keeping it for a huge time, but still just about here and closing in on 190k. Replacement not yet arrived, but should be within the next 3 months or so, once I finally decide what I want.212k miles later and it refuses to die so is still in my ownership (although its replacement arrived a couple of months back so it's about to be sold).
So nearly 9.5 years.
The 09 swift sport I have now. 27 months and counting which tbh is real good for me.
Before wife period I bought 1 snotter on average every 2 months worth a average of maybe £500 each
After meeting the wife I have averaged 1 car with average value of 5k per year, 18 cars now in 18 years including the swift.
I never tend to hold onto a car long, I get bored but the swift is just perfect for my needs. If i want to go fast I take the bike but if I want to have fun the swift wins hands down.
Cost me a alfa gt with 2.2k cash to buy, It is a 09 car and had 23k on the clock, now 39k and in the 2 years I have had to get 2 services and 2 new eagle f1 tyres oh and new top mounts and front discs with pads.
Before wife period I bought 1 snotter on average every 2 months worth a average of maybe £500 each
After meeting the wife I have averaged 1 car with average value of 5k per year, 18 cars now in 18 years including the swift.
I never tend to hold onto a car long, I get bored but the swift is just perfect for my needs. If i want to go fast I take the bike but if I want to have fun the swift wins hands down.
Cost me a alfa gt with 2.2k cash to buy, It is a 09 car and had 23k on the clock, now 39k and in the 2 years I have had to get 2 services and 2 new eagle f1 tyres oh and new top mounts and front discs with pads.
Aside from company cars which I had to keep from 1,3 or 4 years, the longest has been my 330ci which I kept for 3 years. I replaced it with the m3 model, intending to keep that forever. However, things didn't quite work out that way sadly
The shortest was a tt 3.2 dsg convertible which I kept for just 6 months...zzz
The shortest was a tt 3.2 dsg convertible which I kept for just 6 months...zzz
CTS86 said:
Bought my Civic new in March 2007 with the intention of running it for 3 years.
212k miles later and it refuses to die so is still in my ownership (although its replacement arrived a couple of months back so it's about to be sold).
So nearly 9.5 years.
What engine out of curiosity? 212k miles later and it refuses to die so is still in my ownership (although its replacement arrived a couple of months back so it's about to be sold).
So nearly 9.5 years.
I bought an MGF Trophy 160 for my wife in 2005. We still have it and it still looks like new sat in our garage. Spent quite a lot on it, though. It had a complete mechanical and interior restoration in 2012. I even have a brand new (not used) complete VVC head for it in the original Rover box and packaging (plus Omega forged pistons and con rods), in case the head gasket ever goes again. It can then have a complete engine makeover..
I tend to keep mine a while. I owned my BMW e36 328i for 8 years before it became too rusty and went to the scrap yard. If that hadn't happened I'd almost certainly have kept it as a track day car and wouldn't have bought my Westfield or 911. It'd probably have ended up with a V8 in too 
Current e36 daily driver is slowly catching at 5 years but is rusting away nicely now. It perhaps has two winters left in it thanks to me cycling to work most days now.
Current e36 daily driver is slowly catching at 5 years but is rusting away nicely now. It perhaps has two winters left in it thanks to me cycling to work most days now.
Bought a brand new Honda Jazz exactly nine years ago, took delivery of it on the 7th July 2007. Still got it after 72k with the only replacement parts bar brake pads, tyres and exhaust mid section is the rear nearside brake calliper.
Never intended to keep it this long, I'd only kept my previous cars around two years at the most.
Never intended to keep it this long, I'd only kept my previous cars around two years at the most.
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