Weekend cars. Worth it nowadays?
Discussion
Currently run a 520D as a company car as cover 25K+ as year. Does a fantastic job day to day but I'm getting to the point where I really want to also add something light weight, manual and fun so I can enjoy myself of a weekend whenever possible (S2 Elise 11R top of the list).
Anyway, I had to go out early yesterday morning (Sunday) so chose the most twisty B-road filled route possible as thought I might be able to enjoy the journey even in the 5 series. What followed was an incredibly frustrating hour of waiting behind three abreast cyclists, avoiding tractors and the s
t they had dumped all over the road, pleading for rare overtaking opportunities to get past the processions of OAP's driving at 40 in 60 zones and constant speed changes due to cameras everywhere.
My question is, how much safe fun is there still to be had out on public roads these days? Do I need to go further afield to find somewhere more suitable (I'm Staffordhsire based) or are track days/European road trips the only option?
Anyway, I had to go out early yesterday morning (Sunday) so chose the most twisty B-road filled route possible as thought I might be able to enjoy the journey even in the 5 series. What followed was an incredibly frustrating hour of waiting behind three abreast cyclists, avoiding tractors and the s
t they had dumped all over the road, pleading for rare overtaking opportunities to get past the processions of OAP's driving at 40 in 60 zones and constant speed changes due to cameras everywhere.My question is, how much safe fun is there still to be had out on public roads these days? Do I need to go further afield to find somewhere more suitable (I'm Staffordhsire based) or are track days/European road trips the only option?
Weekend car for me is something that can be enjoyed without going fast, such as a Morgan or a classic or similar, were the pleasure can be had driving the car. If I want to go fast I'd rather have a track car and stick to the track as it is safer and I'm not breaking the law, risking my driving license.
I should just add that I do 25K+ a year and just ditched my diesel daily in favor of MK3 MX5 because life is too short for boring cars. While I do a lot of motorway mileage I often end up on back roads during the course of my job and it was always soo annoying to find a beautiful road and be in a derv box. I'm forunate that I get a car allowance and they don't give a monkeys what I drive.
Us cyclists tend to meet at 8.00 am on a Sunday morning or maybe 8.30 am (if we've had a beer on Sat night) so we can enjoy the empty country roads.
Having said that, the B roads in the Yorkshire Dales tend to be so narrow, no car driver is ever going to be going at a great speed on them. Indeed cars often hold us up because their ability to see the road ahead is far worse than ours.
however its natural courtesy to let motorists past when its safe and of course signal when its safe for them to overtake
Having said that, the B roads in the Yorkshire Dales tend to be so narrow, no car driver is ever going to be going at a great speed on them. Indeed cars often hold us up because their ability to see the road ahead is far worse than ours.
however its natural courtesy to let motorists past when its safe and of course signal when its safe for them to overtake
I'm thinking of buying a weekend motor and as above I'm looking more at something that I can enjoy driving on the public roads rather than a balls-out racer.
I got done at 100+ a few years ago and really don't want to end up back in court if I can help it. Don't get me wrong, I love hooning round a circuit as much as anyone on here but that would require the expenditure on purchase, prep and storage of a track car.
I've got a six-year-old son who would love "a car with no roof" and as they're practically giving away Audi 80 cabs at the moment I reckon a £3k investment in a 2.6 V6 would give me plenty of bang for my buck. I'll probably have a look in December when soft-tops are a buyer's market.
I got done at 100+ a few years ago and really don't want to end up back in court if I can help it. Don't get me wrong, I love hooning round a circuit as much as anyone on here but that would require the expenditure on purchase, prep and storage of a track car.
I've got a six-year-old son who would love "a car with no roof" and as they're practically giving away Audi 80 cabs at the moment I reckon a £3k investment in a 2.6 V6 would give me plenty of bang for my buck. I'll probably have a look in December when soft-tops are a buyer's market.
tankplanker said:
Weekend car for me is something that can be enjoyed without going fast, such as a Morgan or a classic or similar, were the pleasure can be had driving the car. If I want to go fast I'd rather have a track car and stick to the track as it is safer and I'm not breaking the law, risking my driving license.
This.I have the 500SL for this reason. It lovely listening to the burble of the V8 between the hedgerows.
It needs to be a car you get pleasure from being in. Even in north east Scotland Skoda drivers can be spawned by The Matrix, but I love my Cerbera and that keeps things subjective. I've even been stuck for an hour in a traffic jam in that car due to a road accident at peak times which blocked a dual carriageway and not really minded the wait thanks to really liking the car (and also having a sense of perspective that being sat in a TVR is immeasurably better than being seriously injured and in the process of being cut out of your car).
I won't recommend any type of car, but it needs to be something that you, personally, really want to own and be in.
I won't recommend any type of car, but it needs to be something that you, personally, really want to own and be in.
Depends where you live, I love my commute - it's pure twisty rural a & B roads with no motorway or dual carriageway so I tend to enjoy the daily drive. My daily is not a diesel eurobox but I do so much driving during the week I tend to do little at the weekend although I would like an 'occasion' car; like an Aston/Ferrari/Maser etc
The theory I work on at the moment is that it's a mistake to just go for a drive for the sake of enjoyment. It leads to frustration and increased risk taking.
For me, driving is better enjoyed by chance, as and when you happen to find yourself in the right place at the right time.
I do have second car, and I'll take it if I suspect a journey might afford the chance for enjoyable driving. But if it doesn't I haven't lost anything. I was going there anyway.
For me, driving is better enjoyed by chance, as and when you happen to find yourself in the right place at the right time.
I do have second car, and I'll take it if I suspect a journey might afford the chance for enjoyable driving. But if it doesn't I haven't lost anything. I was going there anyway.
sato said:
Exactly how early did you get up?
There is no point even trying to have fun past 9.30 where I live for the reasons you described. Either get up earlier, or in the summer go late evening.
I was out of the door at 7:30, came as a surprise just how much was already on the road at that time on a Sunday.There is no point even trying to have fun past 9.30 where I live for the reasons you described. Either get up earlier, or in the summer go late evening.
HorneyMX5 said:
I should just add that I do 25K+ a year and just ditched my diesel daily in favor of MK3 MX5 because life is too short for boring cars. While I do a lot of motorway mileage I often end up on back roads during the course of my job and it was always soo annoying to find a beautiful road and be in a derv box. I'm forunate that I get a car allowance and they don't give a monkeys what I drive.
Love the 5 series day to day and certainly wouldn't want a less comfortable, manual car as a daily. Lovely place to sit, goes well enough, lots of gadgets and the auto-box makes dealing with the inevitable traffic jams a breeze. Just not suited to fun unfortunately. Also have 2 (tall) teenage kids so space is important.Jasandjules said:
Yes. You don't have to drive fast, but potter about when the weather is nice with the roof down, park up, have lunch in the pub, potter home again. Overtake if you "need" to.....
Definition of fun I suppose. I'm looking for the involving, selfish kind. Edited by SWoll on Monday 26th September 11:14
shoestring7 said:
..or learn to ride a bike. When you're riding a short, narrow vehicle with >500bhp/tonne you don't get held up by other road users.
SS7
The issue with tractors pulling out and dumping sSS7
t all over the road becomes more problematic though...Not for me. Had a couple of mates who've had big off's over the years and at 6.4 and 16 stone I've also never found a sports bike I feel comfortable on.
lostkiwi said:
SWoll said:
Definition of fun I suppose. I'm looking for the involving, selfish kind.
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