downgrading car lifestyle
Discussion
Moodyman1 said:
If you do downgrade, it’s important to consider what the family and neighbours might think. A lesser motor will project a diminished financial status.
That is, what a mate said when I questioned his sanity when he was pouring yet more money into his ailing
5 series diesel.
If he could get past that mode of thinking to the point where what anybody else thinks or says becomes irrelevant then he might actually start living. Maybe it's an age thing, to me opinions are like @rseholes, everybody has one and sometimes they stink, I find that in general people don't really care what anybody else drives, if they do then it says more about them then it does about you if it's negative. That is, what a mate said when I questioned his sanity when he was pouring yet more money into his ailing
5 series diesel.
Drive what you want, it doesn't really matter as long as you're happy with it.
Maybe don't downgrade, but change your perspective and priorities? I'm lucky enough to have a garage to store my "toy" car, so it does make it easier.
I've definitely changed my thoughts and reasoning on my car lifestyle recently, impending retirement kicked me in to action.
I have probably upgraded though.
I recently decided to swap my 88 7 series for something a bit newer, I wasn't really getting on with the Auto box and a few other things.
So I've gone all in on an E46 M3, using the following logic:
It's a toy, it will sit in the garage when not being used.
It's possible, but not gauranteed, that it might increase in value. Given that I don't have any intention of selling, this point is a bit moot.
If it breaks, expensively, then I'm happy for it to stay in the garage while I save up the required funds to repair, this may be 6,9,12 months, but I'm happy with that.
I'm getting close to retirement and figured if I didn't do it now, I never will. So I did it!
I currenty still have the 7 series, and if/when it sells that will give me a nice cushion for any M3 costs that are bound to arise.
And for my daily driver, I have a 300,000 mile Octavia or a 200,000 mile e39. If either of them die, I'll get another shed for daily work.
I've definitely changed my thoughts and reasoning on my car lifestyle recently, impending retirement kicked me in to action.
I have probably upgraded though.
I recently decided to swap my 88 7 series for something a bit newer, I wasn't really getting on with the Auto box and a few other things.
So I've gone all in on an E46 M3, using the following logic:
It's a toy, it will sit in the garage when not being used.
It's possible, but not gauranteed, that it might increase in value. Given that I don't have any intention of selling, this point is a bit moot.
If it breaks, expensively, then I'm happy for it to stay in the garage while I save up the required funds to repair, this may be 6,9,12 months, but I'm happy with that.
I'm getting close to retirement and figured if I didn't do it now, I never will. So I did it!
I currenty still have the 7 series, and if/when it sells that will give me a nice cushion for any M3 costs that are bound to arise.
And for my daily driver, I have a 300,000 mile Octavia or a 200,000 mile e39. If either of them die, I'll get another shed for daily work.
Crippo said:
After 15 years of Perfromance cars, early morning drives around Wales, countless track days and 2 trips to the North West of Scotland,I have well and truly scratched that itch. Cars keep you poor and they give you stress when they break. I sold my car. Banked the money, got my garage back and now do loads of cycling.
I have no money stress, I’m not going to kill myself or anyone else and my license is no longer in danger. I really dont miss it at all. I look at nice Sports cars and they don’t get my heart rate pounding at all. I have almost zero interest in cars now and I count that as a blessing.
You say you have almost zero interest in cars, if you don’t mind me asking, why are you posting on Pistonheads?I have no money stress, I’m not going to kill myself or anyone else and my license is no longer in danger. I really dont miss it at all. I look at nice Sports cars and they don’t get my heart rate pounding at all. I have almost zero interest in cars now and I count that as a blessing.
Edited by Paul Dishman on Wednesday 20th March 16:12
Not a massive jump compared to some, but I used to have an Impreza STI which was reasonably rare and the most expensive car I ever owned. After a while I realised I just didn't enjoy the experience... was far too worried about losing value, car parking dings, didn't want to modify it etc.
Eventually sold it on after just 6 months, and bought a Clio 182 at 1/4 of the price. As others have said... liberating! And in a way, much more fun. I modified the s
t out of that car, done my first ever track time, and drove all over the country with it. Kept it 4 years and sold it for a profit!
Eventually sold it on after just 6 months, and bought a Clio 182 at 1/4 of the price. As others have said... liberating! And in a way, much more fun. I modified the s
t out of that car, done my first ever track time, and drove all over the country with it. Kept it 4 years and sold it for a profit!Years ago I had an E39 M5 as a company car and thus my daily. When it was time to replace it I went for a VW Touareg V8, Yes, a very few neighbours said " You went from a BMW to a VW?.
My opinion of them dropped. Why would you judge someone by the car they drive?.
I have a variety of cars and have no shame in driving a Smart ForTwo in the city but some better cars on other occasions. My real friends don't care at all, and many of them have no interest in cars as it happens.
My opinion of them dropped. Why would you judge someone by the car they drive?.
I have a variety of cars and have no shame in driving a Smart ForTwo in the city but some better cars on other occasions. My real friends don't care at all, and many of them have no interest in cars as it happens.
RDMcG said:
Years ago I had an E39 M5 as a company car and thus my daily. When it was time to replace it I went for a VW Touareg V8, Yes, a very few neighbours said " You went from a BMW to a VW?.
My opinion of them dropped. Why would you judge someone by the car they drive?.
I have a variety of cars and have no shame in driving a Smart ForTwo in the city but some better cars on other occasions. My real friends don't care at all, and many of them have no interest in cars as it happens.
Surely they judged the brand, not you?My opinion of them dropped. Why would you judge someone by the car they drive?.
I have a variety of cars and have no shame in driving a Smart ForTwo in the city but some better cars on other occasions. My real friends don't care at all, and many of them have no interest in cars as it happens.
Moodyman1 said:
If you do downgrade, it’s important to consider what the family and neighbours might think. A lesser motor will project a diminished financial status.
That is, what a mate said when I questioned his sanity when he was pouring yet more money into his ailing
5 series diesel.
That would be a very sad state of affairs if true.That is, what a mate said when I questioned his sanity when he was pouring yet more money into his ailing
5 series diesel.
Who honestly cares what others think of your watch, car, house etc? Maybe I'm the odd one out for not giving two hoots.
Crippo said:
It was an ace car. I had it for £10k about 12 years ago and sold it for £15k 2 years ago. It wa running nearly 300bhp and had loads of work done to the suspension and brakes. It was basically like a go kart, just so incredibly light and nimble and literally impossible to unstick on a B road. I loved the flow of it, left foot braking and heel and toeing and flowing along deserted welsh roads early Sunday mornings. It’s a real drivers car you can tell exactly how much grip is under each wheel, your legs are directly in front of you and the gearbox is like a rifle bolt. I had the ABS turned off on mine as most owners do because it’s crap and dangerous, so you really know that you are in control.
I also liked driving with the roof off, in fact I kept the roof off and on,y really drove it when the weather was goo. Not an easy car to drive quickly in bad weather but does keep you engaged.
Thanks, it sounds just what I need in my life…..I also liked driving with the roof off, in fact I kept the roof off and on,y really drove it when the weather was goo. Not an easy car to drive quickly in bad weather but does keep you engaged.
From this:
To this:
Got it out of my system & now have this:
And am planning on adding something like this:
What downsizing showed me was that instead of just rolling over 5 Series after 5 Series on PCP that I wanted some fun, I preferred cars I actually owned & could spanner myself & I did like luxury & toys.
So Range Rover first, then once my financial ducks are in a row something 2 door, British & glamorous.
To this:
Got it out of my system & now have this:
And am planning on adding something like this:
What downsizing showed me was that instead of just rolling over 5 Series after 5 Series on PCP that I wanted some fun, I preferred cars I actually owned & could spanner myself & I did like luxury & toys.
So Range Rover first, then once my financial ducks are in a row something 2 door, British & glamorous.
Dr_Rick said:
My 'garage' here on PH lists a number of varied vehicles of the recent years, and I am known for being keen to move from one vehicle type to another. I'm predominantly working from home post Covid so have the luxury to have a car for occasional commutes and for fun. So whether this fits the initial premise of the question or not, I'm not sure.
I'm about to offload my M2, which is a great car and hopefully sought after. The price I have agreed with a deal taking it for their stock means it'll have cost me a shade over £10k in my 4yrs ownership. I've had better, I've had worse.
Once that's gone, I'll be looking to get back into the more 'fun' cars rather than purely capable. I think I'm a Lotus person so I'll be heading that way I think.
Key differences: 4-seat becomes 2-seat, DCT becomes manual, 3.0 straight six becomes 1.8 four banger. Lighter and driven with (some) sympathy means reduced running costs. I have memories of not having to change tyres or brakes as often on earlier Loti that I've had, so hopefully same here.
As much as I’m not a fan of a tag line, the “for the drivers” is a suitable one for lotus. Mine probably costs me £5k PA in parking opportunity cost (city centre), insurance and tax alone. However, running costs for what I see as a junior supercar make it far easier to justify in my head and the glacial depreciation to boot. I'm about to offload my M2, which is a great car and hopefully sought after. The price I have agreed with a deal taking it for their stock means it'll have cost me a shade over £10k in my 4yrs ownership. I've had better, I've had worse.
Once that's gone, I'll be looking to get back into the more 'fun' cars rather than purely capable. I think I'm a Lotus person so I'll be heading that way I think.
Key differences: 4-seat becomes 2-seat, DCT becomes manual, 3.0 straight six becomes 1.8 four banger. Lighter and driven with (some) sympathy means reduced running costs. I have memories of not having to change tyres or brakes as often on earlier Loti that I've had, so hopefully same here.
On the broader topic, however, I don’t disagree U.K. driving and road condition make it ever harder to justify nice cars. I often have more fun in my ageing Audi on Spanish roads than I do my U.K. cars and next addition will be another LHD car but sports variety in Europe to enjoy far better roads, less congested, better disciplined and generally a much better experience.
I just found that having a really nice car (an Aston V8 Vantage 4.7 in my case) was self defeating. It was so nice that I got really precious about it, and simply never drove it. For example Mrs Hants and I went away for the weekend; "We could take the Aston" she suggested. "Hmm, not sure about parking it on the street, and anyway it's forecast to rain", I said. So we took the family bus that we've had for nearly 20 years instead, leaving my highly polished Vantage in the garage. Daft, I know, but I'd convinced myself that the Aston was too nice to use.
I've since sold it and now have a 2019 Fiesta ST-3. The funny thing is I prefer driving it to the Aston. Sacrilege, I know, but it's small and go-karty and doesn't have a heavy clutch, a stupid starting procedure or a weird handbrake. I can actually park it without worrying too much, and best of all I can use most of its performance without endangering me, my licence and other road users. I've found that less is definitely more. Glad I had the Aston 'experience', but I wouldn't go back.
I've since sold it and now have a 2019 Fiesta ST-3. The funny thing is I prefer driving it to the Aston. Sacrilege, I know, but it's small and go-karty and doesn't have a heavy clutch, a stupid starting procedure or a weird handbrake. I can actually park it without worrying too much, and best of all I can use most of its performance without endangering me, my licence and other road users. I've found that less is definitely more. Glad I had the Aston 'experience', but I wouldn't go back.
Dr_Rick said:
My 'garage' here on PH lists a number of varied vehicles of the recent years, and I am known for being keen to move from one vehicle type to another. I'm predominantly working from home post Covid so have the luxury to have a car for occasional commutes and for fun. So whether this fits the initial premise of the question or not, I'm not sure.
I'm about to offload my M2, which is a great car and hopefully sought after. The price I have agreed with a deal taking it for their stock means it'll have cost me a shade over £10k in my 4yrs ownership. I've had better, I've had worse.
Once that's gone, I'll be looking to get back into the more 'fun' cars rather than purely capable. I think I'm a Lotus person so I'll be heading that way I think.
Key differences: 4-seat becomes 2-seat, DCT becomes manual, 3.0 straight six becomes 1.8 four banger. Lighter and driven with (some) sympathy means reduced running costs. I have memories of not having to change tyres or brakes as often on earlier Loti that I've had, so hopefully same here.
As much as I’m not a fan of a tag line, the “for the drivers” is a suitable one for lotus. Mine probably costs me £5k PA in parking opportunity cost (city centre), insurance and tax alone. However, running costs for what I see as a junior supercar make it far easier to justify in my head and the glacial depreciation to boot. I'm about to offload my M2, which is a great car and hopefully sought after. The price I have agreed with a deal taking it for their stock means it'll have cost me a shade over £10k in my 4yrs ownership. I've had better, I've had worse.
Once that's gone, I'll be looking to get back into the more 'fun' cars rather than purely capable. I think I'm a Lotus person so I'll be heading that way I think.
Key differences: 4-seat becomes 2-seat, DCT becomes manual, 3.0 straight six becomes 1.8 four banger. Lighter and driven with (some) sympathy means reduced running costs. I have memories of not having to change tyres or brakes as often on earlier Loti that I've had, so hopefully same here.
On the broader topic, however, I don’t disagree U.K. driving and road condition make it ever harder to justify nice cars. I often have more fun in my ageing Audi on Spanish roads than I do my U.K. cars and next addition will be another LHD car but sports variety in Europe to enjoy far better roads, less congested, better disciplined and generally a much better experience.
Gordon Hill said:
Moodyman1 said:
If you do downgrade, it’s important to consider what the family and neighbours might think. A lesser motor will project a diminished financial status.
That is, what a mate said when I questioned his sanity when he was pouring yet more money into his ailing
5 series diesel.
If he could get past that mode of thinking to the point where what anybody else thinks or says becomes irrelevant then he might actually start living. Maybe it's an age thing, to me opinions are like @rseholes, everybody has one and sometimes they stink, I find that in general people don't really care what anybody else drives, if they do then it says more about them then it does about you if it's negative. That is, what a mate said when I questioned his sanity when he was pouring yet more money into his ailing
5 series diesel.
Drive what you want, it doesn't really matter as long as you're happy with it.
I've just changed my everyday car ( GR Yaris circuit pack ) as I felt it was a bit wasted driving in 30mph traffic a lot of the time and bought a 23 year Audi TT Mk1 and I absolutely love it. I don't give a toss what anyone else thinks ( and never have ! )
Monty1502] said:
I've just changed my everyday car ( GR Yaris circuit pack ) as I felt it was a bit wasted driving in 30mph traffic a lot of the time and bought a 23 year Audi TT Mk1 and I absolutely love it. I don't give a toss what anyone else thinks ( and never have ! )
I would have thought a GR Yaris be suited to 30mph traffic. Obviously a waste of two torsen diffs but it's not overpowered when off boost(!) Whilst I don't care too much about what people think i am tiring of a Honda Jazz 1.3 for town driving - it's like the least cool car ever - even though it's good car and does close to 50mpg.Olivergt said:
Maybe don't downgrade, but change your perspective and priorities? I'm lucky enough to have a garage to store my "toy" car, so it does make it easier.
I've definitely changed my thoughts and reasoning on my car lifestyle recently, impending retirement kicked me in to action.
I have probably upgraded though.
I recently decided to swap my 88 7 series for something a bit newer, I wasn't really getting on with the Auto box and a few other things.
So I've gone all in on an E46 M3, using the following logic:
It's a toy, it will sit in the garage when not being used.
It's possible, but not gauranteed, that it might increase in value. Given that I don't have any intention of selling, this point is a bit moot.
If it breaks, expensively, then I'm happy for it to stay in the garage while I save up the required funds to repair, this may be 6,9,12 months, but I'm happy with that.
I'm getting close to retirement and figured if I didn't do it now, I never will. So I did it!
I currenty still have the 7 series, and if/when it sells that will give me a nice cushion for any M3 costs that are bound to arise.
And for my daily driver, I have a 300,000 mile Octavia or a 200,000 mile e39. If either of them die, I'll get another shed for daily work.
That makes sense to me. I've definitely changed my thoughts and reasoning on my car lifestyle recently, impending retirement kicked me in to action.
I have probably upgraded though.
I recently decided to swap my 88 7 series for something a bit newer, I wasn't really getting on with the Auto box and a few other things.
So I've gone all in on an E46 M3, using the following logic:
It's a toy, it will sit in the garage when not being used.
It's possible, but not gauranteed, that it might increase in value. Given that I don't have any intention of selling, this point is a bit moot.
If it breaks, expensively, then I'm happy for it to stay in the garage while I save up the required funds to repair, this may be 6,9,12 months, but I'm happy with that.
I'm getting close to retirement and figured if I didn't do it now, I never will. So I did it!
I currenty still have the 7 series, and if/when it sells that will give me a nice cushion for any M3 costs that are bound to arise.
And for my daily driver, I have a 300,000 mile Octavia or a 200,000 mile e39. If either of them die, I'll get another shed for daily work.
I took workplace pensions early and stopped working in in 2015 and had a BMW E46 325ti Compact daily and a 3 litre Z4 Coupe.
The daily is my now Cat N 330i Shed, but in 2019 I treated myself to a Z4M Coupe as I had turned 60 and realised it was now or never!
Engines like the S54 will never happen again.
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