Drive them, its what they are for!

Drive them, its what they are for!

Author
Discussion

v8ksn

Original Poster:

4,711 posts

183 months

v8ksn

Original Poster:

4,711 posts

183 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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v8ksn said:
Edit: This link has no swear words biggrin http://goo.gl/yK5AIv

Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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laugh Good read.

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Sunday 24th July 2016
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Good article, quite amusing. All my 'fun' cars have been second vehicles. I do like having a very utilitarian and useable daily drive which, over the years has been various things with a green oval and more recently a VW T5 - all ideal for my lifestyle.

However, my idea of non-daily driving encompasses use year round, in all but the worst of winter (I avoid, as far as possible, ice and road salt) and in conditions that more pampered cars stay cooped-up.mi thing this is better for the mechanicals, as well as for wringing out maximum enjoyment.

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Sunday 24th July 2016
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I can see that, but I have a cussed streak that loves utilitarianism (I think my 2013 Defender is possibly the one vehicle I will regret selling for ever), I'm very messy, and my life frequently involves going places with mountain bikes and or dogs, and/or other muddy, sweaty humans on occasion.

ooid

4,049 posts

99 months

Sunday 24th July 2016
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I think some people just like collecting them, like watches, shoes or bags.. And some people really stuck with their jobs & commuting routine so can not use their cars (I used to be one!), especially if you living in a city like London, it's almost impossible to drive your car for the last few years. I know a few people, who has fantastic cars but they can not use them due to traffic, congestion or even vandalism.

See the video below; happens in a very busy street in Mayfair!

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/video/2015/nov...


On a personal note, quite lucky to drive to work for the last few years, would not change one hour commuting by car to 20 mins of nightmare public transport in London. loser


griffter

3,981 posts

254 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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I tire of these kind of articles, just like the "I don't give a sh!t about value" threads. If I was ignorant of ownership costs, values and the conditions which drive them (like wear, tear and racking up miles) then like my neighbours I'd be left scratching my head as to how the bloke who lives down the road, with a small family, a modest house and a modest lifestyle manages to keep a 911.

The fact is that neither my income, nor my outgoings are compatible with running a 911 daily. Nor the Spyder, Alpina, Elise or TVR which preceded it. But none of those cars have wanted for anything, all have been recommissioned or improved by me and all have enabled me to step up to the next purchase. Importantly I've enjoyed researching, working on, talking about, sharing, tracking and yes - even driving - all of them.

So yes it is about the cost implication, and that fact that we're a long time dead and I'm prepared to make some sacrifices (including daily driving) in order to indulge in a little of what I like (which I guess you could say is owning rather than just driving). Better that than none at all, crippling debt or half measures.

v8ksn

Original Poster:

4,711 posts

183 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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I think the article is more aimed at those who claim to be enthusiasts but don't want to drive their cars for fear of putting mileage on them and 'devaluing' the asset.

I have a daily driver (E46 3 Series coupe) which was my wife's old company car and I use that for a daily commute on the M4. (Motorway miles are boring) and I save my GT3 for fun days ....... like yesterday when I took it into France for a right good spanking......now i am back at work in the 3 series looking forward to the next drive.

Some 'enthusiasts' don't drive their cars because they don't want to add the mileage..... I have no idea how many miles I did in France but I enjoyed every single one of them.


mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
I do the boring daily smoker dance - Insignia diesel. I know, the horror.

I do 30k a year, mostly on the motorway, an air cooled 911 would be tiring. I have a very busy job and I just need a tool. Also, the cost would probably bankrupt me into selling it, so it just would not work!

Also, i like the contrast. Having driven my comfortable cruiser all week, its just fab to crack up the 911 at the weekend. By the way, i like the insignia, it does exactly what it says on the tin. Its honest. I would buy another.

mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
I get your point, I really do! Its just that when I am at work and constantly on the bloody mobile, i just want comfort and to be invisible.

But, I am interested in your views about what I could run. Lets say I sold the 993 and Insignia and replaced it with one car. It must have;

Entertainment
Comfort
The toys
Do 30k per annum
Not bankrupt me
Feel special when I want it to
Be interesting and challenging
Cruise when I want it to

ATM

18,099 posts

218 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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mollytherocker said:
I get your point, I really do! Its just that when I am at work and constantly on the bloody mobile, i just want comfort and to be invisible.

But, I am interested in your views about what I could run. Lets say I sold the 993 and Insignia and replaced it with one car. It must have;

Entertainment
Comfort
The toys
Do 30k per annum
Not bankrupt me
Feel special when I want it to
Be interesting and challenging
Cruise when I want it to
986
987 B or C
981 B or C

hunter 66

3,890 posts

219 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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agree keep my Porsches for weekends ........... and boring Daily Smoker is a Ferrari

mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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ATM said:
986
987 B or C
981 B or C
I forgot to mention that i need 4 doors and 5 seats for my job.

I would also suggest that 90k miles in any of those over 3 years would be very costly.

ATM

18,099 posts

218 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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mollytherocker said:
ATM said:
986
987 B or C
981 B or C
I forgot to mention that i need 4 doors and 5 seats for my job.

I would also suggest that 90k miles in any of those over 3 years would be very costly.
Yes it will. I don't try to add up what my life costs. I walked to work today and I missed my car. I am driving tomorrow.

mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Monday 25th July 2016
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
I actually like that idea. E39 touring would be a nice thing too.

Company policy is less than 5 years old, but with a pp I bet nobody would notice!

What about a 730d?

mollytherocker

14,365 posts

208 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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Mid 2000's Jaaaaaag XJ's are buttons.

biggrin

ATM

18,099 posts

218 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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mollytherocker said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I actually like that idea. E39 touring would be a nice thing too.

Company policy is less than 5 years old, but with a pp I bet nobody would notice!

What about a 730d?
I think he is hankering after a diesel. He might have the insignia as a company car so it is provided. If so it is hard to compete with a free car. I've been through this recently with a colleague. The only option I can think of right now is an alfa 159. When did they stop making those?

I guess it depends how strictly the 5 year thing is policed?

Some of these moderns really are amazing on fuel and nothing older will get near their frugality.

I had a 730d. It was a bit too big for car parks and I got it beeched in a multi story.

The previous gen 335d touring might just scrape in if it is a 2011. The 330d still has enough poke to be fun and can be had in manual.

Does this 5 door have to fit 4 adults in with room for their legs and arms or could you get away with an m 135i?

Digga

40,207 posts

282 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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mollytherocker said:
Company policy is less than 5 years old, but with a pp I bet nobody would notice!
Jag XF V6 diesel touring.

v8ksn

Original Poster:

4,711 posts

183 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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I can't help but feel I am missing the point of these suggestions.

I see the 'station car' as a pure utility. It needs to transport me from A to B for the cheapest overall cost but more importantly it needs to be reliable!

I don't want to spend money on fixing an old jalopy, I want to spend money on keeping my GT3 mechanically and cosmetically tip-top.

If my 3 series dies then it will be replaced with something like Molly's Insignia (which is pretty much perfect as everyday transportation to me)

griffter

3,981 posts

254 months

Tuesday 26th July 2016
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I've run a variety of "smokers", some bought with the head, some with the heart. They've included:

Mercedes 190e
Subaru Legacy estate (interesting reliable car but fabulously thirsty)
E36 BMW 328 coupe (fell into the trap of trying to sort it and upgrade it despite smoker status)
Alfa GT coupe

All cost less than £3k.

But I now run an old diesel Peugeot. It's cheap, reliable and it has cruise. My commute is 99% motorway so frankly it makes the most sense, it actually makes the journey the most enjoyable and I have no desire to keep it clean or sort out the stone chips.

Now and again I like to go out for a meal with the wife. Most days I grab a sandwich and a coke.