Anyone ever got bored with cars and give up?
Discussion
Just pondering this question, as on another forum I go on, a bloke on there started a thread, where he said that cars used to be his life, but he's got bored of them, sold his and bought a cheap old economical banger...
After yet another absolutely superb hoon out today in the ITR I just cant imagine me ever getting bored with cars and driving. I came back today and had a huge grin on my face. I just love the feeling when you go out for a drive in a sporty car, and just drive to absolute perfection, fast as you like, but totally safe and smooth, just so satisfying. I just cant see how I could get bored with that.
I'll never get bored trying or passengering in different cars.
I wonder if those who get bored with cars either dont have particularly great cars to start off with, or if they do, whether they actually use them properly, i.e. use them for more than just going to the shops or to work, and actually give it some beans now and again.
Personally I am addicted, and spend far too much money going out for drives. Will I ever get bored? I just cant see it myself...
Just wondering if theres anyone on here who feels like they will get bored, or whether its started to happen to them now, or if, like me, they feel they'll never get bored with cars and driving...
Discuss
After yet another absolutely superb hoon out today in the ITR I just cant imagine me ever getting bored with cars and driving. I came back today and had a huge grin on my face. I just love the feeling when you go out for a drive in a sporty car, and just drive to absolute perfection, fast as you like, but totally safe and smooth, just so satisfying. I just cant see how I could get bored with that.
I'll never get bored trying or passengering in different cars.
I wonder if those who get bored with cars either dont have particularly great cars to start off with, or if they do, whether they actually use them properly, i.e. use them for more than just going to the shops or to work, and actually give it some beans now and again.
Personally I am addicted, and spend far too much money going out for drives. Will I ever get bored? I just cant see it myself...
Just wondering if theres anyone on here who feels like they will get bored, or whether its started to happen to them now, or if, like me, they feel they'll never get bored with cars and driving...
Discuss
Sort of... I realised a couple of years ago that cars had cost me too much over the years, so sold my Audi S6 and bought an E34 BMW Touring for a couple of grand. Not often one trades down, is it? Anyway, it didn't stop me looking at other cars and during the year I had the E34 I bought, and then sold shortly after, a Saab 9000 Aero because I'd quite fancied one and it was cheap - in fact, the only car I've ever sold for a profit.
But my wife complained the E34 was a bit old, and it wasn't as quick as I'd like so I spent quite a while looking for an E39 540i Touring at the right price in the right spec. Which is lovely, but not the sort of car to inspire me to get up early on a Sunday and drive round Wales.
I'm going to keep the E39 as long as I can; it's hardly going to depreciate, should cost zero in servicing for the next year after I've done bits and bobs in 2007, and fortunately my wife fancies replacing her car soon so I can enjoy buying her something, thus distracting me for a bit
And to be honest, the only proper replacement for my E39 would be a 530/535D MSport Touring, Audi A6 Avant 3.2TDI Quattro or Merc E320CDI Estate, none of which is any faster or more comfortable than my current car but all of which will be losing £5k+ a year in depreciation - which is not offset sufficiently by the fuel saving. I'd really like a Boxster S 3.4 but with kids it's not going to happen. So, yes, I've effectively resigned myself to not having an interesting car.
But my wife complained the E34 was a bit old, and it wasn't as quick as I'd like so I spent quite a while looking for an E39 540i Touring at the right price in the right spec. Which is lovely, but not the sort of car to inspire me to get up early on a Sunday and drive round Wales.
I'm going to keep the E39 as long as I can; it's hardly going to depreciate, should cost zero in servicing for the next year after I've done bits and bobs in 2007, and fortunately my wife fancies replacing her car soon so I can enjoy buying her something, thus distracting me for a bit
And to be honest, the only proper replacement for my E39 would be a 530/535D MSport Touring, Audi A6 Avant 3.2TDI Quattro or Merc E320CDI Estate, none of which is any faster or more comfortable than my current car but all of which will be losing £5k+ a year in depreciation - which is not offset sufficiently by the fuel saving. I'd really like a Boxster S 3.4 but with kids it's not going to happen. So, yes, I've effectively resigned myself to not having an interesting car.Edited by SJobson on Sunday 30th December 18:22
I got bored when I realised that of the only two cars I actually wanted, one I really couldn't justify to myself on cost grounds, I didn't think it was worth what it woul have cost me, and the other I'd promised myself as a 40th prezzie so it'll have to wait a bit.
So, I got shot of the cars and bought a motorbike instead.
I couldn't imagine being without a set of wheels to have fun in/on. 
Anyone ever used a big HGV tractor unit for fun?
So, I got shot of the cars and bought a motorbike instead.
I couldn't imagine being without a set of wheels to have fun in/on. Anyone ever used a big HGV tractor unit for fun?
I see exactly where he's coming from.... I'm sorely tempted to do something similar.
My problem is that modern cars are so competent that they seem dull at vaguely legal speeds. Hopefully I can save enough to complement my current car with a very different older car, then I'll get the best of both worlds in terms of reliability and interest!
My problem is that modern cars are so competent that they seem dull at vaguely legal speeds. Hopefully I can save enough to complement my current car with a very different older car, then I'll get the best of both worlds in terms of reliability and interest!
i sold my last car in april & had no intention of getting another for years. i'd got into bikes & cars just cant compare in my eyes.
i've now got a bargain barge merc because i needed a cheap car to dump in a possibly crappy area for a week at a time & expect it to be there when i come back - i wouldnt trust the bike to stay there. a bargain barge turned out to be the best way to get a cheap car so here i am with an old merc.
i've now got a bargain barge merc because i needed a cheap car to dump in a possibly crappy area for a week at a time & expect it to be there when i come back - i wouldnt trust the bike to stay there. a bargain barge turned out to be the best way to get a cheap car so here i am with an old merc.
FunkyNige said:
There's a name for these people - bikers.
Yep. After a trackday I quickly realised that driving on the road was not even in the same league and it lost a lot of the allure. Riding a bike on the road is completely different although I've yet to do a bike track day and am hoping it won't do the same thing to my road bike riding.I can understand it. I very rarely just go out for a drive these days I hate the 4 - 5 weeks of worry that the NIP for me loosing my license will come through the door, to date I've not been caught being naughty but the xxx:x ratio of cameras to cars on the uk roads mean it's inevitable if I carry on driving in a fun manner, hell if you've got a car that can double the NSL on a slip road its hard not to. As a result I only really drive my fast car at track days now, but they are expensive fun so I'll probably only do 3 or 4 a year as I prefer the circuit days oppose air field ones.
Eventually big brother wil legislate fast fun cars out of existance anyway.
Manufactures seem to have started already... not a car on sale for under £50K I'd really like whereas in the early 90's £25K they were everywhere.
Eventually big brother wil legislate fast fun cars out of existance anyway.
Manufactures seem to have started already... not a car on sale for under £50K I'd really like whereas in the early 90's £25K they were everywhere.
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Sunday 30th December 18:53
I think if I stopped going out for random drives, then it would mean the only time I would drive would be for going to work and back, so I doubt I would bother.
As for trackdays, well they are certainly good for finding out about your cars handling in a way that you cant really on the road, but in many respects, I think they can also be a bit clinical, i.e. going around a track in the same direction constantly, and the sheer size and openness of a track means that a car that can feel pretty quick on the road, can feel utterly slow on track.
Part of the appeal of B-road driving for me is the variety, and the scenery that comes with it.
I think nowadays, a car that handles well, and has enough power to overtake, is probably fast enough for our roads.
Its important for me for a car to "feel" quick. Older cars and sports cars do this better. I can go at 80 down a country road in my ITR and it is still very entertaining and fun, but most of the modern stuff just feels bland and composed at well over a ton. Modern cars do nowt for me, and I could see me getting bored if thats all I had to drive.
To me, the car doesnt have to be especially fast, or expensive, as long as it is involving. I love working the card hard for a good result, but at the same time, being smooth and safe. I love being able to cover ground as quickly as possible but without endangering myself or anyone else. I think theres a certain art to it, and I find it hugely satisfying. Thats why I cant see myself getting bored with it...
As for trackdays, well they are certainly good for finding out about your cars handling in a way that you cant really on the road, but in many respects, I think they can also be a bit clinical, i.e. going around a track in the same direction constantly, and the sheer size and openness of a track means that a car that can feel pretty quick on the road, can feel utterly slow on track.
Part of the appeal of B-road driving for me is the variety, and the scenery that comes with it.
I think nowadays, a car that handles well, and has enough power to overtake, is probably fast enough for our roads.
Its important for me for a car to "feel" quick. Older cars and sports cars do this better. I can go at 80 down a country road in my ITR and it is still very entertaining and fun, but most of the modern stuff just feels bland and composed at well over a ton. Modern cars do nowt for me, and I could see me getting bored if thats all I had to drive.
To me, the car doesnt have to be especially fast, or expensive, as long as it is involving. I love working the card hard for a good result, but at the same time, being smooth and safe. I love being able to cover ground as quickly as possible but without endangering myself or anyone else. I think theres a certain art to it, and I find it hugely satisfying. Thats why I cant see myself getting bored with it...
I think with rising fuel prices and ever busier roads with lots of speed cameras, sometimes one has to remind oneself that driving is fun.
It is very easy to get frustrated with driving, but I always make a point to treat myself to a good drive every so often - it is easy to fall into the trap of driving like an automaton and thinking "what is the point of spending all this money on a car with the roads like this".
It is very easy to get frustrated with driving, but I always make a point to treat myself to a good drive every so often - it is easy to fall into the trap of driving like an automaton and thinking "what is the point of spending all this money on a car with the roads like this".
Quite see what he's getting at.
Fuel/Scameras/random vandalism aside, I just haven't thought of anything better to do with my spare time.
Mrs Rich has the horses which are all very well although on different level.
and anyway that involves early mornings & cold weather,
for precious little reward that I can see.
Coming on here and teasing the TVR lot is essentially an empty and vacuous pastime
although a close Second
Fuel/Scameras/random vandalism aside, I just haven't thought of anything better to do with my spare time.
Mrs Rich has the horses which are all very well although on different level.
and anyway that involves early mornings & cold weather,
for precious little reward that I can see.
Coming on here and teasing the TVR lot is essentially an empty and vacuous pastime
although a close Second
I can see the point, after all, our government seems hell bent on removing what little fun is left from driving, and although I am lucky to live in the northern wastelands, where there is comparatively little traffic, and hardly any scameras etc, if I lived down south I think I'd be a lot more pissed off with it than I am now.
Unfortunately it will never get any cheaper, because we are all planet killing scumbags who need to be punished for their sins.
However, I genuinely believe that I will be able to continue having fun, one way or another, on a motorised vehicle for some time yet
Unfortunately it will never get any cheaper, because we are all planet killing scumbags who need to be punished for their sins.
However, I genuinely believe that I will be able to continue having fun, one way or another, on a motorised vehicle for some time yet
We are approaching the motoring equivalent of the ice age if the current bunch of interfering, tax on tax, congestion charging, lentil eating twunts get their way.
But that aside.
Yes it is possible to get bored with cars. But give up? No.
I have two small kids and have been lucky to own a few interesting cars - not daily drivers. So when do I drive them? 'Bye dear, just going for a drive'. Go up the A3, turn around, come back down the A3. 'Nice drive dear?' !! I hardly ever take the Mrs out in a two seater - we'd have to get babysitters to do it.
Or I track them - which with a beautiful car is something akin to attempting the final chapter of the Karma Sutra with your innocent first love!
By that I mean you sort of regret the mechanical hardship your car has had to suffer whilst you make a beast of yourself! But just occasionally - it's wonderful. A great drive to a country pub, perfect parking where some cock won't ding it or some SAGA insured pensioner reverse into it.
Then they sit in the garage losing collectively thousands a month (which is why P1 or the variants have some appeal over ownership).
But give up? No. PH!
As per earlier comments - I feel any fun you can have on the roads is being reined in by speed camera / anpr / cctv and rising running and petrol costs.
Even 10 years ago I used to drive reasonably relaxed, but now especially on motorways or nearing London it always seems you have to be on guard to prevent getting caught or a fine.... even if you are driving sedately.
I would say I am starting to loose faith in driving. As I never have time to enjoy it. And the spiralling costs mean that anything other than a normal daily car would affect my finances too much.
I hope to own a nice track bred car or something for the weekend before the chance of enjoying it are taken away.
I would say though - some blokes have football , some rugby , some electronics , others cars.
As my dad says, if you stopped thinking about the things you enjoy (cars,gadgets,pc,games) you would just start to think of others to take up the time.
Even 10 years ago I used to drive reasonably relaxed, but now especially on motorways or nearing London it always seems you have to be on guard to prevent getting caught or a fine.... even if you are driving sedately.
I would say I am starting to loose faith in driving. As I never have time to enjoy it. And the spiralling costs mean that anything other than a normal daily car would affect my finances too much.
I hope to own a nice track bred car or something for the weekend before the chance of enjoying it are taken away.
I would say though - some blokes have football , some rugby , some electronics , others cars.
As my dad says, if you stopped thinking about the things you enjoy (cars,gadgets,pc,games) you would just start to think of others to take up the time.
NDA said:
We are approaching the motoring equivalent of the ice age...
that post reminded me of some great posts of old by a certain PH'er who used to write particularly well-concieved rants.. I understand completely what the OP was talking about though...
I'm in a situation where I want to change cars.. but can't afford any of the ones I want, and I really want two (a fast road car, and a track-slag).. and I think to myself "even if I could.. would I really want to spend £X thousand pounds on cars..? I could take a year off work and travel the world in style for that sort of money!"
...trouble is, my interest is still spiked whenever I see an interesting car out on the road, or come across a particularly good bit of empty road. I think I'll have to resign myself to the fact that there's large quantities of hydrocarbons in my blood.. not much I can do about that!
..this just takes me back to my car dilema though...
....who's for another "What Car?" thread!?!?!?
I think I did 'give up' when I swapped a V6 Alfa for a 2.0Tdi Audi.
A lot of the fun has gone out of driving, though, because of speed cameras, loss of job if I get too many points, wife & young children, too many cars on the road, overpriced (overtaxed) petrol... yet I can still dream
Bikes are not the answer, as I have a leg full of bolts already from my 'VFR meets full-sized deer' experience.
The problem is, by the time I can get my 911 or V8 etc the NSL will be 25 and there'll be no point...
A lot of the fun has gone out of driving, though, because of speed cameras, loss of job if I get too many points, wife & young children, too many cars on the road, overpriced (overtaxed) petrol... yet I can still dream
Bikes are not the answer, as I have a leg full of bolts already from my 'VFR meets full-sized deer' experience.
The problem is, by the time I can get my 911 or V8 etc the NSL will be 25 and there'll be no point...
I have to admit to have had a few thoughts of selling up recently. I love both my cars, but I only drive them for fun (the Clio barely at all) and I wonder whether I'd be better of selling them in the Summer and having the money ready for a house or even just a rainy day. Tricky one.
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