Is it stupid to drive a nice car?
Discussion
After many years I finally have a car I always promised myself. It's no supercar or mega expensive GT, but I guess it's one of those iconic cars that 99% of car enthusiasts will recognise. I still recall the first time I actually saw one in the metal, the sound it made and the way it shot off into the distance. That was 25 years ago and I can still picture it, clear as day.
So November last year I fly several hundred miles to view a potential purchase. I paid a deposit and 8 months later I finally fly back to collect it. I may be a middle aged, balding fat bloke but it was like all my childhood Christmas mornings rolled into one. A couple of months on and I'm just as happy with my purchase. Maybe even more so? Anyway, last weekend myself and a few friends went for a blast around North Wales. We started at Betws-y-coed and eventually ended up at Brecon some 500 miles later. It was great fun and exactly what I had in mind when I bought my car.
A couple of days ago, whist chatting, someone said I was stupid to use my car in this way. They seemed to think a sedate Sunday morning drive, before returning home to wash and wax my ''investment'' was a far more sensible idea. I told them the story of seeing my first example as a younger man and the impression it left on me, but they just didn't get it. I said that I felt it was almost a responsibility for the owners of such cars to let them be seen, but more importantly heard!, doing what they were built for. I remembered JK saying something similar about driving his Miura too? I also remember a few 'mad' comments when Monkey Harris took his E30 M3 and went rallying in it.
So, I suppose I just wondered what other people thought? Do owners of iconic, different, unusual, super, hyper (delete as appropriate) cars have a responsibility to let them be seen and heard? Or is that just nonsense? If it is nonsense though, where do the car enthusiasts of tomorrow get their inspiration if all the 'inspirational cars' are in garages, under cover between auction appearances for blue chip investment?
A couple of snaps from last weekend. The 02's have a bit more go, thanks to being stroked to 2.2, Schrick cam etc.
So November last year I fly several hundred miles to view a potential purchase. I paid a deposit and 8 months later I finally fly back to collect it. I may be a middle aged, balding fat bloke but it was like all my childhood Christmas mornings rolled into one. A couple of months on and I'm just as happy with my purchase. Maybe even more so? Anyway, last weekend myself and a few friends went for a blast around North Wales. We started at Betws-y-coed and eventually ended up at Brecon some 500 miles later. It was great fun and exactly what I had in mind when I bought my car.
A couple of days ago, whist chatting, someone said I was stupid to use my car in this way. They seemed to think a sedate Sunday morning drive, before returning home to wash and wax my ''investment'' was a far more sensible idea. I told them the story of seeing my first example as a younger man and the impression it left on me, but they just didn't get it. I said that I felt it was almost a responsibility for the owners of such cars to let them be seen, but more importantly heard!, doing what they were built for. I remembered JK saying something similar about driving his Miura too? I also remember a few 'mad' comments when Monkey Harris took his E30 M3 and went rallying in it.
So, I suppose I just wondered what other people thought? Do owners of iconic, different, unusual, super, hyper (delete as appropriate) cars have a responsibility to let them be seen and heard? Or is that just nonsense? If it is nonsense though, where do the car enthusiasts of tomorrow get their inspiration if all the 'inspirational cars' are in garages, under cover between auction appearances for blue chip investment?
A couple of snaps from last weekend. The 02's have a bit more go, thanks to being stroked to 2.2, Schrick cam etc.
Funnily enough I was going up to Lostwithiel this morning, to watch the local rally, when I got a front puncture. I made it into the Shell garage a few yards further up and rang the RAC for a hand and whilst sat there had a few people stop and chat. An Evo 6 driver, an e46 M3 and a TVR amongst a sea of diesel Aldi and caravans or VW transporters, that have all been styled to be individual, to the extent they all look the same!
Personally I like all cars but I know I'm lucky to drive my old e30. It's a pain in the arse trying to get a 235/40r17 on a Sunday in Cornwall though!
Personally I like all cars but I know I'm lucky to drive my old e30. It's a pain in the arse trying to get a 235/40r17 on a Sunday in Cornwall though!
I know Monkey Harris could have made a few quid from restoring and selling the e30 M3 I sold him, but personally I was well chuffed to see how it turned out as a Group A rally car. Yes, there are inherent risks to any car built fo competition but it really is something special being able to see and hear it mid stage! I guess nostalgia is a big part of iconic cars but if all they do is sit in an air conditioned garage, you may as well just have a picture!
The e30 M3 was something I'd lusted after since first seeing one and the only other cars that had that effect on me, were the Porsche 917 and BMW M1. Even if my numbers came up, I wouldn't physically fit in either though!
Have checked the profiles of a few people posting here and there are some pretty special cars amongst you. Any pics would be appreciated!
The e30 M3 was something I'd lusted after since first seeing one and the only other cars that had that effect on me, were the Porsche 917 and BMW M1. Even if my numbers came up, I wouldn't physically fit in either though!
Have checked the profiles of a few people posting here and there are some pretty special cars amongst you. Any pics would be appreciated!
There was a very nice e30 M3 at my pals body shop last year. It arrived on a trailer, for a thorough inspection of the paint, after a total mileage of around 1500 miles in 23 or so years. In fact, I guess it's unlikely ever to be driven ever again for fear of those little numbers creeping up? I think that's just such a waste. I also think it's a sad day when certain cars are priced out of reach of the average enthusiast, which has certainly happened with things like earlier Porsche 911/912 and e30 M3.
I have made sacrifices that maybe a lot of folk wouldn't, in order to realise one of my dreams. I'm certainly not wealthy and able not to care about how much things cost. That said, I don't drink, smoke, go clubbing or take yearly holidays. Plus my kids are all grown up and what income I work hard for means I get to play with old cars. I know that I'm lucky to have the freedom to do that.
Mind you, the depreciation on a 3 year old Aldi tdi could by something interesting and fun to drive surely?
I have made sacrifices that maybe a lot of folk wouldn't, in order to realise one of my dreams. I'm certainly not wealthy and able not to care about how much things cost. That said, I don't drink, smoke, go clubbing or take yearly holidays. Plus my kids are all grown up and what income I work hard for means I get to play with old cars. I know that I'm lucky to have the freedom to do that.
Mind you, the depreciation on a 3 year old Aldi tdi could by something interesting and fun to drive surely?
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