Weekend cars. Worth it nowadays?

[SWoll]

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 st 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?

[SWoll]

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.

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

[SWoll]

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 st 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.

[SWoll]

lostkiwi said:

SWoll said:

Definition of fun I suppose. I'm looking for the involving, selfish kind.

Track days.

I've done a couple and found them a bit sterile TBH, especially in something light and with < 200BHP, pricey too all in. Plus my son is only 13 so can't come with me as a passenger, which he loves.

[SWoll]

shoestring7 said:

Big adventure bikes are comfortable for the larger gent, and still give you all the overtaking potential you need. I've done 1500 miles touring Wales over the summer with my 13 y.o. on the back. Great father/son times.

SS7

Good for you and I'm sure it was huge fun. Unfortunately I can't get past the safety side of biking personally, especially with the poor quality of roads and driving I often come across. Also, starting again at 40 having not ridden in 20 year sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[SWoll]

jamieduff1981 said:

C70R said:

More generally, I think I'd really struggle to find enjoyment from driving if I was doing 25k+ miles for work (I take public transport). Surely with spending multiple hours of every single workday behind the wheel, the last thing you'd want to do is also spend your free time there?

I'm not far off that milage for work, and you're right - I very seldom want to go out on additional drives. Seldom isn't never though, and there are family errands. I find it's nice to be able to take a different / more challenging car on a drive I need to do anyway sometimes. Not all the time, but sometimes.

Did the train thing for a while when based in 1 place but now I can be all over the country for different projects so find it too restrictive. I've found that a car with decent luxury, refinement, an auto gearbox and good stereo is perfect for weekdays and as it's not compromised by attempting to be too sporty or performance orientated I still crave driving something completely different just for fun. If I had sportier model and attempted to do both I'm sure I'd be far less interested.

[SWoll]

Tickle said:

Staffordshire has the Elan Valley to the West over the border and north Wales not too far away.

Very empty roads on Friday morning for me. Early starts on a weekend or day off is the only way I use my weekend car, with the exeption of a country pub or farm shop drive/bumbling along the lanes.

From Friday morning in north Wales:



Very worth it IMHO!

Sold. Now just need to get the car and join the club.