What made you buy the car(s) you own?
Discussion
So, what made you buy the car you currently own?
Have you always wanted one?
Was it the brand that you're fond of?
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another?
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?
No reason for this thread, just generally interested.
My first car, a Citroen C2 was my Dads.. I liked it, so persuaded him to buy it, I then got it (Paid him for it) 6 months after as he didn't really like it.
My MX5 I bought as I work at a Mazda dealer, liked all of the ones I drove and decided I'd like one instead of the C2.
So, so far in my car history I've not bought many cars so not had much choice of a certain brand/type of car.. But I'm sure we've got plenty of PHers who have had more cars than the local car dealership..
Have you always wanted one?
Was it the brand that you're fond of?
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another?
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?
No reason for this thread, just generally interested.
My first car, a Citroen C2 was my Dads.. I liked it, so persuaded him to buy it, I then got it (Paid him for it) 6 months after as he didn't really like it.
My MX5 I bought as I work at a Mazda dealer, liked all of the ones I drove and decided I'd like one instead of the C2.
So, so far in my car history I've not bought many cars so not had much choice of a certain brand/type of car.. But I'm sure we've got plenty of PHers who have had more cars than the local car dealership..
Mainly because all the cars that I lusted after in my formative years are now dirt cheap so I can own/trade/insure/fuel them without having to worry about breaking the bank.
Current line up is...
'89 Nissan 300ZX (Z32) Twin turbo.
'96 Mitsubishi Pajero 3500 V6 LWB.
'81 Monza 3.0. (Project)
Thinking about chopping the Zed in for something, but not sure what.
Current line up is...
'89 Nissan 300ZX (Z32) Twin turbo.
'96 Mitsubishi Pajero 3500 V6 LWB.
'81 Monza 3.0. (Project)
Thinking about chopping the Zed in for something, but not sure what.
Couldn't justify an Elise. Couldn't afford a good enough Boxster at the time. Couldn't afford to run a Chimaera at the time. Couldn't afford the fuel bills on a V6 spider at the time. Didn't want an MX5. Definitely didn't want an MG F or TF. Didn't want a lhd barchetta. Had run a classic MG B for 10 years and wanted something with 2 seats, affordable, rare-ish that would do 30mpg, be good to drive and pretty.
Which left me with an Alfa Romeo Spider.
Next car will be bigger, have a V8 or similar, 4 seats, be nice to drive, preferably rwd, be comfortable on rough roads. Economy doesn't matter. Cockpit must be a nice place to be. The badge matters to some extent as I'm such a snob. It'll probably be a Jag XJR or an S Type R, might consider an M5 or RS6, think a good AMG Merc might be out side the budget of ~ £12k.
Which left me with an Alfa Romeo Spider.
Next car will be bigger, have a V8 or similar, 4 seats, be nice to drive, preferably rwd, be comfortable on rough roads. Economy doesn't matter. Cockpit must be a nice place to be. The badge matters to some extent as I'm such a snob. It'll probably be a Jag XJR or an S Type R, might consider an M5 or RS6, think a good AMG Merc might be out side the budget of ~ £12k.
306 D-Turbo, because it was the nicest looking/sportiest car in group 5 insurance, and cheap to run
306 GTI-6, because I liked the diesel but wanted a bit more urge, and it to be a hot hatch rather than a slightly warm hatch
Want a Clio 182 because I like French hot hatches and they seem like the next logical step up
306 GTI-6, because I liked the diesel but wanted a bit more urge, and it to be a hot hatch rather than a slightly warm hatch
Want a Clio 182 because I like French hot hatches and they seem like the next logical step up
I'd wanted a DC5 Integra for ages, having another browse at them last year I finally got an insurance quote I was willing to pay for the privilege of driving one. No idea on next car, current choice is an E36 M3, quick daily and can do the odd drift day if the fancy takes me), but that will no doubt change again back to an S2000 or Elise or Mk1 Clio V6 etc etc
Mk2 Golf GTI = Always wanted one. Loved my Dad's as a kid!
Panda 100HP = I wanted the rawness of an older simpler hot/warm hatch but this provides it with reliability (touch wood!) and a few creature comforts.
1970 Beetle = The cheapest way in to car ownership I could find at 15. Through breaking and trading up parts etc it has effectively paid for itself and cost a relative pittance to insure as a first car.
Panda 100HP = I wanted the rawness of an older simpler hot/warm hatch but this provides it with reliability (touch wood!) and a few creature comforts.
1970 Beetle = The cheapest way in to car ownership I could find at 15. Through breaking and trading up parts etc it has effectively paid for itself and cost a relative pittance to insure as a first car.
I've always wanted a landrover, the Discovery's were and still are my favourite, but i could never afford the model i wanted. The series 1, became the 2, then i wanted the 3 in hse spec.
So when i turned 21, i bought a freelander. It's still a landrover, has the high up driving position, is pretty decent off road if you stay out the ruts and know it's limits. Can return 44mpg on the motorway, has a very decent spec as well, ive took mine on PH runs as well, i never got left behind.
Now insurance is no longer an issue, (£400 for a 4.2 supercharged L322, im 24) i can upgrade to a larger, more powerful model.
This will take time as the freeby is slowly cleaning my wallet out. 
So when i turned 21, i bought a freelander. It's still a landrover, has the high up driving position, is pretty decent off road if you stay out the ruts and know it's limits. Can return 44mpg on the motorway, has a very decent spec as well, ive took mine on PH runs as well, i never got left behind.
Now insurance is no longer an issue, (£400 for a 4.2 supercharged L322, im 24) i can upgrade to a larger, more powerful model.
This will take time as the freeby is slowly cleaning my wallet out. Mondeo ST TDCi.
I love the looks of the car.
Didn't know that they did a diesel version until I actually looked into buying one of the cars and found that the ST220 would have been
- Too dear fuel wise as I do alot of miles a week
- Dear on the insurance being group 16 or 18
I wish I had bought a ST220 now tho as they are a few £1000 cheaper which would have offset fuel and insurance costs
Next car I don't care how much it costs me to run aslong as it feels like a sports car. Fiancees brother has a Focus ST which sounds great so I want a car which sounds good.
I love the looks of the car.
Didn't know that they did a diesel version until I actually looked into buying one of the cars and found that the ST220 would have been
- Too dear fuel wise as I do alot of miles a week
- Dear on the insurance being group 16 or 18
I wish I had bought a ST220 now tho as they are a few £1000 cheaper which would have offset fuel and insurance costs
Next car I don't care how much it costs me to run aslong as it feels like a sports car. Fiancees brother has a Focus ST which sounds great so I want a car which sounds good.
Needed something to get the drums about that isn't everyday-run-of-the-mill, looks good, quick enough, drive well enough, nice enough spec, decent price and reliable so I ended up with the Skoda Octavia vRS MK1.
Now 7 years later I can only ever seem to find a Skoda Octavia vRS to replace it, so now on my 3rd (though mk2 which is that little bit better in every way).
Now 7 years later I can only ever seem to find a Skoda Octavia vRS to replace it, so now on my 3rd (though mk2 which is that little bit better in every way).
For my MR2 Turbo, I was looking for a Celica GT4 ST205 at the time. Sadly, I couldn't find any near me that looked in great shape. I started looking at the MR2 Turbos instead, just for a laugh, as I thought the insurance costs on them would be ridiculous.
I searched PH and found out that the one that caught my eye most was very close to me, just a 20 minute drive away. After going and seeing it, I loved it so I decided to buy it. It's not something I had always wanted but the thought of a powerful turbo charged engine in a two seater sports car was appealing, even moreso as it was mounted right behind your head and you could hear everything it was doing when you drove it!
As for being fond of the brand, I had never thought I would be a Toyota head, but I have to admit that their late 80's and mid 90's stuff was amazing. Celica GT4's, MR2 Turbos, Supra Twin Turbos etc etc.
I've never took it to a dealer but I don't live far from an MR2 Specialist so I was assured it would always be looked after. The only thing that had really drawn my ownership to a close on it is it's lack of rear seats, I really could do with a four seater, and AWD is still on my list of things to own. Other than that, it's been fantastic and must be one of the most fun cars I've ever had the pleasure of driving.
I searched PH and found out that the one that caught my eye most was very close to me, just a 20 minute drive away. After going and seeing it, I loved it so I decided to buy it. It's not something I had always wanted but the thought of a powerful turbo charged engine in a two seater sports car was appealing, even moreso as it was mounted right behind your head and you could hear everything it was doing when you drove it!
As for being fond of the brand, I had never thought I would be a Toyota head, but I have to admit that their late 80's and mid 90's stuff was amazing. Celica GT4's, MR2 Turbos, Supra Twin Turbos etc etc.
I've never took it to a dealer but I don't live far from an MR2 Specialist so I was assured it would always be looked after. The only thing that had really drawn my ownership to a close on it is it's lack of rear seats, I really could do with a four seater, and AWD is still on my list of things to own. Other than that, it's been fantastic and must be one of the most fun cars I've ever had the pleasure of driving.
Current fleet in order of purchase:
Audi S2 - Wanted a quattro but couldn't afford a 20V, so got this, haven't regretted it.
BMW e30 M3 - Wanted one for a track car, the increase in values of them are now meaning that it is getting turned back into a road car.
BMW e30 325 Touring - Audi was broken and M3 is in 1000's of bits, so needed a daily> half-heartdly phoned around about a couple of sensible car before going for this instead, only had to go to Bournemouth to get it.
BMW e36 328i - Wanted one for a dedicated 'ring toy.
Audi A6 TDI - with girlfriend living 150 miles away, fuel costs to visit were getting a bit out of hand using the 325/S2 all the time, so got this as a sensible mile muncher.
Looking back at that list, it would appear that the main reason is that I'm an idiot.
Audi S2 - Wanted a quattro but couldn't afford a 20V, so got this, haven't regretted it.
BMW e30 M3 - Wanted one for a track car, the increase in values of them are now meaning that it is getting turned back into a road car.
BMW e30 325 Touring - Audi was broken and M3 is in 1000's of bits, so needed a daily> half-heartdly phoned around about a couple of sensible car before going for this instead, only had to go to Bournemouth to get it.
BMW e36 328i - Wanted one for a dedicated 'ring toy.
Audi A6 TDI - with girlfriend living 150 miles away, fuel costs to visit were getting a bit out of hand using the 325/S2 all the time, so got this as a sensible mile muncher.
Looking back at that list, it would appear that the main reason is that I'm an idiot.
on Thursday 23 February 12:22Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff