Dear Agony Uncle/Aunts

[gtir]

Just a general question to all PHers, old and new (length of service, both on Pistonheads and the earth)

Over the years I have had loads of cars, most of them not worthy of being called cars. The majority of them were purchased when I was a young'en and most, I am ashamed to say, were not taxed or MOT'd and therefore uninsured.
I did however pay for my stupidity , and was lucky not to injure or kill anyone in these complete lumps of poo.
Still this was all about 14 years ago and I now have had a clean licence for over 7 years. :touchwood:

I am up to 42 cars now, I own three at the moment, A 98 Ford Van, 1989 Ford escort and a 1992 GTIR

anyway, I digress

Back to the point of this post.
After I have bought a "new" car I find myself getting itchy feet after only a couple of months and I have this overwhelming desire to go out and but another car.

Ebay is tempting me to bid on cars I don't really want, and auto trader, loot are also calling me. I feel I cannot control my fingers any more.

Its just two clicks to bid, what harm is that?

While I agree the majority of cars I have had were fit for the scrap heap I feel that I will never be satisfied with any car, no matter if its a TVR Porsche or MPV.
I have spoken to numerous traders over the years and while some of them do it purely as a job, others got into to it because of their love (so to speak) of cars. These people now see a car as the same as any other, and find it hard to get remotely excited about anything.
Its like scrappys, they have no heart when you tell them they have a rare 1976 Ford Capri Tickford sitting on top of an Allegro in the yard!

How many cars have you had, can you beat my list and do you suffer from this disorder?

Please, Can you help me?

[lpgrocks]

Yes, you need help.

42, is that all!

[smifffy]

No - You're dooooomed!

I think your quest continues until you find a car that matches your personality (that could be a whole new thread in itself). Once achieved you settle down a bit.

I've suffered from the boredom factor with cars, and it usually results in either selling or stuffing it - well, usually I run out of money first and then sell it.

Anyway, You'll need to keep going through cars until you find the right one. A bit like finding a partner really - funny how Mungo hasn't managed that yet.

Anyway, you're bored of the GTir now then? Time to get your credit card out then

[Big_M]

I think girlies tend to get a bit more attached to cars - I've had my Nova 8 years now and will be distraught when I replace it in a couple of year's time.

Jobs are a different matter however. I get itchy feet after about 2 years - always looking for a fresh challenge.

[Bonce]

As someone famous once said, "If you're bored of your Ford Escort, you're bored of life".

Best thing to do is commit suicide, mate. Oh, if you want me to look after your GTIR for you after you've gone to the racetrack in the sky, you oughta write a will first.

[smifffy]

What a kind considerate chap you are Bonce.

[kevinday]

There is only one car in the 40 or so I have owned that I have not been bored of - the TVR. My next TVR will be a faster model (450SEAC or 460SE) but I will then keep it for as long as possible. I can also think of a very few cars I have driven that would fall into the same category:

1966 AC Cobra 427
1978 Aston Martin Vantage V8
1981 De Tomaso Pantera GTS

Anybody spot the theme here...all nice sounding V8s. I have driven many early Ferraris but (excepting a 250GTO) I would swap any of them for a newer one, I suspect I would like to keep a 550 though.

[gtir]

I am not actually bored of the GTIR, just to make that clear.
This may be because I hardly ever drive it, and it is a track car really.

>> Edited by gtir on Tuesday 3rd December 13:51

[gtir]

Bonce said: As someone famous once said, "If you're bored of your Ford Escort, you're bored of life".

Best thing to do is commit suicide, mate. Oh, if you want me to look after your GTIR for you after you've gone to the racetrack in the sky, you oughta write a will first.

Fcuk off Bonce!

[markda]

I have a trader friend who (like the people who have spoken too) got into it all through his love of cars. He had his first LHD Ferrari 348 at just 23 and although he still appriciates such machinery he admits that he isnt excited by them anymore, but his love for bikes has carried on... Hold that thought

Although not quite on the same scale, I too am at such a stage at just 25. I have never owned a car for more than 14 months and average 6 months.

Just a month ago I was bored at work, fed up with the thought of spending more money on the impending doom that was a service on my current car and advertised it on autotrader for sale. The phone rang off the hook (it must have been too cheap, couldnt work it out).

Anyway few days later there I was, with a 25k budget. I drove everything I could think of that I could realistically drive everyday and cover upto 20,000 miles a year in (if I decided to keep it that long). Nothing did it for me, so thought instead of spending all that money on a car that doesnt excite me, spend half of it on something sensible, sporty(ish) much cheaper to run and easier to sell.... a Golf GTi 1.8T

I instead invested the extra cash in bricks and windows, yes a new house. I am just waiting for the day that I can either afford to run two cars, and get something really impractical as a second car, or until I can afford something that really excites me.

.... currently considering a bike!