Losing your passion for motoring??

[BigRichi]

I've always loved driving....I think I still do, and I used to love sticking 20 quid of petrol in and disappear away and explore some of Scotland's great driving roads.

But I find myself doing this less and less nowadays. I think more and more about the costs of motoring and find other stuff to do instead. My journeys feel like just getting from A-B rather than the enjoying getting from A-B.

I am thinking about chopping in my MR2 Roadster and found myself looking at Vectra bloody diesels tonight!!!!

Am I the only person feeling like this?? or is it more common than I think??

[andy-xr]

Comes and goes really. Was well into the kit car(s) I had a few years ago, other things came in and took up more of my time. Now at the point where I can have a bit of both, but less inclination to spend a winter underneath a car trying to work out whats dripping and whether it's likely to run out soon

[marshalla]

Maybe it's because 20 quid only gets you to the end of the street and back ?

[sjg]

I felt the same. I took my bike test, and cars got relegated to dull transport duties for me. Fun in a different form, and it doesn't need to involve licence-losing speeds either.

[BigRichi]

marshalla said:

Maybe it's because 20 quid only gets you to the end of the street and back ?

thats definately part of it
Wasnt so expensive to go a sunday drive lol

So the sunday drives have pretty much stopped and the cars just a mode of transport now

[RV8]

I recon money is the key, if I open out the defender it'd do 8mpg, I could spend 5 grand doing it up and making it look nice or go better but often I just think there are more things I could spend the money on. Priorities change and while a moggy minor would have been adequate as a learner because just driving a car was a thrill I now yearn for the sort of car that the money to buy would effectively pay off a mortgage so that is a pipe dream.

[mnkiboy]

Not such much the money for me, I just don't have the time any more. When I was young and single I could happily spend a day driving to Wales and back, now I'm just not allowed just can't find the time. I would still gladly waste £50 once every couple of weeks if I could spend a day driving round the Welsh hills.

I think it's just a part of getting old. You spend more time in B&Q and shopping for stuff the Mrs wants rather than thrashing cars to your hearts content.

[Herman Toothrot]

Roads are to busy and over populated with morons that get offended if you over take / make progress etc. This has very much dulled my interest in road going cars. They are becoming simple tools or White goods.

I have however as a result got my bike license and use that now for all normal journeys it's far better and far less stressful, motorists don't care what bikes do so I ride as I please overtake without bother etc the roads have become far more pleasurable.

Cars my interest is now more focused on track toys and my holiday that's sadly finishing (I'm waiting for the plane) has been made entertaining in the motoring sense by off roading, which was great fun.

[Mastodon2]

Herman Toothrot said:

Roads are to busy and over populated with morons that get offended if you over take / make progress etc. This has very much dulled my interest in road going cars. They are becoming simple tools or White goods.

I have to say, I do a fair bit of overtaking on single carriageway roads as part of my day to day driving since the roads on my commute suit it, but I've only ever once had someone react badly to an overtake, and in that instance it was him speeding up to try and prevent me from slotting in in front of him - too much pride to see his Mercedes C series overtaken by a lowly Fiesta I think. I've never seen this angry, coffee bean shaking, light-flashing reaction when overtaken that some PHers talk about. Perhaps it's a locality thing?

[Herman Toothrot]

Could be, in in the Thames valley so busy roads. Car also plays apart i feel, my dull grey easily missable Audi I never got much reaction, VX220 or MR2 (both loud) with roof down = abuse.

[FisiP1]

Ebbs and flows, attending a race or a good motor show is a good remedy for a lack of enjoyment I find.

[martin84]

I was looking at the new shape Fiesta 1.6TDCi the other night think 'mmmm thats got reasonable economy and will be good for parking!'

(Slaps self...keeps slapping)

[Jasandjules]

I have days where it is still fun and days where I wonder why I bother, so many f***its on the road with so little idea how to drive safely takes a bit of a toll on me........

[Jayho]

I had this mental block when I started my current temporary job. I've been commuting 60Miles a day, of good B roads, and I just dont get excited at the weekend anymore. (Posted this on the Scotland part of the forum a couple weeks back)

Ph peeps suggested its the car I'm getting bored with, and I'm associating the car with work ect ect... and That I should get a snotter for the commute and a toy for the weekend to sort out my problems. But unlike so many Pher I'm not CEO of XXX so I shall not be doing any of that.

I've kind of found a little joy now, every Monday I fill the tank and drive on "Eco mode" from then on. I've been getting roughly 42MPG (Before I'd be mid 30's) and I've actually enjoyed my commute drive a lot more as instead of making good progress I've been ecodriving. Whatever is left for the weekend, I add £15-£20 to it and just go for a nice progressive drive! Its given me the fun back in hooning, and I've found a new, rather sad, joy in ecodriving.

[hornetrider]

No. Next.

[swiftwill]

Tell me about it. I'm a student and have had a massive passion for cars ever since i could sit upright, i keep seeing all these brilliant cars for nothing as people are trying ot sell them to get something more economical. Sad thing is i can't capitalise on this because i also need something economical due to the poverty i find myself in! i know modern car companies try to make their base models seem exciting but for me sadly it is a matter of no power, no grip, no fun and my passion starts to seep into the background

[750turbo]

mnkiboy said:

Not such much the money for me, I just don't have the time any more. When I was young and single I could happily spend a day driving to Wales and back, now I'm just not allowed just can't find the time. I would still gladly waste £50 once every couple of weeks if I could spend a day driving round the Welsh hills.

I think it's just a part of getting old. You spend more time in B&Q and shopping for stuff the Mrs wants rather than thrashing cars to your hearts content.

I am with you there, family and kids now take precedence. I am a bit lucky in a way that as an opted out Company Car driver, I have my own choice of daily drive, and 90% of my miles are on business, so get a good mileage allowance.

Oh, and I do have a slightly old Kawasaki tucked away for the odd sunny day, which we have not had this year up here!!!!

[E38Ross]

yes and no.

i rarely found myself going for a drive for the sake of just going for a drive, especially in the last 18 months or so. however, i've chopped in my uneconomical E21 and got myself an E38 which will probably be more to run....however, it'll be worth it!

[Sifly]

Eco-driving seems to be a new sport!!

I got sick of filling the car up every few days, so bought a small diesel for my daily commute. Now I've become fixated on seeing how many MPG I can get, and how far I can go on a tank of fuel!

I find myself trying to drive everywhere at 60 MPH and trying not to waste energy braking! Dare I say I am finding it quite amusing, and I'm getting quite good at it!!

I even changed my route home to include more down-hill roads to max the MPG!!

Then at the weekend, the 911 or M5 come out and the first place I have to visit is the petrol station. Then I can go through the same cost in fuel in a weekend as I do in a month in the diesel! But at least the other cars feel extra special (not too mention quick) after a few days chugging around eco-driving!

Edited by Sifly on Sunday 2nd October 11:07

[stevensdrs]

I concur with the OP. It just isn't fun anymore and costs the earth to go any distance. The roads are so overcrowded and full of f****its that there is no enjoyment in it. At least I had the priviledge of being able to drive in the 70s when you could go as fast as you liked and no one bothered. You could also go out for a modest drink and take the car without feeling like one of societys lepers. Sadly all behind us now.