Not really sure what I want to do anymore
Discussion
I know there has been many threads in the past along the theme of "I'm done / bored with cars" but bear with me, this is sort of like that, but not quite in the same way 
Ever since I was a kid, cars have been in my DNA. Many years later, I've got what most would consider to be a very fun little car. I spend hours on PH reading about other cars. Reading peoples tales about cars, their adventures etc. I will quite happily sit and watch car videos for hours. I spend time on Autotrader fantasising about what I want next, nothing about any of this would suggest any kind of boredom.
Yet, since the pandemic, I've worked from home, so no need for a car to commute in. I have my car for weekend blasts and as a runabout. However, I seem to need to force myself to actually go out in it, and more often than not, I just elect to stay in for whatever reason; weather crap, hangover, stuff to do in the house, people to see, whatever.
It's got to the point when I'm wondering why I bother even having the thing. Yet I know if I was to sell it, it wouldn't be long before I yearned for a car again. In fact, I did the same a few years back with my old MR2, I sold it because I didn't need it and rarely used it, and I lasted over 18 months before I caved and bought a car again.
The other fact is that while I don't need a car, it does come in useful and it would seriously inconvenience me on an infrequent basis to not have one. Theoretically, a sensible person would just get an old Aygo or something else that's nearly as cheap as walking, but I can't bring myself to do it.
I've actually been thinking for the last month what car to buy next, which will likely cost me more money that I could put to better use, and it makes no sense whatsoever because I probably still wouldn't use it anymore than I do now, I guess I'm hoping the novelty would spark something in me again.
I guess, being totally honest, there's an element of 'been there, done that, got the T-shirt' too. I've been given some serious thoughts about whether my tastes have changed, before I would like nothing more than a B-road blast, but now I'd quite happily have a comfy, relaxing car with some good tunes.
It's a weird paradox of being keen on all things cars, owning a petrolhead car, happily discussing them or watching videos about them, but otherwise just leaving the one I've got on the drive and barely using it. It just doesn't seem to make any sense, and I cannot fathom what I should do about it.
Has anyone else felt this way? What did you do about it? I guess the reason for this thread is I'm trying to figure out where to go from here. The most sensible decision seems to be to just keep what I've got, be happy with it, and just use it whenever I want, but why do I find myself drawn to the next new thing when I know it makes bugger all sense
Ever since I was a kid, cars have been in my DNA. Many years later, I've got what most would consider to be a very fun little car. I spend hours on PH reading about other cars. Reading peoples tales about cars, their adventures etc. I will quite happily sit and watch car videos for hours. I spend time on Autotrader fantasising about what I want next, nothing about any of this would suggest any kind of boredom.
Yet, since the pandemic, I've worked from home, so no need for a car to commute in. I have my car for weekend blasts and as a runabout. However, I seem to need to force myself to actually go out in it, and more often than not, I just elect to stay in for whatever reason; weather crap, hangover, stuff to do in the house, people to see, whatever.
It's got to the point when I'm wondering why I bother even having the thing. Yet I know if I was to sell it, it wouldn't be long before I yearned for a car again. In fact, I did the same a few years back with my old MR2, I sold it because I didn't need it and rarely used it, and I lasted over 18 months before I caved and bought a car again.
The other fact is that while I don't need a car, it does come in useful and it would seriously inconvenience me on an infrequent basis to not have one. Theoretically, a sensible person would just get an old Aygo or something else that's nearly as cheap as walking, but I can't bring myself to do it.
I've actually been thinking for the last month what car to buy next, which will likely cost me more money that I could put to better use, and it makes no sense whatsoever because I probably still wouldn't use it anymore than I do now, I guess I'm hoping the novelty would spark something in me again.
I guess, being totally honest, there's an element of 'been there, done that, got the T-shirt' too. I've been given some serious thoughts about whether my tastes have changed, before I would like nothing more than a B-road blast, but now I'd quite happily have a comfy, relaxing car with some good tunes.
It's a weird paradox of being keen on all things cars, owning a petrolhead car, happily discussing them or watching videos about them, but otherwise just leaving the one I've got on the drive and barely using it. It just doesn't seem to make any sense, and I cannot fathom what I should do about it.
Has anyone else felt this way? What did you do about it? I guess the reason for this thread is I'm trying to figure out where to go from here. The most sensible decision seems to be to just keep what I've got, be happy with it, and just use it whenever I want, but why do I find myself drawn to the next new thing when I know it makes bugger all sense
I totally understand what you mean. I'm something of a flip-flop when it comes to car purchases. I'll get something fast, then get bored after 2 yeats and get something comfortable, and back again another 2 years on. I'm currently sat with a 2010 Civic Type R on the driveway, and whilst I think it's probably one of the best cars I've owned, I miss my L322 TDV8 Vogue SE, and have been giving very serious consideration to a Jaguar (I used to have one of these too). Ultimately, I suspect what i really want is a sporty Jag, but I can't stretch to an F Type. I like the idea of an X350, but I suspect its too big for my needs and would end up struggling to park it without fear.
I still have the interest ,but cars ceased to be a real necessity 90% of the time. In the downtown where I live my 2005 Smart is just fine in the congestion and Uber is good for going out to dinner, no need to worry about any kind of DUI.
A greater reality is actually ageing. I have a bunch of cars and one on order though I have decided it will be my very last except for an EV runabout to replace the Smart at some point.
I do still do some tracks, offroading and some very long distance drives which sustains the interest, but realistically I figure I have about 5 years before most of this stuff goes away. No regrets, had had amazing fun with cars most of my life - all sorts of adventures.
The advent of TVs also makes the curtain for the ICE cars that sustained my interest my whole life. I am sure if I were about 12 I would only be interested in the coming EV performance cars , completely connected and capable of amazing things. My skills such as they are would be like comparing a driver of a horse and cart compared to when I learned to drive, and will be increasingly obsolete. I have avoided speccing things like intelligent cruise control, night vision assist, collision avoidance and all of the other stuff that will become completely standard and note the arrival of active speed limiting etc.
It is true that driving itself is less fun in some places sure to the plethora of new rules, environmental concerns, cameras and all sorts of other stuff. I am lucky enough to live in North America where there wil be a fair few years before all of this stuff hits and have sufficient periodic visits to Germany to enjoy cars, though even there the shadow of limits on the autobahns is getting deeper.
I am overall very grateful to have been able to drive the wheels off cars in ways that are not so feasible now.
A greater reality is actually ageing. I have a bunch of cars and one on order though I have decided it will be my very last except for an EV runabout to replace the Smart at some point.
I do still do some tracks, offroading and some very long distance drives which sustains the interest, but realistically I figure I have about 5 years before most of this stuff goes away. No regrets, had had amazing fun with cars most of my life - all sorts of adventures.
The advent of TVs also makes the curtain for the ICE cars that sustained my interest my whole life. I am sure if I were about 12 I would only be interested in the coming EV performance cars , completely connected and capable of amazing things. My skills such as they are would be like comparing a driver of a horse and cart compared to when I learned to drive, and will be increasingly obsolete. I have avoided speccing things like intelligent cruise control, night vision assist, collision avoidance and all of the other stuff that will become completely standard and note the arrival of active speed limiting etc.
It is true that driving itself is less fun in some places sure to the plethora of new rules, environmental concerns, cameras and all sorts of other stuff. I am lucky enough to live in North America where there wil be a fair few years before all of this stuff hits and have sufficient periodic visits to Germany to enjoy cars, though even there the shadow of limits on the autobahns is getting deeper.
I am overall very grateful to have been able to drive the wheels off cars in ways that are not so feasible now.
TameRacingDriver said:
Has anyone else felt this way? What did you do about it?
Yes. You are freed from the misery of driving. No more commutes, no high fuel bills to go from A to B, meanwhile someone in B is travelling to A. You can have whatever you want and drive it when you want, hopefully not when everyone else is driving a mind numbingly boring commute. Go buy a V8 before they are banned from the roads.
Trif said:
Go buy a V8 before they are banned from the roads.
Some truth in that...I have a number of them and will have no more.I recall in 2006 with BMW brought out the V10 M6 I thought I had better get one. Amazing thing and they had a fairly short production life due to regulation. Kept it for five years. The German V8s are disappearing fairly fast and the very powerful EVs are almost here with more performance and less soul.
The want, and the chase, is always the best part.
I miss my old xe s and when I had it, I did love it, but low profile tyres were not great down the lanes I live, I was scared of scratching it, and it had too much power for uk roads really (traffic and speed limits in the way).
Bought a classic last summer, and that's scratching the itch so far.. slower,cheaper, asmuch if not more fun
I miss my old xe s and when I had it, I did love it, but low profile tyres were not great down the lanes I live, I was scared of scratching it, and it had too much power for uk roads really (traffic and speed limits in the way).
Bought a classic last summer, and that's scratching the itch so far.. slower,cheaper, asmuch if not more fun
Cars just arn't interesting or enjoyable anymore, well overpriced to boot.
What enthusiasm could anyone normal find to part ex an ICE car for a cloned battery car, there's nothing sold new now that i'd cross the road to look at let alone consider buying.
The only car i still enjoy driving, don't even mind my commutes in it, is my ageing Prado, suggest try a Landcruiser/Prado/Hilux, they have a habit of growing on you, people who buy them tend to replace with the same several times over many years, don't use it for 3 months no problem it'll still start first time and always get you there.
You don't have to 'need' or justify a 4x4 to enjoy something different, as said about the V8's try something different before the day comes you have to stand before a committee and explain the need for anything except the plebs approved transport device before they stamp your digi ID allowing such a choice, eh comrade.
What enthusiasm could anyone normal find to part ex an ICE car for a cloned battery car, there's nothing sold new now that i'd cross the road to look at let alone consider buying.
The only car i still enjoy driving, don't even mind my commutes in it, is my ageing Prado, suggest try a Landcruiser/Prado/Hilux, they have a habit of growing on you, people who buy them tend to replace with the same several times over many years, don't use it for 3 months no problem it'll still start first time and always get you there.
You don't have to 'need' or justify a 4x4 to enjoy something different, as said about the V8's try something different before the day comes you have to stand before a committee and explain the need for anything except the plebs approved transport device before they stamp your digi ID allowing such a choice, eh comrade.
Cheers all, some interesting thoughts here.
First off, no I wont be moving abroad!
V8... well, that's an itch I'm yet to scratch. Thing is, many V8s are found in executive cars, where they're quite muted, and usually come with scary bork factor. If I did, I couldn't justify too much money. Only thing I can think of at the top of my head that has a bit of a voice and costs no more than £10k is a Monaro, which I've gotta be honest, never done it for me really, but maybe worth it for the noise alone.
On a semi related note, the cars I've been looking at are all 6-cylinders so clearly I do get the attraction with a big old multi-cylinder ICE lump!
As for classic cars, I don't have a garage so I wouldn't like to leave a vintage car exposed to the elements 365 days a year, even my MX5 suffers badly with damp and condensation at this time of year. The tinkering thing doesn't, and nor will it ever appeal to me I'm afraid. Just not my bag.
First off, no I wont be moving abroad!
V8... well, that's an itch I'm yet to scratch. Thing is, many V8s are found in executive cars, where they're quite muted, and usually come with scary bork factor. If I did, I couldn't justify too much money. Only thing I can think of at the top of my head that has a bit of a voice and costs no more than £10k is a Monaro, which I've gotta be honest, never done it for me really, but maybe worth it for the noise alone.
On a semi related note, the cars I've been looking at are all 6-cylinders so clearly I do get the attraction with a big old multi-cylinder ICE lump!
As for classic cars, I don't have a garage so I wouldn't like to leave a vintage car exposed to the elements 365 days a year, even my MX5 suffers badly with damp and condensation at this time of year. The tinkering thing doesn't, and nor will it ever appeal to me I'm afraid. Just not my bag.
OP, I’ve been feeling very similar to you for the last few years. Covid certainly hasn’t helped. WFH has made me more and more reluctant to get out and about these days. I decided to shake things up considerably last summer. Out went my comfortable garage queen 911 and in came a Caterham. It’s certainly reignited my love of driving, although for me it’s definitely going to be an occasional weekend toy. The social scene is also the best for any car I’ve owned in the past - another incentive to drive and meet new people.
I am in same boat.
Its either too expensive, too much tech, too uncomfortable, too big, too ugly, or too likely to get your door kicked in at 3am.
Spend all my time on AT but cannot even be bothered to go out and test drive what I short list. I think thats the prospect of an entire Saturday lost plus the Sales process
I want something relatively comfortable with old school driving sensations, and minimal beeping at me.
Suzuki Swift Sport??
Its either too expensive, too much tech, too uncomfortable, too big, too ugly, or too likely to get your door kicked in at 3am.
Spend all my time on AT but cannot even be bothered to go out and test drive what I short list. I think thats the prospect of an entire Saturday lost plus the Sales process
I want something relatively comfortable with old school driving sensations, and minimal beeping at me.
Suzuki Swift Sport??
TameRacingDriver said:
...Lots of very familiar stuff...
Especially this bit: TameRacingDriver said:
However, I seem to need to force myself to actually go out in it, and more often than not, I just elect to stay in for whatever reason; weather crap, hangover, stuff to do in the house, people to see, whatever.
Complete empathy on this point. We retired and relocated to Thirsk from Rugby - almost back to our Durham roots. On our doorstep are the Yorkshire Dales & the NY Moors - both less than 15mins away, so a complete contrast from Rugby where I had to travel bloody miles to find some interesting routes.Despite this, an MX-5 on the drive and a maxi-scooter in the garage, I struggle to motivate myself to go anywhere. Billy-no-mates - new area, no mates within easy reach and the appeal of thrashing something around some truly fabulous roads with unlimited time on my hands sometimes seems difficult.
Two years of lockdown and restrictions (and maybe increasing years!) has really knocked the enthusiasm out of me. In a moment of wine-fuelled madness however, I now seem to be a holder of an RS Clubmans licence. What on earth I'm going to do with it (sans navigator or car) is another matter!
Sorry that I don't offer much support or any answers to your dilemma, but I do know where you're coming from.
TameRacingDriver said:
I know there has been many threads in the past along the theme of "I'm done / bored with cars" but bear with me, this is sort of like that, but not quite in the same way :laugh
What cars have you owned previously? I went through a similar stage after owning relatively 'warm,' saloons - straight 6s, V8s.Felt bored, didn't know what to do, then bought the obvious choice. A FN2 Honda Civic Type R........
Completely the opposite to what I'd wanted or driven for 15 years. It was an absolute revelation; despite the reviews.
Maybe consider planning some proper trips in advance. I swear if I didn’t do this I’d probably never use my lotus. It requires other cars to be moved to get it out the garage and consequently I don’t really use it in any sort of casual sense. It’s all a bit pre-planned but I can say that I really do look forward to those longer pre-planned trips with it. A night or two camping in the lakes or a trip up into the highlands maybe 3-4 times per year. Great roads all the way. Doesn’t have to be days on end and certainly doesn’t cost much but it absolutely rekindles my love for driving every time.
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