What made you buy the car(s) you own?
Discussion
For the current fleet. An XKR because it had the performance of the Chimaera with the v8 sound track. Is nearly as good looking as the chim but can be used as an every day car and fits a child seat in the back. Before this I had a TVR 350 wedge and a Chim and owning a TVR was one of those childhood dreams.
A mazda 6 estate because I wanted a bigger estate than the 156 to take baby stuff, decided to avoid modern diesels due to the DPF issues and not doing sufficient m/way journeys to keep one clean. The 6 is OK to look at handles well and hopefully will be cheap to service. Also being the last shape it rides on sensible size wheels and tyres not bling alloys with expensive skinny tyres like lots of new stuff.
A mazda 6 estate because I wanted a bigger estate than the 156 to take baby stuff, decided to avoid modern diesels due to the DPF issues and not doing sufficient m/way journeys to keep one clean. The 6 is OK to look at handles well and hopefully will be cheap to service. Also being the last shape it rides on sensible size wheels and tyres not bling alloys with expensive skinny tyres like lots of new stuff.
Someone had a gun to my head.
Yes, really.
ok, not really. The golf was cheap, known to me already, available and was more able to stand up for itself when some plank in a yellow diesel Skoda decides that the pecking order does not allow 1989 1.1 litre Fiestas to overtake him (on a motorway) and speeds up and slows down to deny me access back into lane 2 either ahead of or behind him. Numpty. I am apparently instead supposed to follow him in lane 2 at 58mph or follow the traffic in lane 1 also doing 58mph. The Note is the one on the Wife's what car list that doesn't make me want to slit my wrists when I drive it.
Yes, really.
ok, not really. The golf was cheap, known to me already, available and was more able to stand up for itself when some plank in a yellow diesel Skoda decides that the pecking order does not allow 1989 1.1 litre Fiestas to overtake him (on a motorway) and speeds up and slows down to deny me access back into lane 2 either ahead of or behind him. Numpty. I am apparently instead supposed to follow him in lane 2 at 58mph or follow the traffic in lane 1 also doing 58mph. The Note is the one on the Wife's what car list that doesn't make me want to slit my wrists when I drive it.
JonnyFive said:
So, what made you buy the car you currently own?
Have you always wanted one?
Always wanted one, wanted my parents to get one (instead of a Mini) when they were looking for cars 10 years ago.Have you always wanted one?
JonnyFive said:
Was it the brand that you're fond of?
Probably, I like a lot of their cars.JonnyFive said:
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another?
It's got a great spec, better than anything else I looked at.JonnyFive said:
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?
First car, decided I could afford this one and went for it!JonnyFive said:
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?
Bought privately, chap seemed honest and trustworthy, answered all my questions without a problem. Gave me trust in the particular car I bought over others I looked at.It's a Clio 182
I work 6 nights a week as a fsat-food driver and have done for 17 years.I cover 30k miles a year on really short journeys - the town I cover has shocking potholes and every council/private estate has speed-bumps,so running-gear takes a hammering.I need three services a year,three sets of front tyres and one at the back,three sets of front pads and one at the back, new front discs every 2 years etc etc.
I am not young so I need something bigger than a supermini to feel comfortable, and I need high residuals cos the car is changed every 3 years with 90k on the clock.Image isn't important but is always reflected in the residual anyway.
So I go for the "safe choice",everyone sniggers - Golf 1.6tdi.
I've had old bangers (Metro,Nova) but they can't take the stick.I've had Pug 306s,petrol and diesel but the build quality was'nt good enough.I've had Seats ( supposedly German build quality at a lower price) but what about 12 separate warranty issues in 2 years for a Leon).I even had a Honda Accord cdti,but spent a fortune towards the end on bushes,ball-joints, track-rod ends etc..
People have no idea the hard life these cars get - any suggestions for when I change in 18 months time?
I am not young so I need something bigger than a supermini to feel comfortable, and I need high residuals cos the car is changed every 3 years with 90k on the clock.Image isn't important but is always reflected in the residual anyway.
So I go for the "safe choice",everyone sniggers - Golf 1.6tdi.
I've had old bangers (Metro,Nova) but they can't take the stick.I've had Pug 306s,petrol and diesel but the build quality was'nt good enough.I've had Seats ( supposedly German build quality at a lower price) but what about 12 separate warranty issues in 2 years for a Leon).I even had a Honda Accord cdti,but spent a fortune towards the end on bushes,ball-joints, track-rod ends etc..
People have no idea the hard life these cars get - any suggestions for when I change in 18 months time?
No work for 5 months forced me out of an A6 into a Mondeo, the monthly payments were just too much so I had to hand it back. Now the Mondeo is going on Saturday and I'll be the proud owner of a 325d and that has been purchased because I do 400 miles a week so diesel is good for me, a 330d LCI was out of my range and I really, really wanted something that was 6 cylinder and RWD (only had 4 cyl, FWD before)
E36 328 = Wanted something that could do the daily grind as well as track days but was cheap to buy (for when I inevitably stack it) and run (mostly doing boring journeys anyway).
Triumph Stag = I just really like 'em. Top down on a summers day listening to the V8 wail it's way to 4000rpm can't be beaten.
Jaguar XJ6 = um, well I was looking for a practical tin top I could drive round as a more normal car (the Stag is for special occasions) but this cost about the same as a Rover P6/Triumph 2000/MGB GT and has 'that' engine so I couldn't resist. Utterly fails to be the cheap, classic runabout I wanted when I started looking. oh well.
Land Rover S3 = Bought it for off-roading and general messing about, and because they are uber-cool. Great fun.
Triumph Stag = I just really like 'em. Top down on a summers day listening to the V8 wail it's way to 4000rpm can't be beaten.
Jaguar XJ6 = um, well I was looking for a practical tin top I could drive round as a more normal car (the Stag is for special occasions) but this cost about the same as a Rover P6/Triumph 2000/MGB GT and has 'that' engine so I couldn't resist. Utterly fails to be the cheap, classic runabout I wanted when I started looking. oh well.
Land Rover S3 = Bought it for off-roading and general messing about, and because they are uber-cool. Great fun.
djt100 said:
Because I believe you never need to spend more than £2k on a decent car
So true, I really have no idea why people spend more then this on just a standard runabout. No need!Edited by varsas on Thursday 23 February 12:41
simoid said:
You're not doing the stereotype of the mental takeaway delivery guy any good 
Young man,young man! I'm 61 years old and definitely still got all my marbles,but you have to get a move on or the job dosn't get done.Safety and car-consideration have to go out of the window.I've regularly done 80/85 dels in one night from 5 till 12,you have to get back from the start within 30 mins cos the next batch will have been cooked. It's a real pressure job.
Hence the car gets stick - modified cars with dustbin exhausts need not apply.
When I was growing up, my dad has Jags and Astons in the driveway more than any other car.
When I was old enough to appreciate Goldfinger, that really cemented in my mind that I would buy an Aston at some point in my life. I've got one now and I love it.
So for me it really is a childhood dream fulfilled.
When I was old enough to appreciate Goldfinger, that really cemented in my mind that I would buy an Aston at some point in my life. I've got one now and I love it.
So for me it really is a childhood dream fulfilled.
nicanary said:
simoid said:
You're not doing the stereotype of the mental takeaway delivery guy any good
Young man,young man! I'm 61 years old and definitely still got all my marbles,but you have to get a move on or the job dosn't get done.Safety and car-consideration have to go out of the window.I've regularly done 80/85 dels in one night from 5 till 12,you have to get back from the start within 30 mins cos the next batch will have been cooked. It's a real pressure job.
This you?
P.S. you might be better off avoiding the suggestion that "safety goes out the window" when you're driving...
Volvo V50 T5 - Abarth 500
Have you always wanted one?
No - Yes
Was it the brand that you're fond of?
No - No
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another?
Yes - Yes
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?
Yes - No
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?
No - No
Had Impreza's for over 10 years, then kids came along. Seeing my 1 week old in the back of the STi wasn't the best, with his head bobbing up and down due to the suspension. Realised within another week that the Impreza had to go. Needed more space & comfort, while maintaining some power, and the T5 fitted the bill. Ideally the RS4 that we test drove would have been my prefered choice, but MrsMcMacro preferred the Lolvo.
As for the Abarth, always fancied one, and needed something to get me to work and back while my wife was on maternity leave. It's a blast
Have you always wanted one?
No - Yes
Was it the brand that you're fond of?
No - No
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another?
Yes - Yes
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?
Yes - No
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?
No - No
Had Impreza's for over 10 years, then kids came along. Seeing my 1 week old in the back of the STi wasn't the best, with his head bobbing up and down due to the suspension. Realised within another week that the Impreza had to go. Needed more space & comfort, while maintaining some power, and the T5 fitted the bill. Ideally the RS4 that we test drove would have been my prefered choice, but MrsMcMacro preferred the Lolvo.
As for the Abarth, always fancied one, and needed something to get me to work and back while my wife was on maternity leave. It's a blast
BMW E30 320 - Cheap way into RWD motorsport
Mercedes C220 Estate - needed an estate, diesel means I could justify a weekend toy as well, and step father sold it to me for trade in money otherwise I'd have ended up with a BMW or VAG of some sort.
996 GT3 - Always wanted one, speed, handling, residual values, engine and I must read Evo too much.
Mercedes C220 Estate - needed an estate, diesel means I could justify a weekend toy as well, and step father sold it to me for trade in money otherwise I'd have ended up with a BMW or VAG of some sort.
996 GT3 - Always wanted one, speed, handling, residual values, engine and I must read Evo too much.
Bought the Freelander 2 as it ticked all the boxes necessary at the time; able to take 5 adults comfortably, able to get dog (Golden Retriever) in the back with plenty of space when needed, very comfortable to be in (HSE spec with added toys) and cover long distances, etc, etc.
Bought the Chimaera as I'd always wanted a convertible car and a TVR so ticked both boxes at once
It makes me smile just standing in the garage, I grin like a maniac when it starts and love the pops and bangs I get on the over run. And as an added bonus my neighbours all love it and have no problems with my occassional early starts, which is nice
Bought the Chimaera as I'd always wanted a convertible car and a TVR so ticked both boxes at once
It makes me smile just standing in the garage, I grin like a maniac when it starts and love the pops and bangs I get on the over run. And as an added bonus my neighbours all love it and have no problems with my occassional early starts, which is nice
Had planned on having a TVR since the Griff and Chim were first released in the early 90s. There were so many plus points for me: Performance, noise, in yer face looks, Wheeler's driver-aids-are-for-wimps attitude, rarity, Britishness, quirkiness (door handles? Pah!).
I didn't want to budget for a T-car. I baulked at the potential running costs on a Cerb, although it was my preferred choice. Liked the looks of both the Griff and Chim, but Griffs carry a premium, so Chimaera it was. Decided I'd rather have a good 400 rather than a ropier 450 or 500. Preferred the 'Cerbera' switchgear, rear lights and mirror door buttons on the facelift car; T5 box and serp engine were a bonus too, hence I got a '98 400 with all the facelift bits.
Starmist blue wasn't exactly my first choice of colour, but it has really grown on me.
Still hooked on TVRs after 3 years, and fancy a Tuscan or Tamora next.
I didn't want to budget for a T-car. I baulked at the potential running costs on a Cerb, although it was my preferred choice. Liked the looks of both the Griff and Chim, but Griffs carry a premium, so Chimaera it was. Decided I'd rather have a good 400 rather than a ropier 450 or 500. Preferred the 'Cerbera' switchgear, rear lights and mirror door buttons on the facelift car; T5 box and serp engine were a bonus too, hence I got a '98 400 with all the facelift bits.
Starmist blue wasn't exactly my first choice of colour, but it has really grown on me.
Still hooked on TVRs after 3 years, and fancy a Tuscan or Tamora next.
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