What made you buy the car(s) you own?
Discussion
The Mustang is the culmination of a string of American cars that started with an impulse buy of a Corvette back in 1994 which I was totally in love with but it was a bit scruffy and I dreamed of having an immaculate one.
The CSA stopped that back in 1997 but this led to a slow climb back to a newer American car via a £500 3.3 Mustang Ghia, £3700 87 Camaro 5.0 Z28, £10500 98 Camaro Z28 and then importing a Corvette C5 Z06 myself for around £26000. However, as I had had a(nother) family in the interim, this had to go and I bought the Mustang with a view to modifying it to the Z06 peformance level. I did that by supercharging it.
Since then, I haven't really wanted another car and being a toy, it has all the power I need and is still basically in new condition. having 3 kids means a cadillac CTS-V would be better but I don't want to afford one as it's too much money.
The Mondeo 2.0 Edge we bought as we got an exceptional deal financially and it fits all our 3 kids and all their gear. It's ideal really though I personally would like more power.
The £750 Golf GTI was bought as a second car to negate the need to use the Mustang as a daily commuter and that was based on previous good experience with a pair of Sciroccos and has been a good car though I'm not particularly happy with the 3rd lap belt for the middle child in the rear.
The CSA stopped that back in 1997 but this led to a slow climb back to a newer American car via a £500 3.3 Mustang Ghia, £3700 87 Camaro 5.0 Z28, £10500 98 Camaro Z28 and then importing a Corvette C5 Z06 myself for around £26000. However, as I had had a(nother) family in the interim, this had to go and I bought the Mustang with a view to modifying it to the Z06 peformance level. I did that by supercharging it.
Since then, I haven't really wanted another car and being a toy, it has all the power I need and is still basically in new condition. having 3 kids means a cadillac CTS-V would be better but I don't want to afford one as it's too much money.
The Mondeo 2.0 Edge we bought as we got an exceptional deal financially and it fits all our 3 kids and all their gear. It's ideal really though I personally would like more power.
The £750 Golf GTI was bought as a second car to negate the need to use the Mustang as a daily commuter and that was based on previous good experience with a pair of Sciroccos and has been a good car though I'm not particularly happy with the 3rd lap belt for the middle child in the rear.
Of the BMW E30 325i touring?
Have you always wanted one? yes for years and now I can't find anything to replace it with
Was it the brand that you're fond of? I like BMW
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another? condition, it was speced after I bought it
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?needed to replace a TVR S1
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?never seen a dealer in my ownership
Of the Elise S2 111S?
Have you always wanted one? A sports car yes, but nothing in particular
Was it the brand that you're fond of? I like Lotus
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another? yes, hard top, air con, touring pack etc
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?been looking for a sports car for months but could not decide what
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?good service but just happend to be closest
Have you always wanted one? yes for years and now I can't find anything to replace it with
Was it the brand that you're fond of? I like BMW
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another? condition, it was speced after I bought it
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?needed to replace a TVR S1
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?never seen a dealer in my ownership
Of the Elise S2 111S?
Have you always wanted one? A sports car yes, but nothing in particular
Was it the brand that you're fond of? I like Lotus
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another? yes, hard top, air con, touring pack etc
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?been looking for a sports car for months but could not decide what
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?good service but just happend to be closest
It was that bloody Chris Harris - I was in an airport at a news stand. Had been idly thinking of a 911 and picked up a copy of Total 911. Saw a review of the then new 997.1 RS on the Ring and the thing spoke to me.
The M6 I bought because I had a 645ci I disliked, and the V10 seemed special,which it is.
The Smart ForTwo was essentially a strange little city runabout and performd that task well.
SL was bought because I loved the look of the R230 when it came out and it is a good weekender
Cayenne because it is good for towing and winter snows,plus the occasional bit ot offroading. Also great for the Great Dane.
The M6 I bought because I had a 645ci I disliked, and the V10 seemed special,which it is.
The Smart ForTwo was essentially a strange little city runabout and performd that task well.
SL was bought because I loved the look of the R230 when it came out and it is a good weekender
Cayenne because it is good for towing and winter snows,plus the occasional bit ot offroading. Also great for the Great Dane.
JonnyFive said:
So, what made you buy the car you currently own?
I'm overlapping a bit at the moment!Porsche 924 Lux - Practical, civilised and cheap to run. What it lacks in straightline performance (which is quite a lot) it makes up for with beautifully balanced handling and more character than most things I could afford to run as a daily. Will probably become my only car eventually, hence the need for an interesting, affordable all-rounder.
TVR Chimaera 500 - I wanted a charismatic weekend car with enough practicality for long distances and the occasional work trip. I'd already owned a TVR, so knew it would be a good fit for those requirements.
Ford Focus 1.6 Silver - Bought as the daily shed ages ago when I still expected to run at least one other car for weekends and evenings. Despite the puny engine the Silver model has an interesting combination of options including a slightly stiffer suspension setup than normal, the climate pack with heated seats and screens, and a very nice leather interior. It makes it a comfortable and surprisingly entertaining steer for a cheap FWD hatch.
1987 Mini 1000 - Liked the shape,go-kart like handling and the owners's community and it was cheap to run when I was 18. Cheap to modify and fix too.
2001 - Fiant Punto Sporting. Loved the shape and the spacious interior. Quite cheap to run too. Dealerships were good too.
Golf TDI Sport x 2 (Company Cars). Chosen because I lied teh shape, it was economical and was a good mile muncher. Bit dull though
2002 MINI Cooper S - Wanted to return to the MINI brand, but it had to be the S. I regret buying it to this day. Unconfortable and unreliable.
1993 Mitsubishi Pajero - Bought becaue I was fed up looking at rotten Land Rover Discoveries. It was also fiited witha two in chassis lift and mud terrains, so I didn't have to spend anything on making it off road capable.
2005 Saab 93 Vector 150 TID - Needed somethnig that could handle the 20k commute and return 45mpg. Love the look of the Saab. Unfortunately, its been problematic and expensive. Not returning 45mpg either
It will probably go and be replaced by a cheap to run/buy Clio diesel
2001 - Fiant Punto Sporting. Loved the shape and the spacious interior. Quite cheap to run too. Dealerships were good too.
Golf TDI Sport x 2 (Company Cars). Chosen because I lied teh shape, it was economical and was a good mile muncher. Bit dull though
2002 MINI Cooper S - Wanted to return to the MINI brand, but it had to be the S. I regret buying it to this day. Unconfortable and unreliable.
1993 Mitsubishi Pajero - Bought becaue I was fed up looking at rotten Land Rover Discoveries. It was also fiited witha two in chassis lift and mud terrains, so I didn't have to spend anything on making it off road capable.
2005 Saab 93 Vector 150 TID - Needed somethnig that could handle the 20k commute and return 45mpg. Love the look of the Saab. Unfortunately, its been problematic and expensive. Not returning 45mpg either
It will probably go and be replaced by a cheap to run/buy Clio diesel 320d M Sport
New far longer motorway commute and very rarely using the car for any 'fun' driving over the previous 12 months meant the Cayman S had to go.
I'd also had it for 4 years and put 50K plus miles on it so was time to move it on.
For what I currently need the BM is great if a little dull.
New far longer motorway commute and very rarely using the car for any 'fun' driving over the previous 12 months meant the Cayman S had to go.
I'd also had it for 4 years and put 50K plus miles on it so was time to move it on.
For what I currently need the BM is great if a little dull.
Elise - Because it was the best thing to *drive* that I could afford that could still (at a pinch) do a few miles if required.
I will admit that badge snobbery partially influenced the decision to buy over a VX220.
Saab - The biggest, strongest, fastest tank we could find for the cash we had that was in decent nick.
I will admit that badge snobbery partially influenced the decision to buy over a VX220.
Saab - The biggest, strongest, fastest tank we could find for the cash we had that was in decent nick.
Riknos said:
I only bought my car because I was brainwashed by this forum. Honestly. I would have never considered it in a million years, but a good 3 years solid of reading 'What Car' threads and the answer being:
MX5
MX5
MX5 etc got me swayed.
Don't regret it for a second
I think I'm in the same boat as you. Wanted one for quite a while too, but I still have my first car, been driving for almost 2 years now.MX5
MX5
MX5 etc got me swayed.
Don't regret it for a second
Spur of the moment last week decided to look more at them, and put a deposit down on one last week.
Picking up my MX5 on Saturday.
VX220, had always wanted one, but each time I was in a position financially to buy one before something happened (usually girls...)
Was saving up to move in with the other half last year, and when that ended I decided I didnt need a new place, instead I would replace the crappy 1.4 almera I had to tackle the 500 mile a week commute. Private sale, in very good nick and low mileage (like most are really) had a couple of nice extras (not all the bits I wanted, but the ones I saw that did were decidedly more ropey)
Want a couple of other cars in the fleet aswell, r53 cooper s as i love the way they drive out of the box, and something to tow with at a later point
Was saving up to move in with the other half last year, and when that ended I decided I didnt need a new place, instead I would replace the crappy 1.4 almera I had to tackle the 500 mile a week commute. Private sale, in very good nick and low mileage (like most are really) had a couple of nice extras (not all the bits I wanted, but the ones I saw that did were decidedly more ropey)
Want a couple of other cars in the fleet aswell, r53 cooper s as i love the way they drive out of the box, and something to tow with at a later point
must be rear wheel drive
must be manual
Should be a v8 if possible
should be a 5.7 small block chevy if possible. (I guess bigger would be OK)
thats why I ended up with a Holden HSV.... because I couldn't face giving up a 5.7 V8 and the kids had out grown the previous 2+2
Never seen one in the flesh before I bought it unseen through ebay.
must be manual
Should be a v8 if possible
should be a 5.7 small block chevy if possible. (I guess bigger would be OK)
thats why I ended up with a Holden HSV.... because I couldn't face giving up a 5.7 V8 and the kids had out grown the previous 2+2
Never seen one in the flesh before I bought it unseen through ebay.
Edited by balls-out on Thursday 23 February 14:32
1993 Ford Fiesta "summertime" - it was in a local scrappers for £350 and my dad said "that'll do you for a first car" - was Cat C
2003 MG ZR 1400+ - because anything "less chavvy" I'd be bored with. 3 and a half years, and 90k miles of fun. Best car I've ever had
2005 Focus 1600TDCI Estate - I needed roomy, derv, ASAP. It was stupidly cheap. 11months and 38k miles later, sold it for what I paid
2006 SAAB 9-3 vector sport TID (150) - It was 2grand cheaper than a like for like Mundano or Vectra. Had far more kit. And was far cheaper and better spec'd than an ALDI or BMW
1996 200SX S14 Nissan - swapped for ZR - Always wanted one. Money pit. Sold 15months later as I changed jobs, and circumstance neccessitated.
1996 BMW 320i Touring - dog cart. Always wanted an E36. Kept it 9months. Brilliant in every way, barring munching fuel. And the dog didnt fit DOH!
2000 Alfa 145 TSpark 1800cc - was cheap, really cheap, and local, and I'd always wanted an ALFA. 3months, 4500 miles later, T&T ran out. Part-exd for same as I paid nearly.
2002 Ford Mundano 1800cc petrol - low mile, local, cheap to insure, good nick, ticked all the NEED boxes I have right now.
The odd one:
1971 Austin 1300 MKII - Me & the OH saw a MGB GT local, and cheap. Missed it on the eGay auction. Got looking. After a couple of weeks of research found this, LOCAL and been dry stored for 15years + so untouched. Did a good cash deal with the local stealer. 12months MOT included, and some tidying work. £300 a year insurance, and free road tax, swung the selling point. EPIC FUN!
2003 MG ZR 1400+ - because anything "less chavvy" I'd be bored with. 3 and a half years, and 90k miles of fun. Best car I've ever had
2005 Focus 1600TDCI Estate - I needed roomy, derv, ASAP. It was stupidly cheap. 11months and 38k miles later, sold it for what I paid
2006 SAAB 9-3 vector sport TID (150) - It was 2grand cheaper than a like for like Mundano or Vectra. Had far more kit. And was far cheaper and better spec'd than an ALDI or BMW
1996 200SX S14 Nissan - swapped for ZR - Always wanted one. Money pit. Sold 15months later as I changed jobs, and circumstance neccessitated.
1996 BMW 320i Touring - dog cart. Always wanted an E36. Kept it 9months. Brilliant in every way, barring munching fuel. And the dog didnt fit DOH!
2000 Alfa 145 TSpark 1800cc - was cheap, really cheap, and local, and I'd always wanted an ALFA. 3months, 4500 miles later, T&T ran out. Part-exd for same as I paid nearly.
2002 Ford Mundano 1800cc petrol - low mile, local, cheap to insure, good nick, ticked all the NEED boxes I have right now.
The odd one:
1971 Austin 1300 MKII - Me & the OH saw a MGB GT local, and cheap. Missed it on the eGay auction. Got looking. After a couple of weeks of research found this, LOCAL and been dry stored for 15years + so untouched. Did a good cash deal with the local stealer. 12months MOT included, and some tidying work. £300 a year insurance, and free road tax, swung the selling point. EPIC FUN!
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