What made you buy the car(s) you own?
Discussion
I bought a 306 gti-6.. I viewed it as "The ultimate compromise"
- cheap enough so I didnt empty my account and can fix it myself
- handled well enough down country roads
- was big enough and comfortable enough for me, passengers or luggage
- but not too big that parking in congested streets where I frequent would be a pain in the arse or that I would worry about leaving it anywhere
- had just about enough power but didnt rape insurance (so I can build up my ncb)
- fuel economy wasnt great but who cares
- cheap enough so I didnt empty my account and can fix it myself
- handled well enough down country roads
- was big enough and comfortable enough for me, passengers or luggage
- but not too big that parking in congested streets where I frequent would be a pain in the arse or that I would worry about leaving it anywhere
- had just about enough power but didnt rape insurance (so I can build up my ncb)
- fuel economy wasnt great but who cares
NotDave said:
1993 Ford Fiesta "summertime" - 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
Granted its cheaper to buy, but thanks to Saab's misfortunes, the used values have really plummeted and of its a similar mileage to mine, then you will have lost about £1k in used value. Also probably a bit tougher to sell than the aforementioned Beemer or Audi. bakerstreet said:
Granted its cheaper to buy, but thanks to Saab's misfortunes, the used values have really plummeted and of its a similar mileage to mine, then you will have lost about £1k in used value. Also probably a bit tougher to sell than the aforementioned Beemer or Audi.
This was prior to SAABs decline. Had it nearly 2 years.I'll be honest, IDGAF. As it'll be run until the day it dies, and then weighed. Paid £6700 for it, which was cheap for the spec. It owes me a yearly service. And I prefer the styling and drive far more than tha german stuff
Lots of headscratching but I'm happy with the current situation:
2006 Grande Punto Dynamic (2nd owner). This was purchased 3 years ago for the missus to transport the kids and play door tennis with the cretins in the supermarket car-park. Bought very cheaply, now at 36k miles, sits outside and has been a good purchase to date. I use it when the weather's cr@p.
2011 Passat Sport 170 TDi (purchased new). This is my 4th consecutive Passat, primarily used for work. They've all been fine and the estate is essential now that we've got kids to spoil our holidays. This one's got lots of toys so might stay for a few years.
1991 Lotus Omega (2nd owner). Bought this (LHD Lotus Carlton) 2 years ago. I've always had a "classic" in the garage, but wanted something rare and iconic with four doors (required for the kids) and a eye-watering turn of speed. When I saw this up for sale at <6000 miles from new, I knew I had to have it. It's now done 7000 miles and is still like new.
2006 Grande Punto Dynamic (2nd owner). This was purchased 3 years ago for the missus to transport the kids and play door tennis with the cretins in the supermarket car-park. Bought very cheaply, now at 36k miles, sits outside and has been a good purchase to date. I use it when the weather's cr@p.
2011 Passat Sport 170 TDi (purchased new). This is my 4th consecutive Passat, primarily used for work. They've all been fine and the estate is essential now that we've got kids to spoil our holidays. This one's got lots of toys so might stay for a few years.
1991 Lotus Omega (2nd owner). Bought this (LHD Lotus Carlton) 2 years ago. I've always had a "classic" in the garage, but wanted something rare and iconic with four doors (required for the kids) and a eye-watering turn of speed. When I saw this up for sale at <6000 miles from new, I knew I had to have it. It's now done 7000 miles and is still like new.
standfree93 said:
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.
Should have driven several NA/NBs back to back like I did, then realised the NA was more fun to drive
NotDave said:
This was prior to SAABs decline. Had it nearly 2 years.
I'll be honest, IDGAF. As it'll be run until the day it dies, and then weighed. Paid £6700 for it, which was cheap for the spec. It owes me a yearly service. And I prefer the styling and drive far more than tha german stuff
Your lucky then. I've replaced the wiper linkage (common fault), alternator (common fault), the intercooler and the termostat in the 10 months I've had it. Just had the cambelt and the waterpump done, but I don't hold that aginst the car as its maintenance. I'll be honest, IDGAF. As it'll be run until the day it dies, and then weighed. Paid £6700 for it, which was cheap for the spec. It owes me a yearly service. And I prefer the styling and drive far more than tha german stuff
Don't agree that its better than the german alternatives to drive. The steering feel and general handling charactictics are poor compared to the alteratives on the market. When the 08 Saab 93 was launchd they really needed the insignia platform to help sell the car, but sadly they never got it and had to stiock to then outdated Vectra platform.
I'm expecting the turbo to go mine and I'm not sure I'll be replacing it. It will be a 1/3 of the value of the car!
All that aside, I washed mine the other day and I still think its a great looking shape
08 93 is superb looking car too. Corsa: Needed something to do miles in that was fairly new and comfortable and fairly quick. I also think the one I got looks good too!
MR2: Saw one outside of an ex girlfriends work waiting to pick her up. Thought it looked amazing so got one....it rusted but I was hooked and got another!
Nothing to do with any brand loyalty or dealer service just cars I like!
MR2: Saw one outside of an ex girlfriends work waiting to pick her up. Thought it looked amazing so got one....it rusted but I was hooked and got another!
Nothing to do with any brand loyalty or dealer service just cars I like!
Bought a Leon Cupra R because it was stupidly quick for a FWD car, and it looked great.
I sold it and bought a Civic Type R because the Honda was slower (yet costed the same to insure, but that didn't matter), had a much, much quicker throttle response, sounded absolutely incredible and didn't have anywhere near as much noise insulation as the VAG get, and drove like it weighed half what the Cupra weighed.
I sold it and bought a Civic Type R because the Honda was slower (yet costed the same to insure, but that didn't matter), had a much, much quicker throttle response, sounded absolutely incredible and didn't have anywhere near as much noise insulation as the VAG get, and drove like it weighed half what the Cupra weighed.
LotusOmega375D said:
1991 Lotus Omega (2nd owner). Bought this (LHD Lotus Carlton) 2 years ago. I've always had a "classic" in the garage, but wanted something rare and iconic with four doors (required for the kids) and a eye-watering turn of speed. When I saw this up for sale at <6000 miles from new, I knew I had to have it. It's now done 7000 miles and is still like new.
It wasn't REALLY for the kids, was it?
I was trying to sell my 206 and was browsing the 'bay for my next car when I spotted this. Always liked the 6, and this one had four good points that drew me to it:
- saloon model (better looking)
- low mileage
- TS2 model (not a boggo spec)
- 2.0 rather than 1.8 (I was coming from a 1.4 diesel
)I sent the seller a message saying I'd be interested if it was still for sale when my car sold. Seller came back asking what I had, and 24 hours later we were looking at each other's cars. A deal was done, I drove away and 9 months / 9000 miles later its been perfect.
i wanted one car to do everything - commute, cruise, and track. with one catch - it had to be interesting, and cope with the heat. was looking at 964's mainly, and then trying to find a cayman s or z4MC in budget.
then just before xmas i saw a fettled gts clubman [caterfield] for sale at a bargain price with lots of money spent recently and known history from build. i saw it on the 29th then 2 days later it was my birthday so, after a few beers, rang the seller and made an offer.
that left me with a non-road legal track toy and nothing to tow it with. i was all set to either buy something dull and bargey, or work out how to fit a tow bar to a mustang. then luck struck again and i saw a modified jeep wrangler for a very good price - again with lots of money recently spent and all the right parts. saw it at lunchtime and had it in my parking spot by 8pm that night.
couldn't be happier with my two tbh. the jeep is a hoot to drive and has much better on road manners than expected. the clubby is just mental, i finally get what all the fuss is about 7esque cars!
then just before xmas i saw a fettled gts clubman [caterfield] for sale at a bargain price with lots of money spent recently and known history from build. i saw it on the 29th then 2 days later it was my birthday so, after a few beers, rang the seller and made an offer.
that left me with a non-road legal track toy and nothing to tow it with. i was all set to either buy something dull and bargey, or work out how to fit a tow bar to a mustang. then luck struck again and i saw a modified jeep wrangler for a very good price - again with lots of money recently spent and all the right parts. saw it at lunchtime and had it in my parking spot by 8pm that night.
couldn't be happier with my two tbh. the jeep is a hoot to drive and has much better on road manners than expected. the clubby is just mental, i finally get what all the fuss is about 7esque cars!
JonnyFive said:
So, what made you buy the car you currently own?
Have you always wanted one?
Wanted one after looking for cheap and handsome 90's coupes and realising they existed and were rarer and quicker (and better looking imo) than a celica, and cheaper than a decent GTV/Integra.Have you always wanted one?
JonnyFive said:
Was it the brand that you're fond of?
I have no fondness for mitsubishi at all excluding my own car.JonnyFive said:
Was it the spec that made you choose it over another?
Yup. Sold my old knackered one to buy a much newer one with a better engine, updated front spoiler, manual box, sunroof and in far better nick in general.JonnyFive said:
Were you not bothered and just needed a car?
I love my car and don't care if no-one else likes it, I'd be miserable if I sold it and bought a focus/clio etc JonnyFive said:
The service you got at a dealer, did that sway your opinion?
Bought privately from a chap who'd owned a number of FTOs over the years and made them all immaculate. Also knew him from previous purchases (alloys etc) so got a very good price.bakerstreet said:
Your lucky then. I've replaced the wiper linkage (common fault), alternator (common fault), the intercooler and the termostat in the 10 months I've had it. Just had the cambelt and the waterpump done, but I don't hold that aginst the car as its maintenance.
Don't agree that its better than the german alternatives to drive. The steering feel and general handling charactictics are poor compared to the alteratives on the market. When the 08 Saab 93 was launchd they really needed the insignia platform to help sell the car, but sadly they never got it and had to stiock to then outdated Vectra platform.
I'm expecting the turbo to go mine and I'm not sure I'll be replacing it. It will be a 1/3 of the value of the car!
All that aside, I washed mine the other day and I still think its a great looking shape 08 93 is superb looking car too.
sDon't agree that its better than the german alternatives to drive. The steering feel and general handling charactictics are poor compared to the alteratives on the market. When the 08 Saab 93 was launchd they really needed the insignia platform to help sell the car, but sadly they never got it and had to stiock to then outdated Vectra platform.
I'm expecting the turbo to go mine and I'm not sure I'll be replacing it. It will be a 1/3 of the value of the car!
All that aside, I washed mine the other day and I still think its a great looking shape
08 93 is superb looking car too. 
t! Mines had an alternator and that's it. 2006 on 86k miles.As for drive VS Ze germans ... I wanted relaxing, comfy, 6ft7 friendly and wafting. But with poke and better looks than a "blob" Audi/focus
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