Why do I always want the opposite to what I've got?

[kayzee]

I seem to go from expensive to cheap to expensive to cheap and so on... (obviously I realise the prices apply to my opinion of what's expensive etc.)

I gradually worked myself up to a 182 which cost me £6k. After six months I realised I was actually paranoid driving around in something worth nearly all I had! Plus it was the first time I knew I had to keep up services etc. and I got rid and went all the way down to a Punto GT for £800. I felt good about driving a crap car around as I didn't mind getting scratches etc. wasn't paranoid! But... well it let me down, a lot, because it was old, cheap and wasn't looked after.

Then I went for one of my school boy dream cars, R5 GT Turbo, just over a grand it cost me. Loved it for a little while but at the end of the day I didn't have the time, knowledge or tools to keep it running. So now I'm back to a car I spent a lot of money on, a 2003 Impreza STI... which is great, but again I think it's almost too expensive. I have money in the bank this time around but I'm thinking of going back and trying a shed car again after I get rid, although I'm already thinking as soon as I get a cheap car that falls apart, I'll want a decent reliable one again (the Subaru has been spot on so far, although the £490 service I just had hurt!)

Anyone constantly changing their mind like this!? I'd love to have a car that lastest me at least five years, but so far I seem to change almost yearly...

[DannyVTS]

I'm with you.

I think I'll be keeping my RS Clio a while though..

[RobCrezz]

I know the feeling, as I expect many others here do also.

The only solution is to have two cars.

[RemainAllHoof]

Because either
1) You don't really know what you want
2) You're trying to satisfy a desire in other aspects of your life (much like people who can't stick to one job or partner and change every few months)
3) You enjoy cars and want to try everything

Personally, I like driving and just enjoy trying different cars no matter how good or ste they are. Which is great news for my bank account.

[eltax91]

I know the feeling. How did I solve it? Cheapo shed for the daily runner, and something "nearly" as nice in the garage as a fun car. You can use it when the shed brakes too. Choose the right car and limited mileage insurance etc won't be a problem.

[StottyZr]

RobCrezz said:

The only solution is to have two cars.

Disagree^

Just keep doing what you're doing! I intend on. Drive around a banger, then when you buy a nice car it feels soooooo amazing. But the cost is crippling as you will know. So when you get fed up of the expensive running costs sell the nice car and drive a banger for 6months again. Its great fun, and then the nice car feeling after the 6 months. The cycle continues. I'm currently in my banger, buying a nice car in 2months which I intend to run for 1 year then I quite fancy a banger for a bit of fun.

[renrut]

Yes I know the feeling but common sense is too strong with me. So I force myself to keep a primary car for 5 years and my secondary car lasts as long as it lasts.

Grass always looks greener. Trick is to realise if the grass you have is good enough and why you really want to change. For me the reason for change was the desire for a larger engined petrol, non turbo rwd car. After having a fwd diesel that spat out turbos every 50k miles and although had a good chassis was still uninspiring in the corners and lacked power. So I've corrected all those ailments and the only price is half the mpg but as I'm getting approximately twice the enjoyment out of it I consider that a fair trade

[Caulkhead]

RobCrezz said:

The only solution is to have four cars.

• EFA

[kayzee]

This time though the reason for change would be running costs on the Impreza, rather than unreliability or being 'paranoid' lol. I have owned more than one car at a time a few times, but tbh there are two reasons I can't really do it...

1) Mum doesn't want a car stuck on the driveway!

2) Double the MOT/tax/insurance

I was thinking about sharing a car with mum as she's getting a new one soon (hopefully a Mini Cooper or similar, which I wouldn't mind driving at all) and then run a shed myself...

[renrut]

Is the running cost the only complaint on the impreza? If so why not just look at a similar car with a less thirsty engine and lower maintenance costs? Rather than going to another extreme just refine what you're after a bit.

[gareth.e]

I can see myself owning a number of cars in a few years

options are endless:

- motorway wafter
- old 4x4
- project
- classic car
- open top
- track toy
- fast road car
- supermarket/town trolly

[mgmrw2003]

RobCrezz said:

I know the feeling, as I expect many others here do also.

The only solution is to have two cars.

I have two and still cant stick to a certain "set"........

Started with:

> 2005 1600tdci focus estate as work warrior, and redundant stripped 2003 MG ZR 1400 as fun.

Got bored, so swapped ZR for 200SX that was "tired"

> Focus estate daily and 200SX project....... got bored of focus as it was pov spec....


SO, maxed out a parent loan, and got SAAB 9-3 vector sport tID on a 2006. 1owner, mint condition. Loved using the SAAB so much that the 200SX with 14k in it now sat on drive going nowhere.

Sold 200SX for £3k, banked £2k.........bought E36 320tourer as work horse and dog cart.

Been sticking to a "replace what NEEDS to be replaced only" strategy and it's now lowered, rebushed, 17s with Eagle F1s and drives lovely, if a little dull (the noise it makes compensates)

> new problem - SAAB sits on drive 6days a week, going nowhere and getting st on.

No debating either:

> run saab 3 days a week, and swap beemer for a LR90 project for dog duties and fun

OR

> keep beemer well maintained, and swap SAAB for a 2006 Focus ST for weekend fun


......... BUT THEN: I've always wanted a ST170 or GTI6 as a daily.




Whatever I decide upon, I will regret/get bored of and change.

In all honesty, I should of kept the ZR as it was a fantastic drive, and ploughed a couple of grand into an 1800VVC build, aiming for 200bhp. Caged it, and abused it royally.

Then when funds were right, got the SAAB.


But hey ho, you live and learn

[kayzee]

Strangely enough there's only one car I wish I'd never got rid of... my 206 GTi, I made it look really nice! But the engine suffered from the cut-out fault. I had the option of putting in a GTi-6 engine, or swapping up for a 182 (or Ibiza Cupra) it felt right at the time, but I dunno, miss it lol.

Kinda wish I tried harder with the R5 too, but I don't think you can really use them as a main car these days.

[mgmrw2003]

Know what you mean. I gave up after 14months and 14k spent on the 200SX as it wasn't daily useable....... But it was a phenomenal car compared to when I got it.

I miss the rev-happy bullet proofness of the ZR on a daily basis, and the way it handled (coilovers, standard wheels, hooooge brakes) on an hourly basis.

[BadgerBill]

gareth.e said:

I can see myself owning a number of cars in a few years

options are endless:

- motorway wafter
- old 4x4
- project
- classic car
- open top
- track toy
- fast road car
- supermarket/town trolly

So a last of the old shape Range Rover and a decent Caterham then? Sounds like a good garage to me.

BB