Never Satisfied?

[Schnellmann]

Not sure what is wrong with me, but however good the cars are in my garage I always find myself thinking about what to get next. Consequently I change cars pretty frequently (far too frequently according to my wife!) Although I do get a lot of variety I get the feeling that whatever I bought (however brilliant or exotic) would not keep me satisfied for long and that is a bit frustrating. I am quite jealous of people that can happily keep their cars for ages (or forever) and don't seen struck by the same obsession to constantly look for something new.

Anyone else similarly afflicted? Any known cure?

[David87]

Me too. I currently have a wonderful example of a Mk2 Focus RS and yet I find myself browsing the classifieds for Caterham 7s and luxo-barges. My condition is very serious. After reading the bit about his new Ferrari, it would appear Chris Harris has the same problem!

[jeremyc]

Schnellmann said:

Any known cure?

Join a supercar club? Enjoy driving the cars without the complications of ownership.

P1 International
Ecurie25

Other clubs are available .... I have no affiliation with either of the above.

[icebite78]

I'am the same mate,i actually think it,s an illness,dont know the cure but training your self by saying 'right i'm keeping this for a while' and not looking at the classifieds seems to be working right now but its only been two months for me and my new p&j so lets see!

At first the addiction it was a laugh but it's starting to get really annoying i just want buy it,drive it,wash it,keep it,but it seems to be buy it then on the way home think what next!!!

[crostonian]

I like people like you, you keep the motor trade busy! Seriously do you not think it's because you enjoy the search process more than the ownership one?

[Schnellmann]

crostonian said:

I like people like you, you keep the motor trade busy! Seriously do you not think it's because you enjoy the search process more than the ownership one?

That is definitely part of it I think. I do get a lot of pleasure thinking about what to get, reading reports and articles (and comparisons), going for test drives plus scanning the classifieds to find the right car. But it seems to have become an addiction!

[Schnellmann]

jeremyc said:

oin a supercar club? Enjoy driving the cars without the complications of ownership.

P1 International
Ecurie25

Other clubs are available .... I have no affiliation with either of the above.

Interesting idea...although not sure there is something like that in Switzerland where we are currently living.

[toon10]

I get bored of my cars after a year or two but as I tend to pay for them over 4 years, I don't change them when this happens. The bosses son currently runs an old Skyline pushing out about 420bhp but he's still paying for his 106 GTi about 4 cars back. He gets another car every year but never manages to pay for the previous ones. He spends about £700 a month to run it as a result. That's a mortgage not car payments to me!

[SuperVM]

I'm definitely in this boat. I think I ideally need two fun cars, one the family can fit in and one I can work on regularly. The problem is, I only have the garage space and funds for one fun car at the moment, so when I have one that can take the family, e.g. my last E36 M3 Evo, I'm thinking about something more interesting, like my RX-7. Now I've got the RX-7, I never use it as I rarely ever go anywhere by myself. So, I'm now thinking about an E46 M3 and will then repeat the cycle once I've bought one of those.

[CK_N4S]

Ever thought about modifying cars rather than shift them for something new?

This only works if you now what you are displeased with, or lack in the current car - and see the route to rectify the problem with some aftermaket gadgets. Althoug I might be aware this is highly illegal in car hating Swiss cantons? non?


For me, the trick has been to buy specific purpose cars. This means you can end up with quite a fleet of cars - but using them for a specific purpose means you get so much more pleasure out of each car when you get to use them. This of course will not necessarily put the OH at ease. Certainly not when you start rebuilding the garage (looking for new house) to fit all the cars you need

CK

[Whitean3]

Schnellmann said:

Interesting idea...although not sure there is something like that in Switzerland where we are currently living.

You could set one up yourself! I'd be happy to drive your CS!!! Now, hurry up and buy that F40 and 2.7 RS and I'll join up immediately!

My problem is that I like a lot of cars, and there always seems to be something better out there, but am a hoarder- and we all know that parking/garage spaces here in Switzerland are at a premium (plus my wife would complain. A lot!). I also become very attached to my possessions, which doesn't help!

I do think there would be a market for a supercar club here in Switzerland, but I suspect that many potential members are rich enough to have their own small collections...

[Schnellmann]

I've never modified any of my cars. A thought but difficult in Switzerland as any material change would have to be approved and recorded in the car's log book (most people with after-market exhausts have to keep the original and put it back on again every time the car has an MOT).

With respect to a car club...there could be a market. Has anyone made any money with such schemes? I seem to recall a few being set up in the UK (one with Damien Hill?) that didn't last.

[MattGTA]

To be honest, I've often wondered if I have a problem - my stats (140ish cars in 18 years) would probably be considered abnormal by most sane people...

But at the end of the day it doesn't do any harm - if you buy sensibly you can minimise the financial hit and for me, the pleasure I get from chopping and changing, browsing ads, tinkering and of course driving all these different things is endless.

[Schnellmann]

MattGTA said:

To be honest, I've often wondered if I have a problem - my stats (140ish cars in 18 years) would probably be considered abnormal by most sane people...

But at the end of the day it doesn't do any harm - if you buy sensibly you can minimise the financial hit and for me, the pleasure I get from chopping and changing, browsing ads, tinkering and of course driving all these different things is endless.

Wow. 140 cars! Makes me feel like an amateur.

[kayzee]

I'm in this boat too and since I started driving (9 years tomorrow!) I've changed car every 12 months... currently have my second Clio 182 though and I've told myself I'm keeping this for 4-5 years as I'm bored of swapping all the time. Buying cars ain't too bad but I hate selling them!

One way to extend the life is, as mentioned by someone else, to modify. I've been saving up and shall be purchasing some Speedline's, coilovers and splitter soon can't wait!

[Goldmember1]

MattGTA said:

To be honest, I've often wondered if I have a problem - my stats (140ish cars in 18 years) would probably be considered abnormal by most sane people...

But at the end of the day it doesn't do any harm - if you buy sensibly you can minimise the financial hit and for me, the pleasure I get from chopping and changing, browsing ads, tinkering and of course driving all these different things is endless.

You sir is what Pistonheads is all about
Can I quote , print , and laminate this to show to my wife?
After 16 cars in 9 years including 11 Subarus I think I've used all my lifelines!

[RP1]

I also suffer from this condition. Currently on car number 45 in 11 years of driving.

The wifes list of things to complain about would be significantly shorter if i didn't change cars every 5 minutes though, i'd hate her to get bored!

[jay140285]

I am the same, and it drives my wife mad. Especially as I keep putting my private plate on them then 6months later change it.

Wife has a V8 Jeep, had it 2yrs and no intention of changing it.

But my daily drives in 10yrs of driving I have had.

Before passing my test to play in the folks fields
MG Metro
Volvo 340
Vitara
Rangie Classic

Passed test
Dihatsu Fourtrak
Landy Defender 200tdi
Range Rover Classic V8
Toyota Surf
Mitsy L200 Warrior
Seat Lean FR
BMW 320
BMW 120
Isuzu Trooper
Isuzu Rodeo
Maxda MX5 Mk1 Turbo
Ford Mondeo Ghia X
Skoda Octavia VRS
Subaru Impreza WRX
Saab 93 Vector
Currently got on the drive
Jeep Grand Cherokee WJ V8
Jeep Cherokee 4litre off road toy
Saab 95 Aero

Prob missed some out as well.

[Vitorio]

Same here, my current focus is the first company car i've had for more then a year (6th in 5 years, not counting temp jobbies, which would add another 3) and i am already thoroughly bored with it, given the option i'd swap it in a second for the chance to pick something new. Options would range from a polo bluemotion (which woulc save enough money to quickly get an mx5 for fun) to a BMW 1 series.

[Hoofy]

Schnellmann said:

Anyone else similarly afflicted? Any known cure?

Yes. No.