A New Car "Just Because..."
Discussion
Really struggling here, and I know it's a bit of a first world problem, but I'm going to raise the question all the same.
I drive a Fabia 1.9TDi Elegance MK1 (My second one, been driving them for 7 years now). It's a boring car. It's boringly economical and boringly reliable. It's perfectly quick enough, it's perfectly well equipped. It does everything I ask of it and when it comes to an MOT or service there is no grief. It's worth maybe £3k and in a worse case failure I'd just chuck it away and buy another one.
I've previously thought of buying something "not boring". I've started threads about a Lexus 220D (lots of toys), discussed the merits of a Nissan Leaf (I do the right distance commute to make it viable), and I've considered soooo many cars. Octy's, Z4, Cooper S, Exeo, MX-5, Superb, Boxster, Swift Sport... the list goes on. The only thing in common that these cars have is that they are either convertibles, quick, full of toys, or in the case of the Leaf, very different.
I want to change my car. I like cars and I'd like to experience a few. Money isn't a big deal, and whilst I don't have money to burn, I have enough to run something that makes me love it every time I drive it. I absolutely do not want to buy something that will feel like just another Fabia, but newer and with fewer miles.
My heart says "spend some money and enjoy it". My head says "The Fabia does all you need and more. Spend the money more wisely." At almost 50 years old I guess we could be talking mid-life crisis, but I don't think that's true.
I can make a case for sticking with what I have, and I can make a case for "you only live once". Trouble is, my head is ruling my heart and whilst that may not be a bad thing, I don't want to look back to a time when I could have bought something nice and wished I had. Of the models I've mentioned I've found cars that I'd genuinely be interested in owning, but then I hit a road-block of "Will I regret buying it in a couple of month's time?"
This decision could come down to whether I'll feel the most long-term satisfaction from something quick, something with toys, something with a fabric roof, or something that just got me from A to B with no fuss, ever.
I'm sure I'm not the only person of a certain age who has felt this. I'd be very interested in the collective views of PH.
I drive a Fabia 1.9TDi Elegance MK1 (My second one, been driving them for 7 years now). It's a boring car. It's boringly economical and boringly reliable. It's perfectly quick enough, it's perfectly well equipped. It does everything I ask of it and when it comes to an MOT or service there is no grief. It's worth maybe £3k and in a worse case failure I'd just chuck it away and buy another one.
I've previously thought of buying something "not boring". I've started threads about a Lexus 220D (lots of toys), discussed the merits of a Nissan Leaf (I do the right distance commute to make it viable), and I've considered soooo many cars. Octy's, Z4, Cooper S, Exeo, MX-5, Superb, Boxster, Swift Sport... the list goes on. The only thing in common that these cars have is that they are either convertibles, quick, full of toys, or in the case of the Leaf, very different.
I want to change my car. I like cars and I'd like to experience a few. Money isn't a big deal, and whilst I don't have money to burn, I have enough to run something that makes me love it every time I drive it. I absolutely do not want to buy something that will feel like just another Fabia, but newer and with fewer miles.
My heart says "spend some money and enjoy it". My head says "The Fabia does all you need and more. Spend the money more wisely." At almost 50 years old I guess we could be talking mid-life crisis, but I don't think that's true.
I can make a case for sticking with what I have, and I can make a case for "you only live once". Trouble is, my head is ruling my heart and whilst that may not be a bad thing, I don't want to look back to a time when I could have bought something nice and wished I had. Of the models I've mentioned I've found cars that I'd genuinely be interested in owning, but then I hit a road-block of "Will I regret buying it in a couple of month's time?"
This decision could come down to whether I'll feel the most long-term satisfaction from something quick, something with toys, something with a fabric roof, or something that just got me from A to B with no fuss, ever.
I'm sure I'm not the only person of a certain age who has felt this. I'd be very interested in the collective views of PH.
and have a 450 Chimeara in the garage that makes me grin when I see it and laugh like an idiot when I start it and press the loud pedal 
I have the Skoda, and also an Aygo. Another boringly reliable little car that the wife uses.
If I were to buy something big-ish the Skoda would go. If I were to go for a hot little Mini or the Swift, then the Aygo would be sold.
Three cars isn't an option, I don't really have room and two cars is enough.
As to convertibles, I've had them before:
206CC (Liked it a lot, but as an early model it had a few niggles with the roof).
MR2 Roadster (Redundancy treat, loved it and a TF300 is one my list of possible too. Just a bit of an old car now.)
Saab 900 (Bought cheap on a whim, never really liked it)
Suzuki Jeep (Very cheap and great fun, bought in the days when I had room for three cars)
Must admit I do like to get the roof off, and there's no doubt that on a sunny day, open-top driving is one of life's great pleasures. Trouble is that on the other 300 days owning a convertible just makes you wish you'd bought something quick with a roof that can be enjoyed much more often.
I do appreciate that I'm going round in circles a little, but asking on PH will turn out to be one of my better decisions.
If I were to buy something big-ish the Skoda would go. If I were to go for a hot little Mini or the Swift, then the Aygo would be sold.
Three cars isn't an option, I don't really have room and two cars is enough.
As to convertibles, I've had them before:
206CC (Liked it a lot, but as an early model it had a few niggles with the roof).
MR2 Roadster (Redundancy treat, loved it and a TF300 is one my list of possible too. Just a bit of an old car now.)
Saab 900 (Bought cheap on a whim, never really liked it)
Suzuki Jeep (Very cheap and great fun, bought in the days when I had room for three cars)
Must admit I do like to get the roof off, and there's no doubt that on a sunny day, open-top driving is one of life's great pleasures. Trouble is that on the other 300 days owning a convertible just makes you wish you'd bought something quick with a roof that can be enjoyed much more often.
I do appreciate that I'm going round in circles a little, but asking on PH will turn out to be one of my better decisions.
I'm in this situation now OP. I'm seriously considering upgrading my BMW E38 728I for a later E65 745i or 750i but my 728i isn't too bad on fuel, is very reliable, doesn't need any work and is every bit as quiet and comfortable as cars need to be, but I still want a newer V8 one.
Also trying to save for a house deposit!
Also trying to save for a house deposit!
I love my Octavia and usually I'm on these threads trying to convince people to buy one. But for you, I'm going to firmly warn you off.
It's a vast step up from your Fabia but many VAG products share a certain feel. One of the joys of buying a newer car "just because" is so that you'll get a different experience to what you currently already have. An Octavia will be a great car, but will short change you in this way.
If you're going to change, get something from a different stable.
It's a vast step up from your Fabia but many VAG products share a certain feel. One of the joys of buying a newer car "just because" is so that you'll get a different experience to what you currently already have. An Octavia will be a great car, but will short change you in this way.
If you're going to change, get something from a different stable.
Thanks all. It does come down to the title of the post though, about buying the car "just because". One of the reasons I can afford to spend some money is that I don't just chuck it around. Whatever I buy is always carefully considered, and when it comes to something like a car, I do think long and hard.
It's also true that I derive a fair bit of satisfaction from the Skoda, because when all is said and done its a perfectly decent car that owes me nothing and costs little to run. I look at people in big cars that they are probably still paying for and do a good job of convincing myself that what I have is all I need.
I think if i do buy something I'll go for something new-ish, either a Cooper S or a hard-top MX5. Then I'll see where electric cars are in a couple of years.
Decisions, decisions...
It's also true that I derive a fair bit of satisfaction from the Skoda, because when all is said and done its a perfectly decent car that owes me nothing and costs little to run. I look at people in big cars that they are probably still paying for and do a good job of convincing myself that what I have is all I need.
I think if i do buy something I'll go for something new-ish, either a Cooper S or a hard-top MX5. Then I'll see where electric cars are in a couple of years.
Decisions, decisions...
A friend's father, on his deathbed, said that one of his regrets in life was "not buying a sportscar". After he died, it transpired that he had more than enough money in the bank to have enjoyed such a toy. My friend bought a 911 with his inheritance and in his father's memory.
True story. Moral: don't regret not doing it when it's too late to do anything about it.
Further: I'm of your age group, and have had multiple sportsbikes, done lots of track time, Ring time, etc etc. A few years ago, I finally decided to sell the last sportsbike I had, with massive reservations, but as my wife said at the time, if you sell it and regret it, you can always get another one. In reverse, if you don't like whatever you decide to go for, there are plenty of Fabias for sale very day of the week.
True story. Moral: don't regret not doing it when it's too late to do anything about it.
Further: I'm of your age group, and have had multiple sportsbikes, done lots of track time, Ring time, etc etc. A few years ago, I finally decided to sell the last sportsbike I had, with massive reservations, but as my wife said at the time, if you sell it and regret it, you can always get another one. In reverse, if you don't like whatever you decide to go for, there are plenty of Fabias for sale very day of the week.
You can afford to replace the skoda and its worth £3k you say...
Sell the skoda, what you get for it is the budget for the new car,
Go on the classifieds, select a filter for sub £3k and a performance target, or select V6 / over 2.0 litres etc,
pick something, enjoy, if it costs you little and you like it great, if it goes up in smoke you go and buy a boring car and know the answer to 'if only..'
I did it with a Lotus Excel, I lost a fair chunk from having to sell it in a timeframe, and for me at the time the fuel it cost to run took the shine of it for me, but I sure as hell don't regret it. Everytime I look at a 'Ronseal' car I know that I've tried the other side, and until/if finances reach a certain tipping point I know that I don't get enough extra enjoyment over a more average and cheaper to run car than the fuel is worth.
hears to next weeks lottery ticket though.
OP would have thought something like an Alfa GTV V6 is right up your street, quick / fun / a little different without being outrageously expensive or something difficult to sell if you don't like it?
Sell the skoda, what you get for it is the budget for the new car,
Go on the classifieds, select a filter for sub £3k and a performance target, or select V6 / over 2.0 litres etc,
pick something, enjoy, if it costs you little and you like it great, if it goes up in smoke you go and buy a boring car and know the answer to 'if only..'
I did it with a Lotus Excel, I lost a fair chunk from having to sell it in a timeframe, and for me at the time the fuel it cost to run took the shine of it for me, but I sure as hell don't regret it. Everytime I look at a 'Ronseal' car I know that I've tried the other side, and until/if finances reach a certain tipping point I know that I don't get enough extra enjoyment over a more average and cheaper to run car than the fuel is worth.
hears to next weeks lottery ticket though.
OP would have thought something like an Alfa GTV V6 is right up your street, quick / fun / a little different without being outrageously expensive or something difficult to sell if you don't like it?
TVR is the answer you are looking for.
Convertible/hardtop/2 seats/4 seats, your choice.
Thrills and spills, fun and laughter and a fabulous sound track to boot.
My personal recommendation at the mo is a Tuscan 2.
Whatever your budget, you can probably find something that makes you smile.
And even better? Decent insurance at your age.
And even better than better? Bullet proof depreciation (ie they don't anymore)so if you get bored, sell up and get your money back.
Thank me later!
Convertible/hardtop/2 seats/4 seats, your choice.
Thrills and spills, fun and laughter and a fabulous sound track to boot.
My personal recommendation at the mo is a Tuscan 2.
Whatever your budget, you can probably find something that makes you smile.
And even better? Decent insurance at your age.
And even better than better? Bullet proof depreciation (ie they don't anymore)so if you get bored, sell up and get your money back.
Thank me later!
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