How long do you keep a dream car?
Discussion
I’ve been on the hunt for my next car for a while now and my budget seems to have gone skywards, mostly due to man maths and a YOLO way of thinking.
I’m at a point where I’m considering jumping on the waiting list for a new Lotus emira which would be an absolute dream for me (providing the car meets expectations) but in all honesty has blown my budget out of the water.
One of my justifications is ‘I’ll keep the car forever’ and it’s something I’ve seen repeated on a lot on the forums, it was the same when I purchased my M2c but not a thought process I've personally had before. So, in a world where the next best thing is just around the corner, how long do people really keep a dream car?
I’m at a point where I’m considering jumping on the waiting list for a new Lotus emira which would be an absolute dream for me (providing the car meets expectations) but in all honesty has blown my budget out of the water.
One of my justifications is ‘I’ll keep the car forever’ and it’s something I’ve seen repeated on a lot on the forums, it was the same when I purchased my M2c but not a thought process I've personally had before. So, in a world where the next best thing is just around the corner, how long do people really keep a dream car?
Guess it will be down to how well you ‘bond’ with it, if every time you get in it it’s an event, if every time you get out of it you look back at it you are far more likely to keep it long term, if however you just enjoy it, but hanker after something else after a few months, it will be gone.
My (fun) cars are all long term ownership, you get to a point where you do think “why do I have these”, fortunately then I drive them and I remember why
My (fun) cars are all long term ownership, you get to a point where you do think “why do I have these”, fortunately then I drive them and I remember why
It’s something I’ve often thought about, but unfortunately never been in a position to act on financially.
I’m not sure how old you are, but something definitely changed for me when I hit middle age.
I stopped lusting after “the next big thing” which would probably be yesterday’s news by the time you take ownership. I started to think more about older cars on the basis you’d get one and just keep it.
For me it would be a Ferrari F355 manual in red with a cream leather. I’d keep it forever.
Couldn’t say the same about an F8 or whatever they’re up to now.
Just off to check auto trader..
I’m not sure how old you are, but something definitely changed for me when I hit middle age.
I stopped lusting after “the next big thing” which would probably be yesterday’s news by the time you take ownership. I started to think more about older cars on the basis you’d get one and just keep it.
For me it would be a Ferrari F355 manual in red with a cream leather. I’d keep it forever.
Couldn’t say the same about an F8 or whatever they’re up to now.
Just off to check auto trader..
The trouble is that if you get your dream car too early you will create a road block in your route through all the great cars there are out there. The only solution to this is more parking/ garage space and some serious man maths to justify it to your partner.
In my case I've had mine for 16 years and never plan to sell it. When/ if I get bored I will just put it into storage for a few years.
In my case I've had mine for 16 years and never plan to sell it. When/ if I get bored I will just put it into storage for a few years.
My view is that rather than own one dream car my whole life, by the time I’m too old to be able to, I would like to have owned and driven most of the cars I think are great. So turning over periodically makes sense to me.
Mine range from less than a year (DB7, really didn’t like driving it) to about 5 years (F355, wonderful thing, mostly sold to cash in at the peak of the classic car bubble) and everything in between.
As for justifying the Emira, the combination of waiting list and desirability for the car is likely to mean depreciation is minimal. As a result, it could well cost less to own and run for 3-5 years than many run-of-the-mill family cars. Try that…
Mine range from less than a year (DB7, really didn’t like driving it) to about 5 years (F355, wonderful thing, mostly sold to cash in at the peak of the classic car bubble) and everything in between.
As for justifying the Emira, the combination of waiting list and desirability for the car is likely to mean depreciation is minimal. As a result, it could well cost less to own and run for 3-5 years than many run-of-the-mill family cars. Try that…
Chimeras x3, cerbera 4.5, RX7 I/II/III, 4200 gransport, SL55, corvette C5/6/7, Integrale, AMG GTR, S63, Vanquis S to name but a few..
None were dream cars (maserati the best, Aston the worst) but last year i started the hunt for my dream V12 Lambo, yesterday purchased an ice blue Aventador, feel like an 8 year old again, so excited!
First real dream car for me so time will tell but I deliberately waited until i had a choice of other very nice cars sat on the drive so there’s no pressure to use it or sell it for my car journey to continue, i think thats a very important factor before owning your dream car, i’m not talking about having a ‘daily’ more about having a daily and some special occasion cars which leaves very special days for your dream car.
duno, first time owning my dream car, maybe this is a formulae that works, maybe not, but its how i planned it to be, for what is an incredibly special moment in a petrol heads car buying history (for me anyway)
None were dream cars (maserati the best, Aston the worst) but last year i started the hunt for my dream V12 Lambo, yesterday purchased an ice blue Aventador, feel like an 8 year old again, so excited!
First real dream car for me so time will tell but I deliberately waited until i had a choice of other very nice cars sat on the drive so there’s no pressure to use it or sell it for my car journey to continue, i think thats a very important factor before owning your dream car, i’m not talking about having a ‘daily’ more about having a daily and some special occasion cars which leaves very special days for your dream car.
duno, first time owning my dream car, maybe this is a formulae that works, maybe not, but its how i planned it to be, for what is an incredibly special moment in a petrol heads car buying history (for me anyway)
I've had my 'dream car for about 2 years, but these things are relative, as today's dream is tomorrow's normality. The very idea of owning any car was a dream to 17 year old me, so these things are all relative.
To be fair, I am not sure how long I will keep my current car. It still lures me in for a drive just for fun and familiarity hasn't yet led to contempt, so I remain content. I'm not looking for something greater either, as I am not sure what that looks like to me. It's by no means perfect of course, but I'm not sure what the perfect car would actually be. It wouldn't be something new, that is for sure.
Bottom line is, how likely are you to be content with something, or do you default to always searching for improvement? Can you appreciate what you already have, or do you quickly tire of it?
To be fair, I am not sure how long I will keep my current car. It still lures me in for a drive just for fun and familiarity hasn't yet led to contempt, so I remain content. I'm not looking for something greater either, as I am not sure what that looks like to me. It's by no means perfect of course, but I'm not sure what the perfect car would actually be. It wouldn't be something new, that is for sure.
Bottom line is, how likely are you to be content with something, or do you default to always searching for improvement? Can you appreciate what you already have, or do you quickly tire of it?
Had all sorts, it’s better not to put any car on a ‘dream’ list, they’re just things. IME the way to keep them special is to use them as fun objects, do things with them. It’s the memories you create that will make you smile, not polishing in the garage, of course unless that’s your thing
Longest I’ve ever kept a fun car was 6 years, and it’s replacement I can’t see me selling. Primarily because it’s not really a car at all
Longest I’ve ever kept a fun car was 6 years, and it’s replacement I can’t see me selling. Primarily because it’s not really a car at all
MattMF1 said:
What was it about the 911 you didn’t like so much? I’ve always got the impression they’d get under your skin and all else becomes second best
EverythingPerhaps it was because I'd read all the reviews and looked for so long but it was inferior in every way, most memorably the flat 6 howl that everyone talked about - when it sounded like a beetle
I later spoke to my father and he said he felt the same way after he'd bought one 25 years earlier
KTMsm said:
Everything
Perhaps it was because I'd read all the reviews and looked for so long but it was inferior in every way, most memorably the flat 6 howl that everyone talked about - when it sounded like a beetle
I later spoke to my father and he said he felt the same way after he'd bought one 25 years earlier
The trouble is a standard 911 is quite bland IMO, when you listen to tweaked ones on TB’s they sound epic. One of my biggest disappointments was a 996T, not as I expected at all. Perhaps it was because I'd read all the reviews and looked for so long but it was inferior in every way, most memorably the flat 6 howl that everyone talked about - when it sounded like a beetle
I later spoke to my father and he said he felt the same way after he'd bought one 25 years earlier
MattMF1 said:
What was it about the 911 you didn’t like so much? I’ve always got the impression they’d get under your skin and all else becomes second best
I found the 996 C4S to be a fantastic car. Did it's job perfectly, but it just lacked any "soul". It just didn't excite me after a very short while. That might have been largely down to the tiptronic box. The TVR Griffith, however, met my expectations exactly. And perhaps that was the trick. Altogether a far more enjoyable experience, much more fun, and much fonder memories.Re the OP, I'm reaching year two with the R8 V10 and have no plans to sell any time soon. It's just so amazing.
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