Unreplaceable cars
Author
Discussion

Fuzzarr

Original Poster:

323 posts

140 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
What cars do you have that do their job so well, you can't think what you'd get to replace them?

I always have half an eye on AutoTrader trying to figure out my next move, even if it's several years away. biggrin The thrill of the chase!

For me it's our mk4.5 Mondeo estate. It's getting on a bit now (12 years old) and I've been taking a closer look at Superbs and Passats to see how much it might cost to replace it. A fair chunk of cash, it turns out. So it makes sense to keep the Mondeo going and give it a bit of a refresh to get a few more years out of it.

In the 6 years we've had it, every time I start to think it might be time to get something else, the answer is always "keep the Mondeo going".

Something that has probably prolonged its life is the fact it's the 1.6 turbo petrol, so I don't have the looming spectre of some of the issues that affect the diesels.



Next month it'll be packed up to the headlining with holiday clobber. The amount of stuff you can fit in this car is astonishing!

Mr E

23,055 posts

288 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
The E500 did everything while flying under the radar. I genuinely might buy it back.

Gary C

15,249 posts

208 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
My 1989 3.2 Carrera

Its worth a bit and I could sell it any buy all sorts of cars.

But it was my dads car and I can't part with it.

BrettMRC

5,997 posts

189 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Lexus RX400h cloud9

It just does everything it needs to in a comfortable, composed, anonymous way - throws the odd large parts bill here and there because it's 18 years old now, but I just can't think of anything else you could replace it with.


Fuzzarr

Original Poster:

323 posts

140 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Gary C said:
My 1989 3.2 Carrera

Its worth a bit and I could sell it any buy all sorts of cars.

But it was my dads car and I can't part with it.
Do you get out in it much?

Sounds like a characterful gem of a car. I can see why you wouldn't want to let it go.

911Spanker

3,644 posts

45 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
All my cars. Love them all for different reasons and on road they are all truly fabulous.

Nothing I drive offers much if anything better than them. I am totally satisfied with what I have but occasionally drive other things to validate my decisions..


crofty1984

17,064 posts

233 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
I'd say my Lotus Excel. It's a bit of a family heirloom and I've had it 12 years so far. This year I was even able to drive it nearly 10 feet.

Zetec-S

6,887 posts

122 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
My 2018 Focus ST.

Not anything particularly special, and loads around, but it owes me nothing and I have no idea what I'd realistically replace it with. I could think of a few cars I'd like but they'd all require a fair wedge of cash.

Chubbyross

4,977 posts

114 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Skoda Octavia estate. I’ve had two now and have been trying to think of something with which to replace my current one. I’ve thought about SUVs (can’t stand them) or other estates. Nothing comes close to them on price, reliability and boot size. For hauling dogs, kids, luggage and frequent tip runs I’ll be replacing it with another Octavia estate.

swisstoni

23,964 posts

308 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
BrettMRC said:
Lexus RX400h cloud9

It just does everything it needs to in a comfortable, composed, anonymous way - throws the odd large parts bill here and there because it's 18 years old now, but I just can't think of anything else you could replace it with.

Ours is 13 years old now. Just does everything without needing to be massive.

It’s seen off a brand new RR L406 which we ran alongside, but couldn’t hold a candle to it in terms of reliability.

I look at the current RX450h (the only car I’d replace it with) which seems larger, and wonder if it is put together with the same quality as the olduns.

Edited by swisstoni on Wednesday 10th July 11:56

Unreal

10,768 posts

54 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Very few left that haven't been butchered and I dread to think what it would cost to replace. It would be a mission to find another in the same condition and mileage and several times what I paid for it, so it's going nowhere for now.

Almost everything else I own could probably be replaced after a quick search on Autotrader, certainly the beater.



Edited by Unreal on Wednesday 10th July 12:09

Every day a journey

3,139 posts

67 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Fuzzarr said:
What cars do you have that do their job so well, you can't think what you'd get to replace them?

I always have half an eye on AutoTrader trying to figure out my next move, even if it's several years away. biggrin The thrill of the chase!

For me it's our mk4.5 Mondeo estate. It's getting on a bit now (12 years old) and I've been taking a closer look at Superbs and Passats to see how much it might cost to replace it. A fair chunk of cash, it turns out. So it makes sense to keep the Mondeo going and give it a bit of a refresh to get a few more years out of it.

In the 6 years we've had it, every time I start to think it might be time to get something else, the answer is always "keep the Mondeo going".

Something that has probably prolonged its life is the fact it's the 1.6 turbo petrol, so I don't have the looming spectre of some of the issues that affect the diesels.



Next month it'll be packed up to the headlining with holiday clobber. The amount of stuff you can fit in this car is astonishing!
When I sold my Mondeo of a similar vintage last year, the 2.0l diesel, it was 16 years old, had 207k on the clock and was as solid as a solid thing can be. Just don't need a car at the mo. Kinda regret selling it though. Such a capable car. Boring but capable.

Gary C

15,249 posts

208 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Fuzzarr said:
Gary C said:
My 1989 3.2 Carrera

Its worth a bit and I could sell it any buy all sorts of cars.

But it was my dads car and I can't part with it.
Do you get out in it much?

Sounds like a characterful gem of a car. I can see why you wouldn't want to let it go.
Not as much as I should, its only done 30K miles biggrin

Baldchap

9,624 posts

121 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
I think I'd struggle to replace most of my vehicles with ones in the same condition that have been cared for the way I do.

J4CKO

46,829 posts

229 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Same with my Fiesta ST, sure I could replace it, not like they didnt make many but have had it in the family since it was a year and a bit old and have spent loads of time, effort and money getting it how I want it. Could spend more on something but not sure it would hit the spot the same, so, whatever I do I need to keep it as long as a I can. My uncle has had the same car since 1966 so got a way to go yet.

RONV

655 posts

163 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Try to find another.

RONV

655 posts

163 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
And again.

Mirinjawbro

1,084 posts

93 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
RONV said:
And again.
when was that?

very strange

cliffords

4,334 posts

52 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
crofty1984 said:
I'd say my Lotus Excel. It's a bit of a family heirloom and I've had it 12 years so far. This year I was even able to drive it nearly 10 feet.
Snap. I have a 1983 model. I raise you on the 10 feet, I would say comfortably 40 feet this year allready. Over several attempts of course.

jhonn

1,697 posts

178 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
quotequote all
Fuzzarr said:
What cars do you have that do their job so well, you can't think what you'd get to replace them?
There's three in the vehicles that we currently run. Nothing's irreplaceable of course, but if something catastrophic was to happen to any of them, I'd go right out and try and find the same again.

Land Rover Discovery 1 200TDi - a very basic model with no airbags, DPF/EGR, ABS, sunroof, air-con or much else that is taken for granted on a modern motor. It tows the plant trailer, is great when I need to go off-road, is simple and cheap to fix and will still hum along the dual carriageway at 70mph in comfort and (reasonable) quiet.

Mazda MX-5 - an early ND RF model on 16" wheels - fantastic for the windy, potholed roads around here - I wouldn't swap it for a McLaren/Aston whatever.

Steyr-Puch Haflinger - just so capable, practical and fun off-road - one of these vehicles that you just sit and look at and marvel at the engineering. It works for a living too, gathering firewood and transporting materials about.