What causes this
Discussion
Is anyone here like this..
I have driving for around 28 years since 97, had the first car for about 3 1/2 years (Astra mk2) but since then till now I have had around 100 ie selling or swapping. It ranges from having one a couple of weeks to a few months then it is another.
I am sure this is an illness of some kind, it isn't normal. I know some people have multiple cars, bikes etc but they keep them ie collectors, not this.
As I say, is anyone like this if so what causes you to do it. I am sick of it to be honest.
I have driving for around 28 years since 97, had the first car for about 3 1/2 years (Astra mk2) but since then till now I have had around 100 ie selling or swapping. It ranges from having one a couple of weeks to a few months then it is another.
I am sure this is an illness of some kind, it isn't normal. I know some people have multiple cars, bikes etc but they keep them ie collectors, not this.
As I say, is anyone like this if so what causes you to do it. I am sick of it to be honest.
Hub said:
I couldn't be bothered with the hassle and expense of changing cars every couple of months - I've just moved on to my sixth in 22 years! 
(though I also wish I did try a few more different cars over the years!)
Hah!(though I also wish I did try a few more different cars over the years!)
Still on my 2nd car since 2003
And am sure others can beat this
BunkMoreland said:
Its the equivalent of "doom scrolling" on a phone.
You are constantly looking for mini hits of dopamine that you get from buying a new thing (or scrolling to another video on a phone) But when that new car doesn't satisfy your dopamine, you buy another, and again and again. And the cycle continues for years and decades.
Its a 2025 societal thing. We see it on the social media with the wasted hours scrolling, in terms of people buying ever more "stuff" when they have already got perfectly good watches, handbags, cars etc And also people who are constantly starting relationships and then quitting after a few months to start a new relationship.
Ditto people who swap from job to job to job after 6months to a year. Also fad diets and fad workout routines
IMO We all need to detox our brains a bit. Be bored. Don't buy that thing you don't really need. Go and do 1 thing that takes AGES to complete. Invest significant time in 1 thing. Don't just flit about randomly
Good post indeed.You are constantly looking for mini hits of dopamine that you get from buying a new thing (or scrolling to another video on a phone) But when that new car doesn't satisfy your dopamine, you buy another, and again and again. And the cycle continues for years and decades.
Its a 2025 societal thing. We see it on the social media with the wasted hours scrolling, in terms of people buying ever more "stuff" when they have already got perfectly good watches, handbags, cars etc And also people who are constantly starting relationships and then quitting after a few months to start a new relationship.
Ditto people who swap from job to job to job after 6months to a year. Also fad diets and fad workout routines
IMO We all need to detox our brains a bit. Be bored. Don't buy that thing you don't really need. Go and do 1 thing that takes AGES to complete. Invest significant time in 1 thing. Don't just flit about randomly
BunkMoreland said:
Its the equivalent of "doom scrolling" on a phone.
You are constantly looking for mini hits of dopamine that you get from buying a new thing (or scrolling to another video on a phone) But when that new car doesn't satisfy your dopamine, you buy another, and again and again. And the cycle continues for years and decades.
Its a 2025 societal thing. We see it on the social media with the wasted hours scrolling, in terms of people buying ever more "stuff" when they have already got perfectly good watches, handbags, cars etc And also people who are constantly starting relationships and then quitting after a few months to start a new relationship.
Ditto people who swap from job to job to job after 6months to a year. Also fad diets and fad workout routines
IMO We all need to detox our brains a bit. Be bored. Don't buy that thing you don't really need. Go and do 1 thing that takes AGES to complete. Invest significant time in 1 thing. Don't just flit about randomly
This! Before you act, just take a massive, mental step back.You are constantly looking for mini hits of dopamine that you get from buying a new thing (or scrolling to another video on a phone) But when that new car doesn't satisfy your dopamine, you buy another, and again and again. And the cycle continues for years and decades.
Its a 2025 societal thing. We see it on the social media with the wasted hours scrolling, in terms of people buying ever more "stuff" when they have already got perfectly good watches, handbags, cars etc And also people who are constantly starting relationships and then quitting after a few months to start a new relationship.
Ditto people who swap from job to job to job after 6months to a year. Also fad diets and fad workout routines
IMO We all need to detox our brains a bit. Be bored. Don't buy that thing you don't really need. Go and do 1 thing that takes AGES to complete. Invest significant time in 1 thing. Don't just flit about randomly
There is nothing particularly wrong with swapping and changing all of the time (more so with stuff than people of course 
) as long as it isn't having a negative impact on other areas of your life, such as your finances.
I used to swap and change my cars a lot too. It is expensive though and in recent years I have calmed down a lot with the cars.
I've now had my Monaro since 2018 and that's a record for me! I'm constantly checking the market though, just window shopping.
If it isn't causing you any issues and you like doing it, carry on. Otherwise try and break the cycle.
) as long as it isn't having a negative impact on other areas of your life, such as your finances.I used to swap and change my cars a lot too. It is expensive though and in recent years I have calmed down a lot with the cars.
I've now had my Monaro since 2018 and that's a record for me! I'm constantly checking the market though, just window shopping.
If it isn't causing you any issues and you like doing it, carry on. Otherwise try and break the cycle.
You are David, my Brother in Law.
I do tend to chop and change a bit some cars I keep for 6 or 7 years, others don't last more than about 6 to 9 months.
I do like to try different cars, most are sold for around what I paid, some somewhat less but as I'm more into older cars I don't suffer new car depreciation.
I do tend to chop and change a bit some cars I keep for 6 or 7 years, others don't last more than about 6 to 9 months.
I do like to try different cars, most are sold for around what I paid, some somewhat less but as I'm more into older cars I don't suffer new car depreciation.
I've always had the opposite problem; I fall in love with cars. It doesn't matter how bad or mundane they might be, I always find it hard to say goodbye.
So, I occasionally have to prune my car harem (carem?). Usually because there is redundancy and it makes no sense to keep both cars as they do the same things for me. I'd love to have a Jay Leno style fleet and garage, but I don't think that is really viable on my income
Related to the OP, I used to work with a guy who had a serious problem with buying stuff all the time. The last I heard of him was that he ended up declaring bankruptcy with over 10 cars strewn around his neighbourhood.
So, I occasionally have to prune my car harem (carem?). Usually because there is redundancy and it makes no sense to keep both cars as they do the same things for me. I'd love to have a Jay Leno style fleet and garage, but I don't think that is really viable on my income
Related to the OP, I used to work with a guy who had a serious problem with buying stuff all the time. The last I heard of him was that he ended up declaring bankruptcy with over 10 cars strewn around his neighbourhood.
donkmeister said:
Related to the OP, I used to work with a guy who had a serious problem with buying stuff all the time. The last I heard of him was that he ended up declaring bankruptcy with over 10 cars strewn around his neighbourhood.
I am like that yet lol, the most important had was 8 but they were kept at a old bit of waste ground of someone I used to know. But got annoyed at myself and scrapped 4 I think and sold the rest. I do think I need to see a pro regarding this though as it is a problem.
StuA9 said:
Is anyone here like this..
I have driving for around 28 years since 97, had the first car for about 3 1/2 years (Astra mk2) but since then till now I have had around 100 ie selling or swapping. It ranges from having one a couple of weeks to a few months then it is another.
I am sure this is an illness of some kind, it isn't normal. I know some people have multiple cars, bikes etc but they keep them ie collectors, not this.
As I say, is anyone like this if so what causes you to do it. I am sick of it to be honest.
Surely it's such a pain to constantly change cars, especially for periods shorter than 1 year? Having to constantly mess about with insurance policies etc?I have driving for around 28 years since 97, had the first car for about 3 1/2 years (Astra mk2) but since then till now I have had around 100 ie selling or swapping. It ranges from having one a couple of weeks to a few months then it is another.
I am sure this is an illness of some kind, it isn't normal. I know some people have multiple cars, bikes etc but they keep them ie collectors, not this.
As I say, is anyone like this if so what causes you to do it. I am sick of it to be honest.
Also, if you're changing them that often it must feel like you either skip maintenance, or if you are maintaining them then you're just doing it for the next owner.
I used to often help a friend repair his car. We'd get things sorted, then a couple of months later he has sold it, and bought something fancier, but also broken. What a waste of time.
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