Drive to live… or live to drive?
Discussion
I’m in my late 30s, and from my early 20s I had a career which involved lots of driving around all over the place. As a young single guy, I would own small hatchbacks. I wasn’t passionate about cars at the time. But looking back, my Fiesta was a fun little car, although I didn’t appreciate that at the time.
Once I became a father, I moved on to family cross-overs and had two Q3s. They served a dual purpose of work runabout and family wagon. They were not as fun as the Fiesta but they were my pride and joy and vaguely sporty in S-line trim.
However, when Covid hit it necessitated a career change and I now WFH full time. I no longer need to drive for work. I got rid of my Q3 and my wife and I now share a Q5, which I only really drive for family duties. It’s not my pride and joy. It’s a big boring gas guzzler.
My working life is now sitting in the house all day every day, although the work I do is interesting and important.
But I’m starting to miss my old life of going out and about in the car each day. There may be opportunities at work to move into something with a bit of driving involved, but any payrise would probably be offset by motoring costs.
Logically, I should be glad I don’t need my own runabout, because of the money I’m saving WFH. And it feels like if I get myself stuck in a new role where I have to drive, I’m soon gonna regret it once the excitement of the idea of getting a new Fiesta ST-Line (for example) wears off. But then I think I’m just missing out on having a working life out there in the real world.
Is it stupid to throw away the advantage of WFH in order to justify buying a car you don’t need? Would that mean I’m working to drive, instead of driving in order to be able work?
It’s the age old question of love to work or work to live, but here it feels like in the past I drove because I had to, and I didn’t appreciate the freedom and fun that afforded me, but now I don’t need to drive for work, something which is arguably an advantage, I miss having the necessity to. Maybe it’s a midlife crisis…any thoughts?
Once I became a father, I moved on to family cross-overs and had two Q3s. They served a dual purpose of work runabout and family wagon. They were not as fun as the Fiesta but they were my pride and joy and vaguely sporty in S-line trim.
However, when Covid hit it necessitated a career change and I now WFH full time. I no longer need to drive for work. I got rid of my Q3 and my wife and I now share a Q5, which I only really drive for family duties. It’s not my pride and joy. It’s a big boring gas guzzler.
My working life is now sitting in the house all day every day, although the work I do is interesting and important.
But I’m starting to miss my old life of going out and about in the car each day. There may be opportunities at work to move into something with a bit of driving involved, but any payrise would probably be offset by motoring costs.
Logically, I should be glad I don’t need my own runabout, because of the money I’m saving WFH. And it feels like if I get myself stuck in a new role where I have to drive, I’m soon gonna regret it once the excitement of the idea of getting a new Fiesta ST-Line (for example) wears off. But then I think I’m just missing out on having a working life out there in the real world.
Is it stupid to throw away the advantage of WFH in order to justify buying a car you don’t need? Would that mean I’m working to drive, instead of driving in order to be able work?
It’s the age old question of love to work or work to live, but here it feels like in the past I drove because I had to, and I didn’t appreciate the freedom and fun that afforded me, but now I don’t need to drive for work, something which is arguably an advantage, I miss having the necessity to. Maybe it’s a midlife crisis…any thoughts?
Edited by AudiMan9000 on Sunday 9th October 19:27
Edited by AudiMan9000 on Sunday 9th October 19:29
I think life can be short and we should do or buy things that make us happy, whether that's going somewhere, making something, or buying a car you enjoy driving.
The fun will be beaten out driving soon enough so if the idea of a Fiesta ST appeals and it's within your means then go for it. Tick the box. You can always sell it later if you need or want to.
The fun will be beaten out driving soon enough so if the idea of a Fiesta ST appeals and it's within your means then go for it. Tick the box. You can always sell it later if you need or want to.
Went through a similar process where my time WFH increased from 1 day to eventually a role through various companies perm WFH, the company I work for now don't even have an office as such now, we just book meeting rooms as required and demands require, I love working with the team I do despite distance.
I did 12k - 14k a year in my 640D with the though of kids and a dog in the future of ownership, having agreed with keep it alongside my mx5.
In summary, I never got the mx5 out because the 640D was in the way all the time, and times I did it was a huge faff. Eventually, much to everyone's shock, I parted ways with it after my long last trip where my mind was thinking time for it go, the remaining 8 weeks of ownership were spent in the garage whilst I basically debated and then sold it.
We moved house, originally requiring a double garage, but eventually accepted a large single.
When WFH came around 5 days a week, the 640D did a tiny mileage, I went and bought my dream car to use DAILY.
In summary, if you can get the use of it and won't resent it go for it, if not then don't bother.
I did 12k - 14k a year in my 640D with the though of kids and a dog in the future of ownership, having agreed with keep it alongside my mx5.
In summary, I never got the mx5 out because the 640D was in the way all the time, and times I did it was a huge faff. Eventually, much to everyone's shock, I parted ways with it after my long last trip where my mind was thinking time for it go, the remaining 8 weeks of ownership were spent in the garage whilst I basically debated and then sold it.
We moved house, originally requiring a double garage, but eventually accepted a large single.
When WFH came around 5 days a week, the 640D did a tiny mileage, I went and bought my dream car to use DAILY.
In summary, if you can get the use of it and won't resent it go for it, if not then don't bother.
head drivers make it not enjoyable. Being a HGV driver a lot of my driving is now boring/ frustrating/ non pleasurable avoiding morons all day long. But every now and then you get a decent quiet road all to yourself and some good music comes on and there’s no way id change it for an office job.
In my personal car it’s getting up early on a Sunday or trackdays for me.
In my personal car it’s getting up early on a Sunday or trackdays for me.
It always makes me chuckle when I see that the Audi Man has started another thread because they are always questions about some aspect of his life as if he’s unable to make any decisions without consulting PH. I’m just waiting for the “Should I wear my grey or blue trousers tomorrow what does everyone think?” thread.
Aventador 700 said:
I honestly dont know how you guys live in the uk and enjoy cars in the way they should be, thats not driving through towns revving your engines etc
Uk living = Soul destroying, such a shame as some areas are beautiful.
In the right car on the right roads driving in the UK is still hugely enjoyable and you get to see those beautiful areas. You just have to put some thought and effort into it.Uk living = Soul destroying, such a shame as some areas are beautiful.
Riley Blue said:
Aventador 700 said:
I honestly dont know how you guys live in the uk and enjoy cars in the way they should be, thats not driving through towns revving your engines etc
Uk living = Soul destroying, such a shame as some areas are beautiful.
In the right car on the right roads driving in the UK is still hugely enjoyable and you get to see those beautiful areas. You just have to put some thought and effort into it.Uk living = Soul destroying, such a shame as some areas are beautiful.
But being able to pick up up your keys and go for a drive at any time of the day or night straight out of your door is something i couldn't be without now, no pre thought needed is an incredible advantage and not one i could come back from, the freedom aspect of cars of driving is the single biggest factor for me, even the car comes 2nd to that for me.
Sometimes working harder to achieve your drive can be more rewarding though even if it is only a 2 out of 10 success rate, i get it, i just wouldnt want that in my life.
Next year i’m doing a Corsica event & they actually close the main roads for the event, do they do things like that in the uk? Or can they?
Aventador 700 said:
I guess, some of the tours that are organised look lovely and in fact, on some parts ive never even been to, I’m an early riser anyway so this would also make it easier…
But being able to pick up up your keys and go for a drive at any time of the day or night straight out of your door is something i couldn't be without now, no pre thought needed is an incredible advantage and not one i could come back from, the freedom aspect of cars of driving is the single biggest factor for me, even the car comes 2nd to that for me.
Sometimes working harder to achieve your drive can be more rewarding though even if it is only a 2 out of 10 success rate, i get it, i just wouldnt want that in my life.
Next year i’m doing a Corsica event & they actually close the main roads for the event, do they do things like that in the uk? Or can they?
I can just grab my keys and go for a blast in the 911 anytime I want. Over the moors behind the house is probably the best, then work across into the Lake district if I fancy it or the Trough of Bowland. Even a run across to the North East where there are plenty of open and fast roads if you know where to look.But being able to pick up up your keys and go for a drive at any time of the day or night straight out of your door is something i couldn't be without now, no pre thought needed is an incredible advantage and not one i could come back from, the freedom aspect of cars of driving is the single biggest factor for me, even the car comes 2nd to that for me.
Sometimes working harder to achieve your drive can be more rewarding though even if it is only a 2 out of 10 success rate, i get it, i just wouldnt want that in my life.
Next year i’m doing a Corsica event & they actually close the main roads for the event, do they do things like that in the uk? Or can they?
I could not live in London.
Spent years driving around the UK for work, now I rarely do but the odd occasion reminds me why I definitely couldn't do it anymore.
Aching back after a few hours in the car and traffic everywhere. So much worse than even 5 years ago.
I definitely enjoy the odd quiet drive in the early hours/quiet roads a lot more now.
Aching back after a few hours in the car and traffic everywhere. So much worse than even 5 years ago.
I definitely enjoy the odd quiet drive in the early hours/quiet roads a lot more now.
I literally can't remember the last time I went for a drive 'for fun', where the drive itself was the sole purpose of the journey. It's something I used to do frequently through my 20s. I guess it is partly due to not owning anything dynamically interesting, additional pressures on my time as a parent & husband, other hobbies and interests which to be honest are more fulfilling, and even a little bit of just 'growing up'.
The only fun car I still have any ambition to own is a Caterham, which I am waiting until the children are teens to buy so we can do the build together, but other than that I can't say I have any more than a passing interest.
I certainly don't make any major life decisions based around cars or driving.
The only fun car I still have any ambition to own is a Caterham, which I am waiting until the children are teens to buy so we can do the build together, but other than that I can't say I have any more than a passing interest.
I certainly don't make any major life decisions based around cars or driving.
Aventador 700 said:
I honestly dont know how you guys live in the uk and enjoy cars in the way they should be, thats not driving through towns revving your engines etc
Uk living = Soul destroying, such a shame as some areas are beautiful.
Yeah, the whole of the UK is packed….Uk living = Soul destroying, such a shame as some areas are beautiful.
There are plenty of places to get out and enjoy driving on some lovely roads….just avoid the South East.
Sounds like you need to buy a motorcycle and head out after work. Or just drive the Q5 to wherever you fancy, just to get out of the house some more...
I love driving, but having to drive in rush hour traffic and not being home for dinner with your family from time to time when you've grown used to WFH might not be as rosy as you remember.
I love driving, but having to drive in rush hour traffic and not being home for dinner with your family from time to time when you've grown used to WFH might not be as rosy as you remember.
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