Lusting

[Ezra]

Anyone else find themselves weirdly drawn to certain cars, even though you know they're flawed for what you'd want them for?

I proper lusted after an Audi S6, despite knowing it would be a bit numb. Found a lovely silver 2 yr old one and had traded it on within 4 mths cos it was....a bit numb. Another...I'd always fancied an Alpina, despite them being a tad gangsta. Found a gorgeous black D5 and again, within a few months I'd moved on cos the attention if got made me feel like a drug dealer

It's happening again. I can't get a couple of 911C4S's that are currently for sale out of my mind at the moment. Both are Tiptronic and I know for sure I'd get fed up with the limitations after a short while.

But still......

[Lester H]

Ezra said:

Anyone else find themselves weirdly drawn to certain cars, even though you know they're flawed for what you'd want them for?

I proper lusted after an Audi S6, despite knowing it would be a bit numb. Found a lovely silver 2 yr old one and had traded it on within 4 mths cos it was....a bit numb. Another...I'd always fancied an Alpina, despite them being a tad gangsta. Found a gorgeous black D5 and again, within a few months I'd moved on cos the attention if got made me feel like a drug dealer

It's happening again. I can't get a couple of 911C4S's that are currently for sale out of my mind at the moment. Both are Tiptronic and I know for sure I'd get fed up with the limitations after a short while.

But still......

I don t think Alpina is Gangsta. It's a more refined, slightly softer BM. It suggests genteel old money and has the attraction that most people don't know what they are! To revert to the topic posed I have no obsessions just now as affordable cars are depressingly similar.

[Baldchap]

Ezra said:

I'd always fancied an Alpina, despite them being a tad gangsta. Found a gorgeous black D5 and again, within a few months I'd moved on cos the attention if got made me feel like a drug dealer

Alpina are a bit old fart in their reputation, not gangsta.

[The spinner of plates]

Lester H said:

I don t think Alpina is Gangsta. It's a more refined, slightly softer BM. It suggests genteel old money and has the attraction that most people don't know what they are! To revert to the topic posed I have no obsessions just now as affordable cars are depressingly similar.

I never really understand the Alpina is "genteel old money" thing... most come with massive wheels, stripes and signwriting on the front splitter

[otolith]

They’re only genteel old money to people who know what they are. To everyone else, they are what they look like.

[Mercutio]

Only on Pistonheads could someone post about lusting after random cars … and within five posts someone has turned it into an argument about class and car choice

Back to the OP, I also have this problem at times but I realise it’s a bit like other areas of life - you can run around trying to shag everything and then suddenly one day it doesn’t make the same sense anymore ..

I’m not sure chopping and changing cars every four months would be my thing.

[hadaporsche]

As per OPs point I have always done this but never actually buy the car, so I my mind I’ve researched, chased, owned, and enjoyed, then gone off the car without spending a penny, e 63 wagon(too plain), gran cabrio, (too cheap) 912(too slow), 250se cab(too expensive), w123 coupe(too boring), wraith(too flash), rs6(too nickable), conti gt.(had its day) currently going off and on bentega as they are now 60k.

[Ezra]

Baldchap said:

Alpina are a bit old fart in their reputation, not gangsta.

Don't think the one I had should be described as "....a bit old fart"

[samoht]

Ezra said:

Anyone else find themselves weirdly drawn to certain cars, even though you know they're flawed for what you'd want them for?

I proper lusted after an Audi S6, despite knowing it would be a bit numb. Found a lovely silver 2 yr old one and had traded it on within 4 mths cos it was....a bit numb. Another...I'd always fancied an Alpina, despite them being a tad gangsta. Found a gorgeous black D5 and again, within a few months I'd moved on cos the attention if got made me feel like a drug dealer

It's happening again. I can't get a couple of 911C4S's that are currently for sale out of my mind at the moment. Both are Tiptronic and I know for sure I'd get fed up with the limitations after a short while.

But still......

There are lots of cars I think are interesting/quirky/attractive, but I'd never buy for various reasons.

I like big MPVs, so an old Espace, a Toyota Alphard with all the chrome, or a Merc R63 are all cool. But I'll never buy one as I don't need the space.
BMW E38 750i? Fantastic car, but I don't want a big barge.
Citroen SM? Love it, but I'd never spend that much money buying an maintaining an unsporty FF car with limited practicality.
Volvo 480, Volvo C30 - look neat, wouldn't buy one.

I can admire/geek out over such cars at a distance, I have no need to own them. I tend to only buy cars I'm fairly convinced will suit me, and thus tend to keep cars quite a while.


Sounds a bit like your preconception of what other people were thinking of your Alpina sunk your ownership. Unless anyone actually approached you to buy drugs, I suspect it's all in your mind.

I think two-pedal Porsches need PDK to justify the cost of ownership, but hey...

If you can't prevent yourself from buying random unsuitable cars just because they seem neat, then I suggest starting a YouTube channel to monetise your lack of self-discipline ;-)

[Ezra]

samoht said:

If you can't prevent yourself from buying random unsuitable cars just because they seem neat, then I suggest starting a YouTube channel to monetise your lack of self-discipline ;-)

Now...there's a thought

[anonymous-user]

I often find myself lusting over R129 SL60 AMGs whenever I see one available, or randomly Googling any for sale.

Despite the fact I know they're now around 25 years old, not that fast anymore, reasonably impractical, posses a complex hydraulics system to operate the roof, a lot of parts are NLA or carry a massive premium (front wings are like £700+ each) and have that "geriatric on his way to the golf course" image, irrespective of the AMG additions.

But, I do like them! W124 E60 AMGs too actually, even though I'll never be able to afford one!

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 11th October 17:55

[Lester H]

Re-read the whole thread. I am in a minority in thinking the Alpina ( predictive text keeps calling it Alpine) rather subtle and sophisticated'A neighbour had one also had mother of pearl shirt buttons with matching cuff links.So if it is now considered thuggish I may need to start a thread on Bristol, Alvis and- should these also be deemed plebian, Lea Francis.

[Johnnytheboy]

I'd really like an RS4, as it appears on paper to be my perfect car, despite clever people telling me I wouldn't like it.

[Baldchap]

Johnnytheboy said:

I'd really like an RS4, as it appears on paper to be my perfect car, despite clever people telling me I wouldn't like it.

I loved mine. The missus didn't like the ride quality but it never bothered me. Assuming it's the current one, it's a great engine and fantastic overall package.

[Baldchap]

Ezra said:

Don't think the one I had should be described as "....a bit old fart"

Diseasel is for old farts...

I have a B5 which I absolutely love. Ultimately, though, it's a 5 series, which is defo for old farts.

Edited by Baldchap on Thursday 13th October 14:28

[Johnnytheboy]

Baldchap said:

I loved mine. The missus didn't like the ride quality but it never bothered me. Assuming it's the current one, it's a great engine and fantastic overall package.

Yes, a V6 rather than a V8, but not that specific after that

[ChocolateFrog]

Yes.

Shopping for the car can often be the best bit. The possibilities are almost endless until you crystallise them into a purchase.

Rinse and repeat unless you've found a keeper.