Buying brand-new and keeping for ages - anyone done it?
Discussion
I don't want to get into the 'new vs used' argument - there's already plenty of threads on that - but I would be interested in hearing about anyone who's bought a brand-new car and kept it for years, or plans to do so.
I've never had a brand-new car, but I've always had this ambition to purchase something interesting and keep it for years and years, and have folders full of all the paperwork/receipts/brochures to go with it.
I will be 40 in a couple and a bit years and if it would be great to get something I really want, circumstances permitting, and keep it until I snuff it. As long as there's still some interesting/exciting vehicles around to buy new of course.
So, have any of you either:
1) Already bought a new car and had it for many years?
2) Bought a new car more recently with plans to keep it indefinitely?
3) Got plans to do something similar at some point in your life?
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
I've never had a brand-new car, but I've always had this ambition to purchase something interesting and keep it for years and years, and have folders full of all the paperwork/receipts/brochures to go with it.
I will be 40 in a couple and a bit years and if it would be great to get something I really want, circumstances permitting, and keep it until I snuff it. As long as there's still some interesting/exciting vehicles around to buy new of course.
So, have any of you either:
1) Already bought a new car and had it for many years?
2) Bought a new car more recently with plans to keep it indefinitely?
3) Got plans to do something similar at some point in your life?
I look forward to reading your thoughts.
I kept my last brand new car for nearly eight years. I hadn't really planned to but quite liked it so never got around to changing it after three years as originally intended. By the time I wanted a change it was pretty much worthless as part exchange and I couldn't muster the lump of cash then needed for a replacement. I'd just decided to keep it a few more years and run it into the ground when I drove into a deer at 70mph and wrote it off. Ho hum.
I bought my Mustang GT with that intention but in the end let someone take the initial depreciation hit, buying the car at 2000 miles and 5 months old though still mint. It is now 5 years old with 11k on the clock and still overly mint.
The downside is you get a bit too anal about it and hate to get it wet or dirty. I think there's a lot to be said for buying something a touch more banal. Some of the hot hatches of yesteryear would have been ideal now most have gone but I'd really struggle to pick a modern car I'd consider was worth preserving.
However, you never know when you're going to be legislated off the road, screwed over by the government or what motoring will be like in 20 years time. Easy to be wise after the event and have bought a new Alfasud Ti, R5 GT turbo, 205 GTi etc. If I'd only bought one of the 204 Droop Snoot Firenzas in 1974 (difficult given I was 15 but you get the idea...)
The downside is you get a bit too anal about it and hate to get it wet or dirty. I think there's a lot to be said for buying something a touch more banal. Some of the hot hatches of yesteryear would have been ideal now most have gone but I'd really struggle to pick a modern car I'd consider was worth preserving.
However, you never know when you're going to be legislated off the road, screwed over by the government or what motoring will be like in 20 years time. Easy to be wise after the event and have bought a new Alfasud Ti, R5 GT turbo, 205 GTi etc. If I'd only bought one of the 204 Droop Snoot Firenzas in 1974 (difficult given I was 15 but you get the idea...)
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 23 February 21:52
Bought my Mustang GT at a significant discount (cheaper in fact than a used one) and plan to keep it forever. Meant I got a car unabused by your average idiot Houstonian the trick of course is keeping it that way.
Let's see how useable I find it in a European setting though before we judge it's longevity.
Let's see how useable I find it in a European setting though before we judge it's longevity.
I purchased a new Sierra Sapphire in 1989 & kept it for 10 years, 90000 miles. 2 sets of tyres & 1 set of brakes in that time. Nothing else at all apart from servicing. I loved that car!.
2 weeks after I sold it the new owner contacted me for the radio code as battery went. I saw it a year later, looked like the new owner hadn't washed it since buying it, barsteward!
2 weeks after I sold it the new owner contacted me for the radio code as battery went. I saw it a year later, looked like the new owner hadn't washed it since buying it, barsteward!
Option 2 for us. We bought our first ever brand new car last year (Volvo V50 D4 R-Design) and aren't planning to change it for 10+ years. Bought outright, cost written off immediately (in my mind), assuming no residual value when we replace it eventually.
Why did we choose brand-new? Mainly because we wanted a certain spec of car, new engines had just been released to the market (so none then on the second hand market) and got a very good deal on the trade-in. Minor consideration of peace of mind as it is our baby-carrier for our first child. Plus, we could afford it without taking on any finance.
I'm not someone who tends to want to have new stuff all the time once I've found something I really like. I do really like the V50 so I have no issue with our long-term ownership decision.
Edit: Neither of us are overly concerned with stonechips etc. It's a utility car that is carrying a family - it's going to get knocks and scratches. The OH has told me I'm not allowed to sell the Caterham either
Why did we choose brand-new? Mainly because we wanted a certain spec of car, new engines had just been released to the market (so none then on the second hand market) and got a very good deal on the trade-in. Minor consideration of peace of mind as it is our baby-carrier for our first child. Plus, we could afford it without taking on any finance.
I'm not someone who tends to want to have new stuff all the time once I've found something I really like. I do really like the V50 so I have no issue with our long-term ownership decision.
Edit: Neither of us are overly concerned with stonechips etc. It's a utility car that is carrying a family - it's going to get knocks and scratches. The OH has told me I'm not allowed to sell the Caterham either
Edited by ewenm on Wednesday 23 February 21:58
Dave_ST220 said:
LuS1fer said:
The downside is you get a bit too anal about it and hate to get it wet or dirty.
Yep! The first stone chip 
Plus, although I like to use my cars hard, I also like to minimise the risk of chips/door dents/kerbed wheels etc by doing all I can re. not tailgating, protecting the paint, careful parking etc.
The majority of folk, even with nice cars, don't seem to bother with this sort of thing.
I've sort of done it. The problem is you get bored but I'm too tight to take the hit and change any sooner. The mileages haven't been that high but on average the new cars (4 so far) I've bought new I've kept for 7 - 8 years before getting rid.
It's the only way I can justify a new car as over time the average depreciation is only a couple of thousand a year.
bompey
It's the only way I can justify a new car as over time the average depreciation is only a couple of thousand a year.
bompey
Edited by bompey on Wednesday 23 February 21:59
adycav said:
I reckon that this wouldn't bother me, as they would be 'my' stone chips.
Plus, although I like to use my cars hard, I also like to minimise the risk of chips/door dents/kerbed wheels etc by doing all I can re. not tailgating, protecting the paint, careful parking etc.
The majority of folk, even with nice cars, don;t seem to bother with this sort of thing.
Trust me, taking your spanking new car out & getting a stone chip due to a stone thrown up by some prick over taking on double whites DOES bother you when you have only put 25 miles on the clock.Plus, although I like to use my cars hard, I also like to minimise the risk of chips/door dents/kerbed wheels etc by doing all I can re. not tailgating, protecting the paint, careful parking etc.
The majority of folk, even with nice cars, don;t seem to bother with this sort of thing.
A lex said:
Jimboka said:
I purchased a new Sierra Sapphire in 1989 & kept it for 10 years, 90000 miles. 2 sets of tyres & 1 set of brakes in that time. Nothing else at all apart from servicing. I loved that car!.
2 weeks after I sold it the new owner contacted me for the radio code as battery went. I saw it a year later, looked like the new owner hadn't washed it since buying it, barsteward!
Pretty good going for a Sierra of that vintage.2 weeks after I sold it the new owner contacted me for the radio code as battery went. I saw it a year later, looked like the new owner hadn't washed it since buying it, barsteward!
I remember ours needed a new exhaust back-box about every 2yrs and front brakes almost as frequently. During the last 12 months the list of things that started to go wrong with it was almost comical.
I always keep our family car for ages, my last car an E46 330i touring I bought a year old and kept it for 7 years, and guess what, I got bugger all for it and had to shell out a fortune to change it.
However my current family car is an E91 325i touring which I bought 2 years old and have now had it about 3 years and I think I will keep it at least another 5 years, I do quite like running them for a while, you know the car, you know it has been maintained properly and it just seems to cost so much money to change for a car that's not much better than the one you already have. I know that is slightly barmy for a car enthusiast, but there you go!
However my current family car is an E91 325i touring which I bought 2 years old and have now had it about 3 years and I think I will keep it at least another 5 years, I do quite like running them for a while, you know the car, you know it has been maintained properly and it just seems to cost so much money to change for a car that's not much better than the one you already have. I know that is slightly barmy for a car enthusiast, but there you go!
My Grandfather bought a 280CE auto in 1985 in beige with cream cloth interior...... still going strong !
fantastic motor with 99k on the clock (last time I saw it), he test drove the new E coupe and hated it .... so the 280 stays.
come to think of it !...... off to carandclassic I go.,...........
fantastic motor with 99k on the clock (last time I saw it), he test drove the new E coupe and hated it .... so the 280 stays.
come to think of it !...... off to carandclassic I go.,...........
no
I buy old cars for cheap money, and keep them for ages instead.
Golf Mk2
Cavalier Mk3
MR2 Mk2
11 years of use between them, and probably lost about £3.5k in depreciation and spent about £4k on servicing and bits.
Although my savings are doing sod all, the idea of losing all that cash just by driving a car out of the showroom still depresses me.
Ian
I buy old cars for cheap money, and keep them for ages instead.
Golf Mk2
Cavalier Mk3
MR2 Mk2
11 years of use between them, and probably lost about £3.5k in depreciation and spent about £4k on servicing and bits.
Although my savings are doing sod all, the idea of losing all that cash just by driving a car out of the showroom still depresses me.
Ian
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