Plan to buy a few cars, advice needed

[kitsell]

Morning all,

I recall there was a thread a while back about a chap who was going to buy all his dream cars for £100k, one at a time, keep for a couple of months and then sell and move to the next on the list. I have decided to try something similar, albeit with a much smaller budget. There’s a whole bunch of cars that for whatever illogical reason tickle my fancy but not necessarily ones that I would want to keep as a main driver. So the plan is to buy a car, keep it for 3 months then sell and try something else for 3 months. Hope to buy cars that have long MOTs and tax and require no work, so unexpected bork aside, I hope to not lose too much with each transaction, certainly no more than if running a single car for a couple of years. Appreciate that insurance could end up being a cost and there is the potential grief of always trying to sell a car and all that entails.

The cars will be the 3rd car in the house so have no role to fill other than scratching an itch. A quick list of potentials includes hot hatches, sports, classics and barges and as the list is quite long, should be no problem sourcing the right cars. I currently have a BMW E36 M3 convertible that will be sold and with a few extra quid added, budget is £8k.

Thought I could write a report on the buying and selling process and a write up on each car as they come and go.

So before I start this, I’m after people’s thoughts on the where you think the potential pitfalls are in the cunning plan, if you’ve tried something similar or am I just being an arse. Also would be interested in what cars you would add to the list. In no particular order the following are on my list;

E39 M5
E24 6 series
Jag XJS
Audi S8
Merc 560 SEC/SEL
Caterham style kit car
Boxster
944
RenaultSport Clio/Megane
Golf mk1 Gti
205 Gti
TVR Wedge/Chimaera
Impreza/EVO

Cheers
kitsell

[kitsell]

thanks gents, I'm hoping that the kind of cars I'm hoping to get are the kind that are bought by similar minded minded people who would be more inclined to understand. I guess a new MOT before I sell each one will help.

The 3 months for each is a rough guideline, always the risk I end up really liking something and keeping for longer, but have a couple of years to try some different cars before planned house purchase and possible school fees will swallow up all my cash and leave me with just the daily runaround.

[kitsell]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Hmmmm. I fear it's going to cost you a lot more than that. But good luck with the plan!

thanks Ozzie, the £8k is to buy the car. I have additional budget set aside for general running costs on my current cars and appreciate there is a risk of buying something that throws up a big bill, but I'll sacrifice something to the gods of bork and wear my lucky pants...

or if Mrs K has stumbled across this, get each purchase thoroughly inspected by a specialist

[kitsell]

bqf said:

It's going to take you ages to buy some of those cars, and ages to sell them too. I reckon it will be a right royal pain in the ass.

Laudable, but eventually annoying

I think the buying is the enjoyable bit, as mentioned earlier I think the biggest potential pain will be the selling. I guess if it becomes too much of a arseache then I'll just knock it on the head.

[kitsell]

sinbaddio said:

Sounds like a wheeze. And a good list too. How about a 928 too? Sinbad.

good shout on the 928 but I thought a decent one would be above my budget, off to the classifieds...

[kitsell]

CO2000 said:

I can see your 8k going doing all the jobs that need doing that the sellers haven't done !
I'd buy a Westfield or similar and you may still have 8k in a couple years and have great fun along the way.

always liked the idea of a Westfield but not sure my slightly knackered back would appreciate one. Also don't have a garage at the moment and wouldn't want to leave one outside long term.

[kitsell]

[quote=scarble]top lurking mate

some sort of Clio could be a good start, will be available to afford a good one and is less likely to have expensive potential problems, will look into...

RX8's not my cup of tea but a turbo Supra or Skyline, added to the list and looking at.

cheers Scarble

[kitsell]

OlberJ said:

I do also have a very nice 928 S4 i'm about to put up for sale this week which will be in your budget!

Following thread closely to see how you go though.

need to sell the M3 first before getting the next one so not sure timing would work out, but would interested to see your ad when you post it. Considered a 911 but think that my budget would only get me a high mileage early 996 and a whole potential load of expenses

[kitsell]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

would it be OK to leave an Elise outside? Don't have a garage.
Both Mercs interesting, have had a few Jags (X308, X350XJR & a Series 3 Double Six) all lovely but want to try something different.

Thanks for the input

[kitsell]

DoubleSix said:

Don't really get it tbh

Takes a good period of time behind the wheel to truely learn the cars character and exploit to the fullest.

wouldn't disagree with you there, just thinking of a way to experience a range of cars, albeit briefly. Maybe something will get under my skin along the way and stop the foolishness.

[kitsell]

DonkeyApple said:

Set up a blog/twitter scenario that allows people to reference back to what is being done. That will remove many fears and if the car has a running report will probably speed up the sale. Plus, you put the car up for sale shortly after buying to speed the process up.

excellent idea, will definitely set something up, thank you sir

[kitsell]

scarble said:

cliosport.net is an excellent starting place for buying advice (or I can give a rundown here)
Surely you need to experience that rotary goodness just once?
I know there's a high bork-risk but buy one that feels ok, drive it a bit then sell it while it still feels ok, if you're none the wiser as to the state of the seals then hopefully it lasts 3 months and the next buyer is equally none the wiser
Plus they're dirt cheap.
Not sure why you aren't even considering the 300ZX, lovely cars.
Maybe look at the Stagea too just for the sake of having a fast sleeper/estate. Looks lovely too and anyone who knows what it is will want to jump you
Celica GT4?
Integra Type-R?
Elan even?

thanks Scarble, I'll research the Clio stuff and I need to spend a bit of time doing some research on the various Japanese stuff, not really been into that scene in the past - but that was partly the reason for the thread, to get suggestions outside my normal likes. A mate had an RX8 and I just didn't like it, my Dad did however have an NSU Ro80 many many years ago, so I've kinda had the rotary experience

[kitsell]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

good point, yes I could afford to double up, am aware the selling process is probably going to be the annoying part of doing this. However, Mrs K (who is lovely, beautiful and understanding) would draw the line at 4 cars on the drive, even if one was for sale. Will require a bit more planning on what cars to go for in which order.

[kitsell]

thanks for eveyone's input on this. Going to narrow down the choice of cars and plan it properly, will re-visit the thread when I'm ready to start.

Cheers
kitsell