The two car argument
Discussion
I’ve been round the houses trying to think of a good all rounder for a while. Hot hatch, coupe, 4 seat convertible etc. But it seems that everything comes with compromise. A few years ago before having kids I ran an mr2 roadster and loved it. It was a second car though and although I did run it year round I wouldn’t have wanted it as my only transport. To me, it was a proper convertible with just 2 seats, light weight, great sporty handling. I would really like another convertible but with kids and boot capacity to think about it would need to be a 4 seater with some practicality. I know they exist and I’ve looked into a few. But it seems you can either go for something small like an Abarth 595C or mini convertible which has very little space or the big wafty cars like Merc E class or Audi A5 cabriolet which I’m not that excited about and are costly to run.
So I was thinking about going down the 2 car route again. Actually it would be 3 cars as my wife has the family car which she wouldn’t give up. Unfortunately the way we use our cars means that we often need practicality at the same time so a 2 seater would be no good as my only car or hers. Trouble is she has no interest in cars and would take some convincing on this as drive space is only just doable with 3 and there’s also the costs involved. I’m thinking some help with the man maths might be good!
My idea is to run an mx5 NC which I love and also a very non PH city car with 4 seats and folding rear seats for when I need to carry stuff for work. The way I see it is that if I run a really economical city car most of the time then the costs of double tax, service, insurance might be offset by fuel savings and perhaps depreciation compared to one fairly expensive car. The city car would need to be as close to zero tax as possible and high mpg whilst not being completely awful to drive as i would spend most of my time in it.
What would you do?
Budget around £10k
One car like a newish 595C which would do most of what I want most of the time.
Or split the budget on an MX5 and a...........whatever? (Suggestions welcome)
So I was thinking about going down the 2 car route again. Actually it would be 3 cars as my wife has the family car which she wouldn’t give up. Unfortunately the way we use our cars means that we often need practicality at the same time so a 2 seater would be no good as my only car or hers. Trouble is she has no interest in cars and would take some convincing on this as drive space is only just doable with 3 and there’s also the costs involved. I’m thinking some help with the man maths might be good!
My idea is to run an mx5 NC which I love and also a very non PH city car with 4 seats and folding rear seats for when I need to carry stuff for work. The way I see it is that if I run a really economical city car most of the time then the costs of double tax, service, insurance might be offset by fuel savings and perhaps depreciation compared to one fairly expensive car. The city car would need to be as close to zero tax as possible and high mpg whilst not being completely awful to drive as i would spend most of my time in it.
What would you do?
Budget around £10k
One car like a newish 595C which would do most of what I want most of the time.
Or split the budget on an MX5 and a...........whatever? (Suggestions welcome)
I leased a new Golf R thinking it'd tick all the boxes for a while, but I was bored within 6 months and within 9 had bought a Mk. 1 MX-5 for £2k. Miles slower than my Golf (indeed miles slower than almost anything), but it felt special and I enjoyed owning it.
That's not to say a one car garage won't work - I owned a 987 Boxster S back in about 2009 and that ticked all of the boxes as I daresay a GT86 would to a large extent, but I've enjoyed having a two car garage much more on the whole.
That's not to say a one car garage won't work - I owned a 987 Boxster S back in about 2009 and that ticked all of the boxes as I daresay a GT86 would to a large extent, but I've enjoyed having a two car garage much more on the whole.
Nickp82 said:
I’m definitely in the two car camp, one boring but efficient car for the everyday stuff plus one just for fun.
Having the ‘normal’ car means not using the fun car all the time makes it feel even more fun when you do get to take it out.
+1Having the ‘normal’ car means not using the fun car all the time makes it feel even more fun when you do get to take it out.
The best shed I've owned was a 2004 Peugeot Partner.
Seats 5, or remove the seats and it's a small van.
Paid £2995 for it in 2013
Sold it for £2500 in 2018
And as Nick says, after driving the shed the toy car feels so much more special.
I wasn’t really thinking of a shed although the idea does appeal.
Priorities for the small car are...
£30 or less tax
Economical
Reliable
As small as possible
Fun ish to drive would be nice
My E92 has just had an annual service. I do use a good independent specialist but not main dealer and it’s still fairly expensive for just a basic service. They also highlighted a few general maintenance items which will be coming up in the next year or so. Nothing bad, just things like brakes all round, tyres, abs reluctor ring (pricey) and possibly battery as it tested weak. I’m okay with this but of course being a BMW these things are just that bit more expensive than more mundane makes. I bought it 3 years ago for £11k and it’s lost about £5k in depreciation and has cost about the same in service and maintenance thanks mainly to fuel injectors and a faulty NOX sensor. Insurance and tax are not cheap and even though it’s pretty efficient for a 3.0 petrol it isn’t really built for economy.
The idea is to see if it’s possible to run 2 cars for less than the 1. I think it can be done.
Priorities for the small car are...
£30 or less tax
Economical
Reliable
As small as possible
Fun ish to drive would be nice
My E92 has just had an annual service. I do use a good independent specialist but not main dealer and it’s still fairly expensive for just a basic service. They also highlighted a few general maintenance items which will be coming up in the next year or so. Nothing bad, just things like brakes all round, tyres, abs reluctor ring (pricey) and possibly battery as it tested weak. I’m okay with this but of course being a BMW these things are just that bit more expensive than more mundane makes. I bought it 3 years ago for £11k and it’s lost about £5k in depreciation and has cost about the same in service and maintenance thanks mainly to fuel injectors and a faulty NOX sensor. Insurance and tax are not cheap and even though it’s pretty efficient for a 3.0 petrol it isn’t really built for economy.
The idea is to see if it’s possible to run 2 cars for less than the 1. I think it can be done.
What you need is a Fiat Panda and a motorcycle. The panda will cost £30 tax around £250 to insure( depends on your history/location) of course and does a genuine 50 mpg.
Something like a older yam r1 will cost around £80 to tax anything up to £500 to insure and again does around 50mpg plus when you dont want to use the bike you can just pop it in a shed in your back garden and forget about it.
Something like a older yam r1 will cost around £80 to tax anything up to £500 to insure and again does around 50mpg plus when you dont want to use the bike you can just pop it in a shed in your back garden and forget about it.
Consider a Corsa/Fiesta for your "daily" there are millions of them out there, cheap in almost every aspect
An Mx5 NC is I think £240 to tax ( I have one) insurance for me is about £135 for 4k miles including business (for when it's sunny)
Or if you don't mid really poor rear leg room a 2013 Mini diesel, upto 70 MPG, zero tax, and drives better than fiesta/corsa, my Mini is ragged and still returns 55 mpg, when calm near 70 mpg on a run. still on first clutch on 168k
Should be able to get both cars under 10k
An Mx5 NC is I think £240 to tax ( I have one) insurance for me is about £135 for 4k miles including business (for when it's sunny)
Or if you don't mid really poor rear leg room a 2013 Mini diesel, upto 70 MPG, zero tax, and drives better than fiesta/corsa, my Mini is ragged and still returns 55 mpg, when calm near 70 mpg on a run. still on first clutch on 168k
Should be able to get both cars under 10k
ChrisH72 said:
I wasn’t really thinking of a shed although the idea does appeal.
Priorities for the small car are...
£30 or less tax
Economical
Reliable
As small as possible
Fun ish to drive would be nice
Try a VW UP, or one of the other brand equivalents.Priorities for the small car are...
£30 or less tax
Economical
Reliable
As small as possible
Fun ish to drive would be nice
£20 road tax.
Not fun to drive, but quite satisfying in a way that you think "this actually drives really well for what it is"
I've got you covered Chris with PH bonus points:
MX5 Sport Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Hardtop
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Alfa Mito Cloverleaf 170 slightly cheaper to tax than the 155's
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Veloce 155
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
140
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
2.4 Stilo Abarth cheap 5 pot
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Grand Punto Sporting T Jet
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
147 Collezione
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
MX5 Sport Tech
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Hardtop
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Alfa Mito Cloverleaf 170 slightly cheaper to tax than the 155's
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Veloce 155
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
140
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
2.4 Stilo Abarth cheap 5 pot
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Grand Punto Sporting T Jet
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
147 Collezione
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Swift looks good.
The boot doesn’t matter too much as when I need space I’m usually alone so can just fold the back seats.
Also looking at the Mazda2 1.3 Tamura
And the Hyundai i10 (bear with me). This would be easiest to sell to the mrs. She had an i10 which she bought new in 2011. I actually used to like driving it. Looked rubbish but it was tiny and steered pretty well. She swapped it for an ix20 which we still have. Now I know the reviews are terrible for the ix20 but it’s been a brilliant family hack. 50k miles in the last 4 years and not a single issue, it just works. The i10 from 2014 gets good reviews and with the 1.2 it should be fine.
The boot doesn’t matter too much as when I need space I’m usually alone so can just fold the back seats.
Also looking at the Mazda2 1.3 Tamura
And the Hyundai i10 (bear with me). This would be easiest to sell to the mrs. She had an i10 which she bought new in 2011. I actually used to like driving it. Looked rubbish but it was tiny and steered pretty well. She swapped it for an ix20 which we still have. Now I know the reviews are terrible for the ix20 but it’s been a brilliant family hack. 50k miles in the last 4 years and not a single issue, it just works. The i10 from 2014 gets good reviews and with the 1.2 it should be fine.
Interesting timing your thread, I sampled two car ownership last year, I was running a Stage 2 VXT which was a hoot and a MK6 Golf TDI which was, well a Golf.
The Golf did daily drives to work, family stuff etc. and the VX was there for the thrills, but sadly where this fell down was that on the sunny days/days off/annual leave when the three of us (Mrs Sit and Little Miss Sit) were off, the VX stayed at home and we either used the Golf or Mrs Sit’s Audi A1.
The limited time I got to drive the VX really convinced me I had made a mistake, both cars were sold and replaced with one.
Earlier this year we were looking to move house, in order to maximise our borrowing ability and owing to a workplace move which doubled my commute I bought an F31 320d M Sport. I chose carefully, spec, owners, colour etc. and ended up with a really smart looking family estate.
Over the last few months in daily use I have found my commute doesn’t really warrant an estate and when I arrive at work the temperature gauge has only just made it past 1/4 on the gauge and as a result I have been recording (on the OBC I might add) 37mpg. This is clearly due to doing the completely wrong type of journey for the car, and whilst it does it’s job, I made a mistake with it. The house move looks like it’s off and having fallen out of love with it, it sold today and has gone to its new owner who I am sure will be very happy.
If I return to two car ownership, this time round the ‘second’ car needs to accommodate all of us.
I get your convertible desire, I have been a massive advocate to anyone that will listen about how much the driving experience changes when your open to the elements. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Focus CC or a McLaren Spider, top down is such a wonderful thing.
Saying that your suggestion of an Abarth is a really good one if you plump for one car. I owned an Essese Abarth and by a country mile it was the most fun car I have ever driven, every journey made me smile. I also spent a few days with a 595 Convertible which upped the anti another level although it had their auto box which wasn’t great.
So the above may not be of much real help to you, although I have been there and dipped my toe in, just make sure if you go 2 seat convertible; you can definitely get the use out of it otherwise you will resent it sat tying up money. My wife likes cars, not to the extent I do, but appreciates a nice car and takes an interest in what I buy, my daughter also has a bit of PH in her which drives home the need to have something we can all enjoy for different reasons.
Good luck and keep the thread updated.
Si
The Golf did daily drives to work, family stuff etc. and the VX was there for the thrills, but sadly where this fell down was that on the sunny days/days off/annual leave when the three of us (Mrs Sit and Little Miss Sit) were off, the VX stayed at home and we either used the Golf or Mrs Sit’s Audi A1.
The limited time I got to drive the VX really convinced me I had made a mistake, both cars were sold and replaced with one.
Earlier this year we were looking to move house, in order to maximise our borrowing ability and owing to a workplace move which doubled my commute I bought an F31 320d M Sport. I chose carefully, spec, owners, colour etc. and ended up with a really smart looking family estate.
Over the last few months in daily use I have found my commute doesn’t really warrant an estate and when I arrive at work the temperature gauge has only just made it past 1/4 on the gauge and as a result I have been recording (on the OBC I might add) 37mpg. This is clearly due to doing the completely wrong type of journey for the car, and whilst it does it’s job, I made a mistake with it. The house move looks like it’s off and having fallen out of love with it, it sold today and has gone to its new owner who I am sure will be very happy.
If I return to two car ownership, this time round the ‘second’ car needs to accommodate all of us.
I get your convertible desire, I have been a massive advocate to anyone that will listen about how much the driving experience changes when your open to the elements. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Focus CC or a McLaren Spider, top down is such a wonderful thing.
Saying that your suggestion of an Abarth is a really good one if you plump for one car. I owned an Essese Abarth and by a country mile it was the most fun car I have ever driven, every journey made me smile. I also spent a few days with a 595 Convertible which upped the anti another level although it had their auto box which wasn’t great.
So the above may not be of much real help to you, although I have been there and dipped my toe in, just make sure if you go 2 seat convertible; you can definitely get the use out of it otherwise you will resent it sat tying up money. My wife likes cars, not to the extent I do, but appreciates a nice car and takes an interest in what I buy, my daughter also has a bit of PH in her which drives home the need to have something we can all enjoy for different reasons.
Good luck and keep the thread updated.
Si
They're a good option but the cheapest one's are 3.5k minimum so for the small saving in tax I'd be taking the Cloverleaf 
or at worst the 140 Veloce.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
or at worst the 140 Veloce.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
3.5k isn't necessarily a problem. I was actually thinking to split the budget about 50/50 as the mx5 would probably do little more than 2k miles a year where as the small car about 7k. But I take your point about tax not being much of an extra expense. The low tax was really to help my persuasive man maths. Eg. The cost of taxing two cars would be about the same as taxing the BMW. Also 7k miles at 50+mpg would bring down my fuel costs around 40%.
We did used to have 3 cars. I remember it did feel like something needed paying for every month!
SiT, you make some good points. I was thinking about a 4 seat cabrio because the three of us could go for drives on a nice weekend. Whenever I mention 2 seaters to the wife I get the same response, 'We can't all enjoy it'. But I know that my son would love it. And also I know the wife would be quite happy for me to take him out for a drive so that she can get on with her stuff. I also do a nice drive to work on a Friday. It's 30 miles each way on some great windy country roads and I'd use the Mazda every time unless the weather was dire. So it's get used.
I love the look of the 595C. They're expensive though, at least those I've looked at. The more recent ones are manual and I'd want at least turismo spec which start around 10k. But I do have reservations. Reviews say it's fun but frustrating to drive with a high driving position. The rear seats do fold but the opening is small. And of course it's not a full convertible. I do worry that I'd tire of it, especially in winter.
We did used to have 3 cars. I remember it did feel like something needed paying for every month!
SiT, you make some good points. I was thinking about a 4 seat cabrio because the three of us could go for drives on a nice weekend. Whenever I mention 2 seaters to the wife I get the same response, 'We can't all enjoy it'. But I know that my son would love it. And also I know the wife would be quite happy for me to take him out for a drive so that she can get on with her stuff. I also do a nice drive to work on a Friday. It's 30 miles each way on some great windy country roads and I'd use the Mazda every time unless the weather was dire. So it's get used.
I love the look of the 595C. They're expensive though, at least those I've looked at. The more recent ones are manual and I'd want at least turismo spec which start around 10k. But I do have reservations. Reviews say it's fun but frustrating to drive with a high driving position. The rear seats do fold but the opening is small. And of course it's not a full convertible. I do worry that I'd tire of it, especially in winter.
I get you but if you're only spending 2.5-3k for a quickish one then that's between 3-5 years road tax depending on what one you get, I will concede you do get a newer car by going for a twin air but man maths means the 170bhp is actually saving you money by being cheaper to buy therefore giving 2k to put towards tax tyres etc 
Twin Air Mito
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Cloverleaf the aubergine colour on this one is one of my favorites
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Twin Air Mito
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Cloverleaf the aubergine colour on this one is one of my favorites
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff