Patriotic Purchase?
Discussion
This last week I have just passed a big birthday and I am now officially retired. Phew!
To mark this milestone I have always promised myself a new car to ease me into my new way of life now that I have a lot more leisure time to drive around our fair isle in a suitable chariot becoming of my new status.
Contemplating what to buy I can't help thinking should I be making an effort to support our own countries motor industry especially at this difficult time for manufacturing and jobs?
Well this has got me wondering how much making a patriotic purchase is factored in by people when choosing their next car, and can I indeed buy British anymore?
Unfortunately my pension won't allow me to stretch to an Aston Martin so would be looking at a Marque that is built in the UK and helps jobs and shore up the balance of trade in some small way.
Currently considering new Range Rover Evoque hybrid orr maybe Range Rover Sport but worry that the reliability may not be what it should be for such an expensive purchase.
Anyhow, it's not about what I buy, but really asking if people factor in buying British / British jobs when making their choice of vehicle.
What say you PH?
To mark this milestone I have always promised myself a new car to ease me into my new way of life now that I have a lot more leisure time to drive around our fair isle in a suitable chariot becoming of my new status.
Contemplating what to buy I can't help thinking should I be making an effort to support our own countries motor industry especially at this difficult time for manufacturing and jobs?
Well this has got me wondering how much making a patriotic purchase is factored in by people when choosing their next car, and can I indeed buy British anymore?
Unfortunately my pension won't allow me to stretch to an Aston Martin so would be looking at a Marque that is built in the UK and helps jobs and shore up the balance of trade in some small way.
Currently considering new Range Rover Evoque hybrid orr maybe Range Rover Sport but worry that the reliability may not be what it should be for such an expensive purchase.
Anyhow, it's not about what I buy, but really asking if people factor in buying British / British jobs when making their choice of vehicle.
What say you PH?
Bill said:
I don't buy new, but wouldn't give it a moment's thought.
But aren't Land Rovers built in Slovakia these days?
How about a Caterham, Lotus or Morgan?
Evoque, Disco Sport, Velar, Range Rover, Ranger Rover Sport are built in the UK.But aren't Land Rovers built in Slovakia these days?
How about a Caterham, Lotus or Morgan?
The big Disco is built in Slovakia though, and maybe the new defender.
Bill said:
I don't buy new, but wouldn't give it a moment's thought.
But aren't Land Rovers built in Slovakia these days?
How about a Caterham, Lotus or Morgan?
The new Defender is built in Slovakia but is not something that really interests me.But aren't Land Rovers built in Slovakia these days?
How about a Caterham, Lotus or Morgan?
Other Range Rovers are built in Solihull I believe but would need to check.
I did the Morgan factory tour and came away with mixed feelings about the prospect. The skill and dedication put into those hand built cars is a credit to the workforce there, but could not be my only car for all uses/seasons.
Ideally I need a practical car and could maybe stretch to a weekend toy but the budget has a ceiling
and probably would then only stretch to a modest Lotus Elise then.I sort of liked the idea wafting around country lanes in an involving characterful car but here's the snag! A Morgan Plus 4 starts at over £63K. Yikes! And it just goes up from there.
Actus Reus said:
Never give it a second thought - I buy what I want (I'm also half-German so that'd open up the choices a bit!). Having said that one of my fleet was built in Hethel, albeit 16 years ago.
I see being half-German opens up the field considerably for you! I have a couple of BMWs at the moment but it is this patriotic thing that I am questioning. Should I be supporting local jobs or does nobody consider this anymore?
davek_964 said:
Don't give it any thought. In fact, if I'm completely honest - I was thinking about being James Bond much more than buying British when I had an Aston 
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Astons, although new Vantage has taken a backwards step In The looks department even if it is technically superior. You see, the lack of money is the problem
What did you have Dave?
Down on the Farm said:
Unfortunately my pension won't allow me to stretch to an Aston Martin so would be looking at a Marque that is built in the UK and helps jobs and shore up the balance of trade in some small way.
Currently considering new Range Rover Evoque hybrid orr maybe Range Rover Sport but worry that the reliability may not be what it should be for such an expensive purchase.
A Range Rover sport is what? £60k. You could get a used Aston or another for that.Currently considering new Range Rover Evoque hybrid orr maybe Range Rover Sport but worry that the reliability may not be what it should be for such an expensive purchase.
Down on the Farm said:
Ideally I need a practical car and could maybe stretch to a weekend toy but the budget has a ceiling and probably would then only stretch to a modest Lotus Elise then.
I sort of liked the idea wafting around country lanes in an involving characterful car but here's the snag! A Morgan Plus 4 starts at over £63K. Yikes! And it just goes up from there.
Plenty of "foreign" cars are built here aiui. Nissan, Honda, Ford, Vauxhall, Mini. If there's one of those you fancy then see if it's built here if you feel that strongly. and probably would then only stretch to a modest Lotus Elise then.I sort of liked the idea wafting around country lanes in an involving characterful car but here's the snag! A Morgan Plus 4 starts at over £63K. Yikes! And it just goes up from there.
Personally I'd rather have a car I really want (and would buy used - Aston...) but my dad had a thing about buying British so I grew up with string of dross in the 70s and 80s.
Osinjak said:
Evoque? No chance so of the two the RRS. But then I'm biased..
I agree, the Evoque, is how shall I say it, a little effeminate! The Disco Sport seems more appropriate coupled with the hybrid drive so may look at them. Like the RRS but reliability, depreciation and running costs could get a little out of hand now Im Not on the big bucks anymore. It's also a little on the large size for my needs.Again , does anyone consider buying British anymore?
Bill said:
Plenty of "foreign" cars are built here aiui. Nissan, Honda, Ford, Vauxhall, Mini. If there's one of those you fancy then see if it's built here if you feel that strongly.
Personally I'd rather have a car I really want (and would buy used - Aston...) but my dad had a thing about buying British so I grew up with string of dross in the 70s and 80s.
Dross! Haha I love it Personally I'd rather have a car I really want (and would buy used - Aston...) but my dad had a thing about buying British so I grew up with string of dross in the 70s and 80s.
I too grew up in the seventies having had a string of BL and rover and like everything they just rusted away before your eyes.
Austin Maxi, Allegro, TR7, rover SD1 3500. My dad always had rovers and they were so rusty and unreliable but kept the faith right until the end!
Congratulations on the birthday and life milestone. I can't wait for the day I can walk away from work so good luck in retirement.
On the subject of patriotism, there are certain things in life that I'm into and love and others that I'm not that fussed about. I love beer, whisky, hi-fi, watches, cars, yada yada. Of the things I'm into I buy the best I can afford/justify regardless of where that comes from. My car is German, my beer is Belgian, my whisky is Scotch, my watches are mostly Swiss or German. Us Brits do Hi-Fi well so I own a lot of British audio gear (along with some Japanese). I'm not nationalist in my politics and don't really see why anyone would chose British over other products unless the British one is better or best suits that person's wants or needs in some way. That's just me. I hope you find a car that makes you happy.
On the subject of patriotism, there are certain things in life that I'm into and love and others that I'm not that fussed about. I love beer, whisky, hi-fi, watches, cars, yada yada. Of the things I'm into I buy the best I can afford/justify regardless of where that comes from. My car is German, my beer is Belgian, my whisky is Scotch, my watches are mostly Swiss or German. Us Brits do Hi-Fi well so I own a lot of British audio gear (along with some Japanese). I'm not nationalist in my politics and don't really see why anyone would chose British over other products unless the British one is better or best suits that person's wants or needs in some way. That's just me. I hope you find a car that makes you happy.
Down on the Farm said:
I see being half-German opens up the field considerably for you!
I have a couple of BMWs at the moment but it is this patriotic thing that I am questioning. Should I be supporting local jobs or does nobody consider this anymore?
I remember as a kid when Rover went under and there was lots of chat about how Brits should support British marques. How about British marques building cars the British public wanted to buy? I have a couple of BMWs at the moment but it is this patriotic thing that I am questioning. Should I be supporting local jobs or does nobody consider this anymore?
Being a mongrel I don't 'get' nationalism particularly (my German side of the family have a funny thing about it - no idea why...), but even so, why would I buy something because of WHERE it was built in preference to HOW it was built. Just so happens that Lotus build some very good lightweight sports cars.
toon10 said:
Congratulations on the birthday and life milestone. I can't wait for the day I can walk away from work so good luck in retirement.
On the subject of patriotism, there are certain things in life that I'm into and love and others that I'm not that fussed about. I love beer, whisky, hi-fi, watches, cars, yada yada. Of the things I'm into I buy the best I can afford/justify regardless of where that comes from. My car is German, my beer is Belgian, my whisky is Scotch, my watches are mostly Swiss or German. Us Brits do Hi-Fi well so I own a lot of British audio gear (along with some Japanese). I'm not nationalist in my politics and don't really see why anyone would chose British over other products unless the British one is better or best suits that person's wants or needs in some way. That's just me. I hope you find a car that makes you happy.
Thanks for the best wishes Toon. Retirement has been a long time coming, the later years in the job has become a proper chore and am glad it's behind me now. I've been in engineering design most my working life and expectations, time pressure on projects and developments had become unbearable and am now looking forward to emptying my head!On the subject of patriotism, there are certain things in life that I'm into and love and others that I'm not that fussed about. I love beer, whisky, hi-fi, watches, cars, yada yada. Of the things I'm into I buy the best I can afford/justify regardless of where that comes from. My car is German, my beer is Belgian, my whisky is Scotch, my watches are mostly Swiss or German. Us Brits do Hi-Fi well so I own a lot of British audio gear (along with some Japanese). I'm not nationalist in my politics and don't really see why anyone would chose British over other products unless the British one is better or best suits that person's wants or needs in some way. That's just me. I hope you find a car that makes you happy.
i will go and take a look at some homegrown product but like you I would be looking at meeting my own needs first and foremost with whatever proves to be the best product.
Cheers
Down on the Farm said:
Osinjak said:
Evoque? No chance so of the two the RRS. But then I'm biased..
I agree, the Evoque, is how shall I say it, a little effeminate! The Disco Sport seems more appropriate coupled with the hybrid drive so may look at them. Like the RRS but reliability, depreciation and running costs could get a little out of hand now Im Not on the big bucks anymore. It's also a little on the large size for my needs.Again , does anyone consider buying British anymore?
Down on the Farm said:
Dross! Haha I love it
I too grew up in the seventies having had a string of BL and rover and like everything they just rusted away before your eyes.
Austin Maxi, Allegro, TR7, rover SD1 3500. My dad always had rovers and they were so rusty and unreliable but kept the faith right until the end!
TR7? SD1? You lucky bI too grew up in the seventies having had a string of BL and rover and like everything they just rusted away before your eyes.
Austin Maxi, Allegro, TR7, rover SD1 3500. My dad always had rovers and they were so rusty and unreliable but kept the faith right until the end!
d!! More like Marina, Ital... Although, to be fair to him, he inflicted those on my mum while he had MG BGTs and Midgets. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff