To buy a car and not use much ...
Discussion
I have been doing some thinking recently after selling my M140 a couple months back.
I seem to have a love/hate relationship with cars. I really want one, then when I have it, I go through phases of wanting to sell, then I sell, then end up missing it and wanting another ... that alone is very irritating. I had my M140 .. paid for part cash and part loan, didnt always like the loan hanging over my head tbf but liked having money in the bank.
Here i am now, having sold my car and looking at another. The reason I end up selling is a combination of fearing depreciation and not actually needing a car. My job is remote based now and even if it wasn’t, it’s a 2 minute cycle. So i end up looking at the car from my window and thinking “wow, that’s a pile of depreciation right there” And feel I am not getting use out of it. But ...... there are times when i love washing it, detailing it, the sound of the turbo spool, the engine note, the cracks from the exhaust and it’s ability to blow away the stress and allowed me to get out and blow off some steam and focus my busy mind purely on driving ..... I sometimes looked back and admire my car, loved tinkering with certain bits and looking at mods. I loved just driving to somewhere new and having that inline 6, B58 engine take me there, it was part of the experience. Plus, the M140 ticked every box and was a future proofed car so dont want to consider anything else (and have already driving too many cars to recall and nothing comes close).
The point I’m trying to make, is has anyone had a car and experienced the same turmoil... can afford to own but part of you cant quote justify it?
I really want to get back into one but fear I will end up with that urge to sell ..... maybe I need to forget about the depreciation and accept that I will cherish this car and it will be mine and own it for what it is, an occasional bit of fun and something to keep me distracted.
I know people will reply with the “what about a Cayman?” But I ain’t interested in a cayman, its not practical enough for kids and they’re too tired and used for my budget. I’m set on the M140 ... but feel I need some input for my frame of mind when it comes to car ownership.
I seem to have a love/hate relationship with cars. I really want one, then when I have it, I go through phases of wanting to sell, then I sell, then end up missing it and wanting another ... that alone is very irritating. I had my M140 .. paid for part cash and part loan, didnt always like the loan hanging over my head tbf but liked having money in the bank.
Here i am now, having sold my car and looking at another. The reason I end up selling is a combination of fearing depreciation and not actually needing a car. My job is remote based now and even if it wasn’t, it’s a 2 minute cycle. So i end up looking at the car from my window and thinking “wow, that’s a pile of depreciation right there” And feel I am not getting use out of it. But ...... there are times when i love washing it, detailing it, the sound of the turbo spool, the engine note, the cracks from the exhaust and it’s ability to blow away the stress and allowed me to get out and blow off some steam and focus my busy mind purely on driving ..... I sometimes looked back and admire my car, loved tinkering with certain bits and looking at mods. I loved just driving to somewhere new and having that inline 6, B58 engine take me there, it was part of the experience. Plus, the M140 ticked every box and was a future proofed car so dont want to consider anything else (and have already driving too many cars to recall and nothing comes close).
The point I’m trying to make, is has anyone had a car and experienced the same turmoil... can afford to own but part of you cant quote justify it?
I really want to get back into one but fear I will end up with that urge to sell ..... maybe I need to forget about the depreciation and accept that I will cherish this car and it will be mine and own it for what it is, an occasional bit of fun and something to keep me distracted.
I know people will reply with the “what about a Cayman?” But I ain’t interested in a cayman, its not practical enough for kids and they’re too tired and used for my budget. I’m set on the M140 ... but feel I need some input for my frame of mind when it comes to car ownership.
_Hoppers said:
Sounds like you need to get a motorbike 
or maybe something like a 7 or a classic, that you can fiddle with and admire, enjoy the occasional drive, but not worry about depreciation.Alternatively, as someone else who doesn't use a car very much these days I have 10 year old diesel skoda that I don't mind leaving parked on the street to get covered in road grime and dust, but given the OP's mention of detailing that approach might not suit
The PH answer is a Motorcycle, a classic/ or sports car and a reliable do it all car.
I have all three, the reality is , I'm looking at my classic gathering dust and no justification to drive it when I want to have fun I ride my bike.
My Mr reliable car is a do it all, and currently houses my home cinema system , its also very comfortable and cheap to buy and run. The problem with classics is they like to be driven, as things wear otherwise and they can also be money pits.
I've not even mentioned my wifes car.
So the actual answer for me is, fast older estate + motorcycle, or reliable older car + motorcycle.
I have all three, the reality is , I'm looking at my classic gathering dust and no justification to drive it when I want to have fun I ride my bike.
My Mr reliable car is a do it all, and currently houses my home cinema system , its also very comfortable and cheap to buy and run. The problem with classics is they like to be driven, as things wear otherwise and they can also be money pits.
I've not even mentioned my wifes car.
So the actual answer for me is, fast older estate + motorcycle, or reliable older car + motorcycle.
The fear of missing out sounds about right ... never thought about it like that.
I did think about something older and cheaper and that made me feel better about not losing money, trouble is, I ain’t sure what i can buy that’s about £5-8k, fun and somewhat reliable? Considered a Type R FN2
A motorbike? I did consider it but my parents and wife would worry way too much and dont think i would want to put then through that, my best mate also died on one the same day he went to pick up his new house keys to move in with his new wife, was tragic and that will never leave me. Wasn’t even his fault, some old man in a jeep never seen him. I like the idea of a bike but I fear other drivers and the worrying others.
Maybe that’s part of the problem then? The car I want it too expensive (£20k) but will depreciate heavily like my last one did and then dont really need it and have an empty bank account in exchange .. panic, then sell up.
I did think about something older and cheaper and that made me feel better about not losing money, trouble is, I ain’t sure what i can buy that’s about £5-8k, fun and somewhat reliable? Considered a Type R FN2
A motorbike? I did consider it but my parents and wife would worry way too much and dont think i would want to put then through that, my best mate also died on one the same day he went to pick up his new house keys to move in with his new wife, was tragic and that will never leave me. Wasn’t even his fault, some old man in a jeep never seen him. I like the idea of a bike but I fear other drivers and the worrying others.
Maybe that’s part of the problem then? The car I want it too expensive (£20k) but will depreciate heavily like my last one did and then dont really need it and have an empty bank account in exchange .. panic, then sell up.
JB33 said:
The fear of missing out sounds about right ... never thought about it like that.
A motorbike? I did consider it but my parents and wife would worry way too much and dont think i would want to put then through that...........................
To be honest, I sold mine just before I got married/started a family!A motorbike? I did consider it but my parents and wife would worry way too much and dont think i would want to put then through that...........................
JB33 said:
The fear of missing out sounds about right ... never thought about it like that.
I did think about something older and cheaper and that made me feel better about not losing money, trouble is, I ain’t sure what i can buy that’s about £5-8k, fun and somewhat reliable? Considered a Type R FN2
A motorbike? I did consider it but my parents and wife would worry way too much and dont think i would want to put then through that, my best mate also died on one the same day he went to pick up his new house keys to move in with his new wife, was tragic and that will never leave me. Wasn’t even his fault, some old man in a jeep never seen him. I like the idea of a bike but I fear other drivers and the worrying others.
Maybe that’s part of the problem then? The car I want it too expensive (£20k) but will depreciate heavily like my last one did and then dont really need it and have an empty bank account in exchange .. panic, then sell up.
Blobeye Subaru Impreza STI? Upper end of budget, but depreciation proof and huge fun.I did think about something older and cheaper and that made me feel better about not losing money, trouble is, I ain’t sure what i can buy that’s about £5-8k, fun and somewhat reliable? Considered a Type R FN2
A motorbike? I did consider it but my parents and wife would worry way too much and dont think i would want to put then through that, my best mate also died on one the same day he went to pick up his new house keys to move in with his new wife, was tragic and that will never leave me. Wasn’t even his fault, some old man in a jeep never seen him. I like the idea of a bike but I fear other drivers and the worrying others.
Maybe that’s part of the problem then? The car I want it too expensive (£20k) but will depreciate heavily like my last one did and then dont really need it and have an empty bank account in exchange .. panic, then sell up.
You can't go far wrong with an FN2 or a nice clean EP3. Won't lost much, bit of fun to drive and won't your wallet if anything were to go wrong.
I have my EP3 which I only do a few thousand a year in and drive something else to work and back a lot of the time. Makes the EP3 more fun when I do drive it.
I have my EP3 which I only do a few thousand a year in and drive something else to work and back a lot of the time. Makes the EP3 more fun when I do drive it.
I don't have a car. The wife uses it for work mon-fri and then we use it at weekends. I work from home, live in the country but usually go out 2/3 times a week during the day to the gym or market. I bought a scooter (125) and it's a perfect addition except in the winter. Thankfully i can choose when to go out but i still miss a car. I just can't justify the running cost and i have this argument with myself weekly (in the winter).
A cheap, simple, fun, car that needs working hard, rewards driving finesse and is good on a bumpy back road.
A mid-powered bike with suspension that can cope with bumpy, hilly twisties and handles well or can be tweaked to do so.
Don't worry about power/performance Top Trumps, it is mostly virtually unusable anyway and a Tesla will destroy you from the lights.
A mid-powered bike with suspension that can cope with bumpy, hilly twisties and handles well or can be tweaked to do so.
Don't worry about power/performance Top Trumps, it is mostly virtually unusable anyway and a Tesla will destroy you from the lights.
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 14th September 11:42
JB33 said:
I did think about something older and cheaper and that made me feel better about not losing money, trouble is, I ain’t sure what i can buy that’s about £5-8k, fun and somewhat reliable? Considered a Type R FN2
Have been in similar situation to you. Answer was a BMW 130i, they're not losing value, they're £5-8k, they've a great straight 6 engine, all the performance you need for UK roads and the odd track day, plus they're practical (well practical enough for anything I'd ever need).Edit: rear wheel drive and they sound great, especially if you find one with BMWP exhaust
I work from home, and have done for a number of years. I have 6 cars.
Family and friends think I'm mad, but I don't care. Admittedly they don't all get used that much, but they all do different jobs (GT, roadster, estate etc), and 3/4 get SORN'd over winter.
I do think at times it's criminal to keep a car and only do 1000 miles a year in it, but then I remember that I like cars and I don't like dealing with the public when it comes to selling cars. So they stay
Family and friends think I'm mad, but I don't care. Admittedly they don't all get used that much, but they all do different jobs (GT, roadster, estate etc), and 3/4 get SORN'd over winter.
I do think at times it's criminal to keep a car and only do 1000 miles a year in it, but then I remember that I like cars and I don't like dealing with the public when it comes to selling cars. So they stay
Done this to death! I do about 4-5k a year, but can do a euro drive holiday every once in a while.
Need something to cart bikes and dog around. Finally settled on a VW California Beach. No driving thrills, but you can cart your family / mates / gear about, make a decent coffee, get changed at the beach then sleep wheee you park if you fancy it.
I’d only swap for an RS4 B8 or a 997.2 2S, or a 991 GT3 / GTS.
Common factor in all of them - can come with high running costs, but shouldn’t depreciate too hard.
Need something to cart bikes and dog around. Finally settled on a VW California Beach. No driving thrills, but you can cart your family / mates / gear about, make a decent coffee, get changed at the beach then sleep wheee you park if you fancy it.
I’d only swap for an RS4 B8 or a 997.2 2S, or a 991 GT3 / GTS.
Common factor in all of them - can come with high running costs, but shouldn’t depreciate too hard.
Older cars that aren't depreciating seem like the obvious answer.
I've got 2 BMWs, a 2005 and a 2006 but thanks to Coronavirus I've done less than 1,500 miles in total in the last 6 months. OK 2 times insurance and tax seems extravagant, but there is no depreciation and minimal maintenance because they aren't going far!
Given you had a 140i maybe a good E46 M3 might feel a bit special when you did go for a drive.
I've got 2 BMWs, a 2005 and a 2006 but thanks to Coronavirus I've done less than 1,500 miles in total in the last 6 months. OK 2 times insurance and tax seems extravagant, but there is no depreciation and minimal maintenance because they aren't going far!
Given you had a 140i maybe a good E46 M3 might feel a bit special when you did go for a drive.
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