What are your car buying habits?
Discussion
It's something that we all do but go about in very different ways but it's interesting to hear how different people approach buying their next vehicle. So:
1) Do you have a set change cycle (say 2-3 years) and always buy new/nearly new?
2) Do you have a set change cycle but buy older vehicles (3+ years old say)?
3) Are you spontaneous? i.e. you don't have a set time on when you change and just buy something new because you fancy it?
4) Do you buy new/nearly new and keep it for a long time (say 5+ years)?
5) Do you buy cheap cars and just throw them away when they break and replace it with another cheap car?
6) Do you work out what you want next and save up/keep searching until you can get it?
7) Do you have no idea what you want next and just wait until it's time to change and then see what's available for your budget/see what tickles your fancy?
8) Do you tend to only consider one vehicle e.g. my next car will be a Golf and maybe look at several examples before you buy or do you look at multiple options? e.g. Golf, Focus, Astra etc.
9) Do you go for the best deal or the car that you like the most regardless of cost?
To summarise, my wife probably fits into category 1), whereas I have had both new/nearly new cars and older cars. The shortest that I have owned a car is 9 months (technically 6 weeks but that was a stopgap car) and the longest 2.5 years. Unless it's something really special, I tend to get bored after about 18 months to 2 years. I've bought new/nearly new cars based on the deal being good before but usually regretted it. For my last but one car (a nearly new Honda Civic), I looked at multiple options and the Civic seemed like the most sensible option and the best deal but it wasn't the car that I really wanted, so I regretted that a bit. My last car purchase, (my current MINI Cooper daily) was much more spontaneous. It came up at a garage local to me, was the right price, the right spec and I didn't even bother looking at any other options and prior to seeing it, I hadn't really been thinking about changing my vehicle. I tend to be happiest when I have something decent, so nice condition, not crazy miles and less than 10 years old but more than 3 than in a scruffy old shed or something new and shiny but maybe that's because the new car that I have been able to afford has always been a bit of a compromise on what I really want.
As for what will I get next, I tend to get less certain as I get older. I'm most likely to see what options are available for my budget at the time and go from there but whether it will be a hatchback, a saloon, an estate, a coupe or an SUV, I couldn't really say at this stage.
So, what are your car buying habits?
1) Do you have a set change cycle (say 2-3 years) and always buy new/nearly new?
2) Do you have a set change cycle but buy older vehicles (3+ years old say)?
3) Are you spontaneous? i.e. you don't have a set time on when you change and just buy something new because you fancy it?
4) Do you buy new/nearly new and keep it for a long time (say 5+ years)?
5) Do you buy cheap cars and just throw them away when they break and replace it with another cheap car?
6) Do you work out what you want next and save up/keep searching until you can get it?
7) Do you have no idea what you want next and just wait until it's time to change and then see what's available for your budget/see what tickles your fancy?
8) Do you tend to only consider one vehicle e.g. my next car will be a Golf and maybe look at several examples before you buy or do you look at multiple options? e.g. Golf, Focus, Astra etc.
9) Do you go for the best deal or the car that you like the most regardless of cost?
To summarise, my wife probably fits into category 1), whereas I have had both new/nearly new cars and older cars. The shortest that I have owned a car is 9 months (technically 6 weeks but that was a stopgap car) and the longest 2.5 years. Unless it's something really special, I tend to get bored after about 18 months to 2 years. I've bought new/nearly new cars based on the deal being good before but usually regretted it. For my last but one car (a nearly new Honda Civic), I looked at multiple options and the Civic seemed like the most sensible option and the best deal but it wasn't the car that I really wanted, so I regretted that a bit. My last car purchase, (my current MINI Cooper daily) was much more spontaneous. It came up at a garage local to me, was the right price, the right spec and I didn't even bother looking at any other options and prior to seeing it, I hadn't really been thinking about changing my vehicle. I tend to be happiest when I have something decent, so nice condition, not crazy miles and less than 10 years old but more than 3 than in a scruffy old shed or something new and shiny but maybe that's because the new car that I have been able to afford has always been a bit of a compromise on what I really want.
As for what will I get next, I tend to get less certain as I get older. I'm most likely to see what options are available for my budget at the time and go from there but whether it will be a hatchback, a saloon, an estate, a coupe or an SUV, I couldn't really say at this stage.
So, what are your car buying habits?
I normally weigh up obsessively how much my current car is costing, what it needs spending on it, and does it still meet my requirements. If the first two are more than it will cost to replace/more than my budget will allow, I will start to look around for a replacement. If it no longer fits my requirements as well, I will look with an aim to buy asap.
I am not one to buy new, and I am more than happy to buy an older car if it meets the requirements. I have recently changed from a 2009 1.8 Focus to a 2004 Accord Diesel, as it meets my current requirements, has been well looked after and it is cheaper to run.
I am not one to buy new, and I am more than happy to buy an older car if it meets the requirements. I have recently changed from a 2009 1.8 Focus to a 2004 Accord Diesel, as it meets my current requirements, has been well looked after and it is cheaper to run.
Buy cheap car and carry out just enough repairs and maintenance to keep it legal.
If or when something goes pop, rinse and repeat.
I haven never spent more than two grand on a car and have had some lovely cars including saabs, jags, Lexus, mini coopers etc.
I woul rather spend fifteen hundred on my next car than pay an expensive mechanic bill to fix an old car.
If or when something goes pop, rinse and repeat.
I haven never spent more than two grand on a car and have had some lovely cars including saabs, jags, Lexus, mini coopers etc.
I woul rather spend fifteen hundred on my next car than pay an expensive mechanic bill to fix an old car.
Interesting question. I have tended to look around at what's available, how good it's reckoned to be by enthusiasts, and do I think, with a bit of saving and sacrifice, I can afford it. I spend ages (months, if not years) researching, just for fun, and then only pull the trigger when I'm absolutely convinced. Then, I sell my old car car and buy the new and... immediately start asking myself if I've bought the right thing and then do it all over again. But I have a good time!
I haven't bought that many cars, but recently I tend to buy at around three years old then run them into the ground.
For the Elise, I test drove more than 30 different makes/models of varying ages and prices before deciding what I wanted, then ultimately bought a car unseen in an ebay auction. For the Skoda we just wondered around the local used car dealers trying various things until we found a car that suited our needs which the wife liked (since it's her car).
I'm hoping to get another five years or so out of the Skoda then buy a three year-old EV family hatch with a decent range. I suspect I'll keep the Elise until I'm too old and decrepit to get in and out.
For the Elise, I test drove more than 30 different makes/models of varying ages and prices before deciding what I wanted, then ultimately bought a car unseen in an ebay auction. For the Skoda we just wondered around the local used car dealers trying various things until we found a car that suited our needs which the wife liked (since it's her car).
I'm hoping to get another five years or so out of the Skoda then buy a three year-old EV family hatch with a decent range. I suspect I'll keep the Elise until I'm too old and decrepit to get in and out.
I just buy stuff that I have always wanted which means I have only bought one new car.
Most are fairly old but cars I dreamt about as a kid so I don't much care for running costs so happy to spend a snall fortune on modifications and will probably keep them to my death.
Only exception was the car for the wife. She was learning to drive and wanted something fairly stylish but cheap. I knew I would end up driving it too so had to be a decent steer. We ended up with an Alfa 147 which has been great so far. If we need to replace in a few years, I may go for a Clio 200 Cup.
Another exception is I am looking for a family car to cart the little man around and the only car I can think of is a Honda FRV. If we get one, I will probably run it for a few years, unless he loves sitting in the front, in which case it may stay for quite a while...
Most are fairly old but cars I dreamt about as a kid so I don't much care for running costs so happy to spend a snall fortune on modifications and will probably keep them to my death.
Only exception was the car for the wife. She was learning to drive and wanted something fairly stylish but cheap. I knew I would end up driving it too so had to be a decent steer. We ended up with an Alfa 147 which has been great so far. If we need to replace in a few years, I may go for a Clio 200 Cup.
Another exception is I am looking for a family car to cart the little man around and the only car I can think of is a Honda FRV. If we get one, I will probably run it for a few years, unless he loves sitting in the front, in which case it may stay for quite a while...
I'm probably the least fussy purchaser there is.
I like anything. I don't find anything too slow, too fast, too uncomfortable. I don't care if they are good on fuel, bad on fuel, seat two or twelve, have manual windows and mirrors etc, etc. I often don't sit in what I buy, I often don't even look at them in the flesh.
I had no idea what a Westfield would be like, no idea what a Smart would be like, no idea what an MX5 would be like, no idea what my Acty would be like, no idea what a five series BMW would be like, or my Jag..... I wanted them, so got them.
I change when I have some cash and see something I like. No real thought goes in to it. They are always quite cheap now.
I do like older things, though. I work on them a bit. Modern stuff bores me to tears. I won't ever be able to get my head round someone passing up a car because it doesn't have LED lights or an auto-dip mirror etc. Madness!
I like anything. I don't find anything too slow, too fast, too uncomfortable. I don't care if they are good on fuel, bad on fuel, seat two or twelve, have manual windows and mirrors etc, etc. I often don't sit in what I buy, I often don't even look at them in the flesh.
I had no idea what a Westfield would be like, no idea what a Smart would be like, no idea what an MX5 would be like, no idea what my Acty would be like, no idea what a five series BMW would be like, or my Jag..... I wanted them, so got them.
I change when I have some cash and see something I like. No real thought goes in to it. They are always quite cheap now.
I do like older things, though. I work on them a bit. Modern stuff bores me to tears. I won't ever be able to get my head round someone passing up a car because it doesn't have LED lights or an auto-dip mirror etc. Madness!
For years I bought cars which were about 2 years old and kept them for 3 years. Never had any major problems with any of them. However the last 4 have been bought new or pre reg due to the poor condition or high prices of 2 year old cars that made buying new a better prospect for me.
Number 7, with a strong runner-up of 3.
No commute, so the cars are toys. As I’m out if the country most weeks, I am therefore immune from buying while abroad. The problem comes when I’m at home for a while, at which point perusing the ads > test drive > negotiations...
For instance, I’d had the z4 nearly 2 years, nothing wrong with it, but the ride wasn’t as comfy as the 7. This made me go look for one with adaptive suspension, but that had sold before I got there, so I had a look at an M3, which led me to another garage, and then an M6.
What I actually want is a R129 Mercedes SL! (one day - all the ones I’ve been to see have been dogs).
I don’t really have a plan as such, but seem to buy blue cars with cream interior - all 4 BMW have/are that combination to some extent.
No commute, so the cars are toys. As I’m out if the country most weeks, I am therefore immune from buying while abroad. The problem comes when I’m at home for a while, at which point perusing the ads > test drive > negotiations...
For instance, I’d had the z4 nearly 2 years, nothing wrong with it, but the ride wasn’t as comfy as the 7. This made me go look for one with adaptive suspension, but that had sold before I got there, so I had a look at an M3, which led me to another garage, and then an M6.
What I actually want is a R129 Mercedes SL! (one day - all the ones I’ve been to see have been dogs).
I don’t really have a plan as such, but seem to buy blue cars with cream interior - all 4 BMW have/are that combination to some extent.
white_goodman said:
4) Do you buy new/nearly new and keep it for a long time (say 5+ years)?
Essentially this, not bothered about 'upgrading' every year or two so buy something I like and keep it until I've had enough (or it has). Last one was 11 years, current is 3 years old.Even more so with my motorbikes, currently got 3 and the newest is 18 years old...
Find a cheap 2 year lease deal on something interesting. Order without test driving. Look for another 6 months before it ends, repeat.
We’re a one-car family, it’s nice to have something new and modern and safe and full of kit as well as fast and fun. It’s zero hassle and 2 years is about long enough.
Used to buy at 6-12 months old and run to 5 years old (old work car allowance rules) but these days used cars like that seem to have higher prices than you can get new.
We’re a one-car family, it’s nice to have something new and modern and safe and full of kit as well as fast and fun. It’s zero hassle and 2 years is about long enough.
Used to buy at 6-12 months old and run to 5 years old (old work car allowance rules) but these days used cars like that seem to have higher prices than you can get new.
Although I've only ever managed to have two cars in that combination. I'm generally interested in 90s performance cars. I've tended to think quite a bit, then go for what I really want and keep it for 5+ years. I'm not that bothered about newness, an old car can still be shiny and look good :-)
The first car I bought, I was actually living in Japan, in the sticks, and needed a car. I went round a few different little used-car dealerships looking at interesting cars. At that point I'd have bought anything interesting I think - I test drove a Lancer GSR (sub-Evo), ended up with a Silvia. It was a real starting Gran Turismo type situation :-)
I'm on my third car in 25 years. I buy second hand, always a basic Mercedes and keep them to 250,000. The current C200 CDi estate was one year old and cost £15,000 less than the new price when I bought it in 2013, had 10,000 on the clock and now has 60,000. Nothing has fallen off and all three cars have been most economical to run, not in fuel terms but lack of repairs. The last one cost £2,000 for a new aircon compressor and two front springs, this one to date zero.
I only have to buy for the wife, I have a company car.
So I buy as new as I can find with as high mileage I can find (9 months old, 40K miles type of thing.) As nice a car as poss, maybe spend around £40K. Give it to the wife who does 2K miles a year. keep it for about 5 years and sell it as a low mileage car for only a few grand less than we paid. Then start again.
So I buy as new as I can find with as high mileage I can find (9 months old, 40K miles type of thing.) As nice a car as poss, maybe spend around £40K. Give it to the wife who does 2K miles a year. keep it for about 5 years and sell it as a low mileage car for only a few grand less than we paid. Then start again.
GeordieInExile said:
I fall for the first car I test drive, then buy it.
It inevitably goes wrong within six months.
I never learn.
I prefer the gamble of buying a car at auction, that way it is only after you have paid for it that you get to go and put the key in and watch the dashboard light up like a fruit machine.It inevitably goes wrong within six months.
I never learn.
I honestly haven't quite figured this out, for myself, as of yet. My current and previous cars have been leases. However, after doing my first track day, among a few other reason too, i really want to go into ownership now. Leasing has been great but it's always put me in cars that really aren't exactly what i want; especially with my current hack.
So, the next car will be something that i really want and will hopefully last me quite a while. The next issue is buying options. Realistically, cash buying will be the best bet. The issue with that is a low-ish budget and then not being able to forecast how long the car will last for. I then look at borrowing money, which has it's own pro's and con's.
It's all a bit hit-and-miss and a step back into the unknown, after simply coughing up an initial payment and paying the monthlies for x amount of years. It needs to happen at some point, regardless!
So, the next car will be something that i really want and will hopefully last me quite a while. The next issue is buying options. Realistically, cash buying will be the best bet. The issue with that is a low-ish budget and then not being able to forecast how long the car will last for. I then look at borrowing money, which has it's own pro's and con's.
It's all a bit hit-and-miss and a step back into the unknown, after simply coughing up an initial payment and paying the monthlies for x amount of years. It needs to happen at some point, regardless!
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