Do you have a "fleet"? Can you justify it?
Discussion
rajkohli81 said:
Been running a 'fleet' since my first student loan cheque back in '99 
currently
F430 Spider for when it's hot,
R8 Coupe for when it's not,
320d M Sport coupe for 1,000 miles a week and the 50mpg £90 tax help me justify the others to the missus (somehow),
Range Rover for when I need to carry more than two.
'98 C200 Merc, because it's never missed a beat, I can lend it to anyone and can't bear to get rid of it for good.
Excellent fleet Sir. Distinctly impressive at the age of 30, even if one is in the medical profession!currently
F430 Spider for when it's hot,
R8 Coupe for when it's not,
320d M Sport coupe for 1,000 miles a week and the 50mpg £90 tax help me justify the others to the missus (somehow),
Range Rover for when I need to carry more than two.
'98 C200 Merc, because it's never missed a beat, I can lend it to anyone and can't bear to get rid of it for good.
Don't need to justify it, except to the OH when she can't park anywhere 'cos I've moved cars about. Legacy estate - 4wd and useful everydayer, Alpina cab - roofless and still practicalish 'cos it fits all 4 of us, Stupid Beetle - hers and it's s
t, sub-100k miles Merc 124 estate - needs work, MOT, tax and insurance.
Still have space for one more
t, sub-100k miles Merc 124 estate - needs work, MOT, tax and insurance.Still have space for one more
Marquis Rex said:
RV8 said:
Marquis Rex said:
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T - rebuilding engine taking out to 7.7 litres, 6 speed gearbox fitted
1982 E21 BMW 323i - first car ever bought, currently undergoing rennovation with Getrag 226 6 spped gearbox, Z3M rear torsen diff and suspension, 2.7 litre engine etc
1995 Porsche 993 Turbo- low mileage original
2000 Jaguar XJR - a car I was involved in performance development of
2003 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi quad cab- truck for winter, going off road, hauling and camping
1993 W124 Mercedes 400E- car for the wife
1993 Buick Roadmaster with small block 5.7- originally bought for the wife-car soon to go
1998 Chevy Lumina- wifes old car, rusty with leaky petrol tank- soon to be scrapped
See- I've justified all of them
My wife is worse than me and wants to buy a BMW E24 6 series, I told her I won't settle for a 12 valve but only the M 24 valve motor and they're out of our price range
She also loves the Jaguar XJC coupe from the 70s
and the Rover P6 (for some reason)
That is a wonderful line up, mainly the challenger caught my eye, I've always wanted an e body cuda or an early challenger (before the restyle in '73) and a '70 would be perfect.1982 E21 BMW 323i - first car ever bought, currently undergoing rennovation with Getrag 226 6 spped gearbox, Z3M rear torsen diff and suspension, 2.7 litre engine etc
1995 Porsche 993 Turbo- low mileage original
2000 Jaguar XJR - a car I was involved in performance development of
2003 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi quad cab- truck for winter, going off road, hauling and camping
1993 W124 Mercedes 400E- car for the wife
1993 Buick Roadmaster with small block 5.7- originally bought for the wife-car soon to go
1998 Chevy Lumina- wifes old car, rusty with leaky petrol tank- soon to be scrapped
See- I've justified all of them
My wife is worse than me and wants to buy a BMW E24 6 series, I told her I won't settle for a 12 valve but only the M 24 valve motor and they're out of our price range
She also loves the Jaguar XJC coupe from the 70s
and the Rover P6 (for some reason)
I was certainly excited when I first bought the E body as I'd only ever owned 1 pony car before (70s pontiac firebird). Now I have to remain focused to motivate myself to make progress on this project over the freezing winter!
RV8 said:
That's odd, memory is fading but you know I think I may have asked you if that firebird was for sale quite some time back and you sent me an email with some photo's of a red one.
I don't think that was me. I owned the Firebird when I lived in British Columbia-Canada (for a brief while) back in the mid nineties and I ended up leaving that car behind in Toronto. It was a late 70s one. I think I know the one you speak of which was an early 70s one and in the UK.RV8 said:
Anyway, it'll be worth the effort when it's done. They are fetching good money, however many hours you spend in the garage will pay back in dividends whether you keep it or sell it. As with the theme of the thread, if there is any vehicle which needs no justification for owning, imo, it is an e body mopar.
Thanks for the encouraging words. 
cwis said:
I might have to hand my bloke card in at this point but... I don't own a car, let alone a fleet. I'm lucky enough to be able to walk into work after years of commuting.
However I do have four motorbikes - do they count?
A British single for lighthearted B road chugging and winter fun. (1965 Enfield Bullet)
A German twin (with a tow hitch) for camping, touring and as a general runabout. And for pissing people off with the trailer - for some reason most people think it's illegal. (1980 BMW 100S)
An Italian triple, because I'm a glutton for punishment. Oh yes, and when it works, it works really well. (1977 Laverda bitsa/special).
A Japanese four (a Honda 400/4 actually) cos I had one as my first bike, and I love them.
So what you now need is one of Alan Millyard's 5 cylinder bikes.......However I do have four motorbikes - do they count?
A British single for lighthearted B road chugging and winter fun. (1965 Enfield Bullet)
A German twin (with a tow hitch) for camping, touring and as a general runabout. And for pissing people off with the trailer - for some reason most people think it's illegal. (1980 BMW 100S)
An Italian triple, because I'm a glutton for punishment. Oh yes, and when it works, it works really well. (1977 Laverda bitsa/special).
A Japanese four (a Honda 400/4 actually) cos I had one as my first bike, and I love them.
see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hn9LidVa6g&fea...
He's also built some V8, V10 (Viper Engine) and V12 bikes.
6 cylinder shouldn't be a problem but 7, 9 & 11 - ?
xPOW said:
ratty6464 said:
To all you guys with a fleet, dull question but do you insure them on a single policy so anyone can drive, or each vehicle seperately.
single policy, each listed with a limited mileage. Adrian Flux are pretty good.Oh and to the OP, 7 at the moment, with a good spattering of 'marmite' cars for the good folks of PH
but "Justify"? To whom? And if I had to, would only be able to using a goodly portion of 'man logic' 
Different cars, different purposes.
Audi Q7 for carting the family around (there's lots of us)
Mini One for nipping out, small trips
Porsche 911 for everyday
Ferrari 360 spider for sunny days
Radical clubsport for track days
Got my eye on a F430 spider (will probably chop the 360 in) and an oldish Defender (skip and shooting slag) in addition to the above.
Can I justify it? Yes, each is good at something different from the others, and we can afford it. I don't have much time for anyone who tries to tell me I have too many cars, it's none of their business.
Audi Q7 for carting the family around (there's lots of us)
Mini One for nipping out, small trips
Porsche 911 for everyday
Ferrari 360 spider for sunny days
Radical clubsport for track days
Got my eye on a F430 spider (will probably chop the 360 in) and an oldish Defender (skip and shooting slag) in addition to the above.
Can I justify it? Yes, each is good at something different from the others, and we can afford it. I don't have much time for anyone who tries to tell me I have too many cars, it's none of their business.
SuperHangOn said:
Chris71 said:
Yes I do. And no I can't.
Currently got four cars, three of which are in (more or less) roadworthy condition and I aim to reduce that down to just one - probably the 924 - by the end of next year.
Tired of having to set money aside for cars all the time. It's got to the point where refusing to compromise on the upkeep means I have to limit the amount of time I can actually drive them, which is just plain silly.
If I ever win the Euro Millions I'd be back in with a fleet of dozens, though!
Pretty much my experience. In reality I found owning multiple cars became a bit of a chore and multiple insurance/tax/maintenance hemorrhaged (sp) money. Currently got four cars, three of which are in (more or less) roadworthy condition and I aim to reduce that down to just one - probably the 924 - by the end of next year.
Tired of having to set money aside for cars all the time. It's got to the point where refusing to compromise on the upkeep means I have to limit the amount of time I can actually drive them, which is just plain silly.
If I ever win the Euro Millions I'd be back in with a fleet of dozens, though!
But that doesn't translate to lower budgets sadly. Once you start spending less on the cars (and getting less back in resale) the relative cost of insurance, tax and upkeep rockets - even with low annual mileage, classic car insurance and so on.
PhilboSE said:
Different cars, different purposes.
Audi Q7 for carting the family around (there's lots of us)
Mini One for nipping out, small trips
Porsche 911 for everyday
Ferrari 360 spider for sunny days
Radical clubsport for track days
Got my eye on a F430 spider (will probably chop the 360 in) and an oldish Defender (skip and shooting slag) in addition to the above.
Can I justify it? Yes, each is good at something different from the others, and we can afford it. I don't have much time for anyone who tries to tell me I have too many cars, it's none of their business.
That's another nice collection. I'd add a classic "something" to that, and swap the Radical for a Caterham, but that's just personal preference.Audi Q7 for carting the family around (there's lots of us)
Mini One for nipping out, small trips
Porsche 911 for everyday
Ferrari 360 spider for sunny days
Radical clubsport for track days
Got my eye on a F430 spider (will probably chop the 360 in) and an oldish Defender (skip and shooting slag) in addition to the above.
Can I justify it? Yes, each is good at something different from the others, and we can afford it. I don't have much time for anyone who tries to tell me I have too many cars, it's none of their business.
I'm at a quite different place in my life to some of the previous posters. My fleet is very much in its infancy at the moment.
I have no one to justify my fleet to, although my new missus thinks the number of cars I have is great (she wants one of them to learn to drive in..
Westfield - High days and holidays!
BMW e30 turbo - Track car for next year, may tax it to give a few people a shock!
Saab 9000 Aero - Comfy everyday with 300 hp, ideal for my commute and overtaking.
Saab 9000 donor - Useful for parts
Saab 9000 Anniversary - Much softer, slower,quieter and more comfortable than the Aero, family trips etc.
Vauxhall Astra - Dog / tip run / leave anywhere
Saab 900 - Donor car
Saab 900 Turbo - classic 900, nearing the end of a 3 yr resto.
Obviously the donor cars will be disposed of this coming year. The track car, the Astra and the Westfield are part owned so they play their part elsewhere.
To add to my fleet I need a V8 (poss Griffith), an off roader and a motorbike (R6).
But the main cars in my fleet are keepers so will be the start of the continuing collection.
There we go, all justified!
I have no one to justify my fleet to, although my new missus thinks the number of cars I have is great (she wants one of them to learn to drive in..
Westfield - High days and holidays!
BMW e30 turbo - Track car for next year, may tax it to give a few people a shock!
Saab 9000 Aero - Comfy everyday with 300 hp, ideal for my commute and overtaking.
Saab 9000 donor - Useful for parts
Saab 9000 Anniversary - Much softer, slower,quieter and more comfortable than the Aero, family trips etc.
Vauxhall Astra - Dog / tip run / leave anywhere
Saab 900 - Donor car
Saab 900 Turbo - classic 900, nearing the end of a 3 yr resto.
Obviously the donor cars will be disposed of this coming year. The track car, the Astra and the Westfield are part owned so they play their part elsewhere.
To add to my fleet I need a V8 (poss Griffith), an off roader and a motorbike (R6).
But the main cars in my fleet are keepers so will be the start of the continuing collection.
There we go, all justified!
Agreed with what has been said above. I consider my car ownership a hobby rather than a necessity, and luckily I have the space and sometimes the funds to indulge. That said, having never had a nice modern car, I often wonder whether it wouldn't be better to sell the lot and just have one "great" car. (ETA: it appears my selection is from across 6 decades!)
'03 Freelander (the closest we have to a modern car. Wife's daily for the kids for 7 years and she hates it. Will be selling soon)
'95 Range Rover (had it >10 years and replaced virtually everything on it. Its probably worth peanuts but I simply couldn't replace it and it's downright usefulness for the money. Even though i have my eye on a newer replacement, I'll still keep this one to customise.
'94 MX5 (I blame pistonheads for this. Honestly i do. Again i doubt i'd replace the fun factor for the money so am happy to hang onto it for now)
'79 Merc 350 SL (Bought because I liked the timeless boxy styling. If I had more room, I'd collect the whole Merc range from the same era. Would love a '70s saloon.)
'67 VW westfalia (Sneaked this in thanks to Mrs88. Justified because its a people carrier and a good investment? Even though it lives most of the time in the garage, she refused to allow me to sell it even when we needed some readies recently)
'50s 356 Speedster Replica (picked up this month on the simple justification that its the only car that Mrs88 says that she loves the look of, and hence i knew the purchase would not be vetoed. Whether she'll be happy with it as a Freelander replacement remains to be seen)
'51 Land Rover S1 (the first car I ever bought. Restored by me and intend to keep it, even though I rarely drive it
)
Insurance on a classic policy (for all bar the first two) comes in at around £75 month.
'03 Freelander (the closest we have to a modern car. Wife's daily for the kids for 7 years and she hates it. Will be selling soon)
'95 Range Rover (had it >10 years and replaced virtually everything on it. Its probably worth peanuts but I simply couldn't replace it and it's downright usefulness for the money. Even though i have my eye on a newer replacement, I'll still keep this one to customise.
'94 MX5 (I blame pistonheads for this. Honestly i do. Again i doubt i'd replace the fun factor for the money so am happy to hang onto it for now)
'79 Merc 350 SL (Bought because I liked the timeless boxy styling. If I had more room, I'd collect the whole Merc range from the same era. Would love a '70s saloon.)
'67 VW westfalia (Sneaked this in thanks to Mrs88. Justified because its a people carrier and a good investment? Even though it lives most of the time in the garage, she refused to allow me to sell it even when we needed some readies recently)
'50s 356 Speedster Replica (picked up this month on the simple justification that its the only car that Mrs88 says that she loves the look of, and hence i knew the purchase would not be vetoed
. Whether she'll be happy with it as a Freelander replacement remains to be seen) '51 Land Rover S1 (the first car I ever bought. Restored by me and intend to keep it, even though I rarely drive it
)Insurance on a classic policy (for all bar the first two) comes in at around £75 month.
will_ said:
That's another nice collection. I'd add a classic "something" to that, and swap the Radical for a Caterham, but that's just personal preference.
Thanks! I'd agree to the classic option, but I'm not a big fan of the 50s-70s period, I think I'd have to have something that was '30s stylee. A friend got married in something that looked very similar to an old Bentley, a Lagonda I think it was, absolutely stunning. I'd like something like that in principle, but I'd worry about how to maintain it...Funnily enough I nearly bought a Caterfield last summer, didn't quite close the deal. Trailering the Radical around is a 2-person job, sometimes I fancy just jumping in a road legal car and going straight to track.
PhilboSE said:
will_ said:
That's another nice collection. I'd add a classic "something" to that, and swap the Radical for a Caterham, but that's just personal preference.
Thanks! I'd agree to the classic option, but I'm not a big fan of the 50s-70s period, I think I'd have to have something that was '30s stylee. A friend got married in something that looked very similar to an old Bentley, a Lagonda I think it was, absolutely stunning. I'd like something like that in principle, but I'd worry about how to maintain it...Funnily enough I nearly bought a Caterfield last summer, didn't quite close the deal. Trailering the Radical around is a 2-person job, sometimes I fancy just jumping in a road legal car and going straight to track.
The reason for the Caterham would be exactly as you describe (and I've had a couple and loved them for popping to the shops on sunny days via the "long way round").
And I might swap out th Q7 for a quick estate (RS4?), especially if adding a Defender to the mix for snowy days.
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