Is it worth buying a nice car these days?
Discussion
crusty said:
midiman said:
After that I purchased a £700 Astra 1.7td. I kept that for four years
This is what makes driving fun.
You, my friend are on the wrong website - This website is for people who DON'T want to drive a Astra 1.7td for 4 yearsThis is what makes driving fun.
CampDavid said:
"This website" isn't for one type of person. This website is for those who drive anything and everything. This has many a benifit, not least that it doesn't become a one make circle jerk
Who mentioned one type of person or one make of car???My point is that if you are happy driving a diesel Astra for 4 years when you have the option of driving a more interesting car, then you are probably not interested in cars
midiman said:
The difference is I can probably afford the cars you pine over.
That's also the fun part about it.
I'm happy to drive cars that enable me to maintain a positive cash flow.
A few sacrifices in life didn’t hurt anyone. In fact it can be very beneficial, you should try it.
That's also the fun part about it.
I'm happy to drive cars that enable me to maintain a positive cash flow.
A few sacrifices in life didn’t hurt anyone. In fact it can be very beneficial, you should try it.
You are funny!
RenesisEvo said:
crusty said:
My point is that if you are happy driving a diesel Astra for 4 years when you have the option of driving a more interesting car, then you are probably not sufficiently interested in cars to sacrifice other things for an interesting car.
EFA
martin84 said:
Correct. Problem?
Just because somebody doesnt throw all of their money into a fantastic interesting car doesnt mean they dont love cars. After all, we can often lose sight of whats actually great about motoring. This evening for instance I drove home in the pouring rain, hailstones etc and its at that moment where you realise that any car is better than any alternative. With a car you are free to go where you want, when you want, you dont have to be dictated to by bus timetables or the weather. If it gets dark - turn your lights on. If it rains - put the wipers on. If its cold outside - make your own climate in the car.
The fact is most cars will achieve the same results for 98% of motorists in everyday driving. An £80,000 Merc wouldn't have fared any better than my Rover shed this evening in what I asked it to do. A Vauxhall Corsa will get you to work and keep you dry just like a Bentley will. We may have different views on how much money you should put to your interests and passions but I think we can all agree that having a car - irrespective of what it is - is better than not.
Unless its a VW Beetle.
This is my kind of point. Just because somebody doesnt throw all of their money into a fantastic interesting car doesnt mean they dont love cars. After all, we can often lose sight of whats actually great about motoring. This evening for instance I drove home in the pouring rain, hailstones etc and its at that moment where you realise that any car is better than any alternative. With a car you are free to go where you want, when you want, you dont have to be dictated to by bus timetables or the weather. If it gets dark - turn your lights on. If it rains - put the wipers on. If its cold outside - make your own climate in the car.
The fact is most cars will achieve the same results for 98% of motorists in everyday driving. An £80,000 Merc wouldn't have fared any better than my Rover shed this evening in what I asked it to do. A Vauxhall Corsa will get you to work and keep you dry just like a Bentley will. We may have different views on how much money you should put to your interests and passions but I think we can all agree that having a car - irrespective of what it is - is better than not.
Unless its a VW Beetle.
I don't travel by first class.
I wouldn’t pay extra to get on a train.
All I want is to do is safely get from one point to another.
And it shouldn’t have to cost me a vast sum of money.
midiman said:
This is my kind of point.
I don't travel by first class.
I wouldn’t pay extra to get on a train.
All I want is to do is safely get from one point to another.
And it shouldn’t have to cost me a vast sum of money.
Then your transport of choice is not a car, but a white good. To me my car is far more than a mode of transport. I don't travel by first class.
I wouldn’t pay extra to get on a train.
All I want is to do is safely get from one point to another.
And it shouldn’t have to cost me a vast sum of money.
IMO, this is the difference between a petrolhead and Joe bloggs on the street - doesn't matter if your chariot is a 458 or a Clio, if you care about it more than you care about your dishwasher then that's where the distinction lies.
martin84 said:
otolith said:
You don't have to be into cars to be into cars. Just watching Top Gear on a Sunday evening is enough personal committment to be giving it chapter & verse on PH on Monday.
I really hate buses and trains. Is that good enough?midiman said:
The money for the new BMW now sits in the bank earning interest.
Which quantitative easing and inflation will quickly reduce to a value of nothing.And in 10 years time you'll say "gosh, not that long ago I could have bought a new BMW with that money, now it's virtually worthless. Wish I'd had the Beemer".
Which is precisely why virtually my entire savings are about to be withdrawn and spunked on a black 3.0 litre 155mph German sports car this very weekend. Its earning nothing, it'll be worth nothing soon, and I might as well use it to buy something I'll enjoy.
That and a healthy dose of "f
k it factor". Roll on Saturday!
1. The depreciation of the vehicle.
2. The record prices of fuel and duty.
3. Road tax.
4. Congestion charges.
5. Criminal insurance premiums.
6. General running costs.
7. War on the motorist.
1. Bought during recession, have lost £1750 max of price paid then. 34k of motoring for that price cant be beaten.
2. Tank of diesel from £56 to £85-90 depending if regular or Ultimate/V power. Would rather pay that then go on a bus.
3. From £215-£270. A increase but due to the "green" pish that keeps getting branded about.
4. Haven't been in london in 15 years, so that doesn't affect me in the slightest.
5. I saved £160 this year, i pay £341 FC for my car at 24 with less than perfect record due to people using my car as a stopping block..
6. It's a landrover, it loves maintenance and hates neglect. Has it's moments of wanting cash sacrifices to the LR gods of reliability, but it's my car and i want it kept at a high standard and use genuine parts where possible. Anyway, i like to keep in touch with my RAC friends and the cars good for that.
7. Not a single f
k given, most of my friends and family love the car for it's comfort and practicality, also it's what I want. Yes, i've been spat at, called a planet killer and had it vandalised but i wont be beaten down by people who are jealous or petty. They have the problem, not me. So to summarise, It's my car, paid by my wages and i wont get rid of it just because someone else doesn't like it.
1. The depreciation of the vehicle - If i buy any item it generally loses money i.e. clothes,cd's,mobile,appliances,etc. I dont fancy walking to see friends and relatives in a bed sheet in my bare feet. although some cars do lose more than others. A "fun PH" car can still be had for little money.
2. The record prices of fuel and duty - conicides with reocrd prices for just about anything travel related for example a bus fare in London is £2.30 for cash or £1.20 for oyster. Generally no seat, no radio, no heat or cool air, not very clean and most certainly not enjoyable.
3. Road tax - an average car is £200/£250 an extra £10-£15 a month is managable.
4. Congestion charges - N/A
5. Criminal insurance premiums - For the last three years premiums my average is about £650 per year hardly the end of the world.
6. General running costs - A bottle of 2L coke costs £1.50/£2. I'd rather drink tap water and buy petrol if required although i prefer dilute drinks atm. I spend upto £80 on a night out eating and drinking, £60 gym membership, £35 phone bill all of whcih would go before my car.
7. War on the motorist - is basically all of the above.
I find that when i have a nice car that i admire and appreciate i look after it and it stops me from eating out, having nights out drinking, buying expensive clothes,etc. I generally get finance and get the urge to stay in and pay down the debt ASAP as i hate being in debt( borrowing to save, before you doubt this method it works for me as i have paid off all three bikes i own
)
I am fairly young and have quite a high disposable income. I walk to work, go home for lunch, don't eat out during the week, etc so i can enjoy my weekends and days off. I have some money already tied up in property so i feel i have worked hard and earned the right to buy whichever car/bike i choose even if it is a waste of money it will be a good incentive for me to work harder/reward for working hard. If i don't do/buy things i enjoy what am i working for?
2. The record prices of fuel and duty - conicides with reocrd prices for just about anything travel related for example a bus fare in London is £2.30 for cash or £1.20 for oyster. Generally no seat, no radio, no heat or cool air, not very clean and most certainly not enjoyable.
3. Road tax - an average car is £200/£250 an extra £10-£15 a month is managable.
4. Congestion charges - N/A
5. Criminal insurance premiums - For the last three years premiums my average is about £650 per year hardly the end of the world.
6. General running costs - A bottle of 2L coke costs £1.50/£2. I'd rather drink tap water and buy petrol if required although i prefer dilute drinks atm. I spend upto £80 on a night out eating and drinking, £60 gym membership, £35 phone bill all of whcih would go before my car.
7. War on the motorist - is basically all of the above.
I find that when i have a nice car that i admire and appreciate i look after it and it stops me from eating out, having nights out drinking, buying expensive clothes,etc. I generally get finance and get the urge to stay in and pay down the debt ASAP as i hate being in debt( borrowing to save, before you doubt this method it works for me as i have paid off all three bikes i own
)I am fairly young and have quite a high disposable income. I walk to work, go home for lunch, don't eat out during the week, etc so i can enjoy my weekends and days off. I have some money already tied up in property so i feel i have worked hard and earned the right to buy whichever car/bike i choose even if it is a waste of money it will be a good incentive for me to work harder/reward for working hard. If i don't do/buy things i enjoy what am i working for?
You could say the same about anything. Why buy that nice shirt, as soon as you walk out the shop it is worth nothing, you may spill something on it or, heaven forbid, you might catch it on something and snag it. Why buy that lovely sofa when you've got kids and dogs who'll ruin it and it'll be worth nothing when you get it home?
You're likely to be on PH because you like cars, so why waste time and let money sit in your bank account rather than buying that BMW that you want and enjoying it? Life is too short, spend a while on here tonight.
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds
You're likely to be on PH because you like cars, so why waste time and let money sit in your bank account rather than buying that BMW that you want and enjoying it? Life is too short, spend a while on here tonight.
http://pistonheads.com/classifieds
Ari said:
Which is precisely why virtually my entire savings are about to be withdrawn and spunked on a black 3.0 litre 155mph German sports car this very weekend. Its earning nothing, it'll be worth nothing soon, and I might as well use it to buy something I'll enjoy.
That and a healthy dose of "fk it factor".
Roll on Saturday!
What car you getting?That and a healthy dose of "f
k it factor". Roll on Saturday!
jonny70 said:
What car you getting?
2009 SLK 280 Sport. Black with black leather and just about every option available. Must admit I was driving my (perfectly good) current SLK today wondering "why am I doing this again?", but it's a beast, and the spec is exactly what I would have chosen were it me taking delivery of it three years ago instead of the previous owner. And it's less than half what it would have cost new.So f
k it, you only live once, etc!It's proving to be a long week this one..!
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