Is it worth buying a nice car these days?

[Gio G]

Like many have said before, the pressure on dealers to sell new cars is immense. I was in the market for a used 1-2 year old, however the finance didn't stack up, versus a brand new car, with the extremely low rate finance being offered, excellent deposit contribution from dealer/Manufacturer, it became a no brainer. However appreciate some would never consider new as an option..

[SuperHangOn]

The most fun car I've had was a '97 1.7 Puma. Value about £2.50. Hardly a gas guzzler either.

Don't let them beat you!

[CampDavid]

ninjacost said:

you're a long time dead

Exactly. That's why I went with a normal car and four trips abroad

[BRMMA]

It's pretty difficult to give a sensible/rational argument for having a nice/fast/expensive car, especially if the money you save is spent on something that brings happiness to your life in other ways i.e. travelling/hobbies/hookers etc

but if all you're going to do with the money saved is put it in the bank so you have a big bank balance when you die or spend it on lawn mowers and elasticated waste slacks then you'd be better off blowing the money on petrol in a fun car

life's all about spending money on what makes you happy, if having a certain car makes you happy then it's worth spending the money on it, if that doesn't make you happy then it isn't, pretty simple really and the answer will be different from one person to the next

[sinizter]

midiman said:

Some sensible stuff

None of that takes away the enjoyment of just driving, and being in the moment, of a nice car that you love.

Only you can make a decision about the value of the experience of owning a nice car versus the cost.

[EDLT]

troc said:

Baryonyx said:

It's a fking farce when you consider the state of our roads. Last summer I was cruising down the Autovia Del Mediterraneo in southern Spain, and I could have wept for the state of our roads as I wafted over that smooth tarmac. By comparison, the A1 or M6 is like the surface of the fking moon.

Those awesome roads are paid for by EU subsidies. So, in essence they are Britsh roads (well, British, German and Dutch)

That and Spain is on the brink of bankruptcy (this autumn), those roads won't stay so nice for long.

[.blue]

Colonial said:

My life is empty, devoid of meaning and depressing, but at least I'm not wasting money on anything that could give me a minute amount of pleasure.

So unless you're spending money, you're life becomes empty, meaningless and depressing.

That's a sad state of affairs.

[Bill]

midiman said:

The money for the new BMW now sits in the bank earning interest.

Obvious troll is obvious

[Vladimir]

Another "anyone that buys a new/newish/nice car is stupid" thread...

[monthefish]

midiman said:

We are in hard times.

Speak for yourself.

[monthefish]

Vladimir said:

Another "anyone that buys a new/newish/nice car is stupid" thread...

Although not necesarrily "stupid", unless you are mega wealthy you can always buy a better* can by not buying brand new.


(* whatever "better" may mean to you)

[EDLT]

Vladimir said:

Another "anyone that buys a new/newish/nice car is stupid" thread...

Everyone should buy cheaper old cars. There are no flaws in my plan.

[Captain Muppet]

.blue said:

Colonial said:

My life is empty, devoid of meaning and depressing, but at least I'm not wasting money on anything that could give me a minute amount of pleasure.

So unless you're spending money, you're life becomes empty, meaningless and depressing.

That's a sad state of affairs.

I can only think of one thing that makes me happy that doesn't cost money. And that is my job.

Everything else, even talking to friends, or reading a book, cost money.

It is a little sad, but I'm actually very happy.

[pilchardthecat]

Bill said:

midiman said:

The money for the new BMW now sits in the bank earning interest.

Obvious troll is obvious

everyone knows that banks don't pay interest any more

[PaperCut]

The Black Flash said:

What you're doing there OP is giving up on living. Think you'll be layed on your deathbed thinking "Well, at least I averaged 50mpg" ?

Ooh, i'll use my first '+1' here too!

[troc]

EDLT said:

Everyone should buy cheaper old cars. There are no flaws in my plan.

It has worked in Cuba for decades

[pilchardthecat]

troc said:

EDLT said:

Everyone should buy cheaper old cars. There are no flaws in my plan.

It has worked in Cuba for decades

define "worked"

[Big E 118]

"Is it worth buying a nice car these days?"

Yeah this crosses my mind every now and again but then you wake up early on a Sunday morning, it's sunny outside so you get up and go for an impromptu hoon before the 40mph brigade are up.

Windows open and V8 blaring you don't care how much it costs, this is what you live for! I'd sell an organ or two if I had to...

[monthefish]

The way I justify it (and this will also apply to many other PH'ers) is that cars are my hobby, my passion.

I don't have season tickets to a football club. I don't gamble. I don't smoke.
I don't play golf. I don't drink that much.

Just because my hobby/passion can also be used for transport is a bit of a bonus. I don't see it as unecesarry spend on transportation, which I think is the way the OP sees it.

[iain014]

I sold my 911 last week and have been running around in an old Fiesta that I have absolutely no interest in looking after and not fussed about avoiding the 100's of potholes and speed bumps etc that are everywhere, it was already dented and scratched before it came to me so there is no need to look for a parking space away from kids/shopping trolleys/berks.

Driving has been much more fun in the past week, and its been averaging over 30 to the gallon. I imagine for 95% of the journeys that most people make, this is the better way of going about it. Then if you have the money, save the nice car for the weekend, or join a supercar club or something.