Do PHers still practice bangernomics?
Discussion
I bought the Bangernomics book the year before I started driving (1993) and have been an enthusiast of the cheap disposable car ever since.
My main savings come from;
A) Doing all my own mechanical work, this saves a fortune at current garage rates.
B) Knowing where to acquire parts at the right price.
C) Not minding that my car or bike is old, scruffy and high mileage.
The best thing is lack of worry. If you've bought a car at the very limit of what you can afford, then keeping and maintaining it is a headache. You worry about where you park it, in case it gets stolen or vandalised or broken into. Not an issue with an old shed.
A few year ago I remember giving a particularly obnoxious (ex) friend of my wife's a lift in my 51 plate MINI. She took one look at it, announced that she'd never been in such an old car and could never own anything older than three years old.
My main savings come from;
A) Doing all my own mechanical work, this saves a fortune at current garage rates.
B) Knowing where to acquire parts at the right price.
C) Not minding that my car or bike is old, scruffy and high mileage.
The best thing is lack of worry. If you've bought a car at the very limit of what you can afford, then keeping and maintaining it is a headache. You worry about where you park it, in case it gets stolen or vandalised or broken into. Not an issue with an old shed.
A few year ago I remember giving a particularly obnoxious (ex) friend of my wife's a lift in my 51 plate MINI. She took one look at it, announced that she'd never been in such an old car and could never own anything older than three years old.
Yup. 
I've been practicing Bangernomics on daily drivers for over 30 years, mostly out of choice rather than necessity and I've genuinely lost count of the number of tired and battered Renaults and Citroens with Space Shuttle mileages on the clock I've driven into the ground .
Nothing to prove and nothing to loose. Incredibly liberating
I've been practicing Bangernomics on daily drivers for over 30 years, mostly out of choice rather than necessity and I've genuinely lost count of the number of tired and battered Renaults and Citroens with Space Shuttle mileages on the clock I've driven into the ground .Nothing to prove and nothing to loose. Incredibly liberating
I try. I fail. I do want something reasonably nice to tool around in. Thought I'd cracked it with my 1200 quid V70 however after sailing through an MoT with a cheap handbrake fix i decided to put 4 decent tyres on it (live in the sticks so 4 mismatched ditchfinders wouldn't cut it)
Then fatefully started investigating a PAS leak, 1100 quid later...
Then fatefully started investigating a PAS leak, 1100 quid later...
carreauchompeur said:
I try. I fail. I do want something reasonably nice to tool around in. Thought I'd cracked it with my 1200 quid V70 however after sailing through an MoT with a cheap handbrake fix i decided to put 4 decent tyres on it (live in the sticks so 4 mismatched ditchfinders wouldn't cut it)
Then fatefully started investigating a PAS leak, 1100 quid later...
Tell me about it! the Power steering couldn't hold the fluid for more than 5 mins in my 2nd getz. the hard part of the pipe had corroded and needed changing.Then fatefully started investigating a PAS leak, 1100 quid later...
The pipe from my 1st one wouldn't fit.... so i left it. drove it for a year with no PS ( ill still be driving it till this wkend when the new shed takes over ).. parking was a chore, but otherwise no significant bother
new replacement PS pipe would have been over £200 for a car that cost me £180 ... NOPE!
carreauchompeur said:
I try. I fail. I do want something reasonably nice to tool around in. Thought I'd cracked it with my 1200 quid V70 however after sailing through an MoT with a cheap handbrake fix i decided to put 4 decent tyres on it (live in the sticks so 4 mismatched ditchfinders wouldn't cut it)
Then fatefully started investigating a PAS leak, 1100 quid later...
Ha, snap!Then fatefully started investigating a PAS leak, 1100 quid later...
2017-12-07_12-45-56 by Ben Edwards, on FlickrAbsolute poverty spec, 140bhp 2.4 petrol. Currently owes me £460 (purchase price), £300 for the alternator I had to have fitted the day after (!) and £200 for a set of winter tyres. Has a few random dash bulbs which don't work, the alarm is dead (a solid plus in my eyes), and comes with acres of velour. On the plus side it has 9 months ticket, a towbar and roof racks and it keeping the salty miles off the M5. I've grown quite attached to the old bus
You can own a smart looking, hygenic banger, it doesn't need to be ancient or depressing or anything, just old enough that it's fallen off the radar for registration plate snobs and the trade.
I suppose it's the principle rather than the actual costs involved that matter. So buying a 9 nine year old 10 grand jag or Range Rover that once cost five times that is still bangernomics, you've still swerved a massive chunk of depreciation.
I suppose it's the principle rather than the actual costs involved that matter. So buying a 9 nine year old 10 grand jag or Range Rover that once cost five times that is still bangernomics, you've still swerved a massive chunk of depreciation.
andburg said:
If that hasn't had a new clutch already, it will need one imminently. Few of them make it much past 60k.Can I call it Bangernomics at £2k?
I have a really quite nice 51 plate 330i (MSport biys before it became an official "line"). When I was at uni / grad scheme this car always caught my eye. Obviously the M3 was king but this seemed achievable on limited means back then and I love the particular alloys it has. It has MV1s apparently! So I think its special as it is a previous "want" car thats now super cheap.
Navy Blue with tan interior. Shod on new Conti Sport Contacts all round and a whizzy but factory look touch screen DAB / BBlueTooth / Nav ICE combo. Bargain! Ok it has 105k on the clock but its been great for 2 years.
I say its Bangernomics as I don't worry about it and my wife can drive it and if it gets a ding, so be it ( thats SW London parking for you )
If it goes massively wrong I will park it in front of my garage and strip it for eBay and make a decent chunk back. I think its still worth that but it doesn't cost me anything at the moment.
Have I slipped into bargain Modern Classic territory?
I have a really quite nice 51 plate 330i (MSport biys before it became an official "line"). When I was at uni / grad scheme this car always caught my eye. Obviously the M3 was king but this seemed achievable on limited means back then and I love the particular alloys it has. It has MV1s apparently! So I think its special as it is a previous "want" car thats now super cheap.
Navy Blue with tan interior. Shod on new Conti Sport Contacts all round and a whizzy but factory look touch screen DAB / BBlueTooth / Nav ICE combo. Bargain! Ok it has 105k on the clock but its been great for 2 years.
I say its Bangernomics as I don't worry about it and my wife can drive it and if it gets a ding, so be it ( thats SW London parking for you )
If it goes massively wrong I will park it in front of my garage and strip it for eBay and make a decent chunk back. I think its still worth that but it doesn't cost me anything at the moment.
Have I slipped into bargain Modern Classic territory?
Edited by BluePurpleRed on Thursday 7th December 14:54
Edited by BluePurpleRed on Thursday 7th December 14:58
I agree it’s bangernomics - something I practice on every car I own at the moment - current specimen is a 2002 520i cost under £1500 petrol auto with under 100k provable mileage
Not overly worried about anything major going wrong if I does i’ll Replace it for another oldish BMW and this one goes in the back yard for donor if it’s suitable if not flea bay it for parts
Not overly worried about anything major going wrong if I does i’ll Replace it for another oldish BMW and this one goes in the back yard for donor if it’s suitable if not flea bay it for parts
Some of the older/out of fashion cars can provide years of trouble free service.
I practice a sort of bangernomics, not so much re the actual price but re things reaching the bottom of their depreciation curve and are generally unappreciated by the masses they reach peak value/lowest risk.
A run around of this type will inevitably be a hundred quid a quality marque or sporty car might be £4-5K but the same principle applies. .
Also you need to cherry pick, most general cars over 10 years old will be priced very similarly but will vary massively in, condition, owners, recent spend, mileage, worth paying a bit more for some of the roses in amongst the thorns.
I practice a sort of bangernomics, not so much re the actual price but re things reaching the bottom of their depreciation curve and are generally unappreciated by the masses they reach peak value/lowest risk.
A run around of this type will inevitably be a hundred quid a quality marque or sporty car might be £4-5K but the same principle applies. .
Also you need to cherry pick, most general cars over 10 years old will be priced very similarly but will vary massively in, condition, owners, recent spend, mileage, worth paying a bit more for some of the roses in amongst the thorns.
I practice bangernomics, or rather" sweating the capital" but I do make sure the Mrs has a nice, reliable, relatively new car for her daily commute.
I've picked up a rather nice spares or repair Volvo XC70, to replace my Volvo S80, which was also a bangernomics purchase 65,000 miles previously , mainly because its an estate and it has a towbar. £510 to buy, spent another £110 on service items, a track rod end, rubber hoses and a repair to the leather drivers seat cover and its good to go.
Its almost saved its purchase price on van hire already as I can tow the firms trailer for deliveries. I have also installed my LPG system from the S80, so fuel costs are rather sensible for a 200bhp turboed 5 potter.
I'm looking forward to trying out the 4x4 system in the forthcoming snow as its got a decent set of Michelin M&S tyres on the somewhat ropey looking alloys. The firms sandblaster cabinet and a rattle can will sort those in the spring.
If something terminal happens to the car I'll just either repair it myself or scrap and buy another cheap Volvo.
In the past I would have been contract hiring new vans, leasing new cars etc but these days cars are generally so reliable and well built / designed, as long as you keep on top of the basics, they can do spaceship miles.
Cheers,
Tony
I've picked up a rather nice spares or repair Volvo XC70, to replace my Volvo S80, which was also a bangernomics purchase 65,000 miles previously , mainly because its an estate and it has a towbar. £510 to buy, spent another £110 on service items, a track rod end, rubber hoses and a repair to the leather drivers seat cover and its good to go.
Its almost saved its purchase price on van hire already as I can tow the firms trailer for deliveries. I have also installed my LPG system from the S80, so fuel costs are rather sensible for a 200bhp turboed 5 potter.
I'm looking forward to trying out the 4x4 system in the forthcoming snow as its got a decent set of Michelin M&S tyres on the somewhat ropey looking alloys. The firms sandblaster cabinet and a rattle can will sort those in the spring.
If something terminal happens to the car I'll just either repair it myself or scrap and buy another cheap Volvo.
In the past I would have been contract hiring new vans, leasing new cars etc but these days cars are generally so reliable and well built / designed, as long as you keep on top of the basics, they can do spaceship miles.
Cheers,
Tony
I for one certainly enjoy running bangers as my daily. I’ve had various brand new cars and always worry far too much about them. There’s a strange weight lifted having a car that I don’t particularly care about!
I generally commute on a motorbike but typically through the worst of the winter I’ll go out and buy something that should last 6 months. And this is this years entry...
And all that for £300! It had all but snapped it’s timig chain and smashed a hole in the cam cover but £60 for a chain kit, £30 for a cam cover and 2hrs work and good as gold! Covered 600 miles so far and its brilliant fun.
I generally commute on a motorbike but typically through the worst of the winter I’ll go out and buy something that should last 6 months. And this is this years entry...
And all that for £300! It had all but snapped it’s timig chain and smashed a hole in the cam cover but £60 for a chain kit, £30 for a cam cover and 2hrs work and good as gold! Covered 600 miles so far and its brilliant fun.
Nickbrapp said:
If you bought a Honda Accord or a Toyota avensis, surely you could run if for all of time and not spend a penny on it?
True (Avensis that is; never owned an Accord).I tend to slip into bangernomics after I've owned it for a short while, having bought a fairly decent example, and I like to keep it until it drops.
Haven't had a brand new car for around 20 years.
SystemParanoia said:
new banger to replace the old banger! Hurrah!
I pick it up on Saturday.. Epic high mileage, but the previous MOT's seem check out.. nothing scary there.
For the past 2 years ive run a pair of Hyundai getz's into the ground.
first cost £800.. lasted almost a year before the subframe rotted and the wheel fell off.
2nd cost me £180, and was the ropiest POS ive ever had the displeasure of driving... its only lasted the year because ive pillaged and plunderd every salvageable part i can from the first getz to keep it running... from the radiator down the dash bulbs!
The latest failure was the outer CV joint grenading itself costing me a days work, and a days labour installing the one from the donor car.
But once the new shed arrives, they'll both be headed to the crusher. Good riddance!
Got 160miles on this one now, and so far, its been great.I pick it up on Saturday.. Epic high mileage, but the previous MOT's seem check out.. nothing scary there.
For the past 2 years ive run a pair of Hyundai getz's into the ground.
first cost £800.. lasted almost a year before the subframe rotted and the wheel fell off.
2nd cost me £180, and was the ropiest POS ive ever had the displeasure of driving... its only lasted the year because ive pillaged and plunderd every salvageable part i can from the first getz to keep it running... from the radiator down the dash bulbs!
The latest failure was the outer CV joint grenading itself costing me a days work, and a days labour installing the one from the donor car.
But once the new shed arrives, they'll both be headed to the crusher. Good riddance!
no steering wobble, no smoke, no clunks or knocks, and it seems like the steering wheel cover i removed had been on it since the car was new, as the steering wheel is perfect under it.
same with the seats under their covers!
it does not feel or drive like a motor with over 180k on the clock!
only problem it has is a potentially expensive one as the ESC light is permanently on
Condi said:
There is an article on Bloomberg about how Americans are buying cars, and there are 2 interesting patterns emerging.
Firstly the average age of the car on the road is actually getting older, - 12 years old at the moment. Part of the reason for this is that with so many innovations just around the corner (electric, self driving cars etc), people are preferring to hold their old cars until the features they want are available.
This is one of the reasons I'm struggling to see any justification in changing my (not quite a banger) 2005 S60. It already has heated seats, climate, a decent sound system, aftermarket Android kit etc. It's economical, comfortable, and built like a brick sFirstly the average age of the car on the road is actually getting older, - 12 years old at the moment. Part of the reason for this is that with so many innovations just around the corner (electric, self driving cars etc), people are preferring to hold their old cars until the features they want are available.
thouse.If I am going to change, I want a significant leap forward in technology. I want adaptive cruise control, I'd like Android Auto built in so that it doesn't need an aftermarket kit, and Waze appears on the dash, I would love some form of autonomous driving, it should creep itself forward in traffic without me having to move my foot. It should look a lot more modern, be much more powerful and yet more economical.
Very little of this is available in the sub-£10K bracket. The best that I think I can get is probably a >2012 Mondeo Titanium X Sport, but I'd need to hold out to find one with the adaptive cruise (rarer than rocking horse s
te), and I really only want a certain colour, and it must be 2.2 TDCi, not 2.0. Currently there isn't a single car for sale in the UK matching the criteria.Then I get back in the Volvo and ask myself why I'd spend so much money to upgrade, and figure out I'll probably just keep it until the Mondeo is more like £5-6K instead of £10-12K.
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