Would you pay over the odds / top dollar...

[Andy665]

Just bought but not collected a car that I have always wanted to tick off my list of "attainable" cars to buy

Nothing particularly glamorous or special but we don't always have to have exciting cars on our list, just cars that appeal to us

Car in question is a Volvo V70 T5 but in manual form, an 850 T5 estate would have been nice but not many nice ones, did not want a Japan import and really wanted a manual

I know I have paid too much for the car but could not find another manual for sale and it appears to be immaculate - collection day will soon see if that is actually the case

Do I care that I have paid too much - not really as its what I have been looking for a while

Did much the same with the Tuscan, paid more than most people would have thought was sensible but the history folder was incredible and to me that was worth paying a premium for

We don't always have to be rational do we?

Edited by Andy665 on Wednesday 19th April 18:59

[kambites]

A car's value is defined by what someone is willing to pay for it so I suppose if you were willing to pay that much for it, it was worth that much.

[SimonTheSailor]

Somebody paid 600K for a Ford Sierra recently - let's say you paid a grand over the top to get the car you wanted ? Pales into insignificance .........

[LooneyTunes]

It depends how much I want it, how hard it is to find, how long I plan on keeping them for, and how quickly I’ll forget the premium paid.

I have a couple of classics/out of production cars where I arguably overpaid but the difference wasn’t significant to me and I plan on keeping them for many years. Calculate the premium over the expected ownership period and it effectively disappears.

Something still in production I wouldn’t pay a premium for just to jump a queue.

[secret_stu]

I'll typically pay a premium for the 'right' car. I've always found that it's worth holding out, or paying that bit more, for the car you really want. My logic is that I'm more likely to keep it longer and negate/defer the cost to change.

I'm quite particular with cars though (like most here I suspect), and want the right spec, condition etc.

[911Spanker]

If you are definitely going to keep it, that's fine. But if there is any doubt, you will likely take a hit.

In general thought I won't pay OTT out of principle

[Back2theFuji]

Yeah, I travelled 100 miles and paid a bit over the odds for a petrol MPV of all things But I figured if second hand prices are this crazy, I might as well pay crazy plus a bit more to at least get one with full history and in the right colour

[Raccaccoonie]

Always wanted an Audi S2 coupe, missed the opportunity. Decent one in good nick, would be my buy.

[Lincsls1]

Nothing wrong with your school of thought OP.
You pay what you're happy to, and I would probably pay a little more for something as you've described.

[crankedup5]

Well done and enjoy your car.

[J4CKO]

Easy to fixate on cost more than value.

If its nice, in good order and you really wanted it, a few quid is neither here nor there in the scheme of things, especially once some time has passed.

I think if I am agonising too much about the price, its probably not the car for me

[Olivera]

Good choice seeking out the manual. The vast majority are the stty old 4 speed autos, such as my old V70R, and the lack of ratios really saps acceleration.

[jagseven]

Perfectly rational to pay more to secure the car you want - you could have waited to see if car remained unsold so price was reduced but imagine how gutted you’d have felt if someone else stepped in to buy your dream car.
Forget about the money and enjoy the car.

[Chubbyross]

I definitely don’t have a problem paying over the odds to buy a good car. I’ve done it on my last two in fact. I bought a fantastic Boxster S 987.2 that was probably about a grand more than others around at the time. It was extremely low miles, just two owners and in pristine condition with good service history. I knew I wouldn’t find one that good anywhere else and I knew I’d be keeping it for a few years. It doesn’t bother me at all.

My most recent purchase was a Caterham 420R. Caterhams don’t tend to lose much money and, again, I knew I’d be holding onto it for a few years. If you find a great car which stands out from others then it’s entirely up to you what the value is to you. Life’s too short to be obsessing about passing on great cars just because of overly rigid personal principles around cost.

[dhutch]

Andy665 said:

Car in question is a Volvo V70 T5 but in manual form.

Brilliant, was literally looking at these at lunchtime.

And yes, definitely paid top dollar for my current car 7 years ago. An 330ci E45 in Imola red. Right spec, right colour, good condition, good strong price!

Still, it's been a great car, and is now easily worth twice what I paid.

[Busa mav]

Olivera said:

Good choice seeking out the manual. The vast majority are the stty old 4 speed autos, such as my old V70R, and the lack of ratios really saps acceleration.

Definitely this , we had a manual 850R back in the day, I got to drive an auto and it was so slow and awful in comparison.

I still look and long for having another 850r , but they fetch such good money.

[edc]

It depends how much is too much for me. 10% overs on a £5k car is not a lot in absolute terms but 10% on a £50k car I'd find harder to justify.

[Bobupndown]

As long as you are happy with the car why worry?
Post some pictures please.

[some bloke]

There's a saying in the hot rod world about 32 Fords - you didn't pay too much; you just bought it too early.

If you get out and enjoy using the car, in ten years you will have many happy memories and will have forgotten the cost.

[jhiker]

Speaking of paying over the odds. More money than sense or an astute investment…?

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-1...