Old cars in seaside resorts
Discussion
Sheringham - ever been there?
I've just spent a long weekend there and was struck by two things: how flippin' cold it is and how many older cars there are still in regular use.
To expand a little, I live in Milton Keynes where if your car is over about 8 years old it stands out like a sore thumb. In Sheringham (where the indigenous population is, ahem... a little more mature), 20+ year old cars were quite common. In no particular order, and without really trying, I saw:
- W reg Rover 75
- V reg Honda CRV
- K reg Mercedes W214
- J reg Suzuki Vitara
- E reg Toyota HiLux Pickup
- T reg (ie 1979) VW Type 2 van - clearly restored, but bog standard
- T reg Audi A8
- myriad old Toyotas and Nissans
- P reg BMW 520i
Nothing spectacular, but all "interesting", over 20 years old and in immaculate condition (even the HiLux, which surprised me given the proximity to the sea). It made me wonder whether the proliferation of old stuff is related to the older demographic in these old seaside towns.
Observations, anyone?
I've just spent a long weekend there and was struck by two things: how flippin' cold it is and how many older cars there are still in regular use.
To expand a little, I live in Milton Keynes where if your car is over about 8 years old it stands out like a sore thumb. In Sheringham (where the indigenous population is, ahem... a little more mature), 20+ year old cars were quite common. In no particular order, and without really trying, I saw:
- W reg Rover 75
- V reg Honda CRV
- K reg Mercedes W214
- J reg Suzuki Vitara
- E reg Toyota HiLux Pickup
- T reg (ie 1979) VW Type 2 van - clearly restored, but bog standard
- T reg Audi A8
- myriad old Toyotas and Nissans
- P reg BMW 520i
Nothing spectacular, but all "interesting", over 20 years old and in immaculate condition (even the HiLux, which surprised me given the proximity to the sea). It made me wonder whether the proliferation of old stuff is related to the older demographic in these old seaside towns.
Observations, anyone?
Riley Blue said:
Turbobanana said:
Observations, anyone?
Older people change cars less frequently and less of them lease cars are my guesses.Also, I just remembered another I saw: L reg Lada Niva. When did you last see one of those?
Turbobanana said:
Sheringham - ever been there?
I've just spent a long weekend there and was struck by two things: how flippin' cold it is and how many older cars there are still in regular use.
To expand a little, I live in Milton Keynes where if your car is over about 8 years old it stands out like a sore thumb. In Sheringham (where the indigenous population is, ahem... a little more mature), 20+ year old cars were quite common. In no particular order, and without really trying, I saw:
- W reg Rover 75
- V reg Honda CRV
- K reg Mercedes W214
- J reg Suzuki Vitara
- E reg Toyota HiLux Pickup
- T reg (ie 1979) VW Type 2 van - clearly restored, but bog standard
- T reg Audi A8
- myriad old Toyotas and Nissans
- P reg BMW 520i
Nothing spectacular, but all "interesting", over 20 years old and in immaculate condition (even the HiLux, which surprised me given the proximity to the sea). It made me wonder whether the proliferation of old stuff is related to the older demographic in these old seaside towns.
Observations, anyone?
Maybe it's my age or my current fleet but I don't consider any of them as oldI've just spent a long weekend there and was struck by two things: how flippin' cold it is and how many older cars there are still in regular use.
To expand a little, I live in Milton Keynes where if your car is over about 8 years old it stands out like a sore thumb. In Sheringham (where the indigenous population is, ahem... a little more mature), 20+ year old cars were quite common. In no particular order, and without really trying, I saw:
- W reg Rover 75
- V reg Honda CRV
- K reg Mercedes W214
- J reg Suzuki Vitara
- E reg Toyota HiLux Pickup
- T reg (ie 1979) VW Type 2 van - clearly restored, but bog standard
- T reg Audi A8
- myriad old Toyotas and Nissans
- P reg BMW 520i
Nothing spectacular, but all "interesting", over 20 years old and in immaculate condition (even the HiLux, which surprised me given the proximity to the sea). It made me wonder whether the proliferation of old stuff is related to the older demographic in these old seaside towns.
Observations, anyone?
91/J reg
97/R reg
93/L reg
(just sold a 97/P reg)
Skyedriver said:
Turbobanana said:
Sheringham - ever been there?
I've just spent a long weekend there and was struck by two things: how flippin' cold it is and how many older cars there are still in regular use.
To expand a little, I live in Milton Keynes where if your car is over about 8 years old it stands out like a sore thumb. In Sheringham (where the indigenous population is, ahem... a little more mature), 20+ year old cars were quite common. In no particular order, and without really trying, I saw:
- W reg Rover 75
- V reg Honda CRV
- K reg Mercedes W214
- J reg Suzuki Vitara
- E reg Toyota HiLux Pickup
- T reg (ie 1979) VW Type 2 van - clearly restored, but bog standard
- T reg Audi A8
- myriad old Toyotas and Nissans
- P reg BMW 520i
Nothing spectacular, but all "interesting", over 20 years old and in immaculate condition (even the HiLux, which surprised me given the proximity to the sea). It made me wonder whether the proliferation of old stuff is related to the older demographic in these old seaside towns.
Observations, anyone?
Maybe it's my age or my current fleet but I don't consider any of them as oldI've just spent a long weekend there and was struck by two things: how flippin' cold it is and how many older cars there are still in regular use.
To expand a little, I live in Milton Keynes where if your car is over about 8 years old it stands out like a sore thumb. In Sheringham (where the indigenous population is, ahem... a little more mature), 20+ year old cars were quite common. In no particular order, and without really trying, I saw:
- W reg Rover 75
- V reg Honda CRV
- K reg Mercedes W214
- J reg Suzuki Vitara
- E reg Toyota HiLux Pickup
- T reg (ie 1979) VW Type 2 van - clearly restored, but bog standard
- T reg Audi A8
- myriad old Toyotas and Nissans
- P reg BMW 520i
Nothing spectacular, but all "interesting", over 20 years old and in immaculate condition (even the HiLux, which surprised me given the proximity to the sea). It made me wonder whether the proliferation of old stuff is related to the older demographic in these old seaside towns.
Observations, anyone?
91/J reg
97/R reg
93/L reg
(just sold a 97/P reg)
I suspect it is a rural seaside town. Two things that are often linked to, if not poverty, then at least poorly paid seasonal (often tourism related) work and/or agricultural work.
People tend to have less money to spend on cars but may look after what they do have. Plus, the more elderly retirees will often be less focused on the latest lease special but on keeping/looking after their vehicles.
Older cars are a common sight here in North Wales as well. Some growing old gracefully, some held together with baling twine and others by all the stickers and a bit of hope. A massive contrast to nearby Cheshire where you would be a social outcast if you aren't seen in the latest A class.
People tend to have less money to spend on cars but may look after what they do have. Plus, the more elderly retirees will often be less focused on the latest lease special but on keeping/looking after their vehicles.
Older cars are a common sight here in North Wales as well. Some growing old gracefully, some held together with baling twine and others by all the stickers and a bit of hope. A massive contrast to nearby Cheshire where you would be a social outcast if you aren't seen in the latest A class.
Come and live on the Isle of Wight...... Very similar.
When a new model of car comes out, I usually only see them in the summer when the tourists come over.
Personally, I probably don't help. I have not owned a car from the last decade and yet own four vehicles. I see it all as a bit rat racey, however work colleagues do have leased vehicles. They do question my mentality!
Mike
When a new model of car comes out, I usually only see them in the summer when the tourists come over.
Personally, I probably don't help. I have not owned a car from the last decade and yet own four vehicles. I see it all as a bit rat racey, however work colleagues do have leased vehicles. They do question my mentality!
Mike
To offer a counter-perpective, I used to until quite recently spend a gair bit of time around the Seaton, Sidmouth, Budleigh area (or God's waiting room as it's also known) and didn't notice a preponderance of older cars.
Where I do notice them though is Bristol, especially the more hipstery parts. The beard-oiling, vegan, social media marketing types seem quite keen on a well kept but otherwise totally standard and boggo spec late 80's/early 90's motor.
Where I do notice them though is Bristol, especially the more hipstery parts. The beard-oiling, vegan, social media marketing types seem quite keen on a well kept but otherwise totally standard and boggo spec late 80's/early 90's motor.
I live on the S.E. Kent coast and we have a good smattering of older everyday vehicles.
The garage that I used to work for had a lot of customers with immaculate older cars with very low mileage .
We had half a dozen of the various special edition minis all owned by little old grannies , all immaculate and all under 30k miles , one mini Rose with 9k . Even a 5 year old micra with just 130 miles on it . The car was only ever driven to the garage for services or MOT .
One of my regular jobs was to start up a customers series 2 XJ6 bring it to the garage for service and MOT , take it for a 50 mile run , valet it and return it to the customer who used it maybe twice per year .
Many older drivers don't like change , new machinery makes them nervous and are only comfortable with what they know and are comfortable with.
We were very successful at selling them new vehicles as we were very gentle with them and tried to make the experience as pressure free as possible .
I have picked up a few cracking cheap low mileage cars from older people all one family owned and serviced to the hilt and beyond .
Often the older large properties have older low mileage cars on the drives while all the new build estates , lots of them , have lots of white goods type vehicles all less than 3 years old .
The garage that I used to work for had a lot of customers with immaculate older cars with very low mileage .
We had half a dozen of the various special edition minis all owned by little old grannies , all immaculate and all under 30k miles , one mini Rose with 9k . Even a 5 year old micra with just 130 miles on it . The car was only ever driven to the garage for services or MOT .
One of my regular jobs was to start up a customers series 2 XJ6 bring it to the garage for service and MOT , take it for a 50 mile run , valet it and return it to the customer who used it maybe twice per year .
Many older drivers don't like change , new machinery makes them nervous and are only comfortable with what they know and are comfortable with.
We were very successful at selling them new vehicles as we were very gentle with them and tried to make the experience as pressure free as possible .
I have picked up a few cracking cheap low mileage cars from older people all one family owned and serviced to the hilt and beyond .
Often the older large properties have older low mileage cars on the drives while all the new build estates , lots of them , have lots of white goods type vehicles all less than 3 years old .
It seems to happen in most seaside areas.
Back in 2014 I was looking locally for a cheap runabout, and found a 1996 Mazda 323f. It had scrapes or small dents on most panels, but no rust and had only done just over 60K miles so I bought it.
And discovered it started life on the Hampshire coast!
Back in 2014 I was looking locally for a cheap runabout, and found a 1996 Mazda 323f. It had scrapes or small dents on most panels, but no rust and had only done just over 60K miles so I bought it.
And discovered it started life on the Hampshire coast!
mike9009 said:
Come and live on the Isle of Wight...... Very similar.
When a new model of car comes out, I usually only see them in the summer when the tourists come over.
Personally, I probably don't help. I have not owned a car from the last decade and yet own four vehicles. I see it all as a bit rat racey, however work colleagues do have leased vehicles. They do question my mentality!
Mike
We noticed it when we moved over in 2017. The vast rows of high end German metal and JLR products just not over here. Volvo 240 estates, Honda CR-V mk2, and old French Berlingo type vanette, VW T25/4/5 etc and my personal fave the Vauxhall Combo Van.When a new model of car comes out, I usually only see them in the summer when the tourists come over.
Personally, I probably don't help. I have not owned a car from the last decade and yet own four vehicles. I see it all as a bit rat racey, however work colleagues do have leased vehicles. They do question my mentality!
Mike
We did you bit, so far I have brought to the Island a 70's Rolls Royce, a Morris Minor, a Gilbern GT and Vauxhall Combo and a CR-V.
When we lived in Southampton, it was well known that retirement cars from Bournemouth could be a good buy, as long as they hadn't been resting their foot on the clutch.
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