Do you have a "fleet"? Can you justify it?
Discussion
I currently own 2 cars and 2 motorbikes. They all have their part to play and in my head it makes perfect sense to own each one of them.
A V-strom 650 - reliable workhorse for plodding to work and back. Over 60 to the gallon and thrives on neglect.
GSXR 750 - An old one but a good one. Hardly worth selling as it only owes me a couple of bags. Used for the odd blast now and then.
Subaru type r - Owned it for eight or nine years and have spent far too much time and money on it to ever consider selling it. Didn't turn a wheel last year but plan to get some fun out of it next year. There's a few quid tied up in it but doubt I'd get a fraction of it back so again, not worth selling.
A4 tdi quattro - sensible family transport. Nice enough but pretty forgettable.
But here's the thing - I think I need another car.
I've commuted by motorbike for years now but think this may be my last winter. I fancy chopping in the V-strom, taking the cash and buying a cheap and cheerless hatchback to take on the commute. My thinking is that it won't really cost anything as I'm just rolling the money from the bike sale over and the real genius is it'll keep miles off the Audi saving fuel, tyres, servicing etc.
Only problem is SWMBO says enough is enough, "greedy b
d" etc, but surely I can't be the worst out there. Can I?
Could any non-divorced fellow pistonheaders offer any words of wisdom or should I just cash in the lot and spend it on a nice Kia?
A V-strom 650 - reliable workhorse for plodding to work and back. Over 60 to the gallon and thrives on neglect.
GSXR 750 - An old one but a good one. Hardly worth selling as it only owes me a couple of bags. Used for the odd blast now and then.
Subaru type r - Owned it for eight or nine years and have spent far too much time and money on it to ever consider selling it. Didn't turn a wheel last year but plan to get some fun out of it next year. There's a few quid tied up in it but doubt I'd get a fraction of it back so again, not worth selling.
A4 tdi quattro - sensible family transport. Nice enough but pretty forgettable.
But here's the thing - I think I need another car.
I've commuted by motorbike for years now but think this may be my last winter. I fancy chopping in the V-strom, taking the cash and buying a cheap and cheerless hatchback to take on the commute. My thinking is that it won't really cost anything as I'm just rolling the money from the bike sale over and the real genius is it'll keep miles off the Audi saving fuel, tyres, servicing etc.
Only problem is SWMBO says enough is enough, "greedy b
d" etc, but surely I can't be the worst out there. Can I? Could any non-divorced fellow pistonheaders offer any words of wisdom or should I just cash in the lot and spend it on a nice Kia?
3 cars (we did have 5 at one point 
) and 2 bikes between us.
My Triumph Bonneville, his Honda Shadow, my Chimaera, his Boxster and our Jaaaag XJ. Bikes for fun, 2 seaters for fun and spare when we don't commute together in the Jaaag.
So really we only need the one car, but sod that for a game of soldiers! My suggestion: have a look on the bargainous barge thread for a commuter. Once you have barged, you will never go back!
Trace
) and 2 bikes between us.My Triumph Bonneville, his Honda Shadow, my Chimaera, his Boxster and our Jaaaag XJ. Bikes for fun, 2 seaters for fun and spare when we don't commute together in the Jaaag.
So really we only need the one car, but sod that for a game of soldiers! My suggestion: have a look on the bargainous barge thread for a commuter. Once you have barged, you will never go back!
Trace
Surely the cost of running another car would be worse than putting the extra miles on the Audi, they are built for it?
I can't talk, up to seven cars and a lawnmower but only three on the road plus one on track. The other three are "projects" (mini, princess and one of the Locosts). In fairness I didn't buy the projects; Ok I did the Locost but off myself at auction when I didn't mean to own it in the first place...
Going to trim the fleet. One day.
I can't talk, up to seven cars and a lawnmower but only three on the road plus one on track. The other three are "projects" (mini, princess and one of the Locosts). In fairness I didn't buy the projects; Ok I did the Locost but off myself at auction when I didn't mean to own it in the first place...
Going to trim the fleet. One day.
I can't really justify mine if im honest. The girlfriend and i are supposed to be saving for our house deposit.
She has a '10 plate 1.2 Corsa.... i have a 147GTA, Golf GT TDi, ZX10R ninja and a ZX6R.
I conceded that its not really fair, so ive decided to sell the GTA. However its not actually advertised anywhere.
Stephen.
She has a '10 plate 1.2 Corsa.... i have a 147GTA, Golf GT TDi, ZX10R ninja and a ZX6R.
I conceded that its not really fair, so ive decided to sell the GTA. However its not actually advertised anywhere.
Stephen.
Scottish_ninja said:
I can't really justify mine if im honest. The girlfriend and i are supposed to be saving for our house deposit.
She has a '10 plate 1.2 Corsa.... i have a 147GTA, Golf GT TDi, ZX10R ninja and a ZX6R.
I conceded that its not really fair, so ive decided to sell the GTA. However its not actually advertised anywhere.
Stephen.
Sell the Golf and keep the GTA, it will be easier to sell and easier to part with.She has a '10 plate 1.2 Corsa.... i have a 147GTA, Golf GT TDi, ZX10R ninja and a ZX6R.
I conceded that its not really fair, so ive decided to sell the GTA. However its not actually advertised anywhere.
Stephen.
I was just discussing this earlier this evening.
Earlier this year I had an Audi A8 (4.2 Quattro) and a Mazda MX5. Quite simply the perfect fleet for hoonage and civilised barging.
Sadly, I live right in the centre of Bristol with no allocated parking, and the on-street non-permit parking is a trek away, therefore I have to rent an underground space for £110-£130PCM. Due to a meddling tosspot of a neighbour I also lost my on-street permit so had to go down to one car.
The only limiting factor on me is space- MX5 was only £150/year to insure. But sadly space is the limiter, so now I have one car
Earlier this year I had an Audi A8 (4.2 Quattro) and a Mazda MX5. Quite simply the perfect fleet for hoonage and civilised barging.
Sadly, I live right in the centre of Bristol with no allocated parking, and the on-street non-permit parking is a trek away, therefore I have to rent an underground space for £110-£130PCM. Due to a meddling tosspot of a neighbour I also lost my on-street permit so had to go down to one car.
The only limiting factor on me is space- MX5 was only £150/year to insure. But sadly space is the limiter, so now I have one car
Justify no
8 cars & 1 motorbike (a few are in project status)
But I don't need or have to justify it or them
I'm a petrol head and the other half isn't (actually she can't drive even though one of the cars is always technically hers) but she's never been short of a driver and a car to travel in so she doesn't complain.
I think 5 would be a better number so my new years resolution will be to slim the fleet a bit
Edited to add
BMW E38 740 Auto - Daily and tow car duties T,T & Insured
Merc SLK 230 6 spd Man - "her" daily T,T & Insured
Lotus Carlton 6 spd Man - Summer car - European Jaunts etc (SORN)
Opel Monza 3.0 24V 5 spd Man - Track Car (needs trailering)
Opel Monza 3.0 12V 5 spd Man - Ex Rally Car - resto in progress (Predates SORN)
Opel Monza 3.0 12V 5 spd Man - Donor for above.
Opel Commodore 2.5 12V 4 spd Man - Purchased as the next track car when the Monza Dies (Predates SORN)
Mitsi FTO 2.0 V6 non Mivec 5 spd Man - SORN
So I can get down to six by selling FTO and once the parts needed for the Rally Car are off the Donor Monza I can weigh in the rest and I'm down to six but getting down to five will be a tough decision
8 cars & 1 motorbike (a few are in project status)
But I don't need or have to justify it or them
I'm a petrol head and the other half isn't (actually she can't drive even though one of the cars is always technically hers) but she's never been short of a driver and a car to travel in so she doesn't complain.
I think 5 would be a better number so my new years resolution will be to slim the fleet a bit
Edited to add
BMW E38 740 Auto - Daily and tow car duties T,T & Insured
Merc SLK 230 6 spd Man - "her" daily T,T & Insured
Lotus Carlton 6 spd Man - Summer car - European Jaunts etc (SORN)
Opel Monza 3.0 24V 5 spd Man - Track Car (needs trailering)
Opel Monza 3.0 12V 5 spd Man - Ex Rally Car - resto in progress (Predates SORN)
Opel Monza 3.0 12V 5 spd Man - Donor for above.
Opel Commodore 2.5 12V 4 spd Man - Purchased as the next track car when the Monza Dies (Predates SORN)
Mitsi FTO 2.0 V6 non Mivec 5 spd Man - SORN
So I can get down to six by selling FTO and once the parts needed for the Rally Car are off the Donor Monza I can weigh in the rest and I'm down to six but getting down to five will be a tough decision
Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 7th December 15:25
Three or so years ag we were up to five cars but that got trimmed down - it was getting mad. And I only have a single garage - albeit a big one.
If I had a double (or more - and more parking space off the road, I'd quite easily have half a dozen sitting about, under tarps, havng work done, on axle stands etc - it's just the way I like 'em.
And an old GT550 Suzuki or something, just to ride in the summer.
If I had a double (or more - and more parking space off the road, I'd quite easily have half a dozen sitting about, under tarps, havng work done, on axle stands etc - it's just the way I like 'em.
And an old GT550 Suzuki or something, just to ride in the summer.
I end up doing the dreaded calculations, tax, insurance, mot (being the worst on older cars), bits and bobs that go wrong etc and see how much it costs every year, then month, then week and get pangs of guilt. The guilt actually makes the ownership of a toy less fun and I suppose I find it hard to justify having a second car mainly for that reason, not that I wouldn't mind one again. Maybe when I've built my garage/workshop it will be easier to have something I can lock the door on for a few months if work dries up etc, nothing worse than seeing your p&j rotting away outside because you cant get it under cover or get the time to work on it.
My main problem is, and I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this, it's hard to have your daily as your hobby car, at least when I was a youngster I could mess about with my only car and could always borrow my parents car if I couldn't get mine running right but things have changed. I reckon every bloke needs some sort of additional car to tinker with, it's no good messing around with your only mode of transport when you need to jump in it to use it the next day. I'd much rather be in the garage working on my car rather than on a forum talking about that, but it's the next best alternative.
My main problem is, and I am sure I am not the only one who thinks this, it's hard to have your daily as your hobby car, at least when I was a youngster I could mess about with my only car and could always borrow my parents car if I couldn't get mine running right but things have changed. I reckon every bloke needs some sort of additional car to tinker with, it's no good messing around with your only mode of transport when you need to jump in it to use it the next day. I'd much rather be in the garage working on my car rather than on a forum talking about that, but it's the next best alternative.
The question is why do you have to justify it? If you feel the need to justify it to yourself then you dont need to because its obvious you need to sell some cars. If you cant really afford it and money needs to go to other things then no you cant justify it.
I can understand people having 2 cars especially if they're very different to each other but having 4 or 5 similar cars makes little sense to me personally. But this comes back to the 'ideal car' thread that no car can do everything, ok theres plenty which give it a go but the question here is if you could only keep one of them then which one?
I can understand people having 2 cars especially if they're very different to each other but having 4 or 5 similar cars makes little sense to me personally. But this comes back to the 'ideal car' thread that no car can do everything, ok theres plenty which give it a go but the question here is if you could only keep one of them then which one?
dmulally said:
I have quite a few cars and bikes but I cant justify the temperature of my urine in dealing with the public when selling them so I dont.
I forgot about that aspect of selling a car, it's about seven years since I last did so. In particular one time waster who came to see the MR2 umming and ahhing about the price before going away. What really annoyed me was he came back a few days later wandering all over my daffodils despite me asking him not to then made a silly offer. I sold the car for £1000 more than he offered. Complete waste of time and flowers.Can't really justify our Fleet other than to say I'm a Petrolhead and they are my big boys and I like playing with them. That said, after tomorrow when I get another Alpina it will be a one-out, one-in policy.
2011 BMW 530d (wife's Company car)
2004 Audi S4 Cab (wife's toy)
2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (daily driver)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (new project from tomorrow)
1985 BMW M635CSi (my toy)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (old project, last 14 years)
2011 BMW 530d (wife's Company car)
2004 Audi S4 Cab (wife's toy)
2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring (daily driver)
1995 Alpina B10 4.6 Touring (new project from tomorrow)
1985 BMW M635CSi (my toy)
1982 BMW 635CSiA (old project, last 14 years)
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T - rebuilding engine taking out to 7.7 litres, 6 speed gearbox fitted
1982 E21 BMW 323i - first car ever bought, currently undergoing rennovation with Getrag 226 6 spped gearbox, Z3M rear torsen diff and suspension, 2.7 litre engine etc
1995 Porsche 993 Turbo- low mileage original
2000 Jaguar XJR - a car I was involved in performance development of
2003 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi quad cab- truck for winter, going off road, hauling and camping
1993 W124 Mercedes 400E- car for the wife
1993 Buick Roadmaster with small block 5.7- originally bought for the wife-car soon to go
1998 Chevy Lumina- wifes old car, rusty with leaky petrol tank- soon to be scrapped
See- I've justified all of them
My wife is worse than me and wants to buy a BMW E24 6 series, I told her I won't settle for a 12 valve but only the M 24 valve motor and they're out of our price range
She also loves the Jaguar XJC coupe from the 70s
and the Rover P6 (for some reason)
1982 E21 BMW 323i - first car ever bought, currently undergoing rennovation with Getrag 226 6 spped gearbox, Z3M rear torsen diff and suspension, 2.7 litre engine etc
1995 Porsche 993 Turbo- low mileage original
2000 Jaguar XJR - a car I was involved in performance development of
2003 Dodge Ram 5.7 Hemi quad cab- truck for winter, going off road, hauling and camping
1993 W124 Mercedes 400E- car for the wife
1993 Buick Roadmaster with small block 5.7- originally bought for the wife-car soon to go
1998 Chevy Lumina- wifes old car, rusty with leaky petrol tank- soon to be scrapped
See- I've justified all of them
My wife is worse than me and wants to buy a BMW E24 6 series, I told her I won't settle for a 12 valve but only the M 24 valve motor and they're out of our price range
She also loves the Jaguar XJC coupe from the 70s
and the Rover P6 (for some reason)
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