Cars that got away!
Discussion
Just sat here trying to reach a decision on what to replace the XKR with in September and I got thinking about all the cars over the years that I've obsessed about but not owned due to finance.
Now I could afford any of them but I wouldn't buy them because they are now too outdated. I feel I've missed out on some wonderful cars!
My list as follows:
Ferrari 308 GTB
Ferrari 355 Berlinetta
Ferrari 360
Lotus Esprit V8
Maserati 3200/4200
What's yours?!
Now I could afford any of them but I wouldn't buy them because they are now too outdated. I feel I've missed out on some wonderful cars!
My list as follows:
Ferrari 308 GTB
Ferrari 355 Berlinetta
Ferrari 360
Lotus Esprit V8
Maserati 3200/4200
What's yours?!
Sierra RS Cosworth.
I was all set to buy a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth in late 2011. Cash on standby, and with a viewing arranged. That was, until I spoke to some friends of mine, ex and serving traffic cops, who thought it a bad idea.
I came to realise that I'd always sleep with one eye open, knowing that two were pinched in summer 2011 from an affluent area a 5 minute drive from my parent's house. Never to been again, and likely stripped for parts. Knowing that every time I parked it at Tesco to do the shopping, I'd be wondering if it would still be there when I got out, or if it would have been stolen or screwed.
And having no garage, would I see it rust away before my eyes?
Funny, it is my dream car and at the time I had fully rationalised a plan to buy one. Even had the insurance on side for the eventuality that I bought it. I thought long and hard about it, and then thought again. I ended up changing my mind and buying an MR2 Turbo that was a hoot.
I've been back in the position to buy one again. I could save for a couple of months, sell my 106 Rallye and rent a local garage a couple of minutes walk from my house to store it in. For whatever reason, despite my unending lust for them, I just don't feel the desire to put myself through that. I'm quite content with my car at the moment, but even when I was thinking of selling my last car (which was admittedly more of a rush than I had hoped, for circumstances beyond my control), I wasn't trawling the Sierra Cosworth adverts looking at them.
I was all set to buy a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth in late 2011. Cash on standby, and with a viewing arranged. That was, until I spoke to some friends of mine, ex and serving traffic cops, who thought it a bad idea.
I came to realise that I'd always sleep with one eye open, knowing that two were pinched in summer 2011 from an affluent area a 5 minute drive from my parent's house. Never to been again, and likely stripped for parts. Knowing that every time I parked it at Tesco to do the shopping, I'd be wondering if it would still be there when I got out, or if it would have been stolen or screwed.
And having no garage, would I see it rust away before my eyes?
Funny, it is my dream car and at the time I had fully rationalised a plan to buy one. Even had the insurance on side for the eventuality that I bought it. I thought long and hard about it, and then thought again. I ended up changing my mind and buying an MR2 Turbo that was a hoot.
I've been back in the position to buy one again. I could save for a couple of months, sell my 106 Rallye and rent a local garage a couple of minutes walk from my house to store it in. For whatever reason, despite my unending lust for them, I just don't feel the desire to put myself through that. I'm quite content with my car at the moment, but even when I was thinking of selling my last car (which was admittedly more of a rush than I had hoped, for circumstances beyond my control), I wasn't trawling the Sierra Cosworth adverts looking at them.
ryanjohnstott said:
Just sat here trying to reach a decision on what to replace the XKR with in September and I got thinking about all the cars over the years that I've obsessed about but not owned due to finance.
Now I could afford any of them but I wouldn't buy them because they are now too outdated. I feel I've missed out on some wonderful cars!
My list as follows:
Ferrari 308 GTB
Ferrari 355 Berlinetta
Ferrari 360
Lotus Esprit V8
Maserati 3200/4200
What's yours?!
I hope you don't mind me asking this question, but when you say "outdated" is it because you think the technology has moved on substantially from say the 360, or just that you're looking at them as being old fashioned, or worried about reliability and lack of warranties?Now I could afford any of them but I wouldn't buy them because they are now too outdated. I feel I've missed out on some wonderful cars!
My list as follows:
Ferrari 308 GTB
Ferrari 355 Berlinetta
Ferrari 360
Lotus Esprit V8
Maserati 3200/4200
What's yours?!
I'm interested in this because the opposite is now true for me, and I'm really struggling to understand why this is the case for me i.e. the cars I was fascinated by 10 or 20 years ago are all I want to own now, and have not really got excited by the current stuff out there at all
Leins said:
I hope you don't mind me asking this question, but when you say "outdated" is it because you think the technology has moved on substantially from say the 360, or just that you're looking at them as being old fashioned, or worried about reliability and lack of warranties?
I'm interested in this because the opposite is now true for me, and I'm really struggling to understand why this is the case for me i.e. the cars I was fascinated by 10 or 20 years ago are all I want to own now, and have not really got excited by the current stuff out there at all
When I say outdated I mean that the cars have usually been replaced by even better models and yes, I like the comfort of a nearly new car with main dealer warranty.I'm interested in this because the opposite is now true for me, and I'm really struggling to understand why this is the case for me i.e. the cars I was fascinated by 10 or 20 years ago are all I want to own now, and have not really got excited by the current stuff out there at all
The 360 is for me better looking than the 430 but its the 430 that I'm considering and even with that car I'm struggling to find main dealer cars because the 458 replaced the 430 some time ago.
I can't afford a 458 before you say it!
I know it's a little further down the exotica scale but I always wanted a Polo G40. Nearly bought one on a couple of occasions but it never quite happened. I'm sure I could afford one now if I could find one but I think I may be dissapointed these days. Think my taste and expectations have moved on.
I fear I'm about to do this with e30 BMW's. I could afford a decent 4 cylinder model and just afford the running costs but I couldn't keep it in a garage at night and prices are supposed to rise soon, so I could miss my chance to grab a bargain. Plus it wouldn't be the best option for running to uni... 
ryanjohnstott said:
When I say outdated I mean that the cars have usually been replaced by even better models and yes, I like the comfort of a nearly new car with main dealer warranty.
The 360 is for me better looking than the 430 but its the 430 that I'm considering and even with that car I'm struggling to find main dealer cars because the 458 replaced the 430 some time ago.
I can't afford a 458 before you say it!
There will always be newer better cars, this doesn't make the existing cars worse.The 360 is for me better looking than the 430 but its the 430 that I'm considering and even with that car I'm struggling to find main dealer cars because the 458 replaced the 430 some time ago.
I can't afford a 458 before you say it!
I'm still struggling with this, you like 360s, you can afford a 360, but you won't have one because you won't get a warranty?
Captain Muppet said:
There will always be newer better cars, this doesn't make the existing cars worse.
I'm still struggling with this, you like 360s, you can afford a 360, but you won't have one because you won't get a warranty?
Reliability! Newer main dealer cars tend not to break down very often! Irrespective of the money, it's annoying when cars go wrong and for me it spoils the ownership experience a little. Best I stay away from classic car ownership!I'm still struggling with this, you like 360s, you can afford a 360, but you won't have one because you won't get a warranty?
But I think the main reason for not buying these cars now is simply their age and my snobbery in only driving newish cars. Silly I know!
If they are on your wish list, you wont rest until you have had all of them at some time or another. ( If you are a petrolhead )
Just begin at the top of the list keep for 2 years then sell, ( with your list I would think you should at worst break even ) then buy the next one down, until you get to the bottom of the list.
Though you will probably add more to the list as you try this exercise.
If I had the money I would be doing precisely this.
Just think about all the smiles you will have "Driving the Dream"
Just begin at the top of the list keep for 2 years then sell, ( with your list I would think you should at worst break even ) then buy the next one down, until you get to the bottom of the list.
Though you will probably add more to the list as you try this exercise.
If I had the money I would be doing precisely this.
Just think about all the smiles you will have "Driving the Dream"
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