What car do I want/need?

[Garett]

I've been running my Volvo S60 D5 for 3 years now and have covered over 60,000 miles. Its getting on a bit now and although its been used an abused for the workhorse it is, I know its a decent reliable car as I've looked after it like many a fastidious PH'er does. I've been thinking of getting a 2nd car for around a year, something in the region of £2k-£4k, something like a Clio 182 for B road blasts and the odd track day.

On the other hand I could just sell the Volvo and get 1 car to do everything. I've been looking at the Golf Mk5 GTI/Skoda Octavia VRS TFSI both of which I quite fancy but part of me knows they possibly won't be as good as the Volvo for the commute, although they would be considerably quicker and more involving to drive when I want them to be.

So, keep the Volvo and buy a toy, max £4k.
or
Sell the Volvo and buy an all rounder for £6.5k

Costs over the year work out roughly the same. No kids so practicality doesn't matter, I do 22k per year so MPG matters to a certain extent, Volvo currently averages 42mpg.

Can anyone offer advise for/against as I don't know what I want.

Thanks

[wemorgan]

"keep the Volvo and buy a toy, max £4k."

buy a Clio, MX5 for those B-road runs and track days

[Mashedpotatoes]

One with bigger bumpers ;)

[Garett]

Mashedpotatoes said:

One with bigger bumpers ;)

Is it worth owning a 2nd car if I'm only going to drive it once a week?

[JamesD1]

this is a hard question as you will be paying 2 lots of tax n mot to have a car sitting. i personally am of the believe that you should have 1 car and make the best of both worlds (compromise). i personally would avoid any wallowy hatchback as they are very boring, they have straight line speed but no cornering ability what so ever.

go for a proper hot hatch if your gonna do it, or a sports saloon.

[Garett]

Yep this is my internal battle at the moment. 2nd lot of tax and insurance getting used once a week or spend more on fuel and depreciation on a hot hatch.

Do you consider the VAG stuff as wallowy hatches? I like the Suzuki Swift Sports but they aren't that quick and my commute is 80 miles a day of mainly motorway and dual carriageway.

[wemorgan]

Ask yourself, which hot hatch is special enough to you that you'll pick up the keys and just go for a drive on a Sunday morning for the pure please of it. Then also think how nice that car would be on the occasional track day.

My personal answer is that most FWD hot hatches that are good at everyday driving lack that extra enjoyment for Sunday blasts and track days. Others will disagree for sure, but it's just my view.

[The Big G]

A firm believer here of the two car policy instead of a jack of all trades, master of none.

As has been said before, you have the Volvo for practical stuff and commuting. You need something entirely different for your fun car, somthing like the good old PH favourite the MX5, a TVR S Series or a classic of some sort. Doesn't need to be expensive, the key is for it to be different to your daily , and more importantly, FUN! It needs to put a smile on your face when you look at it, even more so when driving it. Just remember than fun doesnt always mean fast though.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about two lots of tax as its really not that much. Insurance generally would be more, but can be hugely offset if you can find something that you can get on a classic or specialist policy.

Edit due spelling

Edited by The Big G on Saturday 8th February 13:24

[Hell27]

For 6.5k you could get a nice mk5 GTi or Focus ST.
Or MX5 new ushers, Older S2000 or Boxster S.

Or try a 330d late model e46?

[Garett]

I am struggling to get decent insurance quotes for a 2nd car, even with a mileage curb of 5k p.a. The cheapest I have had so far is around the £700 mark for a 'modified' policy. I've had quotes for all sorts, 205 GTi, Saab 900 turbo, Corrado VR6, MR2 Mk3, Clio 182.

Hell27 said:

For 6.5k you could get a nice mk5 GTi or Focus ST.
Or MX5 new ushers, Older S2000 or Boxster S.

Or try a 330d late model e46?

I have looked at the Mk5 Gti and the Octavia VRS as it offers better value, don't like the looks of the Leon. Is it the sort of car I'll want to take on track days and for blasts out though? Focus ST too juicy for my mileage.
I have driven an MX5 and though it handled well that was about it.
S2000 are cracking a close friend has one so I've driven it quite a bit, not sure ifthe MPG would be good ebough for an only car for me. I'd have a Boxter over the Honda if it wasn't for the potentially scary bills.
330d, nice but too similar to the Volvo, i.e Diesel!

[The Big G]

With a mileage of 5k max have a look at specialist classic insurer's, they should mirror your no claims not make you start again. Pick something with a strong owners scene and it will help too, ie mgbgt, mx5 tvt s series etc. Try a quote on the s, lots of forum members are insuring theirs for only a couple of hundred. Do you have a garage to store it in, that can really help with classic policy's but isn't always required.

Good luck

[Matthen]

Get a multicar quote. Often works out considerably less expensive

[blearyeyedboy]

I own a TFSI Octavia and love it, but I think it'll disappoint compared to your 2 car option.

If you are going to get one, you'll get a much better Octavia for £6k compared to a Golf. Golf GTi's at that budget tend to have lived a harder life.

[jamieduff1981]

I'm a 2 car guy as well. Well, no, 4 actually. I need a lot of variety. It matters not how capable any one car is, I need variety. That also allows you to buy a car that's better at being a daily driver and one that's better at being an event to drive.

If you go the Starship Compromise route, you'll have something too heavy to be fun on twisty roads, too thirsty for daily use, too harsh for daily use whilst too soft for a B-road blast. Too noisy to drive tired and too quiet to put a grin on your face. It'll be lacking in space inside for running typical errands yet be nothing inspiring to look at on a sunny day when you wish it was a bit more special.

Try Manning UK for a hypothetical TVR S quote. They'll mirror your daily driver NCD, have no problem with modifications and like owners' club members. My Cerbera on an agreed value policy is <£400/year with them.

[Garett]

If I could find an insurer who could mirror my no claims I'd be well happy and it'd open up my options a bit more car choice wise. Unfortunately I have no garage (although I've applied to the housing association who own them round here) and the car will be parked on the road/public car park. When I spoke to companies like Footman James a garage was essential for a classic policy in this area.

Some very valid points being made here, 2 cars could be the way forward.

[The Big G]

With a mileage of 5k max have a look at specialist classic insurer's, they should mirror your no claims not make you start again. Pick something with a strong owners scene and it will help too, ie mgbgt, mx5 tvt s series etc. Try a quote on the s, lots of forum members are insuring theirs for only a couple of hundred. Do you have a garage to store it in, that can really help with classic policy's but isn't always required.

Good luck

[Garett]

Still trying to find a reasonable quote, I've tried some of the suggestions on here so thanks to those people who gave me names.

Based on a Clio 182, kept on the road overnight, mileage 4k, I'm 29, 1 fault accident, 0 NCB (9 on the Volvo), Oldham postcode (although I rarely go near the place and where I live is a small rural town)

Priciest - £3800
Cheapest - £689

Still more than I'm prepared to pay, still I have a list of others to try tomorrow so all is not lost.

[Garett]

I did indeed go the 2 car route (well 3 if you include the van) and now own a very nice little MX5. Thanks for everyones advice, some of these what car threads do actually reach a conclusion!

[blearyeyedboy]

Bravo! Glad to hear it!