How do you know when it's time to move on?
Discussion
Hi everyone, a conversation with my girlfriend prompted me to start this thread.
For the last couple of months I've been browsing various classifieds just having a look what's out there for the same money as my car. The answer is surprisingly a lot. Now i'm sure we all enjoy a browse, but then I moved house and my insurance shot up and I felt a sudden urge to sell. I got good quotes on various cars that I liked the look of, did a bit of research on them, and have been watching the classifieds for them.
So my car has been up for sale for a week and I've had a few enquiries, compliments, etc. None of the dregs or timewasters yet, fortunately. But every day I was coming home and looking at my car and feeling sad. And when my girlfriend would ask me if i've settled on a car that I like, I couldn't really give an answer. There is only one alternative that I really want, and I have arrangements to go and view it, but last night I realised that I'm really not sure whether to sell or not. Even the car that I think I want to replace it with, is just not as special. I always idolised my car, since discovering them in Gran Turismo at the tender age of 9/10. So although it's no Porsche, to get myself one was an achievement I am still proud of.
So i'm torn. Part of me thinks it's a good time to experience something new. We had some good times in the '2, and we can always come back to another one - maybe even the turbo, which i'd love. But then I think about how much work I've put in to her, better the devil you know, the journeys we've made...One of my best drives in the '2 was down to Bexhill, with the roof off on some beautiful, empty roads. Grabbing eyes down on the seafront, with the sunlight dancing on the bonnet.
My girlfriends says if i'm still not sure at this point then I should just stick with it and take the insurance on the chin. But is it better to let go while things are still good? One thing I am adamant about, is I will only sell to the right person. But maybe this is just me finding excuses not to sell...
Who has let a car go, and then realised it was not time? Has anybody ever felt this sort of connection with a car? Or did any of you let a car go, just in the nick of time (engine went pop after sale etc)?
Really interested in others' perspectives here.
Edit:
Just to add as I know people will ask, these are the cars i'm considering trying next:
MG ZS 180 (V6)
MG ZR 160 - very cheap to insure
Honda Prelude Mk5 2.2
Mazda RX8
Toyota Celica 2004-
Ford Puma 1.7
Clio 172
For the last couple of months I've been browsing various classifieds just having a look what's out there for the same money as my car. The answer is surprisingly a lot. Now i'm sure we all enjoy a browse, but then I moved house and my insurance shot up and I felt a sudden urge to sell. I got good quotes on various cars that I liked the look of, did a bit of research on them, and have been watching the classifieds for them.
So my car has been up for sale for a week and I've had a few enquiries, compliments, etc. None of the dregs or timewasters yet, fortunately. But every day I was coming home and looking at my car and feeling sad. And when my girlfriend would ask me if i've settled on a car that I like, I couldn't really give an answer. There is only one alternative that I really want, and I have arrangements to go and view it, but last night I realised that I'm really not sure whether to sell or not. Even the car that I think I want to replace it with, is just not as special. I always idolised my car, since discovering them in Gran Turismo at the tender age of 9/10. So although it's no Porsche, to get myself one was an achievement I am still proud of.
So i'm torn. Part of me thinks it's a good time to experience something new. We had some good times in the '2, and we can always come back to another one - maybe even the turbo, which i'd love. But then I think about how much work I've put in to her, better the devil you know, the journeys we've made...One of my best drives in the '2 was down to Bexhill, with the roof off on some beautiful, empty roads. Grabbing eyes down on the seafront, with the sunlight dancing on the bonnet.
My girlfriends says if i'm still not sure at this point then I should just stick with it and take the insurance on the chin. But is it better to let go while things are still good? One thing I am adamant about, is I will only sell to the right person. But maybe this is just me finding excuses not to sell...
Who has let a car go, and then realised it was not time? Has anybody ever felt this sort of connection with a car? Or did any of you let a car go, just in the nick of time (engine went pop after sale etc)?
Really interested in others' perspectives here.
Edit:
Just to add as I know people will ask, these are the cars i'm considering trying next:
MG ZS 180 (V6)
MG ZR 160 - very cheap to insure
Honda Prelude Mk5 2.2
Mazda RX8
Toyota Celica 2004-
Ford Puma 1.7
Clio 172
Edited by danjama on Sunday 30th March 11:07
I move on when I am sick of putting petrol in or dislike cleaning it/doing little jobs on it.
I like my cars, I get fond of them, but there is no emotional attachment for me, its not special, its mass produced and common.
A classic would be different but there is not time in my life for one right now.
I like my cars, I get fond of them, but there is no emotional attachment for me, its not special, its mass produced and common.
A classic would be different but there is not time in my life for one right now.
I posted a thread on here about going back to a type of car I once owned which I sold too soon.
Its a difficult thing. The older I get, the less important it is that I have to drive the latest spec model. I have kept two cars for longer than I would normaly because I liked them - and in one case loved it.
Sadly cars are big things and I don't own a massive barn, so unlike a watch or something else of value - be that monetary or sentimental - I can't hoard cars though I do my best.
Sometimes with a car, its a nice thing, you get itchy feet and fancy a change. Sometimes there is just a feeling its no longer the car for you anymore.
I sold an old V6 MG ZT-T the other month. I only had it a short time, partly because I had need of a big cheap estate, partly because I always liked them, partly because I wanted to say I had owned a 6 cylinder car. It was a good car, not mint, but very nice. I really had to sell it, but yesterday I saw a very nice ZT and got pangs or regret - this while sitting behind the wheel of a much better much more expensive and newish car.
Other cars, though I liked them I am fine with not having. My 2011 MX-5 was nice, but I didn't think twice about getting rid of it when I wanted something else.
I'd keep your car for a bit - a few months. See how you feel then. The cars you want will always be out there. Why rush things if you are not sure?
Its a difficult thing. The older I get, the less important it is that I have to drive the latest spec model. I have kept two cars for longer than I would normaly because I liked them - and in one case loved it.
Sadly cars are big things and I don't own a massive barn, so unlike a watch or something else of value - be that monetary or sentimental - I can't hoard cars though I do my best.
Sometimes with a car, its a nice thing, you get itchy feet and fancy a change. Sometimes there is just a feeling its no longer the car for you anymore.
I sold an old V6 MG ZT-T the other month. I only had it a short time, partly because I had need of a big cheap estate, partly because I always liked them, partly because I wanted to say I had owned a 6 cylinder car. It was a good car, not mint, but very nice. I really had to sell it, but yesterday I saw a very nice ZT and got pangs or regret - this while sitting behind the wheel of a much better much more expensive and newish car.
Other cars, though I liked them I am fine with not having. My 2011 MX-5 was nice, but I didn't think twice about getting rid of it when I wanted something else.
I'd keep your car for a bit - a few months. See how you feel then. The cars you want will always be out there. Why rush things if you are not sure?
Edited by wildcat45 on Sunday 30th March 13:34
I toyed with moving on, thinking of selling my E46 328i for a Mini Cooper JCW. The clincher was getting back in my own car after a test drive and thinking "ahh, this is a bit more like it".
Have a look at some, then see how your car feels afterwards. Sometimes it opens your eyes to what you could be enjoying, sometimes it makes you realise the grass is actually very green where you are
Have a look at some, then see how your car feels afterwards. Sometimes it opens your eyes to what you could be enjoying, sometimes it makes you realise the grass is actually very green where you are
Now you've said it I think a few test drives will give me a clue if it's time to change or not. I'll get some shortlisted and give a call.
I don't feel sick of doing jobs on it or cleaning it - last week I spent 2 hours pampering it and will probably do the same again later if the sun is out. But it makes sense to change now if i'm going to - she needs nothing done, 6 months tax and test. Best to sell when there's no more expense and the buyer has a good motor to take off your hands.
I definitely don't feel like it's not the car for me...just that it would be nice to try something different. We all feel like this i'm sure, as we all love cars. But I keep looking out the window and feeling this regret before it's even gone! It's hard to tell how much is nostalgia and how much is genuine want for the car.
Can't imagine moving on from an Elise would be easy.
And those ZT-T's look good too!
clarkmagpie, how exactly did you know it was the right time to move on?
I don't feel sick of doing jobs on it or cleaning it - last week I spent 2 hours pampering it and will probably do the same again later if the sun is out. But it makes sense to change now if i'm going to - she needs nothing done, 6 months tax and test. Best to sell when there's no more expense and the buyer has a good motor to take off your hands.
I definitely don't feel like it's not the car for me...just that it would be nice to try something different. We all feel like this i'm sure, as we all love cars. But I keep looking out the window and feeling this regret before it's even gone! It's hard to tell how much is nostalgia and how much is genuine want for the car.
Can't imagine moving on from an Elise would be easy.
And those ZT-T's look good too!
clarkmagpie, how exactly did you know it was the right time to move on?
I took my integrale off the road to restore and bought a V8 Mercedes to, sort of replace. I had severe withdrawal symptoms and had to sell the Mercedes and buy another integrale. The first integrale eventually perforated away 
I now have an Elise alongside the integrale. My emotional attachment to the Elise is very strong. If I had to choose between the two it would be tough.
I now have an Elise alongside the integrale. My emotional attachment to the Elise is very strong. If I had to choose between the two it would be tough.
How do the Elise and Integrale compare? I imagine they're completely different to drive and probably compliment each other quite well?
Yeah, part of my logic for selling is that it's 'just an old mr2' but i've been attached to it since day 1 and in all fairness it's a really tidy example thanks to a recent respray. But then as you say there will always be tidy examples. The question is, how will values adapt as crap examples die and tidy examples thrive. That said, value is not even a factor in my decision to be honest. I'm not thinking that far ahead. I'm sure there will be nice mr2's about for a while yet.
Yeah, part of my logic for selling is that it's 'just an old mr2' but i've been attached to it since day 1 and in all fairness it's a really tidy example thanks to a recent respray. But then as you say there will always be tidy examples. The question is, how will values adapt as crap examples die and tidy examples thrive. That said, value is not even a factor in my decision to be honest. I'm not thinking that far ahead. I'm sure there will be nice mr2's about for a while yet.
I'm not sure I can pinpoint exactly when or how I knew, I just did!
I'd start taking the griff or the gtv to work instead of the Elise.
The wife started refusing to drive it.
And I lost the will to keep it clean (it looked great filthy tho)
The Audi which replaced it gets washed every week and polished every month.
It doesn't turn heads like the lotus but gets an appreciating nod off petrol heads
I'd start taking the griff or the gtv to work instead of the Elise.
The wife started refusing to drive it.
And I lost the will to keep it clean (it looked great filthy tho)
The Audi which replaced it gets washed every week and polished every month.
It doesn't turn heads like the lotus but gets an appreciating nod off petrol heads
danjama said:
One thing I am adamant about, is I will only sell to the right person. But maybe this is just me finding excuses not to sell...
This.The right person is someone who pays for it. End of.
You are not interviewing for a flat mate.
Just sell it. Life is too short to spend in one car.
Escy said:
I don't want this to sound harsh but it's an old MR2, probably worth around £1,500 if you're lucky. It's not exactly a hard car to replace if you want another. There are thousands of them knocking around.
Sell it, try something else.
Have you tried finding a decent mk2 MR2? So many barried, rusty or bent cars out there, especially at £1500 or below.Sell it, try something else.
I replaced my mk2 MR2 with my Elise. I also had an MX5 turbo at the time. 6 years later I still have the Elise and I've replaced the MX5 with an E36. I still miss the MR2.
There are loads of cars I've driven that I've really loved, but there aren't many that suit me as well as the MR2 did.
I thought this was going to be about lady friends.
I was all set to suggest it was time when they no longer desperately wanted your body twice a night every night.
Cars, I just keep them until they die. My 1986 Toyota Cressida with 377,000Km is still with me, but only used around the paddocks these days.
I was all set to suggest it was time when they no longer desperately wanted your body twice a night every night.
Cars, I just keep them until they die. My 1986 Toyota Cressida with 377,000Km is still with me, but only used around the paddocks these days.
[quote=danjama]How do the Elise and Integrale compare? I imagine they're completely different to drive and probably compliment each other quite well?
quote]
They both tackle corners incredibly well. The integrale has the power advantage but the Elise is so rigid on the road it has no problem keeping up. Both of the cars have brilliant steering characteristics and feedback, which for me, is the most important part of driving. Both are an event to drive and probably attract a similar amount of attention, they were pretty much direct/undirect competitors and similarly priced. In poor conditions the Lancia is fabulous and is very easy to control, I've never felt so secure with a car, you can play with it in any condition and it never scares you. The Lotus on the other hand, well, is presently in the coachworks receiving a new front clam!
Both are keepers. I'm a true Lancia nut and the Lotus was bought for other reasons, (fairly new, the roof comes off and its good on mpg). I didn't realise how much I would enjoy owning it. The looks have really grown on me and the driving experience is better than I could have ever expected, and it only has 134 bhp.
quote]
They both tackle corners incredibly well. The integrale has the power advantage but the Elise is so rigid on the road it has no problem keeping up. Both of the cars have brilliant steering characteristics and feedback, which for me, is the most important part of driving. Both are an event to drive and probably attract a similar amount of attention, they were pretty much direct/undirect competitors and similarly priced. In poor conditions the Lancia is fabulous and is very easy to control, I've never felt so secure with a car, you can play with it in any condition and it never scares you. The Lotus on the other hand, well, is presently in the coachworks receiving a new front clam!
Both are keepers. I'm a true Lancia nut and the Lotus was bought for other reasons, (fairly new, the roof comes off and its good on mpg). I didn't realise how much I would enjoy owning it. The looks have really grown on me and the driving experience is better than I could have ever expected, and it only has 134 bhp.
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