Toy or Do-It-All Daily?
Discussion
How do you indulge in your passion for cars? Do you have a do-it-all daily, a capable hot hatch that seats the kids in the back and the shopping in the boot, or do you skimp on the daily driver and save your passion for sunny days when you can unsheath your ultra-rare toy from the garage?
I have recently had a driveway reset in that I have sold both the toy and the daily driver, and currently share the wife's fast, capable but miserable diesel family SUV.
Historically, I've always pretty much maxed out on finance and had a nice hot-hatch on the drive. Just prior to lockdown, I decided to switch it up and get a sensible daily for my station commute (5-6k miles per year) and a silly weekend toy (500bhp EvoV). However, shifted both just as lockdown started, so I'm currently free and easy and I am agonising over my next car(s).
Do I buy one do-it-all car? Toy vs daily? How often will we be commuting in the post-lockdown world? It is driving me crazy, to the point where I'm considering a Renault Twingo versus a Nissan GTR and pretty much everything in between.
So, I'm curious, how does the Pistonhead World enjoy their cars? Do you drive something fun every day, or suffer something boring daily and keep the toy for the odd dry sunny day?
I have recently had a driveway reset in that I have sold both the toy and the daily driver, and currently share the wife's fast, capable but miserable diesel family SUV.
Historically, I've always pretty much maxed out on finance and had a nice hot-hatch on the drive. Just prior to lockdown, I decided to switch it up and get a sensible daily for my station commute (5-6k miles per year) and a silly weekend toy (500bhp EvoV). However, shifted both just as lockdown started, so I'm currently free and easy and I am agonising over my next car(s).
Do I buy one do-it-all car? Toy vs daily? How often will we be commuting in the post-lockdown world? It is driving me crazy, to the point where I'm considering a Renault Twingo versus a Nissan GTR and pretty much everything in between.
So, I'm curious, how does the Pistonhead World enjoy their cars? Do you drive something fun every day, or suffer something boring daily and keep the toy for the odd dry sunny day?
I’m incredibly poverty-spec in my choice of cars by PH standards - but I did something similar.
I sold my faithful MG ZT-T diesel, my VW Phaeton and my Mazda 3 MPS and chose to replace them all with an E61 530d.
This might seem mad, but it has the functionality of the ZT-T, (most) of the power of the MPS following a light remap and the comfort of the Phaeton (once the runflats were removed).
I don’t miss any of them too much - the ZT-T was an old friend so it’s odd not having it around, however in terms of functionality and surprising power when needed the 530d is a good compromise.
Anyway I’m waffling - in short, I did it and it’s worked out fine. The only downside was when the BMW broke, I didn’t have a spare car!
I hasten to add this change came about due to a reshuffling of finances as I sold my business - next year the mortgage is paid and I need to find something else to line the driveway with.
I sold my faithful MG ZT-T diesel, my VW Phaeton and my Mazda 3 MPS and chose to replace them all with an E61 530d.
This might seem mad, but it has the functionality of the ZT-T, (most) of the power of the MPS following a light remap and the comfort of the Phaeton (once the runflats were removed).
I don’t miss any of them too much - the ZT-T was an old friend so it’s odd not having it around, however in terms of functionality and surprising power when needed the 530d is a good compromise.
Anyway I’m waffling - in short, I did it and it’s worked out fine. The only downside was when the BMW broke, I didn’t have a spare car!
I hasten to add this change came about due to a reshuffling of finances as I sold my business - next year the mortgage is paid and I need to find something else to line the driveway with.
I do the same my searches jump new Defender to Porsche Panamera, E63s all sorts of stuff.
At the moment I have set myself on doing the less selfish thing of having something like my Range Rover to do the family stuff as well as it can be done (for us anyway) and save for something bonkers for me later.
At the moment I have set myself on doing the less selfish thing of having something like my Range Rover to do the family stuff as well as it can be done (for us anyway) and save for something bonkers for me later.
I sometimes wonder if it's worth even having a decent car. Today some young bint decided that my blue driver's side door would look so much better with a white Ford Ka scuff up it where she had obviously let her door wang open into mine whilst she was messing about getting in and out of her car.
I suppose the clue should have been the Big Mac carton on the dashboard alongside the open container of ketchup that she didn't give a monkeys about her own car let alone my pride and joy parked next to it.
This is what is also putting me off buying a new car currently, sometimes I think it'd be less hassle to just drive around in a reliable shed where you don't have to give a damn about who you park next to or where you park it!!!
I suppose the clue should have been the Big Mac carton on the dashboard alongside the open container of ketchup that she didn't give a monkeys about her own car let alone my pride and joy parked next to it.
This is what is also putting me off buying a new car currently, sometimes I think it'd be less hassle to just drive around in a reliable shed where you don't have to give a damn about who you park next to or where you park it!!!
I take the train into work (or did) so don't need a car to commute. But I have a young family so need something practical too.
I don't think one car can do it all and you will always yearn for what you don't have.
I have an aeroscreened and caged Caterham, modded Elise S1, old tweaked E36 BMW and a modded Forester STI.
All are toys really but I use the Subaru for family duties - it is small by modern SUV standards but it is fast enough, sounds good and is a laugh. I need a car I can enjoy when I have the family with me too - I don't buy having a dull daily/family wagon and something interesting you take out on sunny days. I need a fun, engaging car all the time.
The BMW is a fun, feelsome and joyous old thing. I use it for when I am on my own and need to park somewhere or have the family on board, no bikes etc and I want something with low limits. It is 24 years old so is in classic territory. Great road car.
The other two are just manic things - I do occasionally get up at 5am and have a couple of hours driving. Or I use them for trackdays and Eurohoons. .Saying that, I have just come in having been to the supermarket and did a week's shopping in the Seven.
They all get used, driven hard and enjoyed. There are very very few modern cars which I find remotely engaging and certainly not one that would cover all the bases I need a car for.
Gun to my head, if I absolutely had to have only one new car, it would probably be a BMW M2 Competition. Though that is something I would rather not do..
I don't think one car can do it all and you will always yearn for what you don't have.
I have an aeroscreened and caged Caterham, modded Elise S1, old tweaked E36 BMW and a modded Forester STI.
All are toys really but I use the Subaru for family duties - it is small by modern SUV standards but it is fast enough, sounds good and is a laugh. I need a car I can enjoy when I have the family with me too - I don't buy having a dull daily/family wagon and something interesting you take out on sunny days. I need a fun, engaging car all the time.
The BMW is a fun, feelsome and joyous old thing. I use it for when I am on my own and need to park somewhere or have the family on board, no bikes etc and I want something with low limits. It is 24 years old so is in classic territory. Great road car.
The other two are just manic things - I do occasionally get up at 5am and have a couple of hours driving. Or I use them for trackdays and Eurohoons. .Saying that, I have just come in having been to the supermarket and did a week's shopping in the Seven.
They all get used, driven hard and enjoyed. There are very very few modern cars which I find remotely engaging and certainly not one that would cover all the bases I need a car for.
Gun to my head, if I absolutely had to have only one new car, it would probably be a BMW M2 Competition. Though that is something I would rather not do..
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
I sometimes wonder if it's worth even having a decent car. Today some young bint decided that my blue driver's side door would look so much better with a white Ford Ka scuff up it where she had obviously let her door wang open into mine whilst she was messing about getting in and out of her car.
I suppose the clue should have been the Big Mac carton on the dashboard alongside the open container of ketchup that she didn't give a monkeys about her own car let alone my pride and joy parked next to it.
This is what is also putting me off buying a new car currently, sometimes I think it'd be less hassle to just drive around in a reliable shed where you don't have to give a damn about who you park next to or where you park it!!!
That sort of thing really pisses me off..I am careful when parking but reality is that using a car will see it getting some "patina"! I take care of my cars but use them properly - I don't spend all weekend cleaning them or keep them in a garage and do minimal mileage. They are used hard and if they get damaged or things break/wear out, I will repair them.I suppose the clue should have been the Big Mac carton on the dashboard alongside the open container of ketchup that she didn't give a monkeys about her own car let alone my pride and joy parked next to it.
This is what is also putting me off buying a new car currently, sometimes I think it'd be less hassle to just drive around in a reliable shed where you don't have to give a damn about who you park next to or where you park it!!!
Never been a fan of having pristine cars - it's more stress than enjoyment. And I don't give a crap about values either.
Yeah I’m a multiple cars for multiple task guy, two mk1 xc90’s, one for the wife and family and one for me as a comfy van and winter daily, e46 cab as summer daily, e30 325i for retro thrills, tuned spitfire for classic fun. I’m loving the combination and for the first time ever, I’m planning to stick with them and just tweak and fettle.
Plus a tipper and vw camper!
I think two or three cars is great if you have the space. I can’t imagine buying a new car, they just leave me colder with every passing update.
Plus a tipper and vw camper!
I think two or three cars is great if you have the space. I can’t imagine buying a new car, they just leave me colder with every passing update.
One car is never enough in my opinion. I've tried to restrict myself to two cars as a rule and am managing that just about with a bit of careful manoeuvring around what the wife drives too.
My current cars are R53 Mini Cooper S
Volvo V60 T4
The wife drives a first gen Mini Countryman.
I'm no Volvo fan basically but it serves as a useful load lugger and family car on longer trips and I want another toy for alongside the Mini which is practical ish but it also a toy.
The solution is to buy the wife a new Mini Countryman which is a step up in boot space so is more practical and if needed buy a roof box for family holidays then the Volvo will be sold and I can buy myself a toy for the garage. The R53 Mini will be my daily and occasional track car.
My current cars are R53 Mini Cooper S
Volvo V60 T4
The wife drives a first gen Mini Countryman.
I'm no Volvo fan basically but it serves as a useful load lugger and family car on longer trips and I want another toy for alongside the Mini which is practical ish but it also a toy.
The solution is to buy the wife a new Mini Countryman which is a step up in boot space so is more practical and if needed buy a roof box for family holidays then the Volvo will be sold and I can buy myself a toy for the garage. The R53 Mini will be my daily and occasional track car.
I'm another one that much prefers the more than one car approach. Have a Mercedes GLC350d for the practical/family stuff. A Mini Cooper S for nipping about/shopping, and a 370Z Roadster for fun/purely for pleasure driving.
I tried the one car do it all thing a few years ago with a E92 M3 and that didnt work for me, it just felt ordinary/normal very quickly to me. Others love the one car do it all thing though, so it is just what suits you best I reckon.
I tried the one car do it all thing a few years ago with a E92 M3 and that didnt work for me, it just felt ordinary/normal very quickly to me. Others love the one car do it all thing though, so it is just what suits you best I reckon.
Maybe look for a Volvo V70R or one of the Jap imports that are appearing, it goes to the dump, you can get 5 adults in it, more space in boot than most suv's, and if you want to be a hooligan from the lights?track day? it serves your needs whilst a wolf in sheep's clothing
Or one of those mad Merc estates/shooting brake things that growl beautifully?
Or one of those mad Merc estates/shooting brake things that growl beautifully?
I did try the couple of cars approach (had to have one in storage as we don't have the garage space) I found I wasn't using the weekend car as much as I thought I would, and didn't enjoy the daily driver I had..
I have an i8 now, which is a nice balance of performance for weekend blasts, and economical when I want it to with daily driving, no practicality though.. We use the OH's car for that.
I have an i8 now, which is a nice balance of performance for weekend blasts, and economical when I want it to with daily driving, no practicality though.. We use the OH's car for that.
1) Tip car, Shopping, close dog walks - iPace
2) long haul holidays with dogs - S63 saloon (far better than estate with hammock)
3) Romantic top down restaurants visit & long haul holidays for two - AMG GT C Roadster.
4) track days - AMG GT C Roadster (yet to test this though so may yet add a track car)
2) long haul holidays with dogs - S63 saloon (far better than estate with hammock)
3) Romantic top down restaurants visit & long haul holidays for two - AMG GT C Roadster.
4) track days - AMG GT C Roadster (yet to test this though so may yet add a track car)
tbox in addition to the toy.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff