Stick or twist?
Discussion
I’m probably going to answer my own question here…
I have a 2018 Up GTi with 19k miles. It’s mint and standard (albeit utterly filthy at the moment).
I bought it during the pandemic (late 2020) for 10.5k when it had 7k miles, trading in a late Freelander 2 HSE. The latter was great for my life at the time, but I no longer commute (regularly, that is), no longer have a tiny person (she’s grown) and no longer need to tow a race car.
The Up is still worth what I paid for it, and I love it - normal little city car for everyday use, but turns into an hysterical little thug when pushed on B, C and NC roads. It’s been boringly reliable, and is fastidiously maintained (this isn’t a potential for sale ad by the way).
I also have my wife’s Cooper as a back up (she doesn’t commute either), but I find it incredibly boring (albeit very comfy on longer journeys).
So, what else could I get for the value of the Up that would be as much, or more fun, that is also a (potential) future classic? I’ve considered (given my mileage and an ‘emergency’ substitute) building a ‘hottish’ Austin A40 or similar, but I’m time short due to house renovation at the moment.
If I keep the Up I’d be tempted to get a stage 1 remap (because PH) to 135BHP (from about 110 BHP), as well as a non-resonated exhaust and the wheels (diamond cut) refurbed to something like a dark silver (car is silver). I grew up in the hot hatch years and it reminds me so much of my multiple 205’s, Golf Mk1’s etc.
TL:DR - I’m going to keep the Up, aren’t I?
I have a 2018 Up GTi with 19k miles. It’s mint and standard (albeit utterly filthy at the moment).
I bought it during the pandemic (late 2020) for 10.5k when it had 7k miles, trading in a late Freelander 2 HSE. The latter was great for my life at the time, but I no longer commute (regularly, that is), no longer have a tiny person (she’s grown) and no longer need to tow a race car.
The Up is still worth what I paid for it, and I love it - normal little city car for everyday use, but turns into an hysterical little thug when pushed on B, C and NC roads. It’s been boringly reliable, and is fastidiously maintained (this isn’t a potential for sale ad by the way).
I also have my wife’s Cooper as a back up (she doesn’t commute either), but I find it incredibly boring (albeit very comfy on longer journeys).
So, what else could I get for the value of the Up that would be as much, or more fun, that is also a (potential) future classic? I’ve considered (given my mileage and an ‘emergency’ substitute) building a ‘hottish’ Austin A40 or similar, but I’m time short due to house renovation at the moment.
If I keep the Up I’d be tempted to get a stage 1 remap (because PH) to 135BHP (from about 110 BHP), as well as a non-resonated exhaust and the wheels (diamond cut) refurbed to something like a dark silver (car is silver). I grew up in the hot hatch years and it reminds me so much of my multiple 205’s, Golf Mk1’s etc.
TL:DR - I’m going to keep the Up, aren’t I?
Edited by ChevronB19 on Friday 15th March 09:32
Yes absolutely keep the Up!
For the same money I think you'll struggle to get another car you like as much. And it sounds like you have plans to improve the car anyway so I'd say that's the best option.
I have a similar dilemma with my mk7 Fiesta ST3. To get anything significantly better I'd need to spend a lot of money which is difficult to justify.
If you're really set on changing then other hot hatches with future classic potential would be cars like...
Fiesta ST200
Pug 208 by PS
RS Clio Trophy
I'd include a Mini JCW but if you're not keen on your wife's cooper then maybe not.
Just keep the Up.
For the same money I think you'll struggle to get another car you like as much. And it sounds like you have plans to improve the car anyway so I'd say that's the best option.
I have a similar dilemma with my mk7 Fiesta ST3. To get anything significantly better I'd need to spend a lot of money which is difficult to justify.
If you're really set on changing then other hot hatches with future classic potential would be cars like...
Fiesta ST200
Pug 208 by PS
RS Clio Trophy
I'd include a Mini JCW but if you're not keen on your wife's cooper then maybe not.
Just keep the Up.
You're not really giving us any insight as to why you'd want to get rid of the UP. It sounds like you love the thing and are willing to put more money into making it even better for you. I'm not sure what the question is?
Feels like a man on his stag do asking his mates if he should leave his fiance for another woman that he hasn't even met yet.
For what it's worth, if you're looking for something similar money (as in £xk of add-ons plus the UP) then I'd consider the Audi S1. Residuals are very strong, it does all the things your UP does but then goes like a rocket on B-roads. Nobody who's owned one has ever said they're boring and they'll never make another again. But equally, if I already had the UP, then I'd just keep it and improve it a bit.
Feels like a man on his stag do asking his mates if he should leave his fiance for another woman that he hasn't even met yet.
For what it's worth, if you're looking for something similar money (as in £xk of add-ons plus the UP) then I'd consider the Audi S1. Residuals are very strong, it does all the things your UP does but then goes like a rocket on B-roads. Nobody who's owned one has ever said they're boring and they'll never make another again. But equally, if I already had the UP, then I'd just keep it and improve it a bit.
Edited by pb8g09 on Friday 15th March 10:18
Cambs_Stuart said:
I'd look to improve/refresh the UP. Mighty car mods have got one and it looks like there is lots of potential.
Yes, I’m definitely leaning that way. I’ve never modified a car before (other than race cars), just because I thought it would be a negative if I sell. I think (as suggested) it’s a keeper, so even if I sell years in it won’t make much difference.Consider this a Friday existential crisis!
Sounds almost like getting rid of it for the sake of it. It's not lost money, great to drive, good for what you want, etc. Grass isn't always greener and you wouldn't wanna learn the hard way.
Maybe put money into the things you want to do to it, like the remap and exhaust, which presumably won't cost the earth. You'll fall back in love with it then see where you are after.
Maybe put money into the things you want to do to it, like the remap and exhaust, which presumably won't cost the earth. You'll fall back in love with it then see where you are after.
Another vote for keeping the Up from me. As you've worked out, there's quite a vast tuning scene for these cars, so you're better off spending your money on making the car how you want it to be. The fact it's been so boringly reliable should be a plus point as you can spend your money on fun mods and actually driving it, rather than fixing it! Plus, I doubt there's much else you could get that would be a whole lot more entertaining on the road than a modified Up GTI. I know you said about a potential future classic car, but with how some of the most awful cars from the past are now being considered "classics", there's no reason the Up won't also be at some point many years from now.
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