Do I change car?
Discussion
I am moving out from my city flat to a nice old man house in the suburbs. This will mean a garage 
but a 30 - 40 mile round commute at crawling speed each way 
I love my TVR and it has all the essential qualities to make me smile - mainly performance, looks great, roof goes down, image, etc etc. But with an increased mortgage I dont like the thought of maintenance costs, petrol and general running expenses should I commute in the Tiv every day.
now i could buy a boring cheapo car for every day use and keep the Tiv garaged for weekends. but i dont like the thought of driving something dull for the majority of the week. so my options are:-
1. keep the TVR and go bankrupt running it to and from work every day. can see how it goes i guess and consider other options later.
2. Keep TVR and but a chep naff car. plus side I can work on the Tiv in my own time and bring it slowly up to A1 condition rather than just good condition. downside is running costs of 2 cars then and if the second car is el cheapo that too could cost me loads if it goes wrong.
3. sell the TVR and buy one car to do the lot. Would have to have at least equivilant performance and be convertible but better mpg. obvious car that springs to mind is the elise. but the exhasut note just isnt the same
thing is, I do really love the TVR and every drive is a special occasion. i just dont get the feeling I would get that in anything else.
anyone got any wise words?
but a 30 - 40 mile round commute at crawling speed each way I love my TVR and it has all the essential qualities to make me smile - mainly performance, looks great, roof goes down, image, etc etc. But with an increased mortgage I dont like the thought of maintenance costs, petrol and general running expenses should I commute in the Tiv every day.
now i could buy a boring cheapo car for every day use and keep the Tiv garaged for weekends. but i dont like the thought of driving something dull for the majority of the week. so my options are:-
1. keep the TVR and go bankrupt running it to and from work every day. can see how it goes i guess and consider other options later.
2. Keep TVR and but a chep naff car. plus side I can work on the Tiv in my own time and bring it slowly up to A1 condition rather than just good condition. downside is running costs of 2 cars then and if the second car is el cheapo that too could cost me loads if it goes wrong.
3. sell the TVR and buy one car to do the lot. Would have to have at least equivilant performance and be convertible but better mpg. obvious car that springs to mind is the elise. but the exhasut note just isnt the same
thing is, I do really love the TVR and every drive is a special occasion. i just dont get the feeling I would get that in anything else.
anyone got any wise words?
I had a similar scenario. I was undecided as to if I should sell my F355 and buy something more middle of the road for all purpose use.
I ended up buying an old BMW 520i (very very cheap here in Germany) to commute to work and go shopping etc.
Now the F355 is a weekend only car, this is not a problem for me as I actually appreciate the car more.
Don't sell your baby! is my advice as you WILL regret it!
I ended up buying an old BMW 520i (very very cheap here in Germany) to commute to work and go shopping etc.
Now the F355 is a weekend only car, this is not a problem for me as I actually appreciate the car more.
Don't sell your baby! is my advice as you WILL regret it!
Option 1
You could die of boredom in a tin box.
I had to hire a car for the weekend to ferry some visitors around the south of England. It was a nice comfy GM bus-type saloon and all I can say is....
Uh, where I am, what was that??? Oh, sorry, dropped off for a moment
Running a TVR every day doesn't necessarily break the bank - it does ensure you have something to look forward to at each end of the day, though !
You could die of boredom in a tin box.
I had to hire a car for the weekend to ferry some visitors around the south of England. It was a nice comfy GM bus-type saloon and all I can say is....
Uh, where I am, what was that??? Oh, sorry, dropped off for a moment
Running a TVR every day doesn't necessarily break the bank - it does ensure you have something to look forward to at each end of the day, though !
Just to check some ideas in.....
Option 1: You will hate yourself for what you (and other numpties) do to your car every day. It may seem like a good idea at the time but services will come around quicker, tyres will have shorter lives etc.
Option 2: El Cheepo doesn't have to mean El Crapo. I have been through this whole process very recently. Buying a good condition run about for next to FA is really not that difficult. I have just managed to clock up 15k in 4 months on a Pug 405 diesel
, the only positive is that is 15k that is not on my Elise. The running costs are not as horrific as you may think and it gives you far more flexibility with the TVR to work on it when you want (rather than when you have to 'cos it is your daily ride).
Option 3: Point taken about Elise, as a daily run I am sure it would be fine, but that still means that it would be left wide open to the abuse other road users would give it (Right Johno?)
Rant over. Go buy run about, tuck TVR up for nice sunny days and appreciate it even more. Oh sorry, IMHO
Option 1: You will hate yourself for what you (and other numpties) do to your car every day. It may seem like a good idea at the time but services will come around quicker, tyres will have shorter lives etc.
Option 2: El Cheepo doesn't have to mean El Crapo. I have been through this whole process very recently. Buying a good condition run about for next to FA is really not that difficult. I have just managed to clock up 15k in 4 months on a Pug 405 diesel
, the only positive is that is 15k that is not on my Elise. The running costs are not as horrific as you may think and it gives you far more flexibility with the TVR to work on it when you want (rather than when you have to 'cos it is your daily ride). Option 3: Point taken about Elise, as a daily run I am sure it would be fine, but that still means that it would be left wide open to the abuse other road users would give it (Right Johno?)
Rant over. Go buy run about, tuck TVR up for nice sunny days and appreciate it even more. Oh sorry, IMHO
Get yourself a bike.
FOR...
Avoid the traffic queues and get to work in 45 minutes (better than 2 hours crawling)
Cheap to run (40+ MPG, low insurance unless you get a 1000+ cc racer)
Cheap to buy (againm except GXSR1000s or R1s etc.)
Pose value.
Great fun
AGAINST
Some tw@t will try to kill you every so often - "Sorry mate I didn't see you".
When it rains you get soaked (unless you have decent weather gear)
Security - some theiving scum will try to nick it.
FOR...
Avoid the traffic queues and get to work in 45 minutes (better than 2 hours crawling)
Cheap to run (40+ MPG, low insurance unless you get a 1000+ cc racer)
Cheap to buy (againm except GXSR1000s or R1s etc.)
Pose value.
Great fun
AGAINST
Some tw@t will try to kill you every so often - "Sorry mate I didn't see you".
When it rains you get soaked (unless you have decent weather gear)
Security - some theiving scum will try to nick it.
danhay said: , but will probably have to be slower than the TVR.
If you wanted 'a car for all seasons' which I'm thinking about myself at the moment, then would you consider a Honda NSX?
A great car if you're under 5'6" tall. I tried one at the motor show in 2000. The damn thing was too low for my 5'11" frame (head jammed against roof). Pity - I really liked it too. Ended up with a P1 (which is now for sale due to Chimp 450 in drive
) thanks all for your input - keep it coming. motorbike thought has been given some consideration but insurance is a real killer. If I did go that route and it was for commuting it would probably be something like a DT125 so the insurance didnt end up crippling me. it also wouldnt take up too much room.... on the other hand, I have to be suited and booted each day for work and occasionally carry boxes of work to and from work but i suppose i could use the Tiv on those occasions.
Podie - I am remortgaging so could spend whatever (within reason) I would loathe spending anything more than chips on something i didnt really give a toss about as the Tiv is my pride and has anything she wants
Podie - I am remortgaging so could spend whatever (within reason
) I would loathe spending anything more than chips on something i didnt really give a toss about as the Tiv is my pride and has anything she wants You know you don't want to get rid of the S - but equally it'd be daft to try commuting every day in it.. if nothing else after an hour a day on & off the clutch, your left knee would need replacing after 6 months, never mind the wear and tear on the car.
There are a couple of ways to go with getting a weekday car - get something that'll cost sod all to insure, uses little petrol and is cheap to fix when it goes wrong (eg Fiat Uno etc), or buy a Jap car.. utterly reliable, economical, mod-cons & reasonable to insure*. Dull as ditchwater, yes.. but then if it save you a bunch of worry as well as meaning you have the money and latitude to run the S at weekend and bring it up to top-notch condition then all the better.
* We just got another Primera. 1995 but top of the range, same engine as more recent models, mint condition and low mileage for £1250. Good for 5 years of commuting without issue.
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Tuesday 25th February 14:31
There are a couple of ways to go with getting a weekday car - get something that'll cost sod all to insure, uses little petrol and is cheap to fix when it goes wrong (eg Fiat Uno etc), or buy a Jap car.. utterly reliable, economical, mod-cons & reasonable to insure*. Dull as ditchwater, yes.. but then if it save you a bunch of worry as well as meaning you have the money and latitude to run the S at weekend and bring it up to top-notch condition then all the better.
* We just got another Primera. 1995 but top of the range, same engine as more recent models, mint condition and low mileage for £1250. Good for 5 years of commuting without issue.
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Tuesday 25th February 14:31
yeah, CZ I saw your post when you got your latest Primera and added it to my list of commuter cars at that point.
either way - the TVR would have to be run as only car until August as I cant get classic insurance until then and no way am i paying out on 2 seperate policies with the Tiv using my bonus - it would cost a fortune!
but its not bad thing running the TVR spring and summer anyway - that would be my plan even if i had a commutermobile.
either way - the TVR would have to be run as only car until August as I cant get classic insurance until then and no way am i paying out on 2 seperate policies with the Tiv using my bonus - it would cost a fortune!
but its not bad thing running the TVR spring and summer anyway - that would be my plan even if i had a commutermobile.
minimax said:
Nevin said: Hmm. Do I get a Chimaera now or save until June and get a Cerbera then? Any thoughts?
save and go for the cerb! It'll be all the more sweeter
No get the Chimp now, then see how you feel later. You can always sell the Chimp.
Incorrigable has a cracker for sale at the moment BTW (I want 10% commission if he buys it, Incorigible
) Use my Chimaera every day as a commuter. 15 miles each way, no faster than a 1.0 micra or Fiat 500 most days cos it's stuck in traffic. Use a m.bike when I can to save fuel/service/brain. It gets very boring in traffic whatever you are driving, unless its a grey Peugeot 405TDi Estate in which case u get sewersidal!
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