The one (car) that got away

[TVaRt]

Is there any cars that you wish you had owned end enjoyed but never took the plunge and now regret it?

For me the BMW Z3M Roadster is one... i had a choice a couple of years ago between that or a 350z and Boxster S. I went for the 350z.

Allot of cars i have owned like Elises (S1)and Evos (6) and Skylines (R33 GTS) id love to own again, but i think thier time has passed. This is especially the case with the R33 GTST as every chav now ownes one (sorry if you do!)

One car i will go back to asap though is the Clio 172 CUP... it may have plenty of chav factor but it also has a strong cult following due to its credentials on track... and maybe the elise... driving heaven!

[UncleRic]

Several years back, I was all set to get a Nissan 200sx Touring Spec' and ended up with a burgundy Vectra (B) SRi in a moment of utter, utter horrible madness. It didn't even have the nice seats..

[mnkiboy]

The original Focus RS. It might be flawed, but I still think it looks great.

I may still do it, but it would have to be as a 2nd car and I can't see me being able to afford it in the forseeable future.

[ClaphamGT3]

Nearly bought an Aston Martin DB2/4MkIII in 2001, in all the economic nervousness post 9/11.

It was cheap even then at £30k but it seemed a lot of money for a pure toy. The same car sold last year for £95k.

D'oh!!

[blindswelledrat]

Alfa SZ/ Integrale for me.

Two cars I have always absolutely loved and swore I would definitely own one day.
Now you look at them adn they are a bit outdated performance-wise and I know the reality would now be a disappointment for me. I can't do that to them

[Steamer]

A red one of these - owned by a rock star - noway I could get insurance at 18..

...with hindsight, probably a good job this one got away!

[blindswelledrat]

TVaRt said:

This is especially the case with the R33 GTST as every chav now ownes one (sorry if you do!)

Wasn't this always chavvy?
Youngsters couldn't afford a GTR thus would buy one of these and pretend it was the same?

[iva cosworth]

SAAB 99 Turbo ,the original black 3 door ,i was working in a SAAB dealer and was waiting for a car to be traded in ,but the foreman bought it and i went and bought a RS2000 instead

[sleep envy]

993 GT2

baulked at the £125k asking

have seen that car since, recently sold for £195k

arse

[Harry Flashman]

ClaphamGT3 said:

Nearly bought an Aston Martin DB2/4MkIII in 2001, in all the economic nervousness post 9/11.

It was cheap even then at £30k but it seemed a lot of money for a pure toy. The same car sold last year for £95k.

D'oh!!

Same. Aston V8 Vantage Xpack for 24k, in 2000. Was just out of university, and could not have afforded it. My old man thought it was a waste of money.

Bet he's laughing now. Awesome cars, even forgetting the financial upside.

Aston V8s were routinely available for 20something grand a few years back. Now all double the value.

[Harry Flashman]

Oh yes, and a 964 RS for £25k. Bought a 968 instead.

Moron.

Edited to reflect the correct car I bought instead of the RS. And the 968 wasn't even a Clubsport. Kicking myself even now.

Edited by Harry Flashman on Friday 15th October 15:25

[judas]

Ferrari 512BB for under £40k. Now worth about twice that

[CraigW]

911 3.2 speedster for 18k

[mr_tony]

Countach LP400 for 35k.
Given the values today I'm still a little sore about that! Still the cars I've owned I have driven so I'd probably have just ruined the mileage on it and it's potential value anyway...

[8400rpm]

E30 M3 Evo, offered to me for about £7,500.

Would have needed to sell the Integra, so I declined.

[DJC]

judas said:

Ferrari 512BB for under £40k. Now worth about twice that

This and the post above.

512BB...£35k
3.3 964 Turbo S lwt...£60k. The only Speed Yellow rhd they made.


I can only echo Harry above. I am a moron.

[blindswelledrat]

All these ones about the collectors cars once offered at X price:

I'd argue that they didn't neccesarily 'get away' just that they were too risky or expensive.
Pretty much all of them mentioned (countach, 512, speedster etc etc) will continue to appreciate forever, I would imagine.
My point being- that they haven't 'got away' becasue they are still available to buy right now in the secure knowledge that they will be worth more when you sell them.

[mr_tony]

blindswelledrat said:

All these ones about the collectors cars once offered at X price:

I'd argue that they didn't neccesarily 'get away' just that they were too risky or expensive.
Pretty much all of them mentioned (countach, 512, speedster etc etc) will continue to appreciate forever, I would imagine.
My point being- that they haven't 'got away' becasue they are still available to buy right now in the secure knowledge that they will be worth more when you sell them.

True, but the countach has 'got away from me' - an LP400 for 40k for me 5 years ago was eminently affordable, at 200k plus today it's somewhat less so. The point being I think that the growth in prices is nonlinear - taking them forever (baring major financial windfalls) out of reach..

[judas]

mr_tony said:

blindswelledrat said:

All these ones about the collectors cars once offered at X price:

I'd argue that they didn't neccesarily 'get away' just that they were too risky or expensive.
Pretty much all of them mentioned (countach, 512, speedster etc etc) will continue to appreciate forever, I would imagine.
My point being- that they haven't 'got away' becasue they are still available to buy right now in the secure knowledge that they will be worth more when you sell them.

True, but the countach has 'got away from me' - an LP400 for 40k for me 5 years ago was eminently affordable, at 200k plus today it's somewhat less so. The point being I think that the growth in prices is nonlinear - taking them forever (baring major financial windfalls) out of reach..

Indeed. It got away because at the time I could (just about) afford/justify it. Now? Not a chance short of a lottery win.

[Alfa numeric]

2006: I'd just got divorced, sold my house and was living in shared accommodation. Looking at PH classifieds one day I see a BMW Z8 for something like £40k. I'm essentially homeless and have nowhere to park it. I chicken out.

Bugger.