encee Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 I`ve just read Smitten`s "Classifieds" thread, and couldn`t believe it, as I`m in a similar situation myself, in that I`m selling-up. My car, however, is NOT in the classifieds, as I can`t be arsed with the aggro involved. Yes, I will probably lose my usual boat-load of money, but hey, you can`t take it with you............... I`m not sure exactly why Ian`s moving on, as his reasons are personal to him, obviously, but I`d somewhat agree with his statement "There`s more to life than cars" (something like that, anyway). I don`t know if Ian`s thoughts are the same as mine, but I am selling mine, as I just have a lot of money in it that I can use for other things. When I bought my 330d M-Sport (E90 model), I`d never spent so much on a car before, and now I have,and the novelty`s worn off, I`ve realised that a more expensive car doesn`t always equate to a more enjoyable car. Anyway, I know that this`ll raise a few titters on the TSN shores, but I`ve decided to get a........... Focus ST2. Not exactly everyone`s cup of tea, I know, but having driven one at the weekend, and thorougly enjoyed it, I`ll be getting a new one in the very near future (in fact as soon as I can find a dealer with one in stock that I like) So there you go.....(he said, preparing to get shot to bits in the flames ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyadam Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 No you changing for the right reasons, especially if you can do something else with the money. I'm sure what ever car you purchase will be fine, remember it is only a car! good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Great minds think alike Encee You are going to be spending a lot more on your next car than I will I aim to spend A LOT less than my current car is worth, the only downfall to that is that I have to sell the car privately, something that I have never done before and a prospect I dont really relish As said before, I have realised that there is more to life than a car Good luck Encee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 I've not owned a car for 4 months, the longest period of my driving life without one . I agree that there's more to life than cars, but then again I have the advantage of living in the capital and having access to an endless stream of taxi's, buses, tubes and trains. Having used the wife's car on odd occasions I have concluded that there must be more to driving than driving a Pug 307 xsi . Moral of the story is simple, we don't need to drive around in nice new shiny £30k+ cars, but if you do give them up and go for more modest transport you will have to get used to being part of the pack, rather than standing out from the crowd . Something that age allows you to do without a second thought, do be aware that you will suffer prangs of remorse, every time I see an R32 I question my decision make process that made me sell . On the bright side, there's no:- Ins x £700 p.a. Fuel x £5000 p.a. Tyres x £500 p.a. Cleaning x £500 p.a. Servicing x £400 p.a. Deprecation x £4000 p.a. Might not have the bling motor anymore, but hell the savings should help towards a family of 4 going to either Hawaii or similar exotic destination next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pidge Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 I did exactly the same thing last month, and when my old car finally went I did think i'd done the wrong thing, I've now got a runabout at 1/3rd of the value, and enjoy driving it for different reasons, primary of which is that it no longer matters what happens to it. It's a 4X4 and yes I have driven it off road, and yes on road it is a slow boat, but instead of putting my foot down and getting places 2 minutes earlier I'm much more relaxed, can see what's happening up ahead. Having said that i'll give it until the spring and probably end up in something smaller and fast. It did take a bit of time to sell my old car as dealers were me and private buyers for my old car were not that common. The bottom line is go for it, be prepared to wait for the right deal on the car you are selling but bear in mind that you are losing around £500 a month by having it sitting around, so don't get too greedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Focus - Saw a red one the other day - looked very good. Orange is best tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Hmm, this, despite its misleading title, is quite an interesting subject. I'll admit that I sometimes see an older car on the roads and think, 'hmmm, nice motoring for a very low price by comparison' and that in turn leads me to question myself on why I spend as much on cars as I do. Cars that raise this thought are usually the likes of older 740i's, at probably £15-17k in the last of the old shape model with mega-specs. I get a similiar feeling with some Audi's, Mercedes and often find myself casting an admiring eye over an old 944. Thats a lot of motoring and a lot of car for not a lot of money. Or, I think about another new car but in a different price bracket. Encee's ST2 type price for example - gets you a good hot hatch for a very good price. Then I think of older and iconic sports cars and hatches, with the likes of an Lancia Delta Integrale Evo, an Alfa Romeo SZ Zagato etc usually at the front of my mind. However, I then quickly change my mind. The reason is that I think it depends how you get to the car you currently have. Your journey through your life, career, etc. Let me explain... If people buy such desireable cars at a younger age...I think the novelty wears off sooner. You attain such a high level of motoring so quickly in life that in some cases maybe other priorities overtake your motoring ones as you mature. Not in all cases though. Then I think much depends on WHY you bought your current car. If it was for image, to impress, to satisfy a complex, to make yourself feel better etc - then I think most would agree it's going to last a very short time indeed. If, on the other hand, you get to your cars through a longer journey (mine is pretty much a 20 year one with the last 10 years seeing gradual increases in car value) then I think the attraction of the car stays for longer. You also invest much less in it through such staged buying. I never think of the 6 as being money tied up, because the reality is it has never stopped me doing anything else I wanted to do - but thats just because, as I mentioned earlier, its a result of a good 20 year journey! This is bearing in mind that I'd bought a house, settled down, etc long before I owned anything remotely like the value of some of the vehicles on TSN. I've often looked at the cars on here and wondered what people would own in a few years time. See, I didn't own anything like the exotica or expensive array of machines that many do on here before I was 30. I had hot hatches and went through the 2-seater sports car period, but in every instance the car cost less than £18k at the very very most. In fact I think the average car would have been about £7-12k, with most bought second hand and a few years old. I'd have felt rather intimidated by some of the machinery on TSN! Even accounting for the rise in inflation and value of money since - my cars then wouldn't even begin to compare with many on TSN today. I am staggered (and I genuinely mean this) by the amount of 'young' (by that I mean below 25) people who seem to be able to spend £22-25k on GTI's for example. No way could I have afforded that when I was their age! Credit to them if they've achieved that capability so young in life. So I quickly get rid of my thoughts of downsizing to a cheaper car on the basis that the overall impact to me would be rather neglible. All it would do would release a chunk of cash. To do what with though? I have my other priorities taken care of and my car is my little present to myself after 20 years. In all honesty though, and I really do mean this, if my circumstances changed drastically and I lost all security, investments etc - then the car would just become a chunk of metal. It'd go. Not because I didn't love it, but because, well, its a fecking car!!!! In just over 2 years time I'll turn 40 - so if I can't start to enjoy my cars now then I never will. Whilst the old 7-series, Evo's and others are exceptional value for money I'm not quick to forget what they don't have that I do - the peace of mind, the faultless motoring (I accept many old cars can give this though if maintained correctly), the joy of the latest gadgets, the service you receive etc. As I said though - thats from a very deliberate and very long path being followed. So, ultimately, I'm saying I think this depends on your age, how you got to your current car, what else in life you had sorted out before you did so...and the reason you bought it in the first place. Then again, I'm a boring approaching-middle-age TSN-er now and you don't want to hear my sensible ramblings, few and far between though they may be! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Gee, MrMe! You're only 38yo and you are talking about feeling you are approaching middle-age!!? - Not so!!! You've got an old (mature) head on your shoulders but you're still very young - I'm old enough to be your (very immature) dad!! I agree with your post though . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 Very true, but I'm old to many on here, especially the vast swathes of young drivers who own exotic machinery I could have only dreamed of in my early twenties! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 ....As the first lady I had a relationship with after my divorce said: (she was 31 and me 57) "Don't worry, Robin, age is just a number" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Very true, but I'm old to many on here, especially the vast swathes of young drivers who own exotic machinery I could have only dreamed of in my early twenties! [/ QUOTE ] I don't care what they think - I hate them all anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I`ve realised that a more expensive car doesn`t always equate to a more enjoyable car. [/ QUOTE ] One of the reasons I traded my one year old car, for a then five year old car(now six). I have no image to uphold, no status to worry about among the neighbours. Next door have a Merc and a Boxster, other side have a Cayenne and a 3 series (possibly now a 56 Boxster as it turned up yesterday). I bought my car because the first time I rode in one and then drove it, it put a smile on my face from ear to ear. There's much faster, much more comfortable and more 'toy' loaded cars out there, but my little whizzbang four pot still makes me smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyadam Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I`ve realised that a more expensive car doesn`t always equate to a more enjoyable car. [/ QUOTE ] One of the reasons I traded my one year old car, for a then five year old car(now six). I have no image to uphold, no status to worry about among the neighbours. Next door have a Merc and a Boxster, other side have a Cayenne and a 3 series (possibly now a 56 Boxster as it turned up yesterday). I bought my car because the first time I rode in one and then drove it, it put a smile on my face from ear to ear. There's much faster, much more comfortable and more 'toy' loaded cars out there, but my little whizzbang four pot still makes me smile. [/ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. [/ QUOTE ] Well, let me see. It's the main reason 95% of Audi and BMW owners would give for making their choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I`ve realised that a more expensive car doesn`t always equate to a more enjoyable car. [/ QUOTE ] One of the reasons I traded my one year old car, for a then five year old car(now six). I have no image to uphold, no status to worry about among the neighbours. Next door have a Merc and a Boxster, other side have a Cayenne and a 3 series (possibly now a 56 Boxster as it turned up yesterday). I bought my car because the first time I rode in one and then drove it, it put a smile on my face from ear to ear. There's much faster, much more comfortable and more 'toy' loaded cars out there, but my little whizzbang four pot still makes me smile. [/ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. [/ QUOTE ] You've never heard of "Keeping up with the Joneses" then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. [/ QUOTE ] Well, let me see. It's the main reason 95% of Audi and BMW owners would give for making their choice. [/ QUOTE ] Ditto ... its why they sell so many more exec level cars in this country or cabs for that matter even though its actually quite a small market. Bye bye mondeo hello BMW 3 series or Audi A4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyadam Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I`ve realised that a more expensive car doesn`t always equate to a more enjoyable car. [/ QUOTE ] One of the reasons I traded my one year old car, for a then five year old car(now six). I have no image to uphold, no status to worry about among the neighbours. Next door have a Merc and a Boxster, other side have a Cayenne and a 3 series (possibly now a 56 Boxster as it turned up yesterday). I bought my car because the first time I rode in one and then drove it, it put a smile on my face from ear to ear. There's much faster, much more comfortable and more 'toy' loaded cars out there, but my little whizzbang four pot still makes me smile. [/ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. [/ QUOTE ] You've never heard of "Keeping up with the Joneses" then? [/ QUOTE ] Only as a joke! Again what has a car got to do with image & status f--- all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 As far as I'm concerned I agree with you. Image and status don't concern me - if they did I wouldn't have bought a car no-one recognises. And there are a fair number of enthusiasts on TSN who probably think in a similar vein. But for the majority, a car is a status symbol. No more, no less. Just like a designer label top and a Bosch washer/dryer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyadam Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. [/ QUOTE ] Well, let me see. It's the main reason 95% of Audi and BMW owners would give for making their choice. [/ QUOTE ] Ditto ... its why they sell so many more exec level cars in this country or cabs for that matter even though its actually quite a small market. Bye bye mondeo hello BMW 3 series or Audi A4. [/ QUOTE ] 95% where did you get your figures from or did you just wake up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Image - Status: Am I missing something here, when would a car give you that. [/ QUOTE ] Well, let me see. It's the main reason 95% of Audi and BMW owners would give for making their choice. [/ QUOTE ] Ditto ... its why they sell so many more exec level cars in this country or cabs for that matter even though its actually quite a small market. Bye bye mondeo hello BMW 3 series or Audi A4. [/ QUOTE ] 95% where did you get your figures from or did you just wake up. [/ QUOTE ] Ouch. Are you trying to be annoying or does it come naturally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garcon magnifique Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 I'm wide awake. It's an estimated figure to make the point - most buyers of 'premium' cars buy them for status and image. Period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyadam Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I'm wide awake. It's an estimated figure to make the point - most buyers of 'premium' cars buy them for status and image. Period. [/ QUOTE ] So are all cars the same, I would have thought most people will get the best car they can afford which suits there needs. Is there no difference in quality? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamD Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I'm wide awake. It's an estimated figure to make the point - most buyers of 'premium' cars buy them for status and image. Period. [/ QUOTE ] So are all cars the same, I would have thought most people will get the best car they can afford which suits there needs. Is there no difference in quality? [/ QUOTE ] I really don't think it is as simple as that. If it was then I would have bought a Ford Mondeo Estate ST or a Volvo estate rather than my S4. It would suit my needs entirely and have cost me a darn sight less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleyadam Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I'm wide awake. It's an estimated figure to make the point - most buyers of 'premium' cars buy them for status and image. Period. [/ QUOTE ] So are all cars the same, I would have thought most people will get the best car they can afford which suits there needs. Is there no difference in quality? [/ QUOTE ] I really don't think it is as simple as that. If it was then I would have bought a Ford Mondeo Estate ST or a Volvo estate rather than my S4. It would suit my needs entirely and have cost me a darn sight less. [/ QUOTE ] Sam are you sayng that the Ford Mondeo or Volvo have the same quality as your S4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamD Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 That's not the point, both of them would have "suited my needs" - in terms of function and quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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