Would you buy a great car that you'd hardly drive?
28 February 2008, 05:08 PM
#31
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And on top of that, would you stretch to your absolute financial limits to do it?
I might have the option to get 40% off list price of a brand new Porsche, the only chance I'll ever have of affording one in the next 10 years minimum. It would mean big repayments for some years, which would swallow up any chance of family holidays abroad, ski trips, and perhaps changes to the house, all of which are realistic and good improvements to my life (all values are relative). I'd also barely ever drive the thing, as I commute to work by train (option to drive is to sit in heavy traffic on a massively speed-controlled road) and at weekends most of the time if I go out we go out as a family.
Heart says yes, head says stupid.
I'm expecting SNetters to tell me to go for it, but is there anyone out there who's had a similar dilemma and has gone for the safe option?
BTW years ago I had an Impreza, and I found it an unsatisfactory compromise - too thirsty for a family car and not fun as a fun car. So no, I'm not interested in anything fast and comfy.
I might have the option to get 40% off list price of a brand new Porsche, the only chance I'll ever have of affording one in the next 10 years minimum. It would mean big repayments for some years, which would swallow up any chance of family holidays abroad, ski trips, and perhaps changes to the house, all of which are realistic and good improvements to my life (all values are relative). I'd also barely ever drive the thing, as I commute to work by train (option to drive is to sit in heavy traffic on a massively speed-controlled road) and at weekends most of the time if I go out we go out as a family.
Heart says yes, head says stupid.
I'm expecting SNetters to tell me to go for it, but is there anyone out there who's had a similar dilemma and has gone for the safe option?
BTW years ago I had an Impreza, and I found it an unsatisfactory compromise - too thirsty for a family car and not fun as a fun car. So no, I'm not interested in anything fast and comfy.
You'll get more good and worthy life experiences spending time with your family, than you will with the car.
Been there, had that dilema, thought **** it, bought a Shogun, moved to the Highlands and have time to truly appreciate what really matters in life
Last edited by Devildog; 28 February 2008 at 05:13 PM.
28 February 2008, 05:10 PM
#32
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Sounds like a Potuguese government deal if I've read between the lines correctly
Edit: posted too late, it is
Edit: posted too late, it is
Last edited by Jay m A; 28 February 2008 at 05:15 PM.
28 February 2008, 05:16 PM
#33
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MY answer would be that if you think that owning the car is going make you feel better and improve the quality of your life then you should go ahead. As you said this may be your only opportunity and we may be looking at the end of performance motoring in the UK.
However if owning the car is going to truly deprive your family of holidays and other stuff in your position I would probably sacrifice the car.
However if owning the car is going to truly deprive your family of holidays and other stuff in your position I would probably sacrifice the car.
28 February 2008, 05:19 PM
#34
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Can you make the financing cheaper, if the residual value is strong, can you take out an interest only option on your mortgage ?
Otherwise I'd give it miss, is it really worth the sacrifice? No hols, no house improvements etc. If you want a toy, get one that's affordable toy to you, and that you get out of when the novelty has worn off.
Make the majority of your time more enjoyable, not the minority.
D
Otherwise I'd give it miss, is it really worth the sacrifice? No hols, no house improvements etc. If you want a toy, get one that's affordable toy to you, and that you get out of when the novelty has worn off.
Make the majority of your time more enjoyable, not the minority.
D
28 February 2008, 05:55 PM
#38
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Brendan I think you'll find that if you did decide to do it, after a few months of having the car you'll regret it - the novelty of a new car can ware off quickly. If it was my choice I would definitely spend the money on families and holidays etc. Don't stretch yourself for the sake of a car, just not worth it IMHO.
28 February 2008, 05:58 PM
#39
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Not just regret it, you might even come to hate the car. It's also more than likely that your wife secretly hopes that you won't get it, but doesn't want to tell you. Not that that is a valid reson for getting it though 
28 February 2008, 06:03 PM
#40
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If its a completlely harmonious decision then it has more merit of course and who knows things could get better with the company you meet ....
( which of course is the draw)
( which of course is the draw)
28 February 2008, 06:33 PM
#41
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Wouldnt bother if its for a Boxster - not that nice or special, and while you are giving up everything to pay for it, everyone who sees it will go 'couldnt afford a proper Porsche'.
If it was for a REALLY special car, something you could keep pretty much for ever ( if someone was to offer me 40% off an original GT40 or similar, then I'd sell all my vital organs to get it ), then it may be worth the sacrifice, but for something which is basically Porsches budget model I wouldnt.
I dont know what money you are looking to spend, but imagine you could get a 4 or 5 year old Boxster for the same money if thats what you really want, and with their reliability its not going to be some old heap. Then if you dont like it you can sell it and get something else.
If it was for a REALLY special car, something you could keep pretty much for ever ( if someone was to offer me 40% off an original GT40 or similar, then I'd sell all my vital organs to get it ), then it may be worth the sacrifice, but for something which is basically Porsches budget model I wouldnt.
I dont know what money you are looking to spend, but imagine you could get a 4 or 5 year old Boxster for the same money if thats what you really want, and with their reliability its not going to be some old heap. Then if you dont like it you can sell it and get something else.
28 February 2008, 06:37 PM
#42
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Lots of car snobbery on here 
Whilst some of you may not find a boxster all that special, others (including the OP) might, and for perfectly valid reasons for them.
The question should not be thought about in the context of boxster vs disposable income to do other things, but more in the context of a car I really fancy owning -vs - disposable income to do other things.
Whilst some of you may not find a boxster all that special, others (including the OP) might, and for perfectly valid reasons for them.
The question should not be thought about in the context of boxster vs disposable income to do other things, but more in the context of a car I really fancy owning -vs - disposable income to do other things.
28 February 2008, 06:38 PM
#43
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Yes but he lives somewhere resonable temp. wise even in winter so less reason for escaping the winter blues and and i suspect the chassis is more important to the thinking man/women than the power/looks
28 February 2008, 06:44 PM
#44
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Brendan, think of all the time you'll have to drive it instead of sitting at home twiddling your thumbs during your holidays
If I was your wife (and was getting to drive it) I'd positively encourage you to get it 
I bought a car two years ago after letting my head rule my heart and regretted it constantly. Four months ago I got the car my heart wanted and haven't looked back since, in fact I love it more and more each day and take it out just for the fun of it Who cares about the money? 
I haven't got a family though so am allowed to be completely irresponsible
If I was your wife (and was getting to drive it) I'd positively encourage you to get it
I bought a car two years ago after letting my head rule my heart and regretted it constantly. Four months ago I got the car my heart wanted and haven't looked back since, in fact I love it more and more each day and take it out just for the fun of it
Who cares about the money? I haven't got a family though so am allowed to be completely irresponsible
28 February 2008, 06:46 PM
#45
Best compromise would be to hire 1 over a weekend a few times a year, this would either make you realise it wasn't the car you thought it was and you'd be glad you didn't tie yourself down with the deal or you'd be so impressed that you'd start saving for a deposit and buy a used 1 in a year or so.
i know you prefer a new 1 but buying used would mean the niggles have been sorted and if it was an enthusiast owner it should be as good as new?
i know you prefer a new 1 but buying used would mean the niggles have been sorted and if it was an enthusiast owner it should be as good as new?
28 February 2008, 06:55 PM
#46
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As above, go and hire one for a weekend, and see how much you enjoy it, and then think about it seriously as to how much fun you had in it, compared to how much you're going to be paying every month for the next four years, another serious consideration is to join one of the many supercar clubs around, you won't be tied in for four years, and you can take your pick of some far better cars then a base model boxster.
28 February 2008, 07:37 PM
#47
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from my experience, it's the family holidays and quality time with your partner and kids that are the most important of all, the car will make you happy for a while, but is relatively insignificant, if you can have the car without sacrificing time with your loved ones, including having to work more, or to do without holidays, then why not. imo of course.
28 February 2008, 08:00 PM
#48
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Thats part of owing a porsche though. Like it or not there are few porsche owners who do not like the "idea" of what they own along with owning it.......yet this is a bloke that cant afford it, even on special offer....and its not even the porsche he would really want.
He's giving up a big part of his families wants and goals to achieve his personal one of driving a pretty average car.
He's giving up a big part of his families wants and goals to achieve his personal one of driving a pretty average car.
28 February 2008, 08:10 PM
#49
A few points
1) What Porsche? If its a Boxter, Cayman or Cayenne then don't bother.
2) Will feel great, but novelty will soon wear off
3) You can have as much fun in an Impreza for a lot less money
4) There is a feel good factor of driving a decent non-chav Impreza (ie, rise above the scum). Within 4 years the classic Impreza will have come out of trough of despair and into it plateau of appreciation (much like the cossie, quattro and integrale has). Surely you want to be part of this??
5) Owning a Porsche for 4 years is expensive and possibly a bit awkward. 2-doors? Servicing, etc.
6) Would be awful if something bad happened, you needed cash, but had this ball and chain you couldn't get rid of for 4-years. Are you confident on what the next 4 years will hold for you? Don't kid yourself now
7) Have to spend a little more than you earn (eg, to keep a Porsche going) really hurts. Earning just a little more than you spend each month really does make you feel so much better. After a few months that equates to Christmas pressies, etc. Do you want to jeopordise that
All in all. First thing I'd do is hire one and see if you realy do hanker after one and then think whether you still will a few months down the line whilst stuck in traffic, paying for fuel, dreading the cost of the next service and having it stuck on the driveway whenever more than two of you want to go out. Will you still love that Porsche?
1) What Porsche? If its a Boxter, Cayman or Cayenne then don't bother.
2) Will feel great, but novelty will soon wear off
3) You can have as much fun in an Impreza for a lot less money
4) There is a feel good factor of driving a decent non-chav Impreza (ie, rise above the scum). Within 4 years the classic Impreza will have come out of trough of despair and into it plateau of appreciation (much like the cossie, quattro and integrale has). Surely you want to be part of this??
5) Owning a Porsche for 4 years is expensive and possibly a bit awkward. 2-doors? Servicing, etc.
6) Would be awful if something bad happened, you needed cash, but had this ball and chain you couldn't get rid of for 4-years. Are you confident on what the next 4 years will hold for you? Don't kid yourself now
7) Have to spend a little more than you earn (eg, to keep a Porsche going) really hurts. Earning just a little more than you spend each month really does make you feel so much better. After a few months that equates to Christmas pressies, etc. Do you want to jeopordise that
All in all. First thing I'd do is hire one and see if you realy do hanker after one and then think whether you still will a few months down the line whilst stuck in traffic, paying for fuel, dreading the cost of the next service and having it stuck on the driveway whenever more than two of you want to go out. Will you still love that Porsche?
28 February 2008, 08:11 PM
#50
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Echo the above but one, a lump of metal over holidays and home improvements (where your real cash lies) is fool hardy imo.
Last edited by +Doc+; 28 February 2008 at 08:12 PM. Reason: edit, James posted inbetween :)
28 February 2008, 08:13 PM
#51
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A few points
3) You can have as much fun in an Impreza for a lot less money
4) There is a feel good factor of driving a decent non-chav Impreza (ie, rise above the scum). Within 4 years the classic Impreza will have come out of trough of despair and into it plateau of appreciation (much like the cossie, quattro and integrale has). Surely you want to be part of this??
3) You can have as much fun in an Impreza for a lot less money
4) There is a feel good factor of driving a decent non-chav Impreza (ie, rise above the scum). Within 4 years the classic Impreza will have come out of trough of despair and into it plateau of appreciation (much like the cossie, quattro and integrale has). Surely you want to be part of this??
28 February 2008, 08:27 PM
#54
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I really am amazed at the number of intelligent, sensible, mature replies I've got to this question, thanks all
....so now I'm justified in saying "And I would have got away with it if it hadn't been for those pesky kids"
....so now I'm justified in saying "And I would have got away with it if it hadn't been for those pesky kids"
28 February 2008, 10:44 PM
#58
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Buy and enjoy!
Just remember that Porkers do need to be run on a regular basis and not just taken round the block once a week - higher mileage cars suffer fewer mechanical problems than very low mileage ones.
You'd still still need to tax, insure and service once a year regardless of the mileage but at the end of the 4 years you should still be able to sell it if you want for more than you paid for it.
So buy it and thrash it when you can!
Just remember that Porkers do need to be run on a regular basis and not just taken round the block once a week - higher mileage cars suffer fewer mechanical problems than very low mileage ones.
You'd still still need to tax, insure and service once a year regardless of the mileage but at the end of the 4 years you should still be able to sell it if you want for more than you paid for it.
So buy it and thrash it when you can!
28 February 2008, 11:33 PM
#59
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Spent 35k on new bmw> drove round like a pimp for 2 oe 3 months. now its the same as all my cars, covered in crisp packets and feels like a 1.2 b reg fiesta.
lesson=novelty is far better than reality.
dont waste your money.
chop
lesson=novelty is far better than reality.
dont waste your money.
chop
28 February 2008, 11:48 PM
#60
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I'm one for getting things i want even if it means losing out else where - but i make sure i don't lose too much. I really does sound to me that you and your family are gonna play second fiddle to a car - yes it's a Porsche but just a car all the same. Add to the above that you are hardly gonna drive the thing - it just seems a complete no brainer to me. Spend a few Łk on a Megabusa or similar and live you life without a 48 month time bomb hanging over your head
