So you don't work for Renault then?
Lol not quite, they do share many components though.
A car is simply a tool, so you only need to pay enough for it to do the job you need it to do.
The marketers need to sell you something more than that.
The problem is that if you are already the person they depict in their adverts, you don't need the car to be so, and if being that person is something you aspire to, buying the car won't make it so.
Prestige is earned, not bought.
I find that it can be circumstantial, when i was 21 i couldn't get a loan so had to go for a new car on finance in order to be able to get one, but in those days the deals were quite good (sub-£200 a month) which meant that 3 years of payments only meant i was paying a couple K over the list price. Now i have a 4 year old Golf and that was less than half the new price and with less that 40k too. From my hunting around when i bought this 8 months ago, there was a world of difference between the quality of car you could get for £12k, some brand new but no spec. list, and some good on paper but were a bag of nails.
Most people do buy their cars as aspirational tools, like people have said, people are happy to spend £4k on a carbon 150mm trail bike that they ride 15-20miles a week, and on that basis cost per mile used, a £50k Porsche/BMW/Audi isn't too bad really.
A car is simply a tool, so you only need to pay enough for it to do the job you need it to do.
The same could be said for pretty much anything most of us own - your bike, your telly, your clothes, your food, your phone, your house, your etc...
aracer - Member
Now, 8 years later I have 2 kids, one about to start school, one about to start nursery and a mortgage. There's no way I can consider buying a new motor until at least the Nursery time has ended.
You're expecting to have more money when kids are in school instead of nursery?
*is nervous of the implication that in 10 years time ill be driving around in a 21yo Beemer :-/ *
I once spent £1750 on a car but try to keep it below a grand if I can
imnotverygood - MemberHas it occurred to you that if they sell all these cars to people then it means that for the majority of people the roads have to have cars in them. Otherwise, where do all the cars go? There are some deserted roads, but that is because nobody is using them. Therefore the depiction in the adverts cannot help but distort the reality of motoring for the majority.
Not really, no. I can't say I have thought about it all that much.
I just found it funny that people were getting a bee in their bonnet about car manufacturers creating misleading adverts or something along those lines, when most products are sold in misleading ways.
I never mentioned deserted roads, I was responding to binners' picture of a packed road and his comment that for most people, that was probably driving reality, which I disagree with.....but anyhow...thanks for clearing up for me that if people buy cars there must be cars on the road. I can't argue with your logic....I will sleep soundly tonight.
johndoh - Member
"A car is simply a tool, so you only need to pay enough for it to do the job you need it to do."The same could be said for pretty much anything most of us own - your bike, your telly, your clothes, your food, your phone, your house, your etc...
True, but why be an indentured slave?
I don't confuse my toys with my transport.
Seriously? Really? I don't understand how your choices are the correct ones.
The point is that a car isn't a toy, a bike is. If you think a car is a toy then you're part of the problem.
I find this quite a funny concept as well and that comes from a dedicated car lover ! I'm always surprised at what cars you see rattling around and how people justify them, never mind afford them. I work in a position where our car park could be full of very flash cars - it isn't which is weird - manly land rovers, basic subarus and a few audis. Oh there is a c55 AMG but nothing too lairy. I must be getting old and sensible - had 993s, 997 gt3, rs4 and now .... a VW california and a 8 year old megane rs255 which cost peanuts ! Rest of the cash is in the bank as i can't justify something flash to myself and really I don't need it.
The point is that a car isn't a toy, a bike is. If you think a car is a toy then you're part of the problem
I have a car that is a toy.
One definition of a toy, An object, esp. a gadget or machine, regarded as providing amusement for an adult.
my self and my dad have a hot rod with a flat top v8 in it, It is a car, however is not used for domestic purposes it stored about 300 miles from where i live and doesnt get out too much.
But i assure you its great fun,and deffinatly a toy.
Anyone who thinks a car cannot be a toy is a muppet.
It's a photograph - how do you know it's gridlock?
I can't see the photo in question but gridlock has a specific meaning. It's not just lots of traffic, it's where a city with a grid street plan becomes highly immobile and there is neither uptown/downtown nor crosstown traffic volume.
But i assure you its great fun,and deffinatly a toy.
How do you have fun with it?
When we take it out on the track its stored at.
a 5.7lt flat top v8 sitting in a car that, with out the engine can pretty much be lifted on to ramps by one person. kicking out 488bhp (rolling road) just sitting in it with it running is fun.Never mind hitting a corrner at 140mph.
But even driving down the road at the speed limit or sitting at the traffic lights is fun in it just due to the looks and intrest people give.
But if your not into the engineering behind these things and see cars as the devil you will never understand these things. Just like the average driver will never unders and your love for riding a bike.
My wife wants to trade her 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee as hers is getting "old"... We're not what you would call "wealthy", it's just priorities... We will take a hit from depreciation, so payments will continue more-or-less the same. I imagine she'll want to change this one too in 2016 ad infinitum... My daily driver is 14 years old and I'm fine with that. I used to change my perfectly good DH bike and race gear every race season, so who am I to judge.
When we take it out on the track its stored at.
So in the context of the discussion it doesn't count. I'm sure the fun in rolling down the street posing would fairly quickly wear off it that was all you did with it.
Meh.
I like to think that even wedged I would not choose expensive car, would still be second hand. And then go on a nice holiday.
And I could not spend out on a car to be flash or for image.
johndoh - Member
Seriously? Really? I don't understand how your choices are the correct ones.
OK put it this way. If your car is your toy, then splurge as much as you like on it, but if it is for transport don't spend a cent more than necessary on it.
(I have a long history of buying toys 🙂 )
I lived in Singapore, cars there are expensive - treble the cost in the UK, cars still sell in large numbers and they have road toll pricing everywhere
Basic car - similar cost to uk, zero discount
Car purchase tax 110% (yes that's more than the price of the car)
COE - certificate of emissions,masts for 10 years (then you have to buy another), roughly based on pollution calculation, these sell in a fixed number by auction, if you buy a car but don't get the COE you cannot drive your car. Currently these are selling for £75k for larger engines.
A VW golf there is around £70k, sports cars ( and they sell hundreds) Porsche 911 / Aston approx £300k, Lambourgini (very popular) £500k. Used cars are similarly expensive
This proves to me the demand for cars is totally bizarre, people will pay almost anything
I am happy for people to spend their money as they see fit, but personally struggle with investing (sic) large amounts in an asset that will depreciate as rapidly as most cars. Then I go to my SIL's (state) school and see the numbers of RR Evoques/Vogues, BMWs, Mercs etc in the car park and struggle with the idea of spending say £70k on a car rather than in a child's education (althought clearly not as simple a choice as that sounds). But that is the joy of choice - each to their own.
But what do I know? Went into local Evans to get some new inners tubes last night (8 o'clock closing, impressive) and look at the price of MTBs in there and that really did leave me scratching my head. Recession, sorry, flat growth, what flat growth?!?!
The new Norco in lime/yellow did look nice though 😉
Then I go to my SIL's (state) school and see the numbers of RR Evoques/Vogues, BMWs, Mercs etc in the car park and struggle with the idea of spending say £70k on a car rather than in a child's education
There's a lot of similarity between posh cars and private schools.
Anyhow, if anyone wants a free SUV, the trophy wives who park outside my shop while they go to collect their private school kids from the bus stop usually leave their engines running.
Cars and the topic of cars seem to spike a lot of jealousy and envy, this thread is ripe with it!
And anyone who can't see how a car can be a toy is being deliberately flippant and obtuse. Bikes were invented as a tool first then the toy stage came later.
You only live once, if I had money I'd be spending it on experiences first (like my trip to Aus and NZ start of next year) then once I've got that out of the way I'll be saving for an expensive car.
Life's too short, let's all go buy M3's on PCP tomorrow.
[i]Then I go to my SIL's (state) school and see the numbers of RR Evoques/Vogues, BMWs, Mercs etc in the car park and struggle with the idea of spending say £70k on a car rather than in a child's education[/i]
Agree.
We did the same and by me running a company Vectra (rather than the 5 series I was 'entitled' to) and my wife just having a base Saxo we could afford private school for our son.
My wife wants to trade her 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee as hers is getting "old"
I think I'd explode if my wife wanted a car like that let alone change it that often! TBH I could afford these sorts of cars but, like many here, don't get the appeal at all - far rather have a nice house and indeed maybe save to get a holiday home in France when I'm older.
I run a 12 year old Golf. 110k. Worth nothing. Bought it for £5500 8 years ago. Services and replaced wearing parts where needed. I've added up the receipts over ownership, yes I've kept them all, just shy of £1800.
Bro-in-law has a new Polo on finance. 7 years ago he bought a basic Polo on HP. End of the HP he extended his mortgage to pay off the balance. 3 years ago traded it in against a Polo on 3 years upgrade / give it back / pay the balance. It was worth £4k ish. Dealer gave him £3k. £130 per month for 3 years and has now upgraded to a new basic one.
So when he finishes this 3 year deal he will have paid £10k for the original car, £4.5k for the last car, and £5k for this one. And still won't own a car!
Madness.
Cars and the topic of cars seem to spike a lot of jealousy and envy, this thread is ripe with it!
If I wanted a flashier car, I would buy one.
agree with ransos
as this thread has shown any one could go out and get a flash motor on finance
as a (condescending) stw cyclist I just feel sorry for people who need to advertise their awesomeness by spunking a load of money on a motor
friend had a 10 yr old car sunroof leaked in a bit when it rained, they had no money for a new car. i suggested just sealing up the sunroof and using the windows when hot. No i like the sunroof open, fair enough. gets a small payout from ex partner about half goes on an 11 plate car (with no sunroof) as they deserved a new car as they had been driving a car that rained in. When asked if they had looked at spendingless of their money on say an 08 car incase they need money over the next few years. Did not want a car that lots of people may have driven. Now i don't get this logic but some people obviously do and it makes them happy, especially if everyone comments on their nice new car
Why do you think people only buy flash cars to show off? They are quite nice things to drive.
If I wanted a flashier car, I would buy one.
And that's the thing. As I mentioned before, some/many people just can't get their heads around that - eg that you drive a 'worse' car than you could - because they're so conditioned to believe that the car they drive somehow reflects on them.
as a (condescending) stw cyclist I just feel sorry for people who need to advertise their awesomeness by spunking a load of money on a motor
Yeah, An expensive bike is hardly the same thing, given you can buy one for the cost of a really cheap s/h car, and how few people would notice it's any different to a Halfords BSO.
I don't think anyone's really saying that Mollster. I'm sure they are nice to drive. I would say that in a lot of cases though, that may not be the primary motivation for the ownership. Hence the profusion of private number plates on flash cars(have you ever seen a RR wihout a private plate?)
And lets be honest... private number plates are the most tragic sign of desperate insecurity, and some pathetic need for validation ever IMHO
Look! Look everyone!!!! My cars got my name on it! Cool eh? Well its not really my name. If you read the 3 as an E, and the 6 as a G, then it sort of is.....
Cars and the topic of cars seem to spike a lot of jealousy and envy, this thread is ripe with it!
But most of the griping is not about 'posh' cars or toys for track use and enjoyment is it? it's about the madness of spending upwards of £15k on a boring or bottom of the range but NEW car, at least that's how I'm reading it.
If economy (both running and purchase costs) and reliability are your priorities then you are better served with a decent second hand car.
If fun is your priority then again, you're arguably better served with a second hand but better car than you could buy new.
It's the large sums of money on middle or bottom specced dullmobiles that I can't understand, jealousy doesn't come into it at all, I simply can't get my head around the person with £10 - 15k at their disposal (however it may be financed, cash, loan etc.) and goes "you know what I want? I want a brand new mid-range fiesta!"
I did read somewhere that something like 40% of BMWs are sold without a test drive - which suggests they're not buying them for the ride quality...
Buy a new car with a service contract and you know you'll have nothing to buy except tyres for up to five years with no arguing about how much of the bill for a new particle filter/turbo/GRC valve/injection pump/management box/ABS box you pay or the manufacturer pays. There a no big services looming on the horizon and you know you've got all of the life of the vehicle.
If you look at the average life of a car in years (8years and three months in France) or kms (150 000km - 250 000km is typical) then some second-hand cars are great value (big executive things) and some are lousy (popular family runabouts and Vitos/T4s). A friend bought a second-hand Westphalia Vito for half the original cost but at an age and kms I considered "end of life". It's off the road again at present while he hunts around the breakers for an injection pump.
It's interesting the number of posters that, while stating they can't understand why people have 'status' cars use the opportunity imply their 'status' by another medium.
I'm with Molgrips here. I buy nice cars since I really like driving. Simple really.
[i]I think I'd explode if my wife wanted a car like that let alone change it that often! TBH I could afford these sorts of cars but, like many here, don't get the appeal at all - far rather have a nice house and indeed maybe save to get a holiday home in France when I'm older. [/i]
Doesn't the little woman get a say?
🙄
OK put it this way. If your car is your toy, then splurge as much as you like on it, but if it is for transport don't spend a cent more than necessary on it.
I do about 25k miles a year, mostly business. Based on your logic I should be doing it in a 15 year old Mondeo with it's 15 year old safety features (or lack of), driver comfort (of lack of), emissions control (or lack.... think I've made my point)
Why is it so hard to understand that some people enjoy driving, and as such want a nice car to do it in. That doesn't make it a toy, it's still a tool to do a job, but why not enjoy it too?
I would definitely buy a nice car if I had tons of money. As I don't, I'll keep my Passat until either it dies or I make tons of money. It's pretty comfortable, to be honest, and I like it.
Doesn't the little woman get a say?
Good guess - she's 5'2". She has little desire to waste money on an SUV for school runs/shopping.
5 year old safety features (or lack of), driver comfort (of lack of), emissions control (or lack....
has safety really come on that far? still got airbags and abs back then
have car seats got more comfy? aircon can be recharged
emissions- 15 years of exhuast vs the environmental footprint of a tonne of metal and plastic- im not sure which is more
And that's the thing. As I mentioned before, some/many people just can't get their heads around that - eg that you drive a 'worse' car than you could - because they're so conditioned to believe that the car they drive somehow reflects on them.
And that's the thing. Some/many people just can't get their heads around that the car they drive somehow reflects on them.
Would you wear a potato sack to a job interview?
