To not want to buy a sports car ?

[spookyrookie]

We are a 2 car family. Our main car which DH drives is a sensible family saloon. My car is an old Punto that we bought off some friends when they moved to NZ. Suits me fine because it only does very low mileage, primarily me dropping DS off to CM before I cycle into work.

DH is keen to replace it. Was gutted when it passed its MOT in May last year. Is now using EuroNCAp ( or whatever) which tests out cars in accidents to try to justify replacement as Punto doesn't do well in it.

OK fair enough, it is the car I drive and I like small cars so suggested Fiesta or similar.

Heck no, DH wants to buy a CLK convertible, with tiny back seats, for him to drive and wants me to use the family car.

Now at this point, you are probably thinking, why am I even bothering to post as I am so clearly in the right, but there is this nagging feeling that perhaps I am churlish no fun wife.

I freely admit, I don't give two hoots about what I drive, actually thats not true, I quite like the fact I'm driving an old small car as I think its economical and doesn't use as much petrol as a bigger car.

We could afford to buy whatever car we wanted as DH contracting ( although clearly no permanancy about it) and I work too. I know DH is into cars and would enjoy driving something more with it than our current models. He is a good H and F and doesn't have any other bad habits, apart from excessive on line chess playing.

But its such a massive waste of money, and if he does get it, then it will just be on to the next thing. Sigh, what do I do...

[PestoPyromaniacMonster]

Let him have it. My DH has one & I have the big family car. DH has to do a lot of driving for his job and I figured he might as well get the extra pleasure out of it, by having the car that he fancied.

It works really well for us.

[RubySlippers]

If you can afford it, and you have a sensible second car that you can all fit in, then let him go for it

[Lionstar]

Current economic climate means depreciation is horrendous on anything approaching a luxury car. If you buy new it is likely to halve its value just by driving it off the forecourt. One year down the line and you probably couldn't give it away.

Plus with fuel prices being so volatile it would be worth investing in something very fuel efficient.

[girlandboy]

It's a slippery slope

We are a 5 car family! It was 6 until recently.

I drive an Omega
He drive a Galaxy
1 Triumph TR3A in garage (non-runner)
2 Ginetta G15's in garage (1 non-runner, 1 ok)

It's an obsession. But on the bright side, they are all classic cars, and not losing value much.

[pickie]

It is not something I would ever do as for me a car is a thing that drives you from A-B and back again but if it your DH's only vice,
let him have it, DH has got a toy car as well (an expensive one I hasten to say) and he is happy as larry

[spookyrookie]

Ah I was expecting everyone to agree with me. Perhaps I am being too hardline. My original response was to say fine provided I could have my own mid life crisis as well with face lift and boob job, however DH double bluffed me by agreeing to it as a double win. ( It is lame joke, am not interested in plastic surgery at all).

[girlandboy]

I'm of the opinion that bearing in mind my dh doesn't smoke, doesn't drink, works hard for a living, provides a lovely home etc. then I can't complain about his one and only vice which is cars!

Actually, 2 vices...........the other is drumkits Can't currently get into my dining room for drums! Bless him.

[spookyrookie]

Am obviously mean bitter wife . But I work too, and do most of the housework and the childcare. I don't know if I can let him do this without resenting it? Plus seriously do I have to drive round in huge car that I would never have picked for myself to make him happy ?

[LazyLinePainterJane]

Can you trade in the family car and get something you would be happy with?

[girlandboy]

No you're not mean and bitter.

It is a big thing though, but I just tend to let it flow over me. I've had to drive all sorts of wierd vehicles just so he can indulge his car fantasies.

In fact the Galaxy that he drives around is my least favourite, because it feels as though I'm driving a Transit. It's huge. I actually prefer driving his little sportscar. It's low, (your bum's 4 inches off the road!) it's nippy and it's bright yellow!

I work too. Do most of the housework and look after the kids, but it's "boys and their toys" isn't it. It will make him happy. When my dh is happy then so am I. I don't really resent him for it, though it exasperates me sometimes, because lets face it, they take up alot of room. (That's cars and drums)
He goes mad because I've got the laptop on all the time.

[MadameCastafiore]

Oooohhhh I would let him have it and on the day ot arrived bring home the nicest most stylish handbag I could find regardless of cost.

[spookyrookie]

You are such a lovely wife girlandboy, bet my DH wishes he was married to you !

Agree Lazyline, that would be the best option, but family car is 04 reg and as a family car it is perfect for us as lots of boot space and runs well.

MadameC I think thats the problem. I don't really have any expensive hobbies. Even when I was single in my early 30s and had more disposable income than I have ever had since I just can't bring myself to buy luxury items, can't see the point.

The only thing that I really really want is to go on a nice ski holiday once DS is old enough to go to ski school ( if I don't get pregnant in the meantime). Perhaps that could be my reward for agreeing it.

[girlandboy]

And new shoes!

[tw70]

So trade in the family car for a car you would prefer as well. If it costs too much to get both, then insist that he gets a cheaper sports car. Why should you drive a car you don't like just so that he can drive a car he loves? It's only fair if you're both happy with your cars.

[MrsMattie]

DH has a flash 'midlife crisis' sports car + we have a family car. He's into cars. I'm not. Fair enough. he knows I think he's a bit of a twat, but if that's what makes him happy...

[spookyrookie]

Gosh this will be the first time that DH has ever been glad that I consulted mumsnet.

[themoon666]

girlandboy what make and model is your yellow sports car??

We are a two car family and DH drives the sensible family estate car. I drive the nippy sports car

this is mine

[needmorecoffee]

you allowed to spend 30K on something you want as well?
Sports cars use a load of petrol and have high emmissions don't they?

[themoon666]

Needmorecoffeee... my sports car is low emissions - i only pay the lower road tax too.

[needmorecoffee]

does it tempt you to speed? Or will blokes speed in any car?
I just don't get cars. To me they are like a large wheelchair for those unable to walk a mile to the shop. A box on wheels.
Now, if we were talking bicycles.....

[themoon666]

No it doesn't tempt me to speed. My car is tiny and so it feels fast at any speed. It is lovely round empty country roads though, with the wind in my hair and the music on.

[spookyrookie]

It certainly shan't be any where near £30k. I was thinking more in the region of £10k and to be fair to DH so was he.

I just don't get the whole fancy car thing. Agree with needmore.

[girlandboy]

themoon666 - we have got 2 of these
The one that is on the road is yellow, but doesn't have a sunroof (good, coz they leak). The one that is off the road is orange. It was made in 1973, so is getting on a bit, but of course being that old the road tax is cheaper.

He's also got one of these

Your car is snazzy

[girlandboy]

First link didn't work properly, try this

It's a Ginetta G15

[Hulababy]

Go for the sports car. It'll be fun - hey. you might even like it.

Fast cars do not make you speed. My car is fast, although not sports car. I don't speed, but a fast car is ideal for overtaking, esp on motorways.