AIBU to drive a banger?

I love a thread like this. While nothing wrong with the OP it brings out all the car hating responses who ironically judge everyone who choose to spend money on cars.

All it concludes is each to their own.

Nothing is a waste of money if those who are spending it are enjoying themselves

Often a company car or lease hire, not always obviously but usually. They deplete in value as soon as they leave the forecourt so it doesn’t even make sense to buy outright. My DH just got a top spec Merc CLA EV so we have that in the driveway and look fancy, but it’s just a company car.

I don’t mind a banger OP. Our family car is a bit of a banger too but it’s safe and reliable, gets us out on family trips and is pretty disgusting inside most of the time thanks to DC!

I've had Audis, Mercedes, Hondas, Kias and everything in between. Don't do anything to put yourself in debt. Let those people do what they do and you do what you do. Cars can be a loss leader eg they are good if they have a ROI by helping you fit in with your peers, get promoted etc. Yes, that's a thing. But, if you aren't going to move up the ladder with your car and it gets you efficiently and safely, from point A to B, then ignore the comments.

Since when was a 10 year old car a banger?? What pretentious snobs these “friends” are.

i hope they’re not in your car when they say that. And calling someone’s car a banger isn’t a joke, it’s bloody rude!!

I too have an older car, and I genuinely feel sorry when I see some friends in their flash cars. I know they are stretched for cash and are paying god knows how much a month just because they care what people say about them. But other friends have new cars because they are lovely to drive not because of an image.

But ultimately I don’t care what other people spend their money on, I’m sure people think I’m foolish for all the money I spend travelling abroad.

The most important thing is that the car is safe and reliable.

When mine regularly had three inches of water sloshing around in the foot well after rain and I couldn't work out where it was coming from or how to stop it, I ripped up the carpet in the foot well and binned it, then drilled a few holes in the floor. Problem solved.

My beautiful BMW lost me £11,000 in depreciation in less than three years but my old 13 year old banger has only lost me about £5,000 in TEN years ! 😅 the best car I’ve ever had

My OH and I have 5 cars between us, the NEWEST one is 17 years old 🤷‍♀️ don't see the point in buying a brand new car that will depreciate 25% the second it goes on the road. Also don't see the point leasing or financing - if I need credit to buy it, I can't afford it

I’m not sure a 10 year old car qualifies as a ‘banger’. Our car is 7 years old and we’ve had it 3 years and I still think of it as nearly new 😳

Entirely legit not to bother respraying it. I have been lucky that mine hasn't got scratched really but I made a decision I wasn't going to worry about it if it did and it had made my life a lot more chilled out.

My friends keep telling me to get a car on finance and I keep pointing out that my car has lost £1800 or so in value over 8 years, so has cost about £20 per month. Maybe £60 if you include tyres and services. So no, I won't be getting a car on finance for £400 a month thanks!

I’m on a decent wage and get a car allowance but I drive an old banger, I plan to run it into the ground before getting a newer one a car is just a to b for me and I’m currently saving my allowance towards a newer one so it’s a win win atm.

I wouldn't call that a banger!

I have a tiny 13 year old "banger" which I'm entirely happy with as its really cheap to run, reliable and great for nipping around and parking in small spaces. I'm also happy for my 21 year old son to borrow it as it doesn't cost a lot to add on a day of insurance and I'm not too worried if it gets the odd ding. Ulez exempt so handy for dropping people off at Heathrow too.

I've had people ask me about our mortgage and when they find out it's paid off the next question is usually "why don't you get a decent car then?" But a status symbol car means nothing to me. I get that we aren't all the same but some people really struggle with the concept!

I bought my first brand new car this year. For the last 30 odd years I have driven bangers, which was not so bad when I lived close to work. Now I have to travel a bit more, I wanted reliability and peace of mind.
I worked out what I could afford and got the best I could for my money. I will probably keep it for absolutely ages though so will eventually be back in banger territory!!!

Come join me in the old bangers club! I have 23 year old with 259,000 on the clock, peeling top coat and serious water issues! But do you know what it just passed it’s MOT and I love driving it! I think I may be buried in it!!

Just think, if instead of wasting hundreds of pounds on car finance deals, you saved that money, maybe in a pension,then you could retire early.. I also like good food more than expensive cars and I can't eat a car. The car as a status symbol doesn't really work, as we all know the drivers don't actually own them

I drive a ten years old Ford C-Max which I bought when it was two and a half. Low mileage as it was a Motability car, no scratches or dents. Mechanically sound and being a Ford it's cheap to have anything done. I'll keep it as long as possible.

I've got a ten year old Qashquai that's covered in scratches. I had it on finance when It was 3 years old and it kept its value really well over lockdown so that when it came to the final settlement I paid quite a lot less than it was worth. I'd never get a car on finance again especially as my financial situation changed and I wanted to give it back but couldn't.

I can think of one family member who'd no doubt make fun of it, but I don't see her because she's an arsehole....

YANBU. I've a 18 year old car that I've owned since new. I keep it immaculate, inside and out. Never failed an MOT. Get it serviced to schedule yearly and all it's ever needed are the normal consumables, never broken down, never needed anything big/expensive, other than the timing belt which is a service schedule item. I've looked after it, driven it carefully, no banging up/down kerbs and no "heavy" right foot, so suspension etc is fine. I've no intention of getting rid of it as there's literally nothing wrong with it. Yes, it "looks" old because it's a pretty unique shape/design which dates it to the mid noughties, but there's not a mark/scratch on it (inside or out). Certainly not getting rid "just because" it's old.

I have a 20 year old Freelander I bought from new. It’s been super reliable and I just don’t understand why I’d get rid of a car that works perfectly. It’s that old it’s actually got a nice retro vibe to it now 🤣

I drive a 12 year old Kuga..I wouldn’t class it as a banger just yet. It’s done 80k and I intend it to stay with me for years yet.

But the new vs old car conversation came up recently in our office as my colleague was scrabbling to replace her lease car that was coming to an end. She has a new car because she knows nothing about car maintenance and doesn’t know anyone who does. Whereas my DH is a hobby mechanic so can do 90% of the work on mine. She is the sort to panic at a Tyre pressure monitoring light. I’m the sort of person who says well just check your wheels before you get in 🤣.

That is why some people go new and some people are happy with old.

Yes obviously in my opinion. I'm the one who said it!

It is also my opinion that the waste of money is obscene, however, money makes the world go round, such is life, you do you, etc...

Carry on doing what you're doing. My cars are 22 and 24 years old. Well maintained so they can be relied upon. I drove the 22yo Toyota Yaris to Scotland a few months ago, it didn't miss a beat. Friends of my DC who work in the motor industry were in complete disbelief a car of that age could make such a long journey (we live on south coast) and survive it.

if your image matters to you then I suppose you need to get something "better " whatever that means, but it's the quality of the person driving the car that matters, not the actual car.

In your opinion they’re a waste

Sone people get enjoyment from cars - same as some people enjoy expensive pastimes such as skiing or spa breaks or all inclusive 5 start holidays