AIBU to drive a banger?

I remember a chap on a programme about how to move up the property ladder, he said, 'have a house you can't afford and a car you can afford to throw away' Makes sense to me, it's a rare car that will keep it's price, but a house...

Since when did 10 year old cars become old bangers???!!!!!

My car is 18 years old. I dented it by bumping a low wall (twice!) a few years ago, but couldn't justify the expense of a repair and didn't want to go through my insurance because it would've put my premium up. The boot won't stay open unsupported and it's grubby. It goes really well though, so even that's not a banger in my opinion.

Your car is newer than our newest car.

Personally I'd rather spend the money on my home than a car that essentially does the same job as the one I already have.

A 10 year old car doesn’t really qualify as an old banger. I was driving a 16 year old Fiesta until I replaced it a year ago. With an older car you don’t worry about it as much, especially if you happen to get a little scratch from a twig or something. Yes you may have the means to buy something newer but it’s not compulsory. In a few years time you’ll be calling it a jalopy and be proud of it.

I have what some people would consider a banger. To me its an environmentally friendly option as it has low emissions, I've had it a decade, it's low tech so doesn't waste resources, and it gets me from a to b reliably and comfortably. There is no way I'd buy a new car and once mine breaks I'll be buying the exact same model from maybe the year or 2 later.
You don't need a flash new car just because other people think you do! Think of all the plastic, rare earth minerals in the battery, the emissions to build it. Much better for the planet to run an old car into the ground.

Peace ✌️

Oh I agree no one should have to defend having an older car. Drive what you like and no one should judge you for it.

Agree with you tbf but the OP is feeling defensive and having to justify her desire to keep her 'banger'. Judging people for the car they drive isn't really representative of nice personality traits. I would personally just tell them to piss off and mind their own. I've also had cars on finance and regret the money I wasted, albeit driving around in a flash car at the same time. The price wasn't worth it.

All cars do the same thing, they get you from A to B.

Really?
on this thread we’ve had shallow, materialistic, waste of money, stupid, immature. All about people with nice cars

dont get me wrong I’ve had old cars which were all I could afford, and I’ve loved them. I have an older practical car now, alongside nicer ones.

it can be a choice to like and spend on a nice car , not an indicator someone is stupid shallow and in debt!

If you own your car, then you are already better off than those telling you to get a flash car. They are trying to set you to fail. They probably pay a few hundred a month to drive their cars, whcih they won't own. Having an older car means mechanics already have experience in fixing them and charge you less.

The sneering isn't coming from the practical car owners.

But if you do that’s also ok.

these threass are really sneery about people with nice cars, assuming they are in debt or shallow. I love cars, have a few, some are considered flash. I buy them for me, not to impress anyone else.

if someone likes cars and buys nice ones that’s fine, provides of course they can afford it.

I used to drive flashy cars until I grew up and applied common sense. I now enjoy my nice sturdy 2020 registered car that's only done 23K miles. It's a poor man's 4x4 but with where I live, flashy numbers just aren't practical. I like the safety of my reliable car instead of the head turning soft tops I used to drive.

People really are hooked by the status frenzy engendered by car marketing, aren’t they?

I saw someone on a thread yesterday demonstrating their thrift and frugality by declaring ‘I drive a 9 year old Volvo’ ….er yes, an expensive car built to be a good car for a lot more than 9 years.

As far as I can see most people buy cars bigger and with higher spec than they could ever need. Lured by finance plans and high outlay on cars seen as a normal expense.

Don’t be influenced by views you don’t share.

In your opinion it’s a waste of money but it could be a pleasure for them. Just as there’s no reason to judge OP as she’s got an older car - there’s no reason for you to judge your coworker. Some people enjoy cars and so spend their money that way - same as some people enjoy an expensive gym membership and others just go for a run

If a car is mechanically sound and doesn’t let me down then I don’t worry about it. Who are these people who comment? No one expresses an opinion on what I should do about me car!

Why do you care what other people think?

I have a ten year old corsa. I love her and will keep her as long as I can, the heated seats are incredible

Bangers have a history. People who make shallow judgements have no depth of character. You drive whatever you want and enjoy not paying extortionate monthly finance on a piece of metal.

I wouldn’t consider a 10yo car to be a banger! Mine is 11 years old and on 70k miles and I’m hoping to get at least another 5-10 years of out it.

Have a 12-year old Dacia here. Never worry if I accidentally leave it unlocked or if it gets a scratch - there are some advantages to having a banger!

You wouldn't believe how many people have nice cars but are leased for a ridiculously high amount.

Given the cost of living, the expense of running a car and that newer cars face the same risks in car parks and the state of our roads I think having an older car is a pretty sensible idea these days.

I am with you. Our car is about 13 years old and has a few scratches. Whenever we sell it, it won’t be for a fancy one, it will be for another practical secondhand car that meets our priorities of safety, capacity and fuel economy, and that we can afford to buy outright.

Obviously people have different priorities for cars. I do not see my car as any sort of ‘extension’ of myself, but that is partly because most people who see me with it are family or close friends and so I am not using it to present any sort of image. I cycle/walk/tube the journey to work.

I can see that for some people it would be more important to have a ‘smart’ car if they are driving around to see clients. So I try not to judge what I would otherwise consider a huge waster of money!

I’m with you I don’t care about cars. I drive a 12 year old Ford KA. Never had comments on it though. Could say something short and repeat over until people get the idea you don’t want comments on your car. But agree with others 10 year old car isn’t an old banger in my eyes.

I think maybe car people think that’s everyone thinks about cars in the same way as them.