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Original poster

On the verge of making a daft decision

76 replies

Dotandtime · 05/07/2023 17:56

It's not one I could ever justify for any logical reason, just that it's fun and I want to. But will it be enough fun for me not to regret it?

I'm thinking of spending £30k on a two seater convertible.

I don't need a car. I have a 2yo Ford Focus that does about 6000 miles pa and I've just changed my job so it will be even less. When I do use the car it's for socialising, usually travelling a hundred miles or so for sports events, although even then we often car share so I don't always drive. Short local trips at weekends.

I can afford it. I'll pay cash, I won't miss the money as such, it's just in savings, it won't make any difference to what else I do or what i can soend on a daily/monthly/annual basis. I have good pensions so don't need it to boost that.

I'll probably have to keep the Focus for when I need a sensible car - there's just me so this isn't a second car.

I feel like throwing caution to the wind, which is most unlike me, you don't build savings like that, but it is a lot of money for something that won't get a lot of use. It is all money I've earned and saved, no windfalls.

OP posts:
menope · 05/07/2023 18:42

*completely

maybebalancing · 05/07/2023 18:52

If you think carefully about the car you could well end op with a car that appreciates in value or at least doesn't drop in the long term.
DH loves cars and usually manages to have one that doesn't drop in value much or at all sometimes they gain.
The parts do tend to be expensive though.

CrazyArmadilloLady · 05/07/2023 18:52

People love to do a bit of parade-raining on here.

What’s the worst thing that could happen? You don’t like it, so you sell it. You lose a bit of money. Well, that would have happened with any car you’d bought.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cars & vehicles
3luckystars · 05/07/2023 18:54

Don’t do this. It’s a total waste of money, it will have lost about 5k the minute you drive it out the gate. Rent one out for a week and get it out of your system.

Dont do it. Spend money on experiences not ‘things’ and definitely not shite things you won’t use and are unsuitable for our climate.

Aaron95 · 05/07/2023 18:56

I have had a succession of roadsters for the past 15 years and love my current Toyota MR2 to bits. It is superb fun to drive.

My question would be why spend that much money? Why not buy a second hand MR2 or an MX5 for a few grand.

LMNT · 05/07/2023 18:57

Do it!! We have a 2 seater convertible and we freaking love it, it’s so much fun.

You only live once!

PatriciaHolm · 05/07/2023 18:58

I adored both mine sigh. Pesky kids.

Though plenty can be had for less than £30k - I wouldn't buy new either.

I will definitely have another at some point!

Notamum12345577 · 05/07/2023 18:59

Dotandtime · 05/07/2023 18:32

It's not really any different to buying fancy shoes you only wear for special occasions or the holiday of a lifetime that only lasts a few days?

Show quote history

30k? Is it a mark 4 Mazda MX5? If so, as you have stated you can afford it, go for it!

hattie43 · 05/07/2023 19:00

Buy it . I bought a Porsche Boxster on a whim and I loved it .

Kangarude · 05/07/2023 19:01

Buy it and enjoy

Lilly0909 · 05/07/2023 19:03

Rent one for a month first. Convertibles are cheaper to buy in winter too

Mommasgotabrandnewbag · 05/07/2023 19:03

Lifes too short op. If you want it, can afford it and it's not going to mess up any future retirement type plans then bloody buy it!

Shrouds don't have pockets ❤️

wildfirewonder · 05/07/2023 19:04

I think that's mad. I'd rent one whenever I wanted one and save £25k.

SoftAsABearsElbow · 05/07/2023 19:06

Look at the resale value if you kept it for a couple of years then sold it.

The difference is what you're really spending. Not 30k. It's only 30k if you end up keeping it until it drops dead - which may be the case but then you would (hopefully) be getting many years of sheer joy, hence you keeping it.

Deathbyfluffy · 05/07/2023 19:09

MeinKraft · 05/07/2023 18:01

I used to have a two seater convertible. After a while I felt ridiculous driving around in it.

Why would you care what other people think?
Just enjoy it, balls to them

Fizzadora · 05/07/2023 19:13

I always yearned for a convertible so eventually went ahead and bought one.
Granted I didn't spend anything like the amount you are proposing.

It was OK at first. Great on nice spring days on short bobbing about journeys. Come the summer and that full sun beating down on my ginger head as I was whizzing down the motorway, wind whipping my hair in to my eyes and mouth, I wondered why I had thought it was such a good idea.
Come the autumn and getting into a damp feeling rattly car with a low claustrophobic roof I realised it just wasn't for me.

I sold it and bought a Focus ST so now I just whizz round everywhere really fast (or I would if we didn't live in a bloody 20mph zone).

orangeflags · 05/07/2023 19:18

Do it. Life is for living. What colour?

TiaraBoo · 05/07/2023 19:21

I’d consider leasing a car for a couple of months to see if it’s my thing or not.

Otherwise good luck with your decision!

mambojambodothetango · 05/07/2023 19:24

What if you suddenly need the money for something else?

Samsonsmum · 05/07/2023 19:25

Just DO IT. Enjoy it. If you get fed up with it after a couple of years sell it

Original poster
Dotandtime · 05/07/2023 19:25

Fizzadora · 05/07/2023 19:13

I always yearned for a convertible so eventually went ahead and bought one.
Granted I didn't spend anything like the amount you are proposing.

It was OK at first. Great on nice spring days on short bobbing about journeys. Come the summer and that full sun beating down on my ginger head as I was whizzing down the motorway, wind whipping my hair in to my eyes and mouth, I wondered why I had thought it was such a good idea.
Come the autumn and getting into a damp feeling rattly car with a low claustrophobic roof I realised it just wasn't for me.

I sold it and bought a Focus ST so now I just whizz round everywhere really fast (or I would if we didn't live in a bloody 20mph zone).

This won't be damp or rattly, it's practically new. With the roof up it's just any any other car. I do wonder if I'd be better off with a 2 seater hard top though, I agree I probably won't have the top down often.

OP posts:
Coral569 · 05/07/2023 19:35

I like to think that I'll throw a load of money on a cool, sporty car of some sort when DS grows up and moves out. So I say do it!

Also the opinions on cars will always be mixed. I recently bought a lovely, huge car that I'd had my eye on and some of my friends think I'm crazy, others were patting me on the back. It depends how you feel about cars but I feel happy every time I look at mine.

MercedesSLK · 05/07/2023 19:35

Name changed for this as it’s outing to those who know me.

Buy the car.

I have had a Mercedes SLK (2 seater hardtop convertible) for over 10 years (the same car, I bought it when it was about four years old).

It’s my only car, love it so much that I am struggling to come up with ideas for a replacement car. It’s practical enough (I can get three bags of compost in the boot) and I have the roof down every month of the year. As long as it’s sunny and over 6 degrees it’s lovely. I have airscarf and heated seats and a wind deflector.

ABugWife · 05/07/2023 19:36

Just hire one for a month or so each year during the summer. Would be a lot of years before you spent the whole 30k.

MIBnightmare · 05/07/2023 19:43

OldTinHat · 05/07/2023 18:39

I swore black and blue that when my DC left home I'd buy a two seater sports car. A seat for me and a seat for my handbag!

You've just reminded me of that promise to myself and they left five years ago...!

Buy the car!!!

That is exactly what I did. !

Whilst telling all 3 kids that they were not to have babies for at least 5 years.. as no baby seat was going in my mid life crisis.