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Original poster

Does anyone have a 'fun' car in addition to their daily runaround?

87 replies

Sonolanona · 18/10/2023 23:31

I'm perfectly aware that this is a very self indulgent thing!
I used to have a little sports car... nothing expensive; a Smart Roadster...and I LOVED it. Totally impractical (and leaked like a sieve).

Now I have a practical little Fiat Panda 4x4. Fits the dog in the boot, fits the dgs's car seat, even though it's small. It's 10 years old and I'll keep it til it conks as it's cheap to run.

BUT... I want a roadster again. I just WANT one. They are 20 years old now and rare, but one has come up for sale near me, 3K . I don't have expensive hobbies (mine are all free), or go out, I have a part time job and do Granny care the rest of the week, I walk the dog... that's it.

DH is currently spending money doing up an old van.. costing far more than the car, and says we can afford for me to have it. But I know it's 3K we could save....
(we aren't wealthy by any means but we've just finished the mortgage yay)

I know I shouldn't but I WANT to...

OP posts:
Joolsin · 18/10/2023 23:36

Buy it! Life's too short not to have a fun car as well as a practical one.

ComtesseDeSpair · 18/10/2023 23:42

I have a Smart Roadster 😁 Bought her from a specialist Smart mechanic who was nuts about the things and had sorted out the water ingress problem and done a lot of retuning. I’ve had a lot of very nice sports cars over the years but this one is by far my favourite.

They're now at the age and level of classic that, if in good nick and mileage, they hold their value pretty well. You’ll more than likely sell it on in a few years for what you paid or more, and as you’ll already know, the tax and insurance is peanuts and fuel economy great. I think it’s definitely one of the more justifiable toys!

GCWorkNightmare · 18/10/2023 23:42

Yes. She’s 18 years old and still as much fun as the day I got her.

GCWorkNightmare · 18/10/2023 23:42

Rather sportier than a Smart roadster though.

RandomMess · 18/10/2023 23:49

I do too, cheap as chips Renault Wind! Great fun compared to the family tank.

Itwasamemoment · 18/10/2023 23:53

I had a fiat500 and absolutely loved it . I changed to a Nissan Note because I now have a grandchild. Very reliable but feel absolutely unrecognisable on the road. Am waiting until she is 4 so it will be easier to get her into a 2 door.

Original poster
Sonolanona · 19/10/2023 00:00

I've found my people Grin
I thought I'd just get a pasting for wanting something frivolous ...
I'm going to go and look at it on Sunday Grin
Sadly it's the most boring colour.. Glance grey (my previous was a red Finale edition) but the thought of sitting in it, roof off, dog with her nose out in the passenger seat... hell yes!!!!!

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 19/10/2023 02:15

My friend's partner has a Ferrari that has been sitting on their drive since I met him 30 years ago. Never seen him drive it. Normal car is a big Range Rover.

Sarvanga38 · 19/10/2023 02:26

Big dog car for day to day, Mini convertible for fun here. 😁 I keep telling myself I don’t drive enough these days to have two cars and threatening to sell the Mini … then I drive it and think nope.😆

needtonamechangeagain · 19/10/2023 03:15

Ohhh enjoy and go for it.. I have many fun cars all sports 2 seater's and none of them my daily, they are my sanity and my very own gift to myself, I'm not a handbag, shoes etc spender I'd rather the roof off and music on!

Shade17 · 19/10/2023 07:21

Yes, multiple toys. Just do it.

Azaeleasinbloom · 19/10/2023 07:25

DH & I are debating this issue right now. We have had several ‘fun’ cars over the years and then common sense takes over and we go back to our 2 sensible ones. But they are too big for our garage , and there’s space in there for a wee convertible - mini, mx5 whatever…
Go for it.

Fluffycloudsfloatinginthesky · 19/10/2023 07:28

Oh gosh I want one too. I had an mx5 pre kids and want one again.

The thing that's stopping me mainly is I only have parking for 1 car and I only drive around 3k miles a year anyway. I currently have a 10yr old jazz. Boring and practical but reliable.

I looked at the mini convertible as I hoped it would work but I have 2 teens and the back seats are just too small.

I am thinking of the 5 door Mini Cooper sport as a compromise. Everyone I have spoken to says it's great fun to drive and sizing should be ok.

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 19/10/2023 07:31

I'm thinking of doing this. Something like a z3 or the little merc. problem is since Covid they have been too expensive to justify.

ehb102 · 19/10/2023 07:33

Yes. A Mark 1 MX5. I love it. I don't get to use it much but I drive it when the weather allows and I have somewhere to go. If I let it go I would never have another.

gotomomo · 19/10/2023 07:40

I want one! Nowhere to park it, need sensible car for university pick up (last year, yeah!) I seriously tempted

SmileyClare · 19/10/2023 08:03

It’ll be more than 3k once you factor in tax, insurance, servicing, repairs etc. Sorry if that’s stating the obvious but you’re probably looking at double that in a year.

Usually you can knock the asking price down a fair bit when you view.
At that age, it could turn into a money pit with repairs though.

I can think of far better things to spend that sort of money on 😂 but if you think it’ll add to your life and you can afford it…

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 19/10/2023 08:10

SmileyClare · 19/10/2023 08:03

It’ll be more than 3k once you factor in tax, insurance, servicing, repairs etc. Sorry if that’s stating the obvious but you’re probably looking at double that in a year.

Usually you can knock the asking price down a fair bit when you view.
At that age, it could turn into a money pit with repairs though.

I can think of far better things to spend that sort of money on 😂 but if you think it’ll add to your life and you can afford it…

It's not going to cost 6k over a year 🤦🏼‍♀️

SmileyClare · 19/10/2023 08:24

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 19/10/2023 08:10

It's not going to cost 6k over a year 🤦🏼‍♀️

Show quote history

It depends on its condition. Roadsters are renown for massive issues with leaks and water ingress.

Have it checked by a mechanic before buying, particularly if sold as seen (private sale).

I can only dream of having 3k plus to spunk on something frivolous so this is probably the wrong thread for someone who is very careful with money!

EspressoMacchiato · 19/10/2023 08:26

Yes do it!!!

We have an MX-5 soft top that is wholly impractical, uncomfortable to drive for more than an hour or two but so much bloody fun that we put up with aches afterwards 😁

SmileyClare · 19/10/2023 08:35

I changed to a Nissan..but feel absolutely unrecognisable on the road

It has never occurred to me that anyone cared about being recognised driving around 🤨🤣

I guess that’s why those personalised number plates are on literally every 4 x 4 you drive past these days.

Vinvertebrate · 19/10/2023 08:38

Another soft-top MX-5 here! I’ve got a boring Volvo estate “officially” but it’s the least fun car ever <gavel>

RandomMess · 19/10/2023 08:45

I was so limited on choice as my main passenger is 6'3" - only had a choice of 2 cars that we found he fit in!

Obviously there may have been Ferraris and the like but alas didn't find one to try regardless of it being out of our price range Grin

tinselvestsparklepants · 19/10/2023 08:47

Do you have a garage? We had a smart roadster and the water ingress was so bad if you didn't drive it every day the inside would literally get covered in mould! Bleugh!

Gnomegnomegnome · 19/10/2023 08:51

We have two classics. They are fun cars and completely unnecessary apart from the fact that they bring us joy. Both will always have great resale value so we consider them an investment (that’s us convincing ourselves that they are worth all of the time and money that we pour into them).

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