AIBU over car DP got us?

[DrivingTat]

Hi, all

I need to know how U you think I am over this.

So this Saturday my DP went to get us a new car (secondhand), I did not go with him as I had plans and was not that interested tbh. He sorted our last one out, which we scrapped last week as was too much to repair (head gasket)... It was a fiesta 54 plate.

So Saturday I went shopping with my friend, which was lovely! Had such a nice day as I had not seen her for awhile. Anyway half way through the day (about 1pm) I get a text from DP. "Got us a car sorted". I texted back without a thought to ask which one. I said "fab babe, we were just talking about you lol". That was it.

I get home about 8pm, feeling v relaxed and happy. So there I am telling DP about my day and he tells me about his. Yes the car I say let's see it!!

I go outside with DP and he points to it! I laughed my head off thinking he was taking the piss. He wasn't.

It's a blue 1989 escort, with one wheel trim and cassette radio. Why?! Just why?!

I don't like it, don't want it. It's my own fault for being so relaxed about buying a car and leaving it up to him, I know that but AIBU to be annoyed?

I have not said anything to him, because I don't know what to say. It's bought, taxed, insured. WWUD? Do I throw a fit and say take it back? Do I yell at him for not first asking to buy such a old car? Do I just live with it and get over it. It's been two days and I still feel so pissed off at him!! And myself.

We share one car, paid for out a joint account. We agreed on a budget, and yes he stuck to it. I really am not a car snob, I really did not think I cared as long as it got me from a-b but clearly I do. I just don't understand why that one. It's a tatty mess. How is it even still running!!!

Has he checked it runs on unleaded OP? (Seriously, I melted the engine of my mid 80s Metro because I assumed it ran on unleaded like the slightly older Nova I'd previously bought). Tell me your address, I'll bung some tapes in the post.

Ha ha. We could all make mix tapes of music from the 1980s for the OP.

I'm starting mine with I like driving in my car by Madness.

I did wonder about leaded/unleaded when I first read about the car. But as you see cars much older than the OPs on the road - seriously, that's quite new in the world of classic Ford Escorts, they must either have been converted, or you must still be able to buy leaded petrol somewhere.

You can buy bottles of additive that go in with the unleaded that give the lubrication that unleaded doesn't have, I found out too late.

Our 45 year old car runs happily on unleaded though, it was uprated to do that when we rebuilt the engine. My 71 Minor ran on unleaded without being uprated, but I used an additive.

A car that age can be fixed by any enthusiast whilst newer ones are more difficult with all the fancy exhausts, brakes and electronics. If he us a keen tinkerer then can understand his choice. However it needs professional maintenance then I would be miffed. You can't really complain as you showed absolutely no interest. Lesson learned.

I have a very old car. If I leave it on the road, people knock on my door and ask if it has been dumped.

Car sounds awesome. I love older cars. I have a 21 year old car which I adore, but isnt terribly particle for every day life at the mo, so it's in storage until I no longer need to cart car seats, suitcases and strollers around with me. DH bought it for me when I was about 3mo pregnant. Didn't really think too much about it at the time 😂.

Just think of it as a modern classic.

I would go nuts. Was it super cheap? Do you still get free car tax on old cars? Has he always wanted one? It's also quite funny but I would be fuming.

Hmm. I think since you left it up to him and didn't contribute to establishing parameters you kind of have to accept it. On the other hand you are going to drive it too and he should really have discussed it with you before trading in a normal, serviceable type of car for a vintage car. A vintage car is going to be unreliable and expensive to run, so I think he should have cleared it with you before putting you in the likely position of breaking down in it when you may be alone at night or out with the DC. And he may have stuck to the purchase budget but he has changed the economic impact of having a car by buying a car that is likely to need more repairs and not last as long. So I think you can let him know that you think he should have discussed it with you before changing the shopping brief "decent used car" to "hobby vintage car."

But the good news it probably won't last long to annoy you. You will probably be scrapping it within a year.

Tell me your budget wasn’t just £200 otherwise you have been done over.

Sorry but unless you told him otherwise, it's your own fault.

Surely you know us men can't be trusted to make sensible purchases!

Seeings thats a Ford of that vintage it must be worth quite a bit if it's still in one bit, they rusted like no ones businness.

Its an enthusists car, lots of restore work fine if your into that sort of thing but its not a practical car for these days modern usage:(.

You pays your money, you take the choice.
Dimilar but different with my DH recent purchase. Other end of the money scale, more specialist and different, ‘classic’ supposedly. We had discussion, with me assuming a wait of up-to-a-year for ‘hand built’ motor, but he turns up with one in under 3 weeks. Why would anyone spend that much on a car with no abs, very difficult to get into (or out of), no boot space, can’t carry anything in it. What a huge waste of money. I think I’d prefer a 1989 Escort! But I shouldn’t moan as we had ‘discussed’ it. But then the goalposts were moved. Hey ho!

I bet he paid quite a bit for it. My DH is into newer 'classic' cars and has an old BMW sitting in our garage which he paid more for than a much newer BMW.

I would be raging though. Its great if your into that kind of thing but not as your main, or only car.

I just cannot fathom anyone wanting their family to ride in a 30-year old jalopy without modern safety features that are available in this present time-hell I have issues driving my Jeep without the rear camera in our Honda van

Sorry but you weren't interested and didn't give any input as you were shopping with a friend - that's the problem especially as he's got form! I don't see why you're embarrassed though, just say it's a classic and front it out!

I get why you’re angry OP. You trusted your dp to buy something sensible and practical and he’s come back with the escort.

My dad is hugely into cars. Two very odd classic mercs and he’s just brought back his Ford Consul from abroad. It drives my mum totally and utterly nuts. He has said he’ll sell his consul once he finds where to sell it.

Please keep all paperwork if you decide to sell it might help sell it on.

Actually @drivingtat it's my opinion and therefore completely called for. You came here asking for opinions.... you got them. You might not like them, but this is AIBU.

You're still being shallow because you're embarrassed. By a car.
Its purpose is to get you from one place to another.

Oh bless him!

You need to start rocking that retro look but you still need to know his motivation for buying such an unusual car.

You need a visor with your names on for the windscreen and go faster stripes OP. None of this Powered By Unicorn Farts in the 80's.

Loving that it came with a crook lock.

The mention of the names visor has reminded me of the Bev & Kev adverts and googling to see if they were in an Escort (they weren't it was a Volvo) I see that Bev was actually played by Olivia Coleman.

Oh dear, lol! I know someone who trusted her other half to get a van from auction. He came back with an ex-ambulance. It came with a stretcher, sirens and oxygen

If you're budget is £800 then a Ford Escort isn't too bad a choice. Buttons to fix and nothing to go wrong. As long as it's rust free then it'll be a good car.

Personally for that money I'd have bought a 1998-2004 Focus but if you try to buy a car in a single day your options are limited.

I let my dad buy me a car from the auction - I was saddled with a huge Citroen where the suspension goes up and down. I was mortified as it was brown as well. Oh how I wanted a little hatchback
I feel your pain 😂