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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To blow a year's salary on on impractical car I don't need?

194 replies

Silverclocks · 23/03/2022 21:11

I have a sensible medium sized family hatchback, less than a year old.

Household is DS1 who has his own small hatchback (that was previously mine), DS2 18yo, not showing any interest in learning to drive but it's something I should insist he does, an important life skill, but hard atm because of lack of availability of tests and lessons.

I'm early 50s thinking about early retirement.

I've had a shocking time over the last 2 years, the kind of things that make you realise life is short and "the future" doesn't happen for everyone.

I've got some cash saved to finance the early retirement, thinking that for a few years I can live off capital rather than taking pensions early. I'm not desperate to leave work, but I'd like more free time/ freedom iyswim.

Anyway, I have this idea that I'd love a little 2 seater convertible. DS1 says I can't have a "middle aged mum car", which of course makes it all the more attractive.

Realistically I need to keep the sensible car too, although I could share it with DS2 once he starts learning.

Spending the cash effectively delays retirement by a year....

I know it makes no sense but that's kind of why I'd like to do it! I've spent a lifetime being sensible - that's why I can afford to do it.

What do you think?

OP posts:

Original poster

Silverclocks · 23/03/2022 22:57

@Blossomtoes

I'm also thinking that regular getting in and out will count as body weight exercise and keep me young

Nice try but sadly no!

Oh well I'll just have to ban myself from groaning getting up and doing that oof thing getting down

OP posts:

Greyhare · 23/03/2022 23:00

Life is for living, so do it, I had a 2 seater convertible and loved it, bobble hat in the winter as nothing nicer than a crisp sunny winters day whizzing round with the roof down, I struggled more in the summer from sun burning my scalp.

Shrekroll · 23/03/2022 23:06

Does it have to cost so much? Why not buy a used Renault Wind or similar as a bit of a fun occasional runaround?

ThenAgainMaybeIWont · 23/03/2022 23:06

@nocoolnamesleft LOL. Are only poor people allowed to post these days or something?

Yes OP just do it. I just bought a brand new JCW mini because , if you're lucky enough to be able to afford it, why not?

thevassal · 23/03/2022 23:07

[quote KellyJonesLeatherTrousers]@PerseverancePays
Why not leave this particular room if you don’t like the question. [/quote]
This! Plus unless they post the same hypcritical comment on any thread involving holidays, housing, pension, or pretty much anything in style and beauty, why pick on this one?

I would say go for it op, life is for living! Although I don't really understand why you wouldn't go for a second hand version of the car you want if it saves you money- even if its just a year or so old? Seems a bit random to want a brand new one just for the sake of it...
Can you get it from one of those companies that guarantee you can return it in 14 days just in case you don't love it as much as you think?

In some ways it might end up being more economical than your runaround once the older car starts needing some work on it.

I would check with ds2 exactly what his plans are though. Offsetting the cost by selling your old car would be worth it if he definitely isn't bothered about learning to drive in the immediate future. Bear in mind that if your new car is your main car he will have to be the main driver for insurance purposes on the old one which will make the premiums way higher than if he was the additional driver on your car (as presumably you did with ds1).

Newnormal99 · 23/03/2022 23:09

I'm thinking about this too when my children are old enough to drive. I had a Mazda mx5!for about 3 years but had to sell it when pregnant I loved it. My plan is to get another one when my oldest hits 17 and then she can learn in my hatchback and we still use that for the occasional family days out.

SisyphusDad · 23/03/2022 23:12

Fuck it. Just do it. Convertibles are so much fun.

UnvarnishedTruth · 23/03/2022 23:13

If you're looking now for something you'll need to order and wait months for, and you haven't already tried an electric, take one for a test drive.

The Audi GT is a lot of fun.

vipersnest1 · 23/03/2022 23:20

Just food for thought, @Silverclocks, why not buy a car that's less than a year old (if you can get them now inthe particular one you want)?
You'll be saving thousands off the 'drive off the forecourt' price, but still have a lovely car nevertheless.
I bought a car that was less than a year old for a significant birthday a few years back (my treat to myself as there was no-one else to do it for me). I still love it and smile every time I get in it.

Original poster

Silverclocks · 23/03/2022 23:21

I know I was told off for flaunting my "wealth" but the Audi GT is a lot more than a year's salary

OP posts:

Original poster

Silverclocks · 23/03/2022 23:22

@vipersnest1

Just food for thought, *@Silverclocks*, why not buy a car that's less than a year old (if you can get them now inthe particular one you want)? You'll be saving thousands off the 'drive off the forecourt' price, but still have a lovely car nevertheless. I bought a car that was less than a year old for a significant birthday a few years back (my treat to myself as there was no-one else to do it for me). I still love it and smile every time I get in it.

I don't think you are atm. The state of the market is such that nearly new cars can even be dearer than new ones (that you have to wait for)

OP posts:

DoctorManhattan · 23/03/2022 23:31

I’m a car enthusiast. Do it. Everyone has a hobby or something that they enjoy and if yours happens to be hooning round in a convertible in the sunshine, good for you. In another decade there might be v little opportunity to acquire such a vehicle when the market is leaning towards overpriced electric saloons and SUVs.

Nat94 · 23/03/2022 23:31

If you can afford it go for it. Life can be quite boring without the occasional spontaneous purchase. Work hard play hard 👍

Trivium4all · 23/03/2022 23:32

Go for a 1st-gen MX5 (1989-97). Enough car geek cred to count as classic, yet still such enormous fun on the road. Tiny engine that is still more than enough for such a tiny car (so you don't need to feel too guilty), amazing transmission. Spend money you save on buying the car on a wee fund for upkeep and on champagne and smoked salmon...

vipersnest1 · 23/03/2022 23:40

@Silverclocks, I'm a bit confused by your comment 'I don't think you are' about my post?
Do whatever you fancy. That's what I did, and that was the point of my post. I was just trying to save you a few quid if that was possible.

Wormwoodgal · 23/03/2022 23:43

Do it! I did, and might well do it again soon...

Libertaire · 23/03/2022 23:52

Go got it, OP. I have owned several convertibles, they are great fun.

The Mazda MX-5 is just a joy to drive, very reliable and they hold their value. Mine was a manual which suits the car perfectly.

The Mercedes SLK is bigger, faster, more comfortable, posher, more refined, more practical in that it has an excellent folding hard top and a decent size boot. Mine was an automatic, which was ideal. Definitely not as much fun as the Mazda, though.

Sunbird24 · 24/03/2022 00:16

@Silverclocks I’d definitely say go for it! I have a silly little sports car, got an ex display model with about 2k miles on the clock, so a few grand cheaper than new and had only been used by the garage for test drives so very well looked after. I’ve had it 3 years (I was 41) and I put the roof down any time the sky is blue. I always wear a hat to stop my hair getting wild, and if it’s cold I whack the heaters up, but driving it makes me smile so much, and I usually find driving very stressful.

Thewindwhispers · 24/03/2022 00:18

You don’t need our approval OP. If you can afford to buy something that will make you happy, then do it. Just don’t expect envious randos on the internet to be enthusiastic.

XelaM · 24/03/2022 06:46

Buying a new car outright is a bit stupid as it depreciates in value the minute you drive off. New cars are usually bought on lease/finance so you can return them in a few years and get another new one

Original poster

Silverclocks · 24/03/2022 06:47

[quote vipersnest1]@Silverclocks, I'm a bit confused by your comment 'I don't think you are' about my post?
Do whatever you fancy. That's what I did, and that was the point of my post. I was just trying to save you a few quid if that was possible.[/quote]
I understand that, but I don't think you can save much money by buying a nearly new car at the moment. Newish secondhand cars have become very expensive, in some cases more expensive than new cars because of the long wait times for new cars. I understand that's been the case in the past and I daresay will be again, but not at the moment.

OP posts:

liveforsummer · 24/03/2022 06:52

@nocoolnamesleft

Read the room.

What room - everyone's circumstances are different. Personally I'm working 2 jobs sometimes 18 hours of the day just to put petrol in my 15 year old banger to get to said jobs and I say go for it. It's only a year. Can you go part time initially OP to have extra time but still earn? First thing I'd do if I won the lottery would be buy my dream car.

liveforsummer · 24/03/2022 06:54

@enjoyingscience

Get a second hand one. Driving with the top down is fabulous fun, and will be fun every time you do it. You can’t see the reg plate from inside the car though - it surely doesn’t matter if it’s a few years old already? Spend the change on champagne.

Second had cars are so expensive atm that if you want one in new like condition inside and out then you're as well getting a new one. Just order it now OP as there can be a wait currently and you want it for the start of summer.

PotBelliesGiveGoodLoving · 24/03/2022 07:01

Only if it's a Caterham.

BritInUS1 · 24/03/2022 07:28

Go for it - you only live one x

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