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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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. Grin

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:
ChampagneLassie · 24/03/2022 10:00

You don't need to know about cars to buy 2nd hand. If you want real peace of mind, go to a main dealership and get one that is less than 5 years old. Porsche and Jag are excellent for this.

Zilla1 · 24/03/2022 10:06

Yes a dealership will generously give you the best deal for a used car or new. You'll also feel like you negotiated hard and got a great deal. They'll probably make a loss but will be happy to build a long term relationship of you getting great deals and them making a series of losses. It'll be a wonder how they stay in business.

KeepYaHeadUp · 24/03/2022 10:08

@CockingASnook

I’d second PP, don’t rule out approved secondhand cars: they’ll have full service histories and a long warranty plus they’ll have done much of their depreciation. But do your research and look for known faults or issues with engines etc. You seem to have a new car in mind but be aware that there are some models from previous years that are pretty much guaranteed good buys.
I've just bought my 2 year old lease car and sold it privately because it's done so little depreciation it worked out better for me to do that and put the "equity" down as a deposit on the brand new car I'd ordered last September and is only just ready for me to pick up.

At the mo 2nd hand isn't necessarily the best option

CasperGutman · 24/03/2022 10:09

I voted "YABU" because it's clearly not "reasonable" to buy this car: there is no line of "reasoning" which would lead to doing so.

That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't do it though! If you can afford to, and if it will make you happy, go for it!

KeepYaHeadUp · 24/03/2022 10:11

@EatYourVegetables

I’m with your DS2. Have you heard of climate crisis? You want to have 3 or 4 cars in a 3 person household?

I’m… yeah. No. Buying stuff doesn’t make you happy, just ruins the environment.

I bet you love the smell of your own farts, don't you!?
Clovacloud · 24/03/2022 10:17

Just a word of warning. When I was 25 I had a massive ‘quarter life’ crisis (saved me doing it now at 50!) and I bought myself a sexy brand new little 2 seater convertible and it was the most fun I have ever had….that summer. As soon as it got to October I sold it.

Whenever it rained, it steamed up so I couldn’t see out of any windows, the roof was a PITA to put up and down. I couldn’t get anything into it, no IKEA trips! It was quite embarrassing having a sexy car for 16 weeks and then swapping it for something really boring and practical.

So my advice is test drive it in all conditions especially rainy or keep your other car as a practical day to day one, and have the two seater as fun weekend one.

AdobeWanKenobi · 24/03/2022 11:16

Whenever it rained, it steamed up so I couldn’t see out of any windows, the roof was a PITA to put up and down

25 years is a lifetime in car design. Neither of these are a problem in a modern convertible.

Chimchar · 24/03/2022 11:41

Get it.
Make sure you get heated seats. You can drive it topless on cold days too then.
The joy that is gained outweighs other stuff, especially if you're happy working for another year.

Top off, music on. Lush!

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 24/03/2022 12:01

DH sold his newish car for more than he bought it, so second hand cars are not losing money like they used to.

I’ve had a few convertible cars and loved them. A couple of things- every male will try to get past you at traffic lights. They can’t bear to be behind a woman in a sports car. Let it go. My experience was that, whenever I took the car for servicing or tyres, or whatever, they would ignore me and speak to DH, until he put them right. You won’t have that problem OP, I expect.

Go for whatever makes you happy.

Thebestwaytoscareatory · 24/03/2022 12:10

As others have said I would 100% not go down the new route, at least not to start.

If you're looking for a fun second car then I'd be going second hand and looking at things like the Merc SLK AMG, BMW Z4, Nissan 350z/370z, Alfa Romeo Spider, or Honda S2000. If you're really desperate to spend big then you can get yourself into the 911 of Elise territory.

The big bonus to these is they'll either hold their value (the S2000 and Spider even appreciate) so if you find you hate driving it (most of these are like driving go carts imho), don't use it much, or get fed up spending half your life filling it back up, then you'll not lose out too much.

If you're dead set on new I'd consider hiring one for a month or so first just to get a genuinely good idea of what it's like to live with one.

ChampagneLassie · 24/03/2022 12:12

@Zilla1

Yes a dealership will generously give you the best deal for a used car or new. You'll also feel like you negotiated hard and got a great deal. They'll probably make a loss but will be happy to build a long term relationship of you getting great deals and them making a series of losses. It'll be a wonder how they stay in business.
I wasn't suggesting this is best way to get a good deal - @Silverclocks is comparing with buying new for peace of mind. Having bought a 2nd hand sports car myself, if I were going to do it again I'd rather pay the extra for a main dealership warranty and service. Buying privately or from small companies is a bit of a gamble.
tintodeverano2 · 24/03/2022 12:13

Hmmm I think I'd rather retire a year earlier...

freshcarnation · 24/03/2022 12:14

Do it

Do it

Do it

planetme · 24/03/2022 12:16

@Silverclocks

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. Grin

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?

Go for it !!! What are you thinking ? I've got a Porsche Boxster S, mine was also a fuck it, life's too short purchase after 2 years of pandemic shit and working my arse off retraining and starting a new business which has been fairly successful. I was skint as fuck when I was younger and finaly in the last few years I'm doing okay

Ignore the inevitable twats on this thread by the way x

Newnormal99 · 24/03/2022 12:16

@Clovacloud

Just a word of warning. When I was 25 I had a massive ‘quarter life’ crisis (saved me doing it now at 50!) and I bought myself a sexy brand new little 2 seater convertible and it was the most fun I have ever had….that summer. As soon as it got to October I sold it.

Whenever it rained, it steamed up so I couldn’t see out of any windows, the roof was a PITA to put up and down. I couldn’t get anything into it, no IKEA trips! It was quite embarrassing having a sexy car for 16 weeks and then swapping it for something really boring and practical.

So my advice is test drive it in all conditions especially rainy or keep your other car as a practical day to day one, and have the two seater as fun weekend one.

You can get a Christmas tree in an mx5.....it sits nicely in the front passenger seat as I did on a couple of occasions!
ChampagneLassie · 24/03/2022 12:20

@Clovacloud

Just a word of warning. When I was 25 I had a massive ‘quarter life’ crisis (saved me doing it now at 50!) and I bought myself a sexy brand new little 2 seater convertible and it was the most fun I have ever had….that summer. As soon as it got to October I sold it.

Whenever it rained, it steamed up so I couldn’t see out of any windows, the roof was a PITA to put up and down. I couldn’t get anything into it, no IKEA trips! It was quite embarrassing having a sexy car for 16 weeks and then swapping it for something really boring and practical.

So my advice is test drive it in all conditions especially rainy or keep your other car as a practical day to day one, and have the two seater as fun weekend one.

No-one buys convertibles because they're practical! And @Silverclocks will have a 2nd practical car anyways. Modern cars shouldn't have problems like this. I genuinely didn't have any practical concerns with my 911 - could fit 2 carry on cases or 1 full size hold suitcase in the backseats. Managed to shove a 5 ft Christmas tree in with the roof up. It was surprisingly capacious if you packed carefully.
ChampagneLassie · 24/03/2022 12:21

@Newnormal99 snap on Christmas trees in convertibles! Grin

Fairisleflora · 24/03/2022 12:28

I think those that aspire to flash cars are sad, shallow idiots, but that’s just miserable grumpy old me. It’s sounds like you could do with some fun and you’re buying it cause that’s what you’d find fun so go for it.

Gilly12345 · 24/03/2022 12:42

If you can afford a second fun car then go for it, just make sure you have the room to park the cars at your house and visitors.

We have 4 cars at our house (4 drivers) and it is not easy.

Worldgonecrazy · 24/03/2022 12:48

Definitely go for it. Though consider alternatives. We are keeping our cheap as chips to run high mileage diesel, and spending two months salary on a second hand fun convertible for short summer drives.

Convertibles are great for a second fun car but not sure I would want it as my main car.

Word of warning, our fun car used to be an Audi TT but the visibility for a 5 foot four woman was terrible so I hated driving it. Worth checking that you are entirely comfortable with the driving position.

barberousbarbara · 24/03/2022 12:50

Definitely get the car you want. I'm just about to trader it my small sensible car for something more flashy with lots of bells and whistles. I have incurable cancer so why not get the car I want? Life is certainly too short. I would buy brand new but the estimated delivery is December and the current orders have just had their delivery delayed from 6 months to 11 months. We're looking at a 2 year old from the dealer and saving ourselves £10,000.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 24/03/2022 13:01

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.
This leapt out at me - I don't know your pension arrangements but I am willing to bet you'd be better off putting your savings into a pension and then retiring on that pension.

PoshWatchShitShoes · 24/03/2022 13:06

Definitely buy the car you want!! Life is short

2bazookas · 24/03/2022 13:19

You can do BOTH; enjoy your whim without screwing your finances.

. Buy a second hand convertible.

timestheyarechanging · 24/03/2022 14:14

Go for it - you deserve it! I plan to buy a vintage car next year which I've wanted for 20 odd years. Enjoy it