AIBU to drive a banger?

[Ruleof72]

I don’t think I’m being unreasonable but I’ve had another comment today about my car and I need a sense check.

I own a 10 year old car outright. It’s a cheap and cheerful Nissan juke and is viewed as a banger by friends/ family/ colleagues. Someone pushed their trolley into the side so it’s scratched and doesn’t look great but mechanically, excellent, I have looked after it.

Quite a few people have made the comment that my car is essentially a banger and they don’t understand why I don’t just buy myself a nice new flashy car. I have no desire to do this, so long as it gets me from
A to B, that’s good enough for me.

YABU - you have the means to drive around in a nice car so ditch the banger!
YANBU - current car is mechanically sound and reliable. You don’t need a Porsche (insert other flashy car brand) on finance!

Agree with you tbf but the OP is feeling defensive and having to justify her desire to keep her 'banger'. Judging people for the car they drive isn't really representative of nice personality traits. I would personally just tell them to piss off and mind their own. I've also had cars on finance and regret the money I wasted, albeit driving around in a flash car at the same time. The price wasn't worth it.

Oh I agree no one should have to defend having an older car. Drive what you like and no one should judge you for it.

Peace ✌️

I have what some people would consider a banger. To me its an environmentally friendly option as it has low emissions, I've had it a decade, it's low tech so doesn't waste resources, and it gets me from a to b reliably and comfortably. There is no way I'd buy a new car and once mine breaks I'll be buying the exact same model from maybe the year or 2 later.
You don't need a flash new car just because other people think you do! Think of all the plastic, rare earth minerals in the battery, the emissions to build it. Much better for the planet to run an old car into the ground.

A 10 year old car doesn’t really qualify as an old banger. I was driving a 16 year old Fiesta until I replaced it a year ago. With an older car you don’t worry about it as much, especially if you happen to get a little scratch from a twig or something. Yes you may have the means to buy something newer but it’s not compulsory. In a few years time you’ll be calling it a jalopy and be proud of it.

My car is 18 years old. I dented it by bumping a low wall (twice!) a few years ago, but couldn't justify the expense of a repair and didn't want to go through my insurance because it would've put my premium up. The boot won't stay open unsupported and it's grubby. It goes really well though, so even that's not a banger in my opinion.

Your car is newer than our newest car.

Personally I'd rather spend the money on my home than a car that essentially does the same job as the one I already have.

Since when did 10 year old cars become old bangers???!!!!!

I remember a chap on a programme about how to move up the property ladder, he said, 'have a house you can't afford and a car you can afford to throw away' Makes sense to me, it's a rare car that will keep it's price, but a house...

I agree, we have gross household income £200k+, net equity £2m+ and drive a 16 year old battered Nissan that I have had almost 10 years.

Its up to you what you do with your cars. I replace every three years or so on my PCP finance deals, but I like just having new cars and not dealing with an MOT every year as well as servicing which does get more expensive. I currently pay £280 for my Mazda 2 hybrid on a PCP.

Very very few of those in flashy new cars own them, they are all on finance. At least you own yours and it is not an old banger our car is 20 years old, has done less than 100,000 miles is well looked after and will last another 10 years at least.

Yeah, its best to make sure you can afford the monthly repayments before signing up. If you can stick it out, wait until you are in positive equity before leaving.

My airport taxi driver had to get rid of his Skoda last year when it had half a million miles on the clock- he was gutted and wanted it to last longer 😂😂

yours is a youngster!

I used to get this from one of my siblings. On paper I could afford something much nicer. I had one basic car from new for 15 years. It was a reliable skip on wheels. I loved it. Reliability always is the most important thing for me. Do as you please.

I wouldn't call a 10 year old car a banger. I have an 8 year old Nissan Micra and it's a good little car. Very reliable. Passed the last two MOTs without any problems. I have had a couple of tyres on it and a new battery.

When I was young, we used to buy cars for a few hundred and then things would go wrong and you would manage, parking them on hills if they wouldn't start or using the handbrake when the brakes were dodgy. Some people had grass or moss growing inside because they weren't water-tight. They needed welding every year when they were moted. Now they were 'bangers'!

Ironically this is as shallow and judgey as the comments people have made to the OP!

I'm not a car person but I'm objective and intelligent enough to understand that there are lots of other reasons, some quite sensible, why people might like having a new car rather than only because they're "deeply secure about their image!"

There's nothing wrong or "breathtakingly shallow" with anyone wanting a new car, the only issue is them criticising OP for not wanting the same.

Every time I drive 200 miles to visit my mum she's hoping beyond hope that I turn up in something new/better/not quite as shit. Every time she's disappointed. It's 14 years old and in a bit of a state. A couple of years ago she perked up when I briefly considered getting a new car but it's passed another two MOTs since then so why bother.
I think it's one of the many ways I've failed as a daughter especially as she knows I could easily afford to pay cash for something really nice but choose not to.

My car isn’t a banger per se , but it’s 5 years old and has scratches and dents ( all done my myself as have had it since brand new ) , I put my dog in the boot and drive regularly down country lanes where brambles scratch etc , and that is the only reason I haven’t upgraded , and like yours it’s been serviced regularly & ( touch wood ) never caused me a days trouble

As long as it gets serviced, passes the MOT and is what you need for the driving you do it's fine. No one has commented about mine but it's older than yours 2011, but still looks pretty good really.

I've always had older cars but after the last one started to cost me too much in repairs I got my first one on PCP albeit not new. The lack of worry about it breaking down was huge.
I think if you've an old car and it's reliable then keep it, it's when they're in the garage repeatedly that I'd rethink. Mind you that can happen with newer cars too.

10 isn't old, mine is now 14 years old and going strong, it's a very reliable Seat Leon and I love it.
Like yours there are dings and dents here and there, and I'll be honest the inside needs a good clean!
But I'm not wasting a penny more on a vehicle that will only ever decrease in value, it's a tool to get from A to B, not a fashion accessory.

Those comments must be annoying. I think the best response would be to ask why they care. Put the ball back in their court. I'm guessing they would have to start explaining how image conscious, shallow and insecure they are and that it ticks them off that you are unfettered by that nonsense.

Your friends and you have different spending priorities but, regardless, buying a depreciating asset on credit isn't the smartest thing to do and, if unavoidable for practical reasons, always best to keep debt as small as possible.

If you have a big fat bonus sitting in your current account and you love flash cars, fill your boots. Unless that all applies, your current postion is emminently sensible.

My car is 9 years old and will be kept for many more years. It does not reflect my wealth, just my spending choices.

A 10 year old car is not a banger.
My car - a 14 y/o VW Golf - is the newest car I've ever owned and I'm 40. My last car was 26 years old when she quit (RIP) - that was a banger.
I don't give a shit what people think.

DH has just sold his car. He bought it when it was 8 years old and kept it for 11 years. Mechanically really sound and less than 100k miles. He's sold it to a neighbour and replaced it with a 12 year old car.

People trade up cars far too easily imo. I bought a 5 year old car last year and hope to keep.it for at least 5 years. The only reason I might change it before then is if we have grandchildren (DS and his GF are 28 so it's a possibility) as it's a 2 door 2 seater.