How many cars is too many?
Discussion
Hopefully not to be taken as a "crass" question, but ( in the opinion of the readership )how many ( classic ) cars is the right amount ?
I've been very fortunate to own a lot of classic cars and to a degree find the thrill of the chase to be more satisfying then the actual ownership, however this has never stopped me adding to my collection without selling the previously acquired cars. Recently I got up to seventeen cars and generally found that I didn't actually drive most of them, which is bizarre as I'd dreamt of owning a number of them for years !
Following a recent divorce and house move I've parred my collection down to eight but am thinking of "trying " to get down to five, that I'll actually use. I do like to have at least one convertible, a "hot" coupe , a true sportscar and something else interesting and also a lesser car to use in the winter.
I feel that a manageable number will ensure that I actually use them as intended by driving them and stop continually hankering for something else.
I appreciate it's a bit of a first world problem and hopefully not to be taken the wrong way
I've been very fortunate to own a lot of classic cars and to a degree find the thrill of the chase to be more satisfying then the actual ownership, however this has never stopped me adding to my collection without selling the previously acquired cars. Recently I got up to seventeen cars and generally found that I didn't actually drive most of them, which is bizarre as I'd dreamt of owning a number of them for years !
Following a recent divorce and house move I've parred my collection down to eight but am thinking of "trying " to get down to five, that I'll actually use. I do like to have at least one convertible, a "hot" coupe , a true sportscar and something else interesting and also a lesser car to use in the winter.
I feel that a manageable number will ensure that I actually use them as intended by driving them and stop continually hankering for something else.
I appreciate it's a bit of a first world problem and hopefully not to be taken the wrong way
5 sounds good, 1 for say all day and 4 special cars to choose from and or to look at or to make better.
more = less driving them, more head worries, more insurance money, more space needed, more maintenance and so on.
I wish I had the room for 5 cars, its also a nice to look at investment, better in cars then on the bank.
sadly I have only space here for 1 car, I do not even have a driveway in front of my garage, its next to the sidewalk... and I won't put my cars on the street, then I can't sleep good hah.
more = less driving them, more head worries, more insurance money, more space needed, more maintenance and so on.
I wish I had the room for 5 cars, its also a nice to look at investment, better in cars then on the bank.
sadly I have only space here for 1 car, I do not even have a driveway in front of my garage, its next to the sidewalk... and I won't put my cars on the street, then I can't sleep good hah.
I would have though even 5 might be too many to actually use from time to time, as not getting used for a month or two doesn't do old cars any favours.
If it's the thrill of the chase that gives you the buzz you could still keep chasing, just work on a "one in, one out" basis. Maybe selling the one you've used the least each time
Anyway it's a nice problem to have so just keep enjoying your classics.
If it's the thrill of the chase that gives you the buzz you could still keep chasing, just work on a "one in, one out" basis. Maybe selling the one you've used the least each time
Anyway it's a nice problem to have so just keep enjoying your classics.
That's an esoteric collection you have there, and a lot of good and interesting cars. I can see how it'd be a wrench.
I'd sell the Ghia (lovely though they are), the 911 cab, the Smart, the GTi, the TT... and then I got a bit stuck.
944 turbo? I have a soft spot for those...
595 is probably a good winter/town car...
I don't think I could bring myself to sell a 240Z or an Integrale EVO...
And Pagodas are quite lovely and apparently appreciating healthily...
Nice problem to have I guess!
I'd sell the Ghia (lovely though they are), the 911 cab, the Smart, the GTi, the TT... and then I got a bit stuck.
944 turbo? I have a soft spot for those...
595 is probably a good winter/town car...
I don't think I could bring myself to sell a 240Z or an Integrale EVO...
And Pagodas are quite lovely and apparently appreciating healthily...
Nice problem to have I guess!
You deserve appreciation for saying out loud that the thrill of the chase can be more important than the ownership / usage.
This is borne out by the likes of the S of Brunei and their ilk.
From 8 to 5? - sounds like you could do it; but if you can have 8, I'd say fair play for getting it down.
This is borne out by the likes of the S of Brunei and their ilk.
From 8 to 5? - sounds like you could do it; but if you can have 8, I'd say fair play for getting it down.
NDNDNDND said:
944 turbo? I have a soft spot for those...
595 is probably a good winter/town car...
I don't think I could bring myself to sell a 240Z or an Integrale EVO...
And Pagodas are quite lovely and apparently appreciating healthily...
Nice problem to have I guess!
Let’s hope they weren’t the cars sold to fund the divorce!!!595 is probably a good winter/town car...
I don't think I could bring myself to sell a 240Z or an Integrale EVO...
And Pagodas are quite lovely and apparently appreciating healthily...
Nice problem to have I guess!
I have 7 vehicles in total including modern, and that is too many. 4 probably ideal.
Van, Octavia, Mk2 Escort, Peugeot 205, Peugeot 104, Citroen LNA, Peugeot 205. The reality is that I can only really keep 2 of the older cars up and running at any one time. To have all 4 going would mean farming out work to someone else with the financial implications of doing so. However it won't stop me buying either a DS or Fulvia if the right car came up for sale...
Van, Octavia, Mk2 Escort, Peugeot 205, Peugeot 104, Citroen LNA, Peugeot 205. The reality is that I can only really keep 2 of the older cars up and running at any one time. To have all 4 going would mean farming out work to someone else with the financial implications of doing so. However it won't stop me buying either a DS or Fulvia if the right car came up for sale...
There are numerous variables at play in this calculation
Garaging. Have you got sufficient secure storage?
Children. Do you need more than 2 seats? If so your 2 seater(s) will get less use.
Servicing. Can you afford the time and money for every car?
Insurance. Can you afford it every year?
Tax and MOT where applicable. Can you spare the time and money for each car every year?
Daily driver. Do you have a modern car that you do most of your journeys in?
For me 5 classics would be too many. Too much cost and time involved with keeping them going and not enough time to drive them all regularly. You can only drive one at a time after all.
By the way I have two. One open, one closed. I think that’s enough.
Garaging. Have you got sufficient secure storage?
Children. Do you need more than 2 seats? If so your 2 seater(s) will get less use.
Servicing. Can you afford the time and money for every car?
Insurance. Can you afford it every year?
Tax and MOT where applicable. Can you spare the time and money for each car every year?
Daily driver. Do you have a modern car that you do most of your journeys in?
For me 5 classics would be too many. Too much cost and time involved with keeping them going and not enough time to drive them all regularly. You can only drive one at a time after all.
By the way I have two. One open, one closed. I think that’s enough.
Four cars here. Two on the road, another has been in pieces for 10 years and the fourth (an Audi A8) was roadworthy when I last drove it four years ago but is now due to be sold as 'end of life'.
Of the two on the road, one is our 'modern', a Fiesta which does +/- 1,000 a year and the other is our Riley which is only used between April to October but does 4,000 - 4,500 miles a year.
Cost is a factor for us hence the rationalising of the fleet and O/H no longer drives so we've no need for any more - try as I might I can only drive one at a time.
Of the two on the road, one is our 'modern', a Fiesta which does +/- 1,000 a year and the other is our Riley which is only used between April to October but does 4,000 - 4,500 miles a year.
Cost is a factor for us hence the rationalising of the fleet and O/H no longer drives so we've no need for any more - try as I might I can only drive one at a time.
Turbobanana said:
Most of us have funds and room for one. Any more would be a bonus.
Definitely this. Time's a factor too. Work and family stuff mean that no matter how big my budget (or my garage) was, I just wouldn't have time to enjoy more than one classic.Not that I have a big budget or big garage...
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