Minor dilemma - what would you do...

[baconsarney]

OK, first world problem...

Have three cars (actually four but the old MG has been off the road since the decade before last).. First one was MOT'd in November but needs new rear pad sensors and hand brake pads so I SORN'd it at the end of November... here's the dilemma... Volvo and TVR both MOT'd and insured well into second half of this year, and I've been alternating driving both. however, I've only left the house once in the last 12 days and that was to drop off a parcel at the village PO a mile down the road... Volvo tax ran out yesterday, and TVR tax runs out end of this month... What would you do? I work from home now so only drive is to shop once every 7-10 days... keep both taxed, SORN Volvo, re-tax when TVR tax runs out end of month, or SORN Volvo and re-tax TVR end of month... sorry if that sounds confusing... I don't need the Estate at the moment with regard to the space it has, and the Chim boot is more than big enough to get a couple of weeks of shopping in (plus booze reserves).....

I'm kinda thinking keep the TVR on the go...... It's definitely a positive aid to mental health these days... even if the shop is only a mile and a half down the road...

anyone else in similar situation?

[Englishman]

baconsarney said:

OK, first world problem...

Have three cars (actually four but the old MG has been off the road since the decade before last).. First one was MOT'd in November but needs new rear pad sensors and hand brake pads so I SORN'd it at the end of November... here's the dilemma... Volvo and TVR both MOT'd and insured well into second half of this year, and I've been alternating driving both. however, I've only left the house once in the last 12 days and that was to drop off a parcel at the village PO a mile down the road... Volvo tax ran out yesterday, and TVR tax runs out end of this month... What would you do? I work from home now so only drive is to shop once every 7-10 days... keep both taxed, SORN Volvo, re-tax when TVR tax runs out end of month, or SORN Volvo and re-tax TVR end of month... sorry if that sounds confusing... I don't need the Estate at the moment with regard to the space it has, and the Chim boot is more than big enough to get a couple of weeks of shopping in (plus booze reserves).....

I'm kinda thinking keep the TVR on the go...... It's definitely a positive aid to mental health these days... even if the shop is only a mile and a half down the road...

anyone else in similar situation?

When I retired I only kept my TVR(s). Much like your situation, more than adequate for my needs, especially at present!

[8Speed]

I do my road tax by direct debit (slightly more expensive p.a. but not much more).
This means I can SORN or re-tax as I wish on a monthly basis - just remember to SORN before the last day of the month.
I'd re-tax the Volvo until the weather improves & SORN the TVR until the weather gets a little more clement. I had my Griffith out today (driving home from garage after some excellent paint detailing & MOT) but didn't really feel like going the long way round in the gloom.

[BIG DUNC]

Faced with a similar situation I chose to start using the Griff as my everyday car last May. SORNED it last week as I am giving one of the other cars a go now. I say "everyday" car. I don't get out much, so it has only been to a fuel station three or four times over the course of the last twelve months.

[PuffsBack]

Depends if it rains and Dam Brigg floods again - in which case tax the Chim as at least it will float

[PhilF329]

Paying by direct debit and switching the RFL on and off is a good idea.

With less travel I was thinking only yesterday about ditching my daily driver and just using the TVR's as we have my wife's practical car to fall back on.

[Skyedriver]

Had the same dilemma last night.
Volvo Estate the go to for everything and two dog cages in the back
350i Wedge brand new underneath
Both Taxed
(Caterham sorned)

I hardly get out at all now as the wife has banned me from the weekly shop.
Need the Volvo on Thursday to cart the dog into town.
Sod it kept them both taxed, it's only £20 something and i might get to use it 9assuming the forecast snow doesn't arrive.

[KKson]

I'm generally working from home most of the time now, bar the essential shop on a Thursday evening and very rare run over to the office, a few dental trips and my free flu jab last month. As such my daily driver is now my 450 SEAC. At least every journey is then an event, rather than a tedious drive out in the daily diesel, and the V8 is the best therapy for me.

Use the TVR - regular use will keep the battery in fine fettle and the brakes from sticking. And if it gets a bit of surface rust, it can always be treated. You cant take it with you....... so enjoy it while you can.

[Classic Chim]

Which will cost the most to run and which one prefers to be used the most to stay healthy.

I’d go for the one with the big boot, you can drive a Volvo any old time.

[Mr.Grooler]

8Speed said:

|https://thumbsnap.com/AGycuTws[/url]

That looks great

I’ve just SORNd the Griff for the first time in 15 years of ownership; not that I usually do that many miles in it but I’ve decided I’d rather keep it clean in the garage rather than get it dirty/salty just taking it for a short drive occasionally.

We’re barely using any car at the moment, if you need one though it might as well be the fun one

[baconsarney]

Classic Chim said:

Which will cost the most to run and which one prefers to be used the most to stay healthy.

I’d go for the one with the big boot, you can drive a Volvo any old time.

It’s not ‘just’ a Volvo though Al... this is the Steven Seagal of Volvos, the James Bond of Flying bricks... the Vin Diesel of estates, the Brian Ferry of automotive cool, the Lady GaGa of Swedish cool, the Abba of chic, the, er, the, thing.. thingy...

Still don’t know what to do.. leaning towards the TVR as only car though, Makes other people smile too, that has to be worth something

[Classic Chim]

baconsarney said:

It’s not ‘just’ a Volvo though Al... this is the Steven Seagal of Volvos, the James Bond of Flying bricks... the Vin Diesel of estates, the Brian Ferry of automotive cool, the Lady GaGa of Swedish cool, the Abba of chic, the, er, the, thing.. thingy...

Still don’t know what to do.. leaning towards the TVR as only car though, Makes other people smile too, that has to be worth something

A great Volvo is not to be sniffed at.
The sensible choice would be the Swedish reliable one but the way I see it you won’ be using either much for another 6 months at least.
Life is short.
Do what pleases you the most while you can as tomorrow is not a given.
And you can keep washing the TVR after use to fend off boredom

[baconsarney]

Al, you talk much sense and wisdom. Me and beastie went shopping at lunch time... turned right instead of left out of the supermarket so had to take the longer route home. The one with all the twisty B roads. Bugger. Still, genuine mistake. Obviously.

[R8FUN]

Mr.Grooler said:

That looks great

I’ve just SORNd the Griff for the first time in 15 years of ownership; not that I usually do that many miles in it but I’ve decided I’d rather keep it clean in the garage rather than get it dirty/salty just taking it for a short drive occasionally.

We’re barely using any car at the moment, if you need one though it might as well be the fun one

I agree, that Red is beautiful, looks very similar to the Red on my MX5. What colour is it & what did you have done to the paintwork?

Took my Griff over the Pennines to Lancashire yesterday, loved the drive but regretted it when I got home!
Next year I will SORN it for 4 months over Winter. I too pay my Road tax monthly.

Edited by R8FUN on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36

[8Speed]

R8FUN said:

I agree, that Red is beautiful, looks very similar to the Red on my MX5. What colour is it & what did you have done to the paintwork?

Took my Griff over the Pennines to Lancashire yesterday, loved the drive but regretted it when I got home!
Next year I will SORN it for 4 months over Winter. I too pay my Road tax monthly.

Edited by R8FUN on Tuesday 2nd February 16:36

Odd story with my paintwork. When the car was with my local (very good) specialist earlier in the year for some mechanical work it somehow got marking on the paint on the bonnet. It transpired after much investigation that it had been caused by aviation fuel & a very expensive Lambo next to it had also suffered the same misfortune. It wasn't very noticeable unless you looked closely but the garage owner was completely honest & upfront about it and offered to have the bonnet resprayed for me. In the end I had the rear done as well just to make sure it all looked equally shiny.
Although it can't be proved, it looks as though a Spitfire (!) might be the culprit because one or more fly over fairly regularly in the summer and the cars may be outside the workshop when not being worked on if the weather is nice.
My car was originally Rosso Pearl but had been resprayed before I got it & I've no record of exactly when it was done or exactly what shade of red. The respray colour is slightly different & very complex with quite a few different layers required (I think the first coat is some sort of grey & then other colours building up to the final clear). It's expensive, as I found out when I got the bill for the rear half but it's the most amazing colour in the daylight or under neon.
I've asked for the paint code & will let you know when I get it.

[baconsarney]

8Speed said:

I do my road tax by direct debit (slightly more expensive p.a. but not much more).
This means I can SORN or re-tax as I wish on a monthly basis - just remember to SORN before the last day of the month.
I'd re-tax the Volvo until the weather improves & SORN the TVR until the weather gets a little more clement. I had my Griffith out today (driving home from garage after some excellent paint detailing & MOT) but didn't really feel like going the long way round in the gloom.

Bloody lovely.....

[Oldred_V8S]

8Speed said:

I do my road tax by direct debit (slightly more expensive p.a. but not much more).
This means I can SORN or re-tax as I wish on a monthly basis - just remember to SORN before the last day of the month.
I'd re-tax the Volvo until the weather improves & SORN the TVR until the weather gets a little more clement. I had my Griffith out today (driving home from garage after some excellent paint detailing & MOT) but didn't really feel like going the long way round in the gloom.

That looks gorgeous!

[R8FUN]

8Speed said:

Odd story with my paintwork. When the car was with my local (very good) specialist earlier in the year for some mechanical work it somehow got marking on the paint on the bonnet. It transpired after much investigation that it had been caused by aviation fuel & a very expensive Lambo next to it had also suffered the same misfortune. It wasn't very noticeable unless you looked closely but the garage owner was completely honest & upfront about it and offered to have the bonnet resprayed for me. In the end I had the rear done as well just to make sure it all looked equally shiny.
Although it can't be proved, it looks as though a Spitfire (!) might be the culprit because one or more fly over fairly regularly in the summer and the cars may be outside the workshop when not being worked on if the weather is nice.
My car was originally Rosso Pearl but had been resprayed before I got it & I've no record of exactly when it was done or exactly what shade of red. The respray colour is slightly different & very complex with quite a few different layers required (I think the first coat is some sort of grey & then other colours building up to the final clear). It's expensive, as I found out when I got the bill for the rear half but it's the most amazing colour in the daylight or under neon.
I've asked for the paint code & will let you know when I get it.

Thanks - really does look like Mazda Soul Red Metallic.

[8Speed]

I've just found out it's a special Mitsubishi colour (would never have guessed that).

[phazed]

I have three cars, all taxed and nowhere to go!

Similar scenario. Given up work, covid restrictions and ste weather.

They are all taxed 'cause I can drive them at any time I want but don't!

In reality, the 20 year old Rangie gets used the most as it's winter, I live in a village and the roads are crap.

I should sorn the others but I am working on the theory that the sun may come out one day and dry up these appalling roads.........on the other hand, I should soon them and save a packet.

Is it just me or does this and last winter seem to have lasted 6 months a piece?