Your car - metal & plastic or one of your children?
Discussion
Over the past few days there's been some polarised threads, with one side who treat their cars as something to be driven, sold & replaced, yet others treating it as if it were their baby. These threads have resulted in some pretty heated debates soon after.
It seems though as if you sit in one camp or the other ie the former will claen their cars, but not obsess about them, whereas the latter will worry about things like "a dealer put a few miles on my car, how do I sue him?" and describe themselves as enthusiasts.
I guess from the style of post, you can see I view my cars / bikes as something to be used and then sold on.
Which are you and why?
It seems though as if you sit in one camp or the other ie the former will claen their cars, but not obsess about them, whereas the latter will worry about things like "a dealer put a few miles on my car, how do I sue him?" and describe themselves as enthusiasts.
I guess from the style of post, you can see I view my cars / bikes as something to be used and then sold on.
Which are you and why?
I like to make sure my cars are working and serviced, are totally as the factory intended (even if that means I need to do jobs to put them back), and I would go utterly bats
t if someone damaged my car regardless of its value or if they meant to or not.
But I clean my cars rarely using a hand car wash 2 or 3 times a year at most, and cleaning out the interior about as often.
Oh and if I scrape, dent, or break something through my own stupidity I tend to ignore it for as long as possible.
t if someone damaged my car regardless of its value or if they meant to or not. But I clean my cars rarely using a hand car wash 2 or 3 times a year at most, and cleaning out the interior about as often.
Oh and if I scrape, dent, or break something through my own stupidity I tend to ignore it for as long as possible.
Edited by boredofmyoldname on Sunday 16th January 02:18
I have a car. I don't have children. That's the way I want it - it is more important to have a car than to have children. A car is more useful, it brings me more pleasure, it is (any greenies who have wandered in here by mistake please take note and reflect it in your propaganda) a whole lot less damaging to the environment, and it doesn't drive into the bedroom at unexpected moments to see why Mummy's making those noises.
But despite that I'm not in the category of being utterly precious about it as suggested in the OP. On the contrary, my attitude pretty well corresponds with the quote below, apart from the insistence on being totally factory standard.
But despite that I'm not in the category of being utterly precious about it as suggested in the OP. On the contrary, my attitude pretty well corresponds with the quote below, apart from the insistence on being totally factory standard.
boredofmyoldname said:
I like to make sure my cars are working and serviced, are totally as the factory intended (even if that means I need to do jobs to put them back), and I would go utterly batst if someone damaged my car regardless of its value or if they meant to or not.
But I clean my cars rarely using a hand car wash 2 or 3 times a year at most, and cleaning out the interior about as often.
Oh and if I scrape, dent, or break something through my own stupidity I tend to ignore it for as long as possible.
t if someone damaged my car regardless of its value or if they meant to or not. But I clean my cars rarely using a hand car wash 2 or 3 times a year at most, and cleaning out the interior about as often.
Oh and if I scrape, dent, or break something through my own stupidity I tend to ignore it for as long as possible.
Definitely just a machine (and an 'it' rather than a 'he' or a 'she'), but mine get meticulously serviced according to the factory schedule by my own fair hand; weather permitting, all of the fluids (axles, gearboxes, engine oil, coolant, brake fluid) are changed pretty much when they are supposed to be, all of the inspections get done, things get measured with micrometers, vernier calipers etc and the readings written down for comparison next time and where it matters I only use OEM or better.
However, my cars live outside and are parked in the street. I generally buy them whilst they are still nice, run them until I judge them end of life (for whatever reason) and then scrap them. I've just bought a moderately prestigious 06 plate car today, all shiny and valeted from the dealer. If I go out tomorrow and find some sod has scraped it I shall be a bit miffed but I won't lose sleep over it. If they get bumped or scratched, it comes with the territory.
However, my cars live outside and are parked in the street. I generally buy them whilst they are still nice, run them until I judge them end of life (for whatever reason) and then scrap them. I've just bought a moderately prestigious 06 plate car today, all shiny and valeted from the dealer. If I go out tomorrow and find some sod has scraped it I shall be a bit miffed but I won't lose sleep over it. If they get bumped or scratched, it comes with the territory.
I guess I'm a little bipolar on this. Mostly, I buy cars with my heart rather than my head as I like a car to make me smile at least once a day, whether that's a squirt of throttle on the way to the shops, or steaming through a puddle in the 4x4 I don't care. 
I was genuinely upset when my first Barchetta's engine made a whale spout out of my engine oil and, like a dad giving pocket money to ever more demanding kids, I kept on signing the cheques as my VR4 broke it's ayc, then the driveshaft, then needed new brakes and then another 4500 service rolled around...ad yes, I've spent the best part of a day on at least two cars I've owned washing, cleaning and even using one of those clay bars.
But then again I've bought cars for specific purpose that I honestly haven't given a toss about. I ran a Saab 9-5 auto for three months because I didn't want to put the 6000 miles I had to do in that time on my Barcha. The Saab never missed a beat but as soon as I stopped with the miles, it was straight onto ebay like a mule to the knackers yard - not a tear in sight.
I will confess to maybe patting the dashboard and smiling before I got out of it for the last time though...
I was genuinely upset when my first Barchetta's engine made a whale spout out of my engine oil and, like a dad giving pocket money to ever more demanding kids, I kept on signing the cheques as my VR4 broke it's ayc, then the driveshaft, then needed new brakes and then another 4500 service rolled around...ad yes, I've spent the best part of a day on at least two cars I've owned washing, cleaning and even using one of those clay bars.
But then again I've bought cars for specific purpose that I honestly haven't given a toss about. I ran a Saab 9-5 auto for three months because I didn't want to put the 6000 miles I had to do in that time on my Barcha. The Saab never missed a beat but as soon as I stopped with the miles, it was straight onto ebay like a mule to the knackers yard - not a tear in sight.
I will confess to maybe patting the dashboard and smiling before I got out of it for the last time though...
sparkybean said:
Im going to sit right on the fence here, simply because i would treat a £50 quid banger differently to a £15000 P+J
This. I've had two dings on my Escort which I've shrugged off. Any dings to the Landie will probably met with anger but eventually apathy as she is an old truck and a few dings just add to the charater. The MX5 however will be met major hostility!Pigeon said:
I have a car. I don't have children. That's the way I want it - it is more important to have a car than to have children. A car is more useful, it brings me more pleasure, it is (any greenies who have wandered in here by mistake please take note and reflect it in your propaganda) a whole lot less damaging to the environment, and it doesn't drive into the bedroom at unexpected moments to see why Mummy's making those noises.
Can't say I agree but 
It's my car and they're my children.
If I bump my car or smack my child (not a perfect analogy, but bear with me) I might not be happy with myself but I can live with it.
This however, does not give anybody else the right to go around damaging my car or smacking my children.
Yesterday, as an example, in the Tesco carpark, while I was sitting behind the wheel waiting for Mrs Pints, a bloke got out of his car, bumped his door on my wing-mirror and then knocked my car with a large gym bag he was swinging about his person.
I opened my door and asked if he could stop knocking my car and show some respect to my property. He apologised and that was that. No damage caused, no harm done.
Similarly, if he'd bumped into one of my children in the supermarket, all I'd expect is an apology.
If someone treats either my car or children in a malicious manner, I'd expect retribution.
My wife fully understands the pecking order in our household and where she sits in it. On our wedding day the Best Man's speech made it very clear that she was to be at least in second place to my cars; as she was aware of the content of the speech in advance that was essentially a formal part of her marriage vows.
To be fair to her, over the years she has stuck to those vows and supported, encouraged and even funded purchases. In the same way that I get sentimental and attached to cars and decide that some are keepers, I've decided to keep the wife.
p.s. In case she reads this post, I shall avoid the temptation to expand the car - marriage metaphor with thoughts on trade ins, hire cars or going for test drives.
Haven't figured out where the kids come in the pecking order v. cars yet.
To be fair to her, over the years she has stuck to those vows and supported, encouraged and even funded purchases. In the same way that I get sentimental and attached to cars and decide that some are keepers, I've decided to keep the wife.
p.s. In case she reads this post, I shall avoid the temptation to expand the car - marriage metaphor with thoughts on trade ins, hire cars or going for test drives.
Haven't figured out where the kids come in the pecking order v. cars yet.
Anyone who gets completely and utterly batst over a tiny scratch on a car needs to seek professional help as they have mental problems.
If it gets the point that you can't take the car out in public without worrying that it might get dirty then maybe you should just sell the car and use the bus as you are quite obviously got to the point the car is no longer enjoyable as a car.
If everyone took took the same attitude towards cars that they must be kept shiny and clean above all other priorities then their would be no motorsport and without motorsport we would have a very different range of cars to what we have today.
So learn to love those that don't care about dents.
Can you imagine a detailer taking his car on a stage rally?
t over a tiny scratch on a car needs to seek professional help as they have mental problems.If it gets the point that you can't take the car out in public without worrying that it might get dirty then maybe you should just sell the car and use the bus as you are quite obviously got to the point the car is no longer enjoyable as a car.
If everyone took took the same attitude towards cars that they must be kept shiny and clean above all other priorities then their would be no motorsport and without motorsport we would have a very different range of cars to what we have today.
So learn to love those that don't care about dents.
Can you imagine a detailer taking his car on a stage rally?
Thinfourth, you make a valid point but one I must disagree with. I find the appearance of my cars very important. They should be dent and scratch free, shiny, polished up and generally aesthetically right. This doesn't mean that I don't drive my cars, I still enjoy them rain or shine, and I don't take drastic measures to ensure nobody opens their doors onto my bodywork. In other words, I'm no less of a petrolhead than someone who just "gets on with it", laughs off the scratches and damage and doesn't clean their car obsessively.
We all enjoy our cars in different ways which is what makes this community such a fascinating one.
We all enjoy our cars in different ways which is what makes this community such a fascinating one.
AREA said:
My wife fully understands the pecking order in our household and where she sits in it. On our wedding day the Best Man's speech made it very clear that she was to be at least in second place to my cars; as she was aware of the content of the speech in advance that was essentially a formal part of her marriage vows.
Don't be surprised if she cheats on you with someone a bit more understanding (or maybe even normal) then.She has my every sympathy too.
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