One car Vs 2 cars

[Shermanator]

Hi All,

Right now I own a 2018 Abarth 124 Spider and a 2010 Toyota Avensis Estate. I also have a 1973 MGB GT but that isn't so much a car, and more a garden ornament as it isn't drivable and hasn't been for a number of years.
I love driving overall, I can even have a smile on my face when crusing in the Toyota. The Abarth makes me laugh out loud when I drive it hard, which is all the time. However, the Toyota is reaching the end of it's life. It has 251,000 miles and masses of suspension work needs done. The garage that did it's MOT in December refused to give me a price to fix it, and told me to get shot after the winter. As I need to replace that car, it's got me thinking;

My current lifestyle is relatively outdoorsy, I love going on a long walk and I'm planning on starting cycling a lot more this year. I've also always wanted to kayak. I'm also based in Scotland, so when I'm out there's a good chance I'm driving some great roads. This is where I hit the stumbling block. I've climbed 6 Munro's and 2 Corbett's and will be doing a LOT more this year (I only started the second half of last year) and I've only used the Abarth once to actually get there... I also now park my car on the street at work, although I could park within the yard it is a wky thing to do with a £1000 scabby, rusty Toyota when others are parking much nicer cars on the road. I've realised I very rarely use the Abarth now, I'm taking it out (and enjoying it) because I need to take it out rather than having somewhere else to go.

I am considering selling both and going for 1 car, that will be fun to drive when out, will be fun to drive when I've got a bike on the roof etc but can also do a long road trip in great comfort (3 business trips down south last year, took the Toyota because the Abarth is not the most comfortable, being 6'2"). As I also would need a sunroof, as I couldn't go from full convertible to closed top, I have been considering cars like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012636...

What's the thought's of the masses?
Or do I just buy a faster, more fun estate. I'll also add I've only used the estate portion of the Toyota once in the 15 months I've owned it, and we could have used my dad's Astra hatchback for the same job perfectly fine.

[CG2020UK]

I think this is a really hard one to answer and really depends on the persons circumstances.

Personally I prefer one car as I can enjoy every drive year round.

So many variables like mileage, affording the maintenance costs, what the car will be used for and how long it would be kept.

Then you have what you personally look for in a car eg: lightweight, performance or how modern.

2 cars you own will probably be far cheaper and more reliable than an 21 year old Porsche.

I’d maybe go an M5 with your money if I was doing a single car.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2014-BMW-M5-4dr-DCT-Com...

[cerb4.5lee]

For me personally I prefer the 2(or more) car route. I swapped the Z4M Roadster and E61 520d for a E92 M3 as a do it all car 10 years ago. The M3 soon became the norm though and it lost its specialness for me, so I prefer having another car as a toy/best car in comparison.

[ZX10R NIN]

+1 to the above I find having choice more satisfying but it really is down to the individual as to which works best.

[Niguy]

If I didn't have kids I'd be more than happy with just one car

[Shermanator]

CG2020UK said:

I think this is a really hard one to answer and really depends on the persons circumstances.

Personally I prefer one car as I can enjoy every drive year round.

So many variables like mileage, affording the maintenance costs, what the car will be used for and how long it would be kept.

Then you have what you personally look for in a car eg: lightweight, performance or how modern.

2 cars you own will probably be far cheaper and more reliable than an 21 year old Porsche.

I’d maybe go an M5 with your money if I was doing a single car.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2014-BMW-M5-4dr-DCT-Com...

I do about 15,000 miles a year. Only around 1500 would be business (at least last year). I'm not sure about maintenance costs. I prefer lightweight sports cars, which are special. I don't care for super saloons or hot hatchbacks, because you are just driving a golf etc whereas I want it to be special each time I'm in it.
I agree with the reliability comments though...

[Ecosseven]

Difficult question to answer and ultimately only you can choose. I also live in Scotland and run a 2010 MX5 and a 2014 Seat Leon. I find it a really good combination as I use the MX-5 as my daily driver between May and November (or whenever they start salting the roads). I also enjoy the flexibility of owning two cars - if one is broken or in for a service or MOT then I can use the other car. I have often thought about combing the two cars and getting a 'special' daily driver similar to the 911 you posted. Ultimately I decided to stick to the 2 cars I have and I'm likely to keep to the formula of MX-5 + something non premium / practical / boring.

The Abarth has a decent boot - Could you use it more as a daily driver and for your outdoor stuff?

Edited by Ecosseven on Saturday 11th March 20:14

[CG2020UK]

Shermanator said:

I do about 15,000 miles a year. Only around 1500 would be business (at least last year). I'm not sure about maintenance costs. I prefer lightweight sports cars, which are special. I don't care for super saloons or hot hatchbacks, because you are just driving a golf etc whereas I want it to be special each time I'm in it.
I agree with the reliability comments though...

Yeah that’s 100% we all have preferences.

I’m a mega fan of the Abarth 124 and with the miles you’re doing a Porsche would probably break your heart financially. It probably won’t be much more fun only offer more performance.

Keep the Abarth and replace the Toyota with a decent Astra or Insigna maybe.

[sunnyb13]

340i estate surely

[w1bbles]

Whatever choice you make, it’s worth bearing in mind that ground clearance is a factor when you’re parking to climb Munros. I’ve had countless times when the only parking required some rugged verge encounters and have been glad to have been in something with reasonable clearance.

[fflump]

Shermanator said:

I am considering selling both and going for 1 car, that will be fun to drive when out, will be fun to drive when I've got a bike on the roof etc but can also do a long road trip in great comfort (3 business trips down south last year, took the Toyota because the Abarth is not the most comfortable, being 6'2"). As I also would need a sunroof, as I couldn't go from full convertible to closed top, I have been considering cars like this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023012636...

What's the thought's of the masses?
Or do I just buy a faster, more fun estate. I'll also add I've only used the estate portion of the Toyota once in the 15 months I've owned it, and we could have used my dad's Astra hatchback for the same job perfectly fine.

Dropping £27k on a >20 year old 996 strikes me as insane and having it as your only car for daily duties, motorway business trips and load-lugging blasts up to the highlands maybe not the best option. A car that has averaged about 3000 miles per year for 20 years suddenly given those kind of duties may not be up to them (regardless of the well-rehearsed engine issues of the car).

[OPC100]

I've done both and whilst I love the thought of having 2, 3, 4 cars, the reality with my current hectic lifestyle is that 1 suits me much better. Two examples:-

For the first 1 1/2 years of Integrale ownership, it was my only car and I drove it about 12K a year and loved every minute of it. Then it became a garage queen and went down in usage every year until I sold it and I always thought back to the good fun and enjoyment I used to have in all weather / year round use. Still do. Just seemed a waste to have a 4wd rally car for sunny / dry weather driving.

Now I have a GR86 and will average about 20K a year in it as my only car. I look forward to every drive, whether a b road blast, or 300 mile round trip for work. And it means I only need to wash one car, which I now need to do.

[Tom4398cc]

Not an easy question to answer OP!

One factor that might help guide your thinking, is where you stand on transmissions. If you are a fan of a manual, it will narrow the field a fair bit for you.

On your comment about seldom using the estate bit of your Toyota, if you want to do more cycling and get into kayaking that may change. There is a lot to be said for being able to sling a bike in the back of an estate car - way less likely to get pinched compared to on a rack, not dropping grit on your car roof and away from road salt spray.

If you want sporty - as others have said, 3 series touring. If you want to go more rugged for Munro verge parking, an Audi A6 all road would be a massively solid and comfortable choice. As a left field choice for practical and sporty - there is a lot of love on other PH threads for the 4.2 V8 diesel Cayennes.

[cerb4.5lee]

OPC100 said:

Now I have a GR86 and will average about 20K a year in it as my only car. I look forward to every drive, whether a b road blast, or 300 mile round trip for work. And it means I only need to wash one car, which I now need to do.

I always think that if you have the funds then it is great to have 2 nice cars. I remember being at my most happy when I had the Cerbera 4.5 as my weekend car and the X5 4.8iS as my daily...2 V8's!

However I also remember when I had the Cerbera as the weekend car and the E61 520d as the daily, and I resented the 520d because it was heavy/unrefined/slow, and I used to think why am I driving this slug when I've got that lovely Cerbera just sat in the garage. So for me it is about getting the balance right I reckon.

[fido]

Sounds like you just need to replace your shed with a roomy hatchback and keep the roadster. Maybe get someone to take away the MGB as well.

I just pulled out getting an Z4 - which was just a bit of expensive replacement therapy. Also it's also hard to let go of the M3 E92 - such a good car - and the OH prefers a hard-top.

[KTMsm]

There is no one car that can do everything well

The only question is how much are you willing to pay and is it worth the hassle of multiple cars ?

I've run multiple cars (generally 3-5) all my life but my Dad was a Trader so it's natural to me, at times it's a pain equally at times it's a blessing

[Mr Tidy]

I only ever had one car at a time for decades, then I bought a 2 seater in 2014 that my old Mum couldn't get in - which was just as well as she'd never have got out of it!

So I got a 2nd sensible car and although Mum passed away in 2020 I still run 2 cars.

The upside is my "special" car doesn't ever get parked in Tescos or B & Q, etc. and my cheapo daily BMW 330i is quick enough for some fun!

[Truckosaurus]

I've only ever had one car due to lack of free parking where I've lived, so dream of being able to run two cheap cars.

However, in the OP's position perhaps downsizing the fleet to a single hot hatch initially would be ideal - or maybe something like a Merc GLA that is 4wd and a bit 'lifted' for getting to outdoorsy places.

Then, if/when you are missing the fun car, buy a cheap MX5 as a second car.

[anonymous-user]

Keep the car and get yourself a caddy maxi.
Convert the back to a day van, somewhere to get changed,have a drink and maybe sleep on the odd occasion.

Perfect outdoor setup

[dontlookdown]

Just replace the Toyota with something equally practical but newer. And make an effort to drive the Abarth more. 20 yr old Porsche not the ideal car for Munro bashing, the parking is likely to be a bit bumpy for it.