Compulsion to constantly change cars
Discussion
More a confession than a cry for help 
I seem addicted to changing cars, I spend endless hours exploring my next car, and after only weeks of acquiring it, I'm back looking for the next.
I currently drive an 18-month-old 530E BMW touring, in many ways the best car in the world, a delight to own and drive, yet as soon as I'm out of the car, I'm searching the classifieds working out what to swap to next. (I have only owned it since Nov last year).
I have managed to peg the changes to around every 6 months, the poor economics of constantly changing I can deal with, it is the addictive compulsion of finding the next car that is the issue.
PS I don't drink excessively, smoke, gamble, play golf or womanise...perhaps this is just my vice?
I seem addicted to changing cars, I spend endless hours exploring my next car, and after only weeks of acquiring it, I'm back looking for the next.
I currently drive an 18-month-old 530E BMW touring, in many ways the best car in the world, a delight to own and drive, yet as soon as I'm out of the car, I'm searching the classifieds working out what to swap to next. (I have only owned it since Nov last year).
I have managed to peg the changes to around every 6 months, the poor economics of constantly changing I can deal with, it is the addictive compulsion of finding the next car that is the issue.
PS I don't drink excessively, smoke, gamble, play golf or womanise...perhaps this is just my vice?
I think I enjoy the searching, to some degree the buying experience and the first few weeks of getting to know the car.
I'm pretty strict in that I don't hoard things (one in one out).
Saying that my daughter finishes uni in summer, and might be moving back, she will need a car, an opportunity for me to do some more searching
I'm pretty strict in that I don't hoard things (one in one out).
Saying that my daughter finishes uni in summer, and might be moving back, she will need a car, an opportunity for me to do some more searching
Trevor555 said:
Become a car dealer?
The hunt/search for a car is addictive.
I retired many years back, but still cant help myself.
Just bought a 2002 Puma with 25k on clock that was dropped under my nose
.... when it comes to selling cars I hate dealing with private buyers, the last 3 cars I've sold to dealers. The hunt/search for a car is addictive.
I retired many years back, but still cant help myself.
Just bought a 2002 Puma with 25k on clock that was dropped under my nose
(Defender, Taycan, Yaris GR), in every case done better financially than private buyers were willing to pay.
Wilmslowboy said:
Trevor555 said:
Become a car dealer?
The hunt/search for a car is addictive.
I retired many years back, but still cant help myself.
Just bought a 2002 Puma with 25k on clock that was dropped under my nose
.... when it comes to selling cars I hate dealing with private buyers, the last 3 cars I've sold to dealers. The hunt/search for a car is addictive.
I retired many years back, but still cant help myself.
Just bought a 2002 Puma with 25k on clock that was dropped under my nose
(Defender, Taycan, Yaris GR), in every case done better financially than private buyers were willing to pay.
The hardest part of being a dealer nowadays is finding stock. The selling bit is easy.
ChrisH72 said:
When you change cars do you part ex or sell privately?
I'm just wondering if you ever have difficulty selling after such short ownership.
The last three were a 2-year-old Defender, a 6-month-old Yaris GR and an 1-year-old Taycan I'm just wondering if you ever have difficulty selling after such short ownership.
All three went to traders (Motorway or straight to dealer), never an issue selling quickly, all still under the manufactures warranty and priced correctly.
No PX or finance means more options where I can buy from, bought my current daily (530e) from a friend as he was just about to PX it in against a new RR.
Exactly the same as you OP, just at a different budget.
Currently on my 67th car, had 5 last year, and if the current one passes it’s MoT this week, it’s up for sale. Purchased it in January and it’s fun, but nothing I want to hold on to.
Like you, my fun is the chase, finding that little gem/bargain that needs a bit of simple fettling to make better. Wife used to hate it when I did it with our main cars, but now I just use whatever money I have in the ‘pot’ for the next car. I try not to lose any money which makes it better.
Currently on my 67th car, had 5 last year, and if the current one passes it’s MoT this week, it’s up for sale. Purchased it in January and it’s fun, but nothing I want to hold on to.
Like you, my fun is the chase, finding that little gem/bargain that needs a bit of simple fettling to make better. Wife used to hate it when I did it with our main cars, but now I just use whatever money I have in the ‘pot’ for the next car. I try not to lose any money which makes it better.
Wilmslowboy said:
I think I enjoy the searching, to some degree the buying experience and the first few weeks of getting to know the car.
Exactly this. The journey of acquiring knowledge is deeply satisfying.Working on and fettling cars extends the journey and add an extra dimension of investing time into making the car truly your own.
Nothing wrong with indulging your interest! Buying and selling newish cars from trade that often must carry a financial sting though. I have been through flurries of cars in the past- part of my issue was finding it hard to resist something that seemed a bargain. If you make decent purchases and sales privately you can do it without losing much money, if any.
ChrisH72 said:
When you change cars do you part ex or sell privately?
I'm just wondering if you ever have difficulty selling after such short ownership.
Edit... Just read your previous answer!
Surely you must take a fair hit?
No - two were to WBAC, made a nice profit on the first one (an EV) and small loss on the second one. Current car is a Defender and is still worth more than paid for it. My aim was an 'experiment' to see if I could achieve 'net zero' car cost over a year and seems to be on target.I'm just wondering if you ever have difficulty selling after such short ownership.
Edit... Just read your previous answer!
Surely you must take a fair hit?
Mark V GTD said:
ChrisH72 said:
When you change cars do you part ex or sell privately?
I'm just wondering if you ever have difficulty selling after such short ownership.
Edit... Just read your previous answer!
Surely you must take a fair hit?
No - two were to WBAC, made a nice profit on the first one (an EV) and small loss on the second one. Current car is a Defender and is still worth more than paid for it. My aim was an 'experiment' to see if I could achieve 'net zero' car cost over a year and seems to be on target.I'm just wondering if you ever have difficulty selling after such short ownership.
Edit... Just read your previous answer!
Surely you must take a fair hit?
Taycan cost about £5k over 6 months (had I kept it 6 months longer that would probably have been over £15k). Yaris about £3k over 6 months (6k miles), I think I might get most of money back on the 530e, if I sold it, but if it costs me £3k over 6 months, then I’d feel I’ve done ok.
One of the benefits of buying nearly new cars is everything works, factory warranty, often no need to service or replace consumables. Also selling on is easier.
On the one hand, if you're never happy, then you probably need to look inside a bit more.
On the other hand, it's fun to try different cars.
On my list of cars for the next 10 years:
Replace the 996 Turbo with a Gallardo then lose £20k selling it and replace that with a DB9 then lose £15k selling that and then replace that with a first gen ULEZ-friendly XK8 as the car to eventually just watch rusting on my drive as we're not allowed to enjoy cars any more.
On the banger side, replace the C Class with a Mini Cooper then an Abarth 595 then some dull EV.
Edit: I want to fit an Evora somewhere in that mix.
On the other hand, it's fun to try different cars.
On my list of cars for the next 10 years:
Replace the 996 Turbo with a Gallardo then lose £20k selling it and replace that with a DB9 then lose £15k selling that and then replace that with a first gen ULEZ-friendly XK8 as the car to eventually just watch rusting on my drive as we're not allowed to enjoy cars any more.
On the banger side, replace the C Class with a Mini Cooper then an Abarth 595 then some dull EV.
Edit: I want to fit an Evora somewhere in that mix.
Edited by Hoofy on Monday 8th May 10:01
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