Car purchase - cold feet
Discussion
've got a reservation down on a GR86 - fantastic I hear you all say.
Yet I've got extreme cold feet.
The deposit works, the monthlies are well well within my capability and I love the car (had a 48hr test drive).
Yet I can't put my finger on why I feel this way.
I suspect it's a general awareness of the economy and perhaps the slightly strange sensation of being 'forced' into a decision by Toyota but FML, I'm not enjoying the feeling I've brought upon myself!
Not sure what I'm looking for in posting this as I know some will say 'go for it!' and others will say 'if you can't afford it in cash etc etc'.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Yet I've got extreme cold feet.
The deposit works, the monthlies are well well within my capability and I love the car (had a 48hr test drive).
Yet I can't put my finger on why I feel this way.
I suspect it's a general awareness of the economy and perhaps the slightly strange sensation of being 'forced' into a decision by Toyota but FML, I'm not enjoying the feeling I've brought upon myself!
Not sure what I'm looking for in posting this as I know some will say 'go for it!' and others will say 'if you can't afford it in cash etc etc'.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Psychology of purchases is very interesting, doing the research, looking at specifications, the test drive, the hunt in effect before the decision to buy.
Then the review period, buyers guilt, the come down, anticipation of delivery etc.
It’s natural in my view to have some feelings of remorse around big purchases, it takes me an hour to choose a new tooth brush once a flood, buying anything bigger is agonising!
We moved house recently and had to make a decision on buying a new place within a couple of hours, which I thought was insane, but having done it once, it’s easier now not to get too overwhelmed choosing new dental hygiene products.
I’d personally take delivery, drive the car as much as possible and just enjoy it. It won’t change your life or make it any more meaningful but it will be something you can look forward to using for its intended purpose and relish the time you get to spend driving it.
Bonus points if you can build some lovely memories in use, take it on a driving holiday or meet new people as a result of ownership.
Theoretically it’s just another appliance like a cooker or a fridge, but this is pistonheads, we like cars and it might be the last roll of the dice for this chapter so go easy on yourself and enjoy your new car!
Then the review period, buyers guilt, the come down, anticipation of delivery etc.
It’s natural in my view to have some feelings of remorse around big purchases, it takes me an hour to choose a new tooth brush once a flood, buying anything bigger is agonising!
We moved house recently and had to make a decision on buying a new place within a couple of hours, which I thought was insane, but having done it once, it’s easier now not to get too overwhelmed choosing new dental hygiene products.
I’d personally take delivery, drive the car as much as possible and just enjoy it. It won’t change your life or make it any more meaningful but it will be something you can look forward to using for its intended purpose and relish the time you get to spend driving it.
Bonus points if you can build some lovely memories in use, take it on a driving holiday or meet new people as a result of ownership.
Theoretically it’s just another appliance like a cooker or a fridge, but this is pistonheads, we like cars and it might be the last roll of the dice for this chapter so go easy on yourself and enjoy your new car!
This seems like a feeling that will change rapidly once you get behind the wheel.
As has been said, the downside risk is pretty small, whereas this is probably a rare chance to buy an affordable true sports car brand new to your own spec.
I do understand resentment at the "beg for the chance to buy our heavenly car, peasants!" sales process, but unfortunately it's relatively common and at least in this case it's imposed by outside forces (EU emissions limits) rather than being a cynical marketing strategy as on more expensive sports cars.
Go for it :-)
Don't know if it helps but as the lucky owner of a GR86 I'm glad I took the plunge, only done about 900 miles so far but I think this one is a keeper & this is coming from a serial car swapper, out of curiosity what are you driving at the moment? 
Sorry couldn't resist adding a picture!
Sorry couldn't resist adding a picture!
'Buyer's remorse' not unusual after pulling the trigger on a pre-ordered big ticket item. This 'guilt' is a normal and rational thinking process shows you know what you are getting into.
If you hadn't ordered, then likely you would still be looking for one now?
Sometimes with motors it is easy to get into expensive projects with a childish excitement -but then that is exactly why we do it.
My advice is go with your gut, if it’s really the car for you and you will drive the wheels off it jump at it. If it’s not you will already know.
They look cracking little cars to be fair, be careful if you buy it thinking it’s going be free motoring as it may not be as the economy is and has changed.
They look cracking little cars to be fair, be careful if you buy it thinking it’s going be free motoring as it may not be as the economy is and has changed.
Wacky Racer said:
Why have Toyota "forced" you into buying it?
Once the reservation (holding deposit) fee is paid there is 7 days to place the order or the opportunity is lost. Typically I’d go slightly more at my own pace whereas with the GR it allows for very little of the procrastination unusually practice.
Bonzo1930 said:
Don't know if it helps but as the lucky owner of a GR86 I'm glad I took the plunge, only done about 900 miles so far but I think this one is a keeper & this is coming from a serial car swapper, out of curiosity what are you driving at the moment?
Sorry couldn't resist adding a picture!
That looks fab. I’ve gone for grey and whilst not usually my first choice, works really well on the GR. Sorry couldn't resist adding a picture!
TheFungle said:
Wacky Racer said:
Why have Toyota "forced" you into buying it?
Once the reservation (holding deposit) fee is paid there is 7 days to place the order or the opportunity is lost. Typically I’d go slightly more at my own pace whereas with the GR it allows for very little of the procrastination unusually practice.
Go for it......lovely cars.
This seems to be a common feeling with the gr86. I wonder if it's because it's a very sensible, un-sensible car. I went through similar feelings as the op but I don't regret sticking with my order.
It's easy to look at the news, or worse read NP&E on here, and envisage the incoming apocalypse. But you need to look at your own personal circumstances to make the decision. A NHS doctor with another 4 years on your fixed rate mortgage? Fill your boots. A restaurant owner with a 2 year deal on a new build coming to an end? Probably not.
As for tha car itself. It's marvelous! But, and there's always a bit, it needs to work for you. We needed a 2nd car and the gr86 is about as impractical as I could realistically manage with a family of 4.
If the car will work for your use and you can afford it, go for it.
It's easy to look at the news, or worse read NP&E on here, and envisage the incoming apocalypse. But you need to look at your own personal circumstances to make the decision. A NHS doctor with another 4 years on your fixed rate mortgage? Fill your boots. A restaurant owner with a 2 year deal on a new build coming to an end? Probably not.
As for tha car itself. It's marvelous! But, and there's always a bit, it needs to work for you. We needed a 2nd car and the gr86 is about as impractical as I could realistically manage with a family of 4.
If the car will work for your use and you can afford it, go for it.
I purchased a T6 this time last year, £30k off someone's drive, I had many a sleepless night after wandering why on earth I did it!!
My thought was to just pay the monthlies and sell it in the new year...I still have it now and although I have a love hate relationship with it I'm glad I did buy it
My thought was to just pay the monthlies and sell it in the new year...I still have it now and although I have a love hate relationship with it I'm glad I did buy it
Op same situation as you I have until midnight to progress my order for a GR86. Got carried away with my own FOMO.
Lots of sensible advice above but need to go with your gut as someone else said.
I am not going to progress for a myriad of reasons (£1k will be refunded) some touched on earlier posts… can I afford it yes… now but work/mortgage etc in a couple of years time a £400 monthly is not something I’d relish (any regret not paying off a 5/6% mortgage next year).
I do have a great daily already that’s a Swiss Army knife for 2nd car family duties (Fiesta ST).
It may be the car that got away for me but I promise myself one in 5 years when Mortgage is paid off at that point it probably be £50k 🫠 but at least I’d enjoy.. mowing I have battened down my hatches for the next few years.
Lots of sensible advice above but need to go with your gut as someone else said.
I am not going to progress for a myriad of reasons (£1k will be refunded) some touched on earlier posts… can I afford it yes… now but work/mortgage etc in a couple of years time a £400 monthly is not something I’d relish (any regret not paying off a 5/6% mortgage next year).
I do have a great daily already that’s a Swiss Army knife for 2nd car family duties (Fiesta ST).
It may be the car that got away for me but I promise myself one in 5 years when Mortgage is paid off at that point it probably be £50k 🫠 but at least I’d enjoy.. mowing I have battened down my hatches for the next few years.
Edited by GTIfarmer on Tuesday 8th August 11:33
You always get some buyer’s remorse I think anyway. Most of the excitement in buying a car is in the search and lead up to the event & once that’s passed you start to regret what you’ve done. If the cars worth its salt it’ll make you smile and justify its existence each time you drive it. If it doesn’t you can always sell.
I’ve had more pleasure from cars that I’ve paid next to nothing for over cars I’ve paid tens of thousands for. Simply because its existence is insignificant. If the cost / outlay / munflies are going to cause remorse and the smiles from ownership not going to justify it then maybe best listening to your head.
I’ve had more pleasure from cars that I’ve paid next to nothing for over cars I’ve paid tens of thousands for. Simply because its existence is insignificant. If the cost / outlay / munflies are going to cause remorse and the smiles from ownership not going to justify it then maybe best listening to your head.
Nice car. Imho, unless you are filthy rich you, and most of us will go through similar thoughts when changing cars, whether new or used. You may even have a sleepless night once committed to the new car. However this doubt will soon diminish and, as someone said on here, if you don’t like it, you can move it on.
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