Re-shuffle my fleet ....
Discussion
Guys,
I seem to have ended up with a collection of cars which don't make a lot of sense and occasionally muse as to what I should or could change, and for what. The odds of me ever making any of these changes is quite low because I am not unhappy with what I have but maybe you chaps could come up with some ideas which haven't occurred to me. The current arrangement is as follows:
1. 1982 944 S2. Bought about 18 years ago, very much my pride and joy, was used as a daily driver (and only car) up until five years ago but is now strictly only for summer use and is SORN for the nastier months of the year. Value could be between £4k and £18k depending upon who you believe but it likely to be nearer to £4k on account of the moon mileage (230k). I've just had it re-sprayed and would need a very good reason to include it in the re-shuffle.
2. 2007 Skoda Fabia 1.2. Very base model, bought about three years ago for my wife to drive when a change of job meant that she needed a car. Her commute is about eight miles each way, three days a week. We paid about £1100 for it and it doesn't go wrong, it consumes petrol and tyres and not much else. Maintenance is DIY and while it's a bit expensive to tax and not as economical on fuel as you may hope it's very cheap motoring. It's scruffy and was bought with a view to keeping for a couple of years, picking up some dents on the way as my wife hadn't driven for 20 years but that hasn't happened and she now loves it. Some aftermarket heated seats and reversing sensors have helped. It's 4-door and the practical car we use when doing local journeys, taking things to the dump, when we need to give someone a lift etc. It does around 8k miles a year.
3. 2007 Porsche Cayman. Bought to stand in for the 944 when it was taken off the road for a while and I now quite like it. I don't love it but I do quite like it, it's a nice thing to drive and does it's usual job of longer distances 2-up very well. It's not expensive to insure and fits in a low-ish tax band so is about £350/ in tax. It's probably worth about £10-12k if I wanted to sell it. I work from home and this is therefore a semi-practical toy, doing around 8k miles a year (same as the Skoda).
We have secure garage parking for two cars - the 944 and the Cayman.
What are the problems with this fleet which I would change?
The 944 and the Cayman are very similar cars and it doesn't seem to have sense to own both of them. Logic would say get rid of the Cayman, but it's a nice example with the longest list of options I have ever seen on a 987 and I know that if I got rid of it then I'd never replace it with as nice an example. It also has a BRIGHT red interior which I love, but between this and the hihe mileage (112k) it wouldn't be worth a huge amount.
The other problem is that the practical car (Skoda) is not a good thing to drive long-distance. So if we want to carry something big-ish or we need to take a third or fourth person then we need to go in something that is decidedly basic, which can get wearing. It's not a show-stopper but it's less than ideal. We have no kids but do have elderly parents and often have friends to stay, meaning that the 4-door car is used quite often.
Selling the Cayman and the Skoda and replacing them with something practical is a serious consideration (something like a fast Octavia estate would fit the bill). I could then think about a proper toy as well - a Caterham or similar.
Or we could bite the electric bullet and replace the Skoda with a BMW i3, but I'm not sure whether this would actually save us any money over the Skoda, and it would mean we'd need another practical car to take passengers/stuff.
Given that I work from home then it is quite rare that we have two cars away from the house at any one time, so we could buy something very middle-aged and sensible (3-series estate?) and use this to replace both the Cayman and the Skoda. But I can't for a moment believe that any estate car would be as fun to drive as the Cayman and I know that I'd miss it if a longer journey didn't need the extra space and seats.
So, good chaps of PH, what would you suggest? All suggestions welcome. I should probably mention a budget .... so £10k, plus whatever we sell. There - do your worst!
I seem to have ended up with a collection of cars which don't make a lot of sense and occasionally muse as to what I should or could change, and for what. The odds of me ever making any of these changes is quite low because I am not unhappy with what I have but maybe you chaps could come up with some ideas which haven't occurred to me. The current arrangement is as follows:
1. 1982 944 S2. Bought about 18 years ago, very much my pride and joy, was used as a daily driver (and only car) up until five years ago but is now strictly only for summer use and is SORN for the nastier months of the year. Value could be between £4k and £18k depending upon who you believe but it likely to be nearer to £4k on account of the moon mileage (230k). I've just had it re-sprayed and would need a very good reason to include it in the re-shuffle.
2. 2007 Skoda Fabia 1.2. Very base model, bought about three years ago for my wife to drive when a change of job meant that she needed a car. Her commute is about eight miles each way, three days a week. We paid about £1100 for it and it doesn't go wrong, it consumes petrol and tyres and not much else. Maintenance is DIY and while it's a bit expensive to tax and not as economical on fuel as you may hope it's very cheap motoring. It's scruffy and was bought with a view to keeping for a couple of years, picking up some dents on the way as my wife hadn't driven for 20 years but that hasn't happened and she now loves it. Some aftermarket heated seats and reversing sensors have helped. It's 4-door and the practical car we use when doing local journeys, taking things to the dump, when we need to give someone a lift etc. It does around 8k miles a year.
3. 2007 Porsche Cayman. Bought to stand in for the 944 when it was taken off the road for a while and I now quite like it. I don't love it but I do quite like it, it's a nice thing to drive and does it's usual job of longer distances 2-up very well. It's not expensive to insure and fits in a low-ish tax band so is about £350/ in tax. It's probably worth about £10-12k if I wanted to sell it. I work from home and this is therefore a semi-practical toy, doing around 8k miles a year (same as the Skoda).
We have secure garage parking for two cars - the 944 and the Cayman.
What are the problems with this fleet which I would change?
The 944 and the Cayman are very similar cars and it doesn't seem to have sense to own both of them. Logic would say get rid of the Cayman, but it's a nice example with the longest list of options I have ever seen on a 987 and I know that if I got rid of it then I'd never replace it with as nice an example. It also has a BRIGHT red interior which I love, but between this and the hihe mileage (112k) it wouldn't be worth a huge amount.
The other problem is that the practical car (Skoda) is not a good thing to drive long-distance. So if we want to carry something big-ish or we need to take a third or fourth person then we need to go in something that is decidedly basic, which can get wearing. It's not a show-stopper but it's less than ideal. We have no kids but do have elderly parents and often have friends to stay, meaning that the 4-door car is used quite often.
Selling the Cayman and the Skoda and replacing them with something practical is a serious consideration (something like a fast Octavia estate would fit the bill). I could then think about a proper toy as well - a Caterham or similar.
Or we could bite the electric bullet and replace the Skoda with a BMW i3, but I'm not sure whether this would actually save us any money over the Skoda, and it would mean we'd need another practical car to take passengers/stuff.
Given that I work from home then it is quite rare that we have two cars away from the house at any one time, so we could buy something very middle-aged and sensible (3-series estate?) and use this to replace both the Cayman and the Skoda. But I can't for a moment believe that any estate car would be as fun to drive as the Cayman and I know that I'd miss it if a longer journey didn't need the extra space and seats.
So, good chaps of PH, what would you suggest? All suggestions welcome. I should probably mention a budget .... so £10k, plus whatever we sell. There - do your worst!
Different strokes for different folks but I'm a tight git so my 3 cars are a long since paid for supercharged Mustang GT which I tax for 6 months and is only £250 to insure for 3k a year (though it does a lot less). Service it myself as it's not hard.
I am retired so my comfortable and reliable car is a 200hp Insignia B which I bought at a year old. Cavernous and great for long journeys, did most depreciating before I bought it but with only 26k on the clock, will last 10 years or more and only takes 160 VEL and £300 insurance. Cheap to get serviced.
My partner had also not driven for 15 years so I bought a 2011 low mileage Fiat Panda and pay £200 insurance and 35 VEL. Cracking little car for local duties.
On your quandary, I would probably sell the 944, keep the Cayman and upgrade the Fabia to something roomier but not too flash or unwieldy - i30N maybe.
I am retired so my comfortable and reliable car is a 200hp Insignia B which I bought at a year old. Cavernous and great for long journeys, did most depreciating before I bought it but with only 26k on the clock, will last 10 years or more and only takes 160 VEL and £300 insurance. Cheap to get serviced.
My partner had also not driven for 15 years so I bought a 2011 low mileage Fiat Panda and pay £200 insurance and 35 VEL. Cracking little car for local duties.
On your quandary, I would probably sell the 944, keep the Cayman and upgrade the Fabia to something roomier but not too flash or unwieldy - i30N maybe.
Is the 944 S2 that great ? Take a step back and do you want to keep it because you love driving it so much or you have had it so long and have just spent money on having it painted and want to get the benefit ? I had one and it was nice but I think I would prefer the Cayman as a keeper being mid engined, quicker and having six cylinders.
said:
the Fabia is too small. I'd suggest a non-turbo petrol Japanese car (Lexus IS, Mazda 6, Avensis), boring but reliable and far more comfortable than a Fabia.
The correct answer is get the Caterham and keep the other 3. The answer is always n+1
If you weren't so attached to your 944 I'd suggest keeping the Cayman, selling the other two and buying something a bit more exciting than the Fabia for those longer trips when you need space.
I personally would rather have a Cayman than a 944, but if both stay could you just upgrade the Fabia?
I personally would rather have a Cayman than a 944, but if both stay could you just upgrade the Fabia?
2Btoo said:
Guys,
I seem to have ended up with a collection of cars which don't make a lot of sense and occasionally muse as to what I should or could change, and for what. The odds of me ever making any of these changes is quite low because I am not unhappy with what I have but maybe you chaps could come up with some ideas which haven't occurred to me. The current arrangement is as follows:
1. 1982 944 S2. Bought about 18 years ago, very much my pride and joy, was used as a daily driver (and only car) up until five years ago but is now strictly only for summer use and is SORN for the nastier months of the year. Value could be between £4k and £18k depending upon who you believe but it likely to be nearer to £4k on account of the moon mileage (230k). I've just had it re-sprayed and would need a very good reason to include it in the re-shuffle.
2. 2007 Skoda Fabia 1.2. Very base model, bought about three years ago for my wife to drive when a change of job meant that she needed a car. Her commute is about eight miles each way, three days a week. We paid about £1100 for it and it doesn't go wrong, it consumes petrol and tyres and not much else. Maintenance is DIY and while it's a bit expensive to tax and not as economical on fuel as you may hope it's very cheap motoring. It's scruffy and was bought with a view to keeping for a couple of years, picking up some dents on the way as my wife hadn't driven for 20 years but that hasn't happened and she now loves it. Some aftermarket heated seats and reversing sensors have helped. It's 4-door and the practical car we use when doing local journeys, taking things to the dump, when we need to give someone a lift etc. It does around 8k miles a year.
3. 2007 Porsche Cayman. Bought to stand in for the 944 when it was taken off the road for a while and I now quite like it. I don't love it but I do quite like it, it's a nice thing to drive and does it's usual job of longer distances 2-up very well. It's not expensive to insure and fits in a low-ish tax band so is about £350/ in tax. It's probably worth about £10-12k if I wanted to sell it. I work from home and this is therefore a semi-practical toy, doing around 8k miles a year (same as the Skoda).
We have secure garage parking for two cars - the 944 and the Cayman.
What are the problems with this fleet which I would change?
The 944 and the Cayman are very similar cars and it doesn't seem to have sense to own both of them. Logic would say get rid of the Cayman, but it's a nice example with the longest list of options I have ever seen on a 987 and I know that if I got rid of it then I'd never replace it with as nice an example. It also has a BRIGHT red interior which I love, but between this and the hihe mileage (112k) it wouldn't be worth a huge amount.
The other problem is that the practical car (Skoda) is not a good thing to drive long-distance. So if we want to carry something big-ish or we need to take a third or fourth person then we need to go in something that is decidedly basic, which can get wearing. It's not a show-stopper but it's less than ideal. We have no kids but do have elderly parents and often have friends to stay, meaning that the 4-door car is used quite often.
Selling the Cayman and the Skoda and replacing them with something practical is a serious consideration (something like a fast Octavia estate would fit the bill). I could then think about a proper toy as well - a Caterham or similar.
Or we could bite the electric bullet and replace the Skoda with a BMW i3, but I'm not sure whether this would actually save us any money over the Skoda, and it would mean we'd need another practical car to take passengers/stuff.
Given that I work from home then it is quite rare that we have two cars away from the house at any one time, so we could buy something very middle-aged and sensible (3-series estate?) and use this to replace both the Cayman and the Skoda. But I can't for a moment believe that any estate car would be as fun to drive as the Cayman and I know that I'd miss it if a longer journey didn't need the extra space and seats.
So, good chaps of PH, what would you suggest? All suggestions welcome. I should probably mention a budget .... so £10k, plus whatever we sell. There - do your worst!
Sell the Skoda & get something bigger but still sensible.I seem to have ended up with a collection of cars which don't make a lot of sense and occasionally muse as to what I should or could change, and for what. The odds of me ever making any of these changes is quite low because I am not unhappy with what I have but maybe you chaps could come up with some ideas which haven't occurred to me. The current arrangement is as follows:
1. 1982 944 S2. Bought about 18 years ago, very much my pride and joy, was used as a daily driver (and only car) up until five years ago but is now strictly only for summer use and is SORN for the nastier months of the year. Value could be between £4k and £18k depending upon who you believe but it likely to be nearer to £4k on account of the moon mileage (230k). I've just had it re-sprayed and would need a very good reason to include it in the re-shuffle.
2. 2007 Skoda Fabia 1.2. Very base model, bought about three years ago for my wife to drive when a change of job meant that she needed a car. Her commute is about eight miles each way, three days a week. We paid about £1100 for it and it doesn't go wrong, it consumes petrol and tyres and not much else. Maintenance is DIY and while it's a bit expensive to tax and not as economical on fuel as you may hope it's very cheap motoring. It's scruffy and was bought with a view to keeping for a couple of years, picking up some dents on the way as my wife hadn't driven for 20 years but that hasn't happened and she now loves it. Some aftermarket heated seats and reversing sensors have helped. It's 4-door and the practical car we use when doing local journeys, taking things to the dump, when we need to give someone a lift etc. It does around 8k miles a year.
3. 2007 Porsche Cayman. Bought to stand in for the 944 when it was taken off the road for a while and I now quite like it. I don't love it but I do quite like it, it's a nice thing to drive and does it's usual job of longer distances 2-up very well. It's not expensive to insure and fits in a low-ish tax band so is about £350/ in tax. It's probably worth about £10-12k if I wanted to sell it. I work from home and this is therefore a semi-practical toy, doing around 8k miles a year (same as the Skoda).
We have secure garage parking for two cars - the 944 and the Cayman.
What are the problems with this fleet which I would change?
The 944 and the Cayman are very similar cars and it doesn't seem to have sense to own both of them. Logic would say get rid of the Cayman, but it's a nice example with the longest list of options I have ever seen on a 987 and I know that if I got rid of it then I'd never replace it with as nice an example. It also has a BRIGHT red interior which I love, but between this and the hihe mileage (112k) it wouldn't be worth a huge amount.
The other problem is that the practical car (Skoda) is not a good thing to drive long-distance. So if we want to carry something big-ish or we need to take a third or fourth person then we need to go in something that is decidedly basic, which can get wearing. It's not a show-stopper but it's less than ideal. We have no kids but do have elderly parents and often have friends to stay, meaning that the 4-door car is used quite often.
Selling the Cayman and the Skoda and replacing them with something practical is a serious consideration (something like a fast Octavia estate would fit the bill). I could then think about a proper toy as well - a Caterham or similar.
Or we could bite the electric bullet and replace the Skoda with a BMW i3, but I'm not sure whether this would actually save us any money over the Skoda, and it would mean we'd need another practical car to take passengers/stuff.
Given that I work from home then it is quite rare that we have two cars away from the house at any one time, so we could buy something very middle-aged and sensible (3-series estate?) and use this to replace both the Cayman and the Skoda. But I can't for a moment believe that any estate car would be as fun to drive as the Cayman and I know that I'd miss it if a longer journey didn't need the extra space and seats.
So, good chaps of PH, what would you suggest? All suggestions welcome. I should probably mention a budget .... so £10k, plus whatever we sell. There - do your worst!
Kia Ceed GT Line:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311043...
GT Line S:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311304...
Megane GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310183...
1.6T Insignia Elite Nav 200:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309262...
Why not modify the Cayman with some suspension work etc.
By keeping it down to just changing the wifes car you may find you get the right mix.
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