Downsizing-am I an idiot?

[HazzaT]

I got a 330d about 10 months ago which is a really nice car but I have since moved oop norf with the girlfriend and I'm only occasionally doing long trips these days-done about 3.5k miles in it since the start of December, which is absolutely nothing.
It's also just not quite doing it for me, it's objectively brilliant but very soulless and the handling is a big disappointment now I've lived with it for a while. I'm also not entirely happy driving an auto any more, I feel like it's making me a lazier and worse driver.

Am I daft for jumping back into something like a Mk8 Fiesta ST? Cheaper to run (especially to insure), much better to chuck down a B road and I can count on one hand the times people have sat in the back seat of the Beemer anyway. I feel like I've learnt a lesson that bigger and more premium isn't always better.

[Alfahorn]

I had a Mini Cooper S as my daily, I swapped it for a high mileage (18 plate 113,000 miles) Alfa Giulia in January, I've done 5,000 miles in it. I can't believe however comfortable and refined it is. I wouldn't want to go back to a small car as a daily again.

[M11rph]

Sounds perfectly sensible to me.

Maybe even treat yourself to a spare set of wheels with All Season tyres for the winter. Fun, practical and some cash in your pocket.

[HazzaT]

Alfahorn said:

I had a Mini Cooper S as my daily, I swapped it for a high mileage (18 plate 113,000 miles) Alfa Giulia in January, I've done 5,000 miles in it. I can't believe however comfortable and refined it is. I wouldn't want to go back to a small car as a daily again.

The Giulia does look great to be fair! The 3 Series is surprisingly unrefined, it feels comfortable until you get on worse road surfaces and then it's banging and crashing all over the place. Also despite being smooth for a diesel, it is still a bit clattery

[cerb4.5lee]

I went from a 2006 auto E90 330i to a 2017 manual F56 Cooper S, and I didn't regret it one bit. I had 3.5 years of driving fun in the Mini for sure.

[Riley Blue]

I went from an A8 to a Fiesta and don't regret it for a second; I now have a much more involving experience when at the wheel - which is nice...

[Garvin]

HazzaT said:

I got a 330d about 10 months ago which is a really nice car but I have since moved oop norf with the girlfriend and I'm only occasionally doing long trips these days-done about 3.5k miles in it since the start of December, which is absolutely nothing.
It's also just not quite doing it for me, it's objectively brilliant but very soulless and the handling is a big disappointment now I've lived with it for a while. I'm also not entirely happy driving an auto any more, I feel like it's making me a lazier and worse driver.

Am I daft for jumping back into something like a Mk8 Fiesta ST? Cheaper to run (especially to insure), much better to chuck down a B road and I can count on one hand the times people have sat in the back seat of the Beemer anyway. I feel like I've learnt a lesson that bigger and more premium isn't always better.

Not an idiot at all - tis 'horses for courses'.

I used to do a lot of mileage before I retired with lots of long distance treks across the country on business. The Mustang GT I had was perfect for this but, since retiring, my mileage has reduced significantly and all of it is for pleasure now. Mrs Garvin had a Mk8 Fiesta ST that was getting too small to cram the Grandkids in so was looking for something a bit bigger. Being one of the, if not the, most fun cars to drive I was sorely tempted to take on the ST in place of the Mustang.

However, I wanted to return to top down motoring as well and ended up replacing the Mustang with a Mazda MX-5 ND RF. This I can rag to within an inch of its life and thoroughly enjoy it for what it is - the Mustang could never be 'ragged' the same way - too big and heavy for the UK twisties and too powerful by half and a complete licence loser even before you've got it really going.

I can't tell you how nice it is to be in a 'proper' sports car again, particularly when the sun is shining.

Idiotic . . . not a bit of it, although I do also have other cars for the odd long distance jaunt.

[BoRED S2upid]

Our second car is a 595 Abarth for a family of 4! Everyone loves it cheap to run, cheap to insure, park it anywhere, great fun.

[ingenieur]

I don't think it should be all about money if those are your choices. Have a close look at the costs of running both vehicles and you'll probably find it works out as loose change rather than substantial savings.

Also, in my experience getting rid of an economical car (i.e. a diesel, all be it.. a bit of a chunky diesel) is the immediate signal to him upstairs that your life requires a curveball which ultimately requires comfortable economical long distance comfort just as you've got rid of it and replaced it with something fun / impractical.

Is getting a second 'fun car' totally out of the question? I've got my fun car(s) and a practical diesel estate.

[Yahonza]

Do it - life is too short to be driving around in something you don't get on with.
Plus you should get something out of driving.

[HazzaT]

ingenieur said:

I don't think it should be all about money if those are your choices. Have a close look at the costs of running both vehicles and you'll probably find it works out as loose change rather than substantial savings.

[...]

Is getting a second 'fun car' totally out of the question? I've got my fun car(s) and a practical diesel estate.

Oh 100, savings are way down the list compared to fun-fuel economy is marginally better in the Mk8 from what I remember of my old one but smiles per gallon aren't comparable. The Fiesta does work out about half the cost to insure though and I feel like well into 4 figures for insurance when I'm pushing 30 is absurd, so it's making a good chunk back right there.

Unfortunately yes, we've only got two spaces and while my mrs's mum and dad only live down the road they have several of their cars parked on that street, so it's too cramped.

Edited by HazzaT on Wednesday 17th April 20:09

[AmyRichardson]

HazzaT said:

The Giulia does look great to be fair! The 3 Series is surprisingly unrefined, it feels comfortable until you get on worse road surfaces and then it's banging and crashing all over the place. Also despite being smooth for a diesel, it is still a bit clattery

I've similar criticism of my 330d, albeit mines an SE do it rides well (too much rebound/poor body control, to an extent that's worse than just "the price you pay") - still it suffers from excess road and wind noise, and diesel clatter.

• But* my other car (a GR86, which presumably isn't radically worse than an ST) is tinny and short-geared enough to have me in the 3' whenever it's not a fun drive ahead.

If you are "refinement sensitive" (and some folk, petrolheads included, just aren't!) then definitely get out and give something as small as a Fiesta an extended test before buying.

[HazzaT]

AmyRichardson said:

I've similar criticism of my 330d, albeit mines an SE do it rides well (too much rebound/poor body control, to an extent that's worse than just "the price you pay") - still it suffers from excess road and wind noise, and diesel clatter.

• But* my other car (a GR86, which presumably isn't radically worse than an ST) is tinny and short-geared enough to have me in the 3' whenever it's not a fun drive ahead.

If you are "refinement sensitive" (and some folk, petrolheads included, just aren't!) then definitely get out and give something as small as a Fiesta an extended test before buying.

My 330 is xDrive so it's on the SE suspension as well, it somehow manages to be crashy and wallowy at the same time. have no clue how they managed it!
I have owned an ST (3 and a bit years ago now) and still reckon it was the best car I've owned

[andy43]

If the back seats have only been used a few times in 10 months then may I suggest a two seater?!
With relatives so close you could always borrow one of their cars if you need a four seater.
There’ll be an MX5 that’ll be in budget, or a Z4, Boxster etc.

[andrebar]

Nothing daft about it. I only really miss my 3 series on long trips, most of the time I preferred borrowing my wife’s Mini.

[Hoofy]

Well, you say you're not doing many miles, and want an engaging car with a manual gearbox?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301143...



Or maybe an older Audi TT.

[Mad Maximus]

HazzaT said:

I got a 330d about 10 months ago which is a really nice car but I have since moved oop norf with the girlfriend and I'm only occasionally doing long trips these days-done about 3.5k miles in it since the start of December, which is absolutely nothing.
It's also just not quite doing it for me, it's objectively brilliant but very soulless and the handling is a big disappointment now I've lived with it for a while. I'm also not entirely happy driving an auto any more, I feel like it's making me a lazier and worse driver.

Am I daft for jumping back into something like a Mk8 Fiesta ST? Cheaper to run (especially to insure), much better to chuck down a B road and I can count on one hand the times people have sat in the back seat of the Beemer anyway. I feel like I've learnt a lesson that bigger and more premium isn't always better.

It’s about want really if that’s what you want do it. Nothing more to say I don’t think.

[Mr Tidy]

Life's too short to be driving a car you don't really like - get it changed!

I have a manual 330i SE that I really like most of the time, especially on long Motorway slogs but it's really no fun on a twisty back-road. Thankfully I have something else for that.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

HazzaT said:

I feel like it's making me a lazier and worse driver.

Worse than the standard of driving you see from most Fiesta ST drivers?

[ingenieur]

HazzaT said:

ingenieur said:

I don't think it should be all about money if those are your choices. Have a close look at the costs of running both vehicles and you'll probably find it works out as loose change rather than substantial savings.

[...]

Is getting a second 'fun car' totally out of the question? I've got my fun car(s) and a practical diesel estate.

Oh 100, savings are way down the list compared to fun-fuel economy is marginally better in the Mk8 from what I remember of my old one but smiles per gallon aren't comparable. The Fiesta does work out about half the cost to insure though and I feel like well into 4 figures for insurance when I'm pushing 30 is absurd, so it's making a good chunk back right there.

Unfortunately yes, we've only got two spaces and while my mrs's mum and dad only live down the road they have several of their cars parked on that street, so it's too cramped.

Edited by HazzaT on Wednesday 17th April 20:09

You have to compare what it would cost to insure both cars today... in case you were remembering from the last time you insured a smaller car. My insurance has basically doubled over the last 18 months and I've done nothing but earn more NCB and reduce my mileages!