Cars suitable for very occasional use
Discussion
We have three cars in our household (between wife and I), a Macan GTS as the family hack, a Honda e for nipping to supermarket/station etc and a 911 (996) as a weekend fun car. We probably only do less than 10,000 miles a year across the 3 cars with about 5,000 in the Macan, 3-4,000 in the Honda and only 500 in the 996. It's hard to justify keeping the 996 with such low mileage, but I like having it there and it's a bit of resilience if someone goes away in the Macan and the other person wants to travel somewhere further than the Honda's hopeless range.
But 996's definitely work better when they're used, sitting around in the garage and only coming out infrequently doesn't seem to do it any favours and despite the low mileage (only 60,000 overall) it requires a lot of expensive maintenance.
So I've been thinking of selling and considering whether it is worth replacing it with something else. So the question is, are there any cars that are "designed" or don't suffer from being used infrequently? Probably not, but I'm thinking things like Caterhams tend not to rack up high mileages and only tend to come out on sunny days. Anything else? Bonus points if it has 4 seats as I have kids....
But 996's definitely work better when they're used, sitting around in the garage and only coming out infrequently doesn't seem to do it any favours and despite the low mileage (only 60,000 overall) it requires a lot of expensive maintenance.
So I've been thinking of selling and considering whether it is worth replacing it with something else. So the question is, are there any cars that are "designed" or don't suffer from being used infrequently? Probably not, but I'm thinking things like Caterhams tend not to rack up high mileages and only tend to come out on sunny days. Anything else? Bonus points if it has 4 seats as I have kids....
i would look at a silly car to replace the 996, maybe something like https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16994686
I noticed our 996 was very battery hungry when sitting idle. They do seem to like maintenance too. I do miss it but completely agree that they’re a car to be used. If they appeal, I find my Toyota engined Exige a doddle to own. Can go months without moving and fire immediately. Very easy on maintenance too. Might be an option.
Gad-Westy said:
I noticed our 996 was very battery hungry when sitting idle. They do seem to like maintenance too. I do miss it but completely agree that they’re a car to be used. If they appeal, I find my Toyota engined Exige a doddle to own. Can go months without moving and fire immediately. Very easy on maintenance too. Might be an option.
Good to know, a Lotus has been on my shortlistRobertb said:
How about an i8? The Mini engine would be low cost to maintain.
They’re interesting too with supercar looks, the gull wing doors and carbon sills etc.
Similar size to a 911 inside.
A good shout, hadn't thought of one of those... But according to a quick Google, quite a bit wider than the 996 and forgot to mention I have to squeeze the car into a single garage. Also rules out that Dodge (along with crazy price)They’re interesting too with supercar looks, the gull wing doors and carbon sills etc.
Similar size to a 911 inside.
I don't think there are any really, combustion engines like to be running to keep everything lubricated and in order. I would imagine EV's would have their own issues if left standing unused for a significant length of time, I recall James May having issues with his Tesla Model S losing all it's power when left in his garage, he did a video on Drive Tribe about it.
We have three cars too - Kia Stinger, the same useless-ish Honda E and an LC500 - that’s got a ten year warranty, Japanese build quality, an epic V8 and as long as the battery doesn’t go flat it shouldn’t be too much trouble.
As with the Lotus above I’d guess Japanese stuff would very generally speaking be least likely to cause problems.
As with the Lotus above I’d guess Japanese stuff would very generally speaking be least likely to cause problems.
WD-40 said:
Robertb said:
How about an i8? The Mini engine would be low cost to maintain.
They’re interesting too with supercar looks, the gull wing doors and carbon sills etc.
Similar size to a 911 inside.
A good shout, hadn't thought of one of those... But according to a quick Google, quite a bit wider than the 996 and forgot to mention I have to squeeze the car into a single garage. Also rules out that Dodge (along with crazy price)They’re interesting too with supercar looks, the gull wing doors and carbon sills etc.
Similar size to a 911 inside.
I did love my time with an i8, although the doors could be an issue, even in car parks, but it did feel very special, and very cheap to run. It could be tricky with the doors in a garage though, there was a very good Facebook owners group, could be worth asking on there.
I would also add The Louus Evora, I had an early one non s, and an S before that, with rear 'Seats' both never failed to start with my time with them, with the Toyota V6, and surprisingly well built (the driver's window regulator was the only thing that went wrong)
Both the Evora and the i8 were my favourite cars I've owned.
There is the Honda S2000 as well, although only 2 seats.
I would also add The Louus Evora, I had an early one non s, and an S before that, with rear 'Seats' both never failed to start with my time with them, with the Toyota V6, and surprisingly well built (the driver's window regulator was the only thing that went wrong)
Both the Evora and the i8 were my favourite cars I've owned.
There is the Honda S2000 as well, although only 2 seats.
Edited by jamesbilluk on Sunday 25th August 16:57
Edited by jamesbilluk on Sunday 25th August 16:59
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