Buying a flawed car just because
Discussion
Genuine question, I'm wondering how many people have bought cars which have flaws (not so good to drive, poor engine, poor reliability etc) just because they really like them?
Here's where I'm coming from. I have a mk7.5 Fiesta ST and its a very good car. I do like to read car reviews and pay attention to the opinions of motoring journalists, mostly because they drive loads of cars and do it for a living unlike myself. I knew the Fiesta ST would be great, everyone says so. I've had it 2 years and it's looked after me well with great driving dynamics, performance and cheap running costs. I'll likely keep it another year but like most of us I'm always thinking about the next motor.
My car is used around 3 days a week and only covers about 4k miles a year. It rarely sees any motorway and is mostly driven on A and B roads between towns. We have a family car so practicality isn't all that important. I like my car to be fun.
As a replacement I'd ideally want something open top. I've thought about an mx5 ND and think that could work well. Power isn't particularly important, 7 secs to 60 is absolutely fine. However, we do have a 6 year old and being able to go for a drive with 3 of us would be a nice option to have. So a small, nippy soft top with 4 seats would be great. It seems to leave 2 options, both with flaws.
Abarth 595C. Now I absolutely love the look of these and it's a car I can get excited about. I don't care that its just a roll back roof, that's fine. I really like the idea of a racy looking Comp with 180bhp and nice exhaust note. Only problem is.....reviews are mostly terrible! I'd be getting rid of arguably the best hot hatch in its class for something which doesn't appear to drive that well at all. But strangely I still want one!
The other is a 2.0 JCW Mini convertible. Yes, it's another car which makes no sense at all. The ride will be worse than the Ford, it'll shake and rattle, and I'd probably need a bag on my head. But again, I just really like the idea of one.
Or I could just get an mx5 which I know to be a great car because everyone says so.
So who has bought a car they shouldn't have? Who has gone heart over head?
Here's where I'm coming from. I have a mk7.5 Fiesta ST and its a very good car. I do like to read car reviews and pay attention to the opinions of motoring journalists, mostly because they drive loads of cars and do it for a living unlike myself. I knew the Fiesta ST would be great, everyone says so. I've had it 2 years and it's looked after me well with great driving dynamics, performance and cheap running costs. I'll likely keep it another year but like most of us I'm always thinking about the next motor.
My car is used around 3 days a week and only covers about 4k miles a year. It rarely sees any motorway and is mostly driven on A and B roads between towns. We have a family car so practicality isn't all that important. I like my car to be fun.
As a replacement I'd ideally want something open top. I've thought about an mx5 ND and think that could work well. Power isn't particularly important, 7 secs to 60 is absolutely fine. However, we do have a 6 year old and being able to go for a drive with 3 of us would be a nice option to have. So a small, nippy soft top with 4 seats would be great. It seems to leave 2 options, both with flaws.
Abarth 595C. Now I absolutely love the look of these and it's a car I can get excited about. I don't care that its just a roll back roof, that's fine. I really like the idea of a racy looking Comp with 180bhp and nice exhaust note. Only problem is.....reviews are mostly terrible! I'd be getting rid of arguably the best hot hatch in its class for something which doesn't appear to drive that well at all. But strangely I still want one!
The other is a 2.0 JCW Mini convertible. Yes, it's another car which makes no sense at all. The ride will be worse than the Ford, it'll shake and rattle, and I'd probably need a bag on my head. But again, I just really like the idea of one.
Or I could just get an mx5 which I know to be a great car because everyone says so.
So who has bought a car they shouldn't have? Who has gone heart over head?
Certainly a different style of car but without a doubt a heart over head purchase. I bought a 2008 Defender 110 XS during lockdown, I have absolutely no use for this brute of a car, it's too high for my older dog to jump in to, it's inefficient, loud, heavy steering and generally just a crap vehicle to drive.
Why did I buy it? Me and the mrs both grew up around farming, the defender held a special spot for us and we'd never owned one so wanted to tick that box before diesel is the absolute devil and can't be driven anywhere.
Admittedly it doesn't get much use and is mostly an expensive driveway ornament. It's in for its MOT right now and once that's done I'll be starting some prep work to make sure everything is in good order ready for it to be sold - We planned on doing more exploring in it and really using it as a proper 4x4 but our significantly more modern and easy to drive SUV is used for all of these activities as it's just a better motor for our usage. Do I regret buying the dumb truck? Hell no! It's been great fun and I'm not going to have to look back in future and wish I'd tried it out.
Next up, F-Type V6S. Just need the driveway ornament gone first.
Why did I buy it? Me and the mrs both grew up around farming, the defender held a special spot for us and we'd never owned one so wanted to tick that box before diesel is the absolute devil and can't be driven anywhere.
Admittedly it doesn't get much use and is mostly an expensive driveway ornament. It's in for its MOT right now and once that's done I'll be starting some prep work to make sure everything is in good order ready for it to be sold - We planned on doing more exploring in it and really using it as a proper 4x4 but our significantly more modern and easy to drive SUV is used for all of these activities as it's just a better motor for our usage. Do I regret buying the dumb truck? Hell no! It's been great fun and I'm not going to have to look back in future and wish I'd tried it out.
Next up, F-Type V6S. Just need the driveway ornament gone first.
ChrisH72 said:
Abarth 595C. Now I absolutely love the look of these and it's a car I can get excited about. I don't care that its just a roll back roof, that's fine. I really like the idea of a racy looking Comp with 180bhp and nice exhaust note. Only problem is.....reviews are mostly terrible! I'd be getting rid of arguably the best hot hatch in its class for something which doesn't appear to drive that well at all. But strangely I still want one!
I had one of these and it was fantastic but mine wasn't a cab. It was flawed but the flaws were what gave it some character. I used to let everyone and anyone have a go in it & everyone always came back grinning from ear to ear!i was in the same position and thought the same thing. In the end an offer came up on a 595 comp in bright green so i bought it. No regrets, the noise and colour are great. go for the car that actually feels exciting rather than most refined. With the monza exhaust its louder than most v8's unless they are breaking the speed limit, and ill just be going 30!
All the reviews are kind of useless because you arent jumping between all these other cars in reality, you have the one you have and you get used to it as 'normal', the only issue i have is the slightly crashy ride on bad roads, but race car!
All the reviews are kind of useless because you arent jumping between all these other cars in reality, you have the one you have and you get used to it as 'normal', the only issue i have is the slightly crashy ride on bad roads, but race car!
Edited by infernouk on Friday 19th August 10:16
J1990 said:
Certainly a different style of car but without a doubt a heart over head purchase. I bought a 2008 Defender 110 XS during lockdown, I have absolutely no use for this brute of a car, it's too high for my older dog to jump in to, it's inefficient, loud, heavy steering and generally just a crap vehicle to drive.
Why did I buy it? Me and the mrs both grew up around farming, the defender held a special spot for us and we'd never owned one so wanted to tick that box before diesel is the absolute devil and can't be driven anywhere.
Admittedly it doesn't get much use and is mostly an expensive driveway ornament. It's in for its MOT right now and once that's done I'll be starting some prep work to make sure everything is in good order ready for it to be sold - We planned on doing more exploring in it and really using it as a proper 4x4 but our significantly more modern and easy to drive SUV is used for all of these activities as it's just a better motor for our usage. Do I regret buying the dumb truck? Hell no! It's been great fun and I'm not going to have to look back in future and wish I'd tried it out.
Next up, F-Type V6S. Just need the driveway ornament gone first.
Great story about the Land Rover, excellent!Why did I buy it? Me and the mrs both grew up around farming, the defender held a special spot for us and we'd never owned one so wanted to tick that box before diesel is the absolute devil and can't be driven anywhere.
Admittedly it doesn't get much use and is mostly an expensive driveway ornament. It's in for its MOT right now and once that's done I'll be starting some prep work to make sure everything is in good order ready for it to be sold - We planned on doing more exploring in it and really using it as a proper 4x4 but our significantly more modern and easy to drive SUV is used for all of these activities as it's just a better motor for our usage. Do I regret buying the dumb truck? Hell no! It's been great fun and I'm not going to have to look back in future and wish I'd tried it out.
Next up, F-Type V6S. Just need the driveway ornament gone first.
Funny enough I did a Jaguar experience day last Saturday and spent an hour in an F type R. What a car, certainly the fastest thing I've ever driven and the noise from the V8 is spectacular. Ultimately not my thing as an ownership proposition not that I could afford one anyway, but I can see the appeal.
Thanks for the Abarth comments guys. I never really look back at the Fiesta and think...wow, even though its a good car. Every time I see a 595 I do think they look fantastic. I was reading a thread on a 695 Rivale in readers cars and it looks incredible.
ChrisH72 said:
Great story about the Land Rover, excellent!
Funny enough I did a Jaguar experience day last Saturday and spent an hour in an F type R. What a car, certainly the fastest thing I've ever driven and the noise from the V8 is spectacular. Ultimately not my thing as an ownership proposition not that I could afford one anyway, but I can see the appeal.
Thanks for the Abarth comments guys. I never really look back at the Fiesta and think...wow, even though its a good car. Every time I see a 595 I do think they look fantastic. I was reading a thread on a 695 Rivale in readers cars and it looks incredible.
yeah my only advice on the 595 comp is careful on the colour and exhaust choices, young kids love it but i get a lot of disapproving looks from the oldies. Makes it feel special, but only car people will get it!Funny enough I did a Jaguar experience day last Saturday and spent an hour in an F type R. What a car, certainly the fastest thing I've ever driven and the noise from the V8 is spectacular. Ultimately not my thing as an ownership proposition not that I could afford one anyway, but I can see the appeal.
Thanks for the Abarth comments guys. I never really look back at the Fiesta and think...wow, even though its a good car. Every time I see a 595 I do think they look fantastic. I was reading a thread on a 695 Rivale in readers cars and it looks incredible.
I think also it is not so much a heart over head purchase. If you want a 4 seater sporty convertible you are looking at a very small pool for new-ish, affordable cars. The only other that springs to mind is the DS3 cabrio before you start on things like 2 series/A3 convertibles which aren’t really sporty until you hit big money.
In the end though I have always been happiest with the underdog/rare/flawed option as its often a major part of the character of such cars. Something that is in short supply in cars these days.
In the end though I have always been happiest with the underdog/rare/flawed option as its often a major part of the character of such cars. Something that is in short supply in cars these days.
123DWA said:
ChrisH72 said:
Abarth 595C. Now I absolutely love the look of these and it's a car I can get excited about. I don't care that its just a roll back roof, that's fine. I really like the idea of a racy looking Comp with 180bhp and nice exhaust note. Only problem is.....reviews are mostly terrible! I'd be getting rid of arguably the best hot hatch in its class for something which doesn't appear to drive that well at all. But strangely I still want one!
I had one of these and it was fantastic but mine wasn't a cab. It was flawed but the flaws were what gave it some character. I used to let everyone and anyone have a go in it & everyone always came back grinning from ear to ear!sunbeam alpine said:
I had one for a weekend and loved it. My only reservation is that the exhaust note was particularly grating at normal motorway cruising speed. Needed to be either 10 km/h over or under the limit to avoid the noise. Noise under hard acceleration was addictive and I fully concur with the "grinning from ear to ear".
10 km/h OVER the limit sounds fair enough!No, in all honesty it'll very rarely be needed on motorway. I'm always looking for back roads where possible. Colour choice is interesting, I do like them in yellow but not sure I'd go that far. Red or blue are quite striking but still tasteful and I'm also fine with the gun metal grey. Not got that far yet but the budget would be 15-20k which looks to be a post 2016 face-lift Comp 180. Or one of the special editions of which there are quite a few.
Any opinions on the Mini?
Again, reviews suggest you want the Cooper. Even the Cooper S offers good performance without the really hard ride. Everything I've read says avoid the JCW and yet that's the one I'd actually want!
piddy44 said:
£15-20k should get you a '19 plate to a '71 plate but Abarths are in limited supply at present & dealers seem to be increasing prices recently in response to that. Even those prices are well inflated. I'll wait until March. No way I'm over-paying in the current market. Abarths are fun but they're not special enough to atttact a huge premium. In fact they're not 'special' at all.
how times have changed! i got a 22 plate comp for £180 a month 3 year leaseChrisH72 said:
Genuine question, I'm wondering how many people have bought cars which have flaws (not so good to drive, poor engine, poor reliability etc) just because they really like them?
Here's where I'm coming from. I have a mk7.5 Fiesta ST and its a very good car. I do like to read car reviews and pay attention to the opinions of motoring journalists, mostly because they drive loads of cars and do it for a living unlike myself. I knew the Fiesta ST would be great, everyone says so. I've had it 2 years and it's looked after me well with great driving dynamics, performance and cheap running costs. I'll likely keep it another year but like most of us I'm always thinking about the next motor.
My car is used around 3 days a week and only covers about 4k miles a year. It rarely sees any motorway and is mostly driven on A and B roads between towns. We have a family car so practicality isn't all that important. I like my car to be fun.
As a replacement I'd ideally want something open top. I've thought about an mx5 ND and think that could work well. Power isn't particularly important, 7 secs to 60 is absolutely fine. However, we do have a 6 year old and being able to go for a drive with 3 of us would be a nice option to have. So a small, nippy soft top with 4 seats would be great. It seems to leave 2 options, both with flaws.
Abarth 595C. Now I absolutely love the look of these and it's a car I can get excited about. I don't care that its just a roll back roof, that's fine. I really like the idea of a racy looking Comp with 180bhp and nice exhaust note. Only problem is.....reviews are mostly terrible! I'd be getting rid of arguably the best hot hatch in its class for something which doesn't appear to drive that well at all. But strangely I still want one!
The other is a 2.0 JCW Mini convertible. Yes, it's another car which makes no sense at all. The ride will be worse than the Ford, it'll shake and rattle, and I'd probably need a bag on my head. But again, I just really like the idea of one.
Or I could just get an mx5 which I know to be a great car because everyone says so.
So who has bought a car they shouldn't have? Who has gone heart over head?
The thing with the Abarth is that while it's not as sweet a steer as the Fiesta, it's still a fun car & the grin factor is the bit that matters so get one ASAP Here's where I'm coming from. I have a mk7.5 Fiesta ST and its a very good car. I do like to read car reviews and pay attention to the opinions of motoring journalists, mostly because they drive loads of cars and do it for a living unlike myself. I knew the Fiesta ST would be great, everyone says so. I've had it 2 years and it's looked after me well with great driving dynamics, performance and cheap running costs. I'll likely keep it another year but like most of us I'm always thinking about the next motor.
My car is used around 3 days a week and only covers about 4k miles a year. It rarely sees any motorway and is mostly driven on A and B roads between towns. We have a family car so practicality isn't all that important. I like my car to be fun.
As a replacement I'd ideally want something open top. I've thought about an mx5 ND and think that could work well. Power isn't particularly important, 7 secs to 60 is absolutely fine. However, we do have a 6 year old and being able to go for a drive with 3 of us would be a nice option to have. So a small, nippy soft top with 4 seats would be great. It seems to leave 2 options, both with flaws.
Abarth 595C. Now I absolutely love the look of these and it's a car I can get excited about. I don't care that its just a roll back roof, that's fine. I really like the idea of a racy looking Comp with 180bhp and nice exhaust note. Only problem is.....reviews are mostly terrible! I'd be getting rid of arguably the best hot hatch in its class for something which doesn't appear to drive that well at all. But strangely I still want one!
The other is a 2.0 JCW Mini convertible. Yes, it's another car which makes no sense at all. The ride will be worse than the Ford, it'll shake and rattle, and I'd probably need a bag on my head. But again, I just really like the idea of one.
Or I could just get an mx5 which I know to be a great car because everyone says so.
So who has bought a car they shouldn't have? Who has gone heart over head?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207017...
Rivale:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204074...
Also get a 18 onwards & they'll still be under the 5-3-5 warranty not that they're unreliable.
Thanks for the links ZX. I've seen all those as there aren't exactly many to look through. Of those I'd have the red one at Mangoletsi or the Rivale which is extremely cool.
No rush yet though. As others have said prices are ridiculous at the moment and I'd also prefer to wait and see if things settle down next year. My Fiesta us worth about 8k now and shouldn't drop more than a grand or so in a year whereas I'd expect a nearly new 595C to come down perhaps 3-4k. Also, I'd buy in the winter because its a soft top.
Certainly a lot of love for the Abarth amongst car folk. Any good forums I should be lurking on?
The point about the mx5 freezing up in winter has crossed my mind. I have no garage and a couple of early starts each week. My old mr2 roadster used to freeze on the inside which was a pain. I was hoping a newer soft top may be better insulated? But there's also the RF which I like too.
So generally it's a case of buy what you like rather than go by reviews for most people? In which case I do think the little Abarth excites me more than other stuff so why not. I had a 595 on my list when I bought the ST but due to us just coming out of lockdown I never got the chance to try one.
No rush yet though. As others have said prices are ridiculous at the moment and I'd also prefer to wait and see if things settle down next year. My Fiesta us worth about 8k now and shouldn't drop more than a grand or so in a year whereas I'd expect a nearly new 595C to come down perhaps 3-4k. Also, I'd buy in the winter because its a soft top.
Certainly a lot of love for the Abarth amongst car folk. Any good forums I should be lurking on?
The point about the mx5 freezing up in winter has crossed my mind. I have no garage and a couple of early starts each week. My old mr2 roadster used to freeze on the inside which was a pain. I was hoping a newer soft top may be better insulated? But there's also the RF which I like too.
So generally it's a case of buy what you like rather than go by reviews for most people? In which case I do think the little Abarth excites me more than other stuff so why not. I had a 595 on my list when I bought the ST but due to us just coming out of lockdown I never got the chance to try one.
I always advise getting a test drive of an Abarth for an extended period (longer than 30 minutes). Many talk about the seating position, but for me any journey longer than 30 minutes gave me crippling knee and back pain…
Loved the car but it only lasted 3 months before I had to move it on for a loss. Never had a car which caused me physical pain driving it before…
Loved the car but it only lasted 3 months before I had to move it on for a loss. Never had a car which caused me physical pain driving it before…
ChrisH72 said:
Thanks for the links ZX. I've seen all those as there aren't exactly many to look through. Of those I'd have the red one at Mangoletsi or the Rivale which is extremely cool.
No rush yet though. As others have said prices are ridiculous at the moment and I'd also prefer to wait and see if things settle down next year. My Fiesta us worth about 8k now and shouldn't drop more than a grand or so in a year whereas I'd expect a nearly new 595C to come down perhaps 3-4k. Also, I'd buy in the winter because its a soft top.
Certainly a lot of love for the Abarth amongst car folk. Any good forums I should be lurking on?
The point about the mx5 freezing up in winter has crossed my mind. I have no garage and a couple of early starts each week. My old mr2 roadster used to freeze on the inside which was a pain. I was hoping a newer soft top may be better insulated? But there's also the RF which I like too.
So generally it's a case of buy what you like rather than go by reviews for most people? In which case I do think the little Abarth excites me more than other stuff so why not. I had a 595 on my list when I bought the ST but due to us just coming out of lockdown I never got the chance to try one.
If you're waiting a year it has to be a Rivale No rush yet though. As others have said prices are ridiculous at the moment and I'd also prefer to wait and see if things settle down next year. My Fiesta us worth about 8k now and shouldn't drop more than a grand or so in a year whereas I'd expect a nearly new 595C to come down perhaps 3-4k. Also, I'd buy in the winter because its a soft top.
Certainly a lot of love for the Abarth amongst car folk. Any good forums I should be lurking on?
The point about the mx5 freezing up in winter has crossed my mind. I have no garage and a couple of early starts each week. My old mr2 roadster used to freeze on the inside which was a pain. I was hoping a newer soft top may be better insulated? But there's also the RF which I like too.
So generally it's a case of buy what you like rather than go by reviews for most people? In which case I do think the little Abarth excites me more than other stuff so why not. I had a 595 on my list when I bought the ST but due to us just coming out of lockdown I never got the chance to try one.
ChrisH72 said:
Genuine question, I'm wondering how many people have bought cars which have flaws (not so good to drive, poor engine, poor reliability etc) just because they really like them?
So who has bought a car they shouldn't have? Who has gone heart over head?
I recently bought a Series 3 XJ6 because I've always loved the looks and really fancied having one.So who has bought a car they shouldn't have? Who has gone heart over head?
So far I've only done 130 miles in it and the car sits under a cover making the drive look a mess! As the car is under cover, I'm not appreciating the looks each day.
When I see it uncovered and go for a spin I enjoy it, but sometimes I do wonder what I've done!
123DWA said:
I had one of these and it was fantastic but mine wasn't a cab. It was flawed but the flaws were what gave it some character. I used to let everyone and anyone have a go in it & everyone always came back grinning from ear to ear!
Exactly this. Flaws yield character. My favourite cars have been far from the fastest or best, but they have been great fun to own and drive.
This is similar to a thread I put up a while back about cars you love that are flawed. My Mitsubishi Shogun Sport is exactly this kind of car.
Last year I fancied a bit of green laning, something I still haven't got round to doing but I went on the hunt for a fairly cheap 4x4 anyway. The Shogun Sport isn't a Shogun but an L200 with a roof on so it's rough and ready to say the least. Actually rather comfortable but slow and thirsty. Yet I love it as do my kids so it's staying for now. Hopefully next year I'll get some off road tyres on it and actually take it off road but for now it's a great work horse and it's so old school it makes quite an engaging drive, just a slow one!
Last year I fancied a bit of green laning, something I still haven't got round to doing but I went on the hunt for a fairly cheap 4x4 anyway. The Shogun Sport isn't a Shogun but an L200 with a roof on so it's rough and ready to say the least. Actually rather comfortable but slow and thirsty. Yet I love it as do my kids so it's staying for now. Hopefully next year I'll get some off road tyres on it and actually take it off road but for now it's a great work horse and it's so old school it makes quite an engaging drive, just a slow one!
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