Pondering - A car to see you from retirement
Discussion
te so I'll keep it short.That’s actually a question I’ve been asking myself, having recently retired. I know someone who bought a VW Beetle on retirement (yes, it was a few decades ago) and it saw them out. Is there something that would do the same now, with uncertainties over phase-out of ICE, evolution of EV technologies leading to early obsolesence , as well as health issues (which may mean going for automatic vehicles) and financial ones (a Japanese car may be more reliable than an Italian one).
An alternative strategy is to change vehicles every three years or so, or run a shed, but I sort of like the idea of a new car that lasts out an entire retirement. I just have no idea what that might be in 2025
An alternative strategy is to change vehicles every three years or so, or run a shed, but I sort of like the idea of a new car that lasts out an entire retirement. I just have no idea what that might be in 2025
Edited by mikef on Wednesday 19th March 22:18
Mid forties and already have trouble getting in the m4 and the 135i so I’m guessing a gt like a cl63 and a fast estate. However I do still plan on growing the collection with all sorts until I’m out of cash and diying what I can until I’m unable to or it’s just too much hassle to even think about.
A lexus obviously. LC500, or rx if I have a bad back. I'd want to spend my cash on holidays and entertainment and the only time I want to see the mechanic is for it's annual service and MOT.
If you want to be on first name terms and too poor to put heating on over winter, get a merc, jag, audi or porsche
If you want to be on first name terms and too poor to put heating on over winter, get a merc, jag, audi or porsche
freenote said:
Mid forties and already have trouble getting in the m4 and the 135i so I’m guessing a gt like a cl63 and a fast estate. However I do still plan on growing the collection with all sorts until I’m out of cash and diying what I can until I’m unable to or it’s just too much hassle to even think about.
Time for some yoga classes?I've had my supercharged Mustang since 2005 but I am always in two minds whether it will see me out.
I retired in 2019 and bought a sensible Insignia B but that lasted 4 years and I now have an MX5 RF and two Pandas aged 16 and 14.
I can still get in and out of the RF but it's not particularly elegant. It's great in the summer but limited by it's luggage capacity.
I drive the Pandas the most and don't want a newer one. To be honest, it does everything it needs to.
I retired in 2019 and bought a sensible Insignia B but that lasted 4 years and I now have an MX5 RF and two Pandas aged 16 and 14.
I can still get in and out of the RF but it's not particularly elegant. It's great in the summer but limited by it's luggage capacity.
I drive the Pandas the most and don't want a newer one. To be honest, it does everything it needs to.
Pickle_Rick said:
A lexus obviously. LC500, or rx if I have a bad back. I'd want to spend my cash on holidays and entertainment and the only time I want to see the mechanic is for it's annual service and MOT.
If you want to be on first name terms and too poor to put heating on over winter, get a merc, jag, audi or porsche
Good call on the Lexii If you want to be on first name terms and too poor to put heating on over winter, get a merc, jag, audi or porsche
Had an RX a while back and it’s so comfortable
This came up in a slightly different thread a while back
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Lowdrag having to sell one of his cars, yes it will probably raise a decent sum, but having read the various threads lowdrag has started/ contributed over the years, it will be a wrench to let go.
I am only 53, so not there yet, probably a couple of car swaps left yet( and I am keeping the frogeye!)
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Lowdrag having to sell one of his cars, yes it will probably raise a decent sum, but having read the various threads lowdrag has started/ contributed over the years, it will be a wrench to let go.
I am only 53, so not there yet, probably a couple of car swaps left yet( and I am keeping the frogeye!)
I discovered N/A 6 cylinder manual petrol BMWs in 2014. 
6 years ago I had stopped working thanks to workplace pensions and as I was still on elderly parent taxi duty at the time I bought a 2005 BMW 330i - because my Z4 Coupe was totally unsuitable for that!
5 years ago I treated myself to a Z4 upgrade to a Z4M Coupe while I could still enjoy it, as I had turned 60.
I still have them both and I'll get my State Pension next month, but wouldn't have predicted those choices. I had a 2 litre Mercedes 190e when I was 40.
6 years ago I had stopped working thanks to workplace pensions and as I was still on elderly parent taxi duty at the time I bought a 2005 BMW 330i - because my Z4 Coupe was totally unsuitable for that!
5 years ago I treated myself to a Z4 upgrade to a Z4M Coupe while I could still enjoy it, as I had turned 60.
I still have them both and I'll get my State Pension next month, but wouldn't have predicted those choices. I had a 2 litre Mercedes 190e when I was 40.
LC500 is a good shout...
I reckon this would be a good bet as well...
Nice and easy to get in and out of and you could spend your time keeping it in concourse condition...
https://www.kgfclassiccars.co.uk/vehicles/33131/
I reckon this would be a good bet as well...
Nice and easy to get in and out of and you could spend your time keeping it in concourse condition...
https://www.kgfclassiccars.co.uk/vehicles/33131/
Depending on what age you retire at and how long you live after retirement, but let's suggest a 25 year retirement.
I'm not sure that many cars that you can buy new today will still be on the roads in 25 years time.
Years ago (1982) Charles Ware the Morris Minor specialist wrote a book called Durable car Ownership. From their website "It compares the cost of running and maintaining a "throw away" modern car with the benefits of owning a "long life car". Written at a time when the "Classic Cars" of today were just out of production, this book and the work of Charles Ware in promoting and practicing the philosophy within have arguably been an important influence on the continuing survival of many classic cars, not just the Morris Minor."
The basic philosophy being that an owner when retiring could buy a simple, durable car such as the Minor, which could be cost effectively repaired or restored as and when required which would then last them the remainder of their driving days.
You could probably buy a Minor still today and drive it the rest of your life with the spares availability being what it is.
I plan to buy myself a Series 2 or 3 Landrover as a retirement present but I don't for 1 minute intend to use it as my single everyday transport.
I'm not sure that many cars that you can buy new today will still be on the roads in 25 years time.
Years ago (1982) Charles Ware the Morris Minor specialist wrote a book called Durable car Ownership. From their website "It compares the cost of running and maintaining a "throw away" modern car with the benefits of owning a "long life car". Written at a time when the "Classic Cars" of today were just out of production, this book and the work of Charles Ware in promoting and practicing the philosophy within have arguably been an important influence on the continuing survival of many classic cars, not just the Morris Minor."
The basic philosophy being that an owner when retiring could buy a simple, durable car such as the Minor, which could be cost effectively repaired or restored as and when required which would then last them the remainder of their driving days.
You could probably buy a Minor still today and drive it the rest of your life with the spares availability being what it is.
I plan to buy myself a Series 2 or 3 Landrover as a retirement present but I don't for 1 minute intend to use it as my single everyday transport.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff