Car dilemmas... keep C63 or buy something else?
Discussion
Afternoon all. Bit of a long one, but I'll try to keep it on point.
Current cars:
Cupra Born 58kWh
C63S Coupe (2019 facelift)
I've got a driveway/garage but on-road parking isn't suitable, so I'm limited to two cars.
I hate the Cupra. Genuinely loathe the thing. The safety systems are horrendous, the battery doesn't go far enough (150-180 miles - 80-100% charge - god knows how slow people on the FB group are driving it to get 200+ consistently) and its just not a pleasant car to drive IMO. So, I want rid of that for certain. I only bought it to save money and whilst its done that effectively, its also having a negative impact on me using the other car as I'm always thinking - well its only £5 to go out for the day in the Cupra vs £40 in the C63... Then I'm halfway through driving somewhere and wishing I'd spent the £40
The C63 is a much harder decision.
I've owned it for 5.5 years, which is by far the longest I've kept a car — before that I changed cars around every six months. So I think it says quite a lot about how highly I rate it.
It was an attainable dream car and I wanted to own a V8 while I still could, so mission accomplished there.
For the most part it still does everything I want, but it's starting to clash with where my head is now.
It has satin paint which is fully PPF'd. That was fine when I didn't have much time for detailing, but now I do, and I miss being able to properly polish/correct a car rather than basically just wash it.
I'm also wanting to do a few track days. I don't have space for a dedicated track car and I don't think I'd do enough each year to justify it to be honest.
I've taken the C63 around the Nürburgring and it was great, but it's heavy and the consumables are eye-wateringly expensive - mainly the carbon ceramic brakes..
I've also barely used it over the past couple of years, probably 5–6k miles in total. The less I've used it, the more precious I've become about taking it places, particularly because damage to the satin finish isn't easy to sort.
The main thing I've realised is that I like owning two cars, but I don't want a 'weekend car'. I want two cars that both get properly used.
The Cupra is probably worth about £15k and the C63 around £40k. Ideally I'd have roughly £40k (or less) tied up across two cars and leave some money aside for modifications, track days, etc.
The main options I've been considering are:
M2 Competition — appeals massively as something I could modify, track and enjoy on B-roads. - Never really done the modifying thing before so its a new experience
BMW i8 — completely different proposition, but I've driven one and really liked it. Interesting, cheap-ish to run and looks special.
If I went i8 I'd probably pair it with something like a Swift Sport (1.4) to cover track days and some practicality.
M2C I've no idea what I'd pair it with. Might even get a motorbike to pair it thinking on it.
The other option is simply to sell the Cupra, keep the C63 and start using the bloody thing for everything again. I'd save myself the hassle of changing cars and I suspect actually putting miles on it would cure some of the preciousness. Same situ here as the M2 - I could get a bike to complement it. - Admittedly I'd still have the problem of track days but at least the Cupra is gone...
So essentially:
1. Keep C63 and use it properly. + Bike
2. Sell both and go M2C + cheap second car/Bike
3. Sell both and go i8 + cheap fun/track-capable second car.
Interested in other people's thoughts/ideas please
Current cars:
Cupra Born 58kWh
C63S Coupe (2019 facelift)
I've got a driveway/garage but on-road parking isn't suitable, so I'm limited to two cars.
I hate the Cupra. Genuinely loathe the thing. The safety systems are horrendous, the battery doesn't go far enough (150-180 miles - 80-100% charge - god knows how slow people on the FB group are driving it to get 200+ consistently) and its just not a pleasant car to drive IMO. So, I want rid of that for certain. I only bought it to save money and whilst its done that effectively, its also having a negative impact on me using the other car as I'm always thinking - well its only £5 to go out for the day in the Cupra vs £40 in the C63... Then I'm halfway through driving somewhere and wishing I'd spent the £40
The C63 is a much harder decision.
I've owned it for 5.5 years, which is by far the longest I've kept a car — before that I changed cars around every six months. So I think it says quite a lot about how highly I rate it.
It was an attainable dream car and I wanted to own a V8 while I still could, so mission accomplished there.
For the most part it still does everything I want, but it's starting to clash with where my head is now.
It has satin paint which is fully PPF'd. That was fine when I didn't have much time for detailing, but now I do, and I miss being able to properly polish/correct a car rather than basically just wash it.
I'm also wanting to do a few track days. I don't have space for a dedicated track car and I don't think I'd do enough each year to justify it to be honest.
I've taken the C63 around the Nürburgring and it was great, but it's heavy and the consumables are eye-wateringly expensive - mainly the carbon ceramic brakes..
I've also barely used it over the past couple of years, probably 5–6k miles in total. The less I've used it, the more precious I've become about taking it places, particularly because damage to the satin finish isn't easy to sort.
The main thing I've realised is that I like owning two cars, but I don't want a 'weekend car'. I want two cars that both get properly used.
The Cupra is probably worth about £15k and the C63 around £40k. Ideally I'd have roughly £40k (or less) tied up across two cars and leave some money aside for modifications, track days, etc.
The main options I've been considering are:
M2 Competition — appeals massively as something I could modify, track and enjoy on B-roads. - Never really done the modifying thing before so its a new experience
BMW i8 — completely different proposition, but I've driven one and really liked it. Interesting, cheap-ish to run and looks special.
If I went i8 I'd probably pair it with something like a Swift Sport (1.4) to cover track days and some practicality.
M2C I've no idea what I'd pair it with. Might even get a motorbike to pair it thinking on it.
The other option is simply to sell the Cupra, keep the C63 and start using the bloody thing for everything again. I'd save myself the hassle of changing cars and I suspect actually putting miles on it would cure some of the preciousness. Same situ here as the M2 - I could get a bike to complement it. - Admittedly I'd still have the problem of track days but at least the Cupra is gone...
So essentially:
1. Keep C63 and use it properly. + Bike
2. Sell both and go M2C + cheap second car/Bike
3. Sell both and go i8 + cheap fun/track-capable second car.
Interested in other people's thoughts/ideas please
Sorry for the thread hijack, but why the hate for the cupra? i have an ID3 which is basically the same car and love it.
The only safety system that bothers me is the lane assist (mine is pre speeding bong).
When i got the car it had loads of assistances turned on that i absolutely hated and took me ages to get it right, so i thought id check, that you've checked.
The only safety system that bothers me is the lane assist (mine is pre speeding bong).
When i got the car it had loads of assistances turned on that i absolutely hated and took me ages to get it right, so i thought id check, that you've checked.
Demented said:
Afternoon all. Bit of a long one, but I'll try to keep it on point.
Current cars:
Cupra Born 58kWh
C63S Coupe (2019 facelift)
I've got a driveway/garage but on-road parking isn't suitable, so I'm limited to two cars.
I hate the Cupra. Genuinely loathe the thing. The safety systems are horrendous, the battery doesn't go far enough (150-180 miles - 80-100% charge - god knows how slow people on the FB group are driving it to get 200+ consistently) and its just not a pleasant car to drive IMO. So, I want rid of that for certain. I only bought it to save money and whilst its done that effectively, its also having a negative impact on me using the other car as I'm always thinking - well its only £5 to go out for the day in the Cupra vs £40 in the C63... Then I'm halfway through driving somewhere and wishing I'd spent the £40
.....
I struggle to understand being even conscious of 'a day out' costing £40 when you've got £40k of cars.Current cars:
Cupra Born 58kWh
C63S Coupe (2019 facelift)
I've got a driveway/garage but on-road parking isn't suitable, so I'm limited to two cars.
I hate the Cupra. Genuinely loathe the thing. The safety systems are horrendous, the battery doesn't go far enough (150-180 miles - 80-100% charge - god knows how slow people on the FB group are driving it to get 200+ consistently) and its just not a pleasant car to drive IMO. So, I want rid of that for certain. I only bought it to save money and whilst its done that effectively, its also having a negative impact on me using the other car as I'm always thinking - well its only £5 to go out for the day in the Cupra vs £40 in the C63... Then I'm halfway through driving somewhere and wishing I'd spent the £40
.....
My whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
OutInTheShed said:
I struggle to understand being even conscious of 'a day out' costing £40 when you've got £40k of cars.
My whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Well if you do two days out a week, thats an extra £4k a yearMy whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Benbay001 said:
Sorry for the thread hijack, but why the hate for the cupra? i have an ID3 which is basically the same car and love it.
The only safety system that bothers me is the lane assist (mine is pre speeding bong).
When i got the car it had loads of assistances turned on that i absolutely hated and took me ages to get it right, so i thought id check, that you've checked.
For a start, the brakes are awful, pedal is really inconsistent - some times they feel nice and sharp but most the time its really soft and has a lot of travel - I know part of the brake is regenerative but it just doesn't inspire any confidence in me. The only safety system that bothers me is the lane assist (mine is pre speeding bong).
When i got the car it had loads of assistances turned on that i absolutely hated and took me ages to get it right, so i thought id check, that you've checked.
I struggle to drive it smooth, all the power seems to be right at the top of the pedal, and the steering is very 'twitchy' is best I can put it; its not nice and progressive.
The infotainment system - crashed a few times now - first time scared me as it freaks out all the safety systems and puts a load of warning lights on the dash, thought I had something seriously wrong
And the 'intelligent' safety systems have to be the most dangerous thing I've ever experienced on a car.
Lane assist I got coded out immediately after it tried steering me into the side of a cyclist I was overtaking, but the rest all reset every time you turn the car off/on so if I forget to turn them off...
Front assist - freaks out all the time and tries to do an emergency stop when going past parked cars.
Twice now something has caused the car to do an emergency stop because it thinks I'm driving on the wrong side of the road - this is what has finally made me want to get rid, as I just can't trust it. I nearly had someone go into the back of me on one of those occassions, if they hadn't been paying attention I'd have been hit.
Its just been a really bad car for me, I've never driven the ID.3 so can't comment on them but I imagine its probably set up slightly different due to being VW vs Cupra.
Benbay001 said:
OutInTheShed said:
I struggle to understand being even conscious of 'a day out' costing £40 when you've got £40k of cars.
My whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Well if you do two days out a week, thats an extra £4k a yearMy whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Demented said:
I hate the Cupra. Genuinely loathe the thing. I only bought it to save money and whilst its done that effectively, its also having a negative impact on me using the other car as I'm always thinking - well its only £5 to go out for the day in the Cupra vs £40 in the C63...
You're definitely not doing it right.What do you actually want from a car? What's your realistic budget, both to purchase a car and for annual running costs? Having a "nice" car sitting the garage while driving around in a "clunker" makes no sense whatsoever to me, and yet it seems increasingly common on PH.
IMO if you can't use it there's no point having it.
Keith-9fc7j said:
Sorry this is no help, but I didnt know a C63S had Carbon Ceramic brakes? Costly option I guess?
Yes, although weirdly its only the front discs that are ceramic, the rears are steel. I think it was a £4-5k option? I bought the car a year old and didn't spec it so I'm not 100%.AliMc99 said:
I’m running a Mini Cooper 1.5 Sport alongside a Manual M2 (G87) this replacing a manual F87 M2 Comp. I loved the F87- its downside being the engine sound which will be a disappointment vs the V8 in your C63.
Yeah I do love the sound of a V8 so I'm definitely expecting that to be a 'downgrade' but from what I've read/watched they seem a very good package and I quite like the smaller footprint vs C63/M4 etc. Other than the engine noise did you have any other downsides with it? likewise stand out parts that you like?Panamax said:
You're definitely not doing it right.
What do you actually want from a car? What's your realistic budget, both to purchase a car and for annual running costs? Having a "nice" car sitting the garage while driving around in a "clunker" makes no sense whatsoever to me, and yet it seems increasingly common on PH.
IMO if you can't use it there's no point having it.
I think I want too much from a car at times.. Fun/powerful/handles well and then after its been out for a drive, spend the afternoon cleaning it. To be fair the C63 covers most things, it's really just the track use and being able to properly polish/detail it that's lacking at the moment.What do you actually want from a car? What's your realistic budget, both to purchase a car and for annual running costs? Having a "nice" car sitting the garage while driving around in a "clunker" makes no sense whatsoever to me, and yet it seems increasingly common on PH.
IMO if you can't use it there's no point having it.
I don't really want to spend more than the C63 is worth on a car/cars right now, I'm comfortable with that amount being tied up, but I don't want to be venturing into £50k+ especially in one car.
Running costs aren't really the issue either. I can comfortably afford to use the C63 as a daily; there's no finance on it, so it's just the usual servicing, tyres, insurance, fuel etc. Albeit I couldn't afford to track it regularly with the cost of brakes admittedly, but then I think if I could, I'd definitely have something dedicated to the job.
The reason I stopped using it for everything was my previous job. I was doing 20k+ miles a year, travelling all over the country and regularly carrying stuff around, so I bought an Octavia VRS. That actually worked quite well alongside the C63 because the Merc still got used plenty.
Now I'm down to around 8–12k miles a year, to be fair I don't really know why I thought the Cupra was needed, I'd have been better off with another impractical car.. So as you say, driving a worse car purely to protect the nice one doesn't make much sense. It doesn't really agree with me either — I'm getting frustrated with it — but I've hit a bit of a mental block because of how cheap the EV is to run. (It's the Yorkshire man in me
)I think getting rid of the Cupra is the correct first step. I've not test driven an M2C yet, so that may be step two, then take things from there.
I do appreciate the comments from you all, thank you for that. it helps when my mind is stuck in a loop
M2 very ‘chuckable’ - due to
It’s short wheelbase but also doesn’t bit back (unlike the early F82 M4 I had). Mine was a manual- DCT feels
and is faster and is very responsive. Interior feels
A bit cheap compared to M3/M4. Great visibility- similar in that sense to a E46. I specced mine from
New with the very rare ‘2NH’ factory big brake kit. Most buyers look for ‘both option packs’ which between them bundle most of the individual factory options. 40k mile/4 yr service is expensive as it includes replacing spark plugs. MPG (low 20’s if driven hard/town journeys) not great- but should
be better than your c63.
It’s short wheelbase but also doesn’t bit back (unlike the early F82 M4 I had). Mine was a manual- DCT feels
and is faster and is very responsive. Interior feels
A bit cheap compared to M3/M4. Great visibility- similar in that sense to a E46. I specced mine from
New with the very rare ‘2NH’ factory big brake kit. Most buyers look for ‘both option packs’ which between them bundle most of the individual factory options. 40k mile/4 yr service is expensive as it includes replacing spark plugs. MPG (low 20’s if driven hard/town journeys) not great- but should
be better than your c63.
Panamax said:
You're definitely not doing it right.
What do you actually want from a car? What's your realistic budget, both to purchase a car and for annual running costs? Having a "nice" car sitting the garage while driving around in a "clunker" makes no sense whatsoever to me, and yet it seems increasingly common on PH.
IMO if you can't use it there's no point having it.
I used to think the same as you when people had a shed they used most of the time but something much nicer at home. What do you actually want from a car? What's your realistic budget, both to purchase a car and for annual running costs? Having a "nice" car sitting the garage while driving around in a "clunker" makes no sense whatsoever to me, and yet it seems increasingly common on PH.
IMO if you can't use it there's no point having it.
I ve now changed my mind because the reality it is that it s very difficult to find a car that does it all better than multiple cars do depending on what you want.
Many journeys are boring and not suited to anything of interest at all. Commuting a to b in traffic or around town then an EV is great because the dynamics don t matter and moving around briskly, silently for minimal cost is brilliant. I found those journeys frustrating in a nicer car that did 200 miles for a tank of fuel. It just felt pointless.
Then having a different car when you want something more dynamic feels more special when you don t use it as much.
For me I ve realised I want 4 cars to cover different bases.
- an EV that covers day to day and is cheap to run. Not huge but can fit 4 in. Honda ENY:1 does that for me. I love it it s brilliant. I ignore the nanny systems. You get used to it.
- a dynamic sports car. GR86 for me
- A v8. That one I m still looking for. Maserati v8 soft top is an option at the moment. I wouldn t want to fuel and run that for 20k miles a year. Family fun days out when I don t need to carry anything.
- an estate load lugger for anything not covered by the above. Old Skoda Superb. Comfy for longer trips. Massive inside. Can chuck the bikes in etc.
I could just get one car but I don t know what covers all those bases. It ultimately ends up compromised somewhere. I ve tried.
OP I would up budget to £45k and get the latest M2. I think it offers most of what you’re looking for.
Or up budget and forget the mods and just buy a car that’s already fit for purpose. Cayman GT4 with PCCB, buckets and club sport pack for the price of selling both current cars. Or a GTS but then not as good on track.
Edited by MR2 Steve on Thursday 13th August 07:46
OutInTheShed said:
I struggle to understand being even conscious of 'a day out' costing £40 when you've got £40k of cars.
My whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
+ previously changing cars every 6 months I assume wasn't a cost cutting exercise.My whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Option D: sell the C63 and buy another one with shiny paint. Use it all the time.
I think you need to look at something "fairly" analogue and a touch less precious that you can comfortably daily, and there's a straight shot answer for this that's quite easy: Porsche, maybe a base 911 or even a very good Cayman GTS.
I think a 997 generation C2 or C2S in either manual or PDK depending on your preference (try them both) is an elegant solution to this, and well within budget. You may even find a 991 if you want to spend everything but I it will probably be a bit rough - a well looked after 997 is a better choice.
I went 991 > C63 (pre facelift) > 996.
Absolutely love it, but equally would have been happy with a 997 I think.
M2 was on my radar too but I just couldn't get interested for it. C63 was an objectively good car but I had similar reservations - had the satin designo paintjob that marked so easily, it didn't handle well enough to drive fast, and when you did actually drive fast the gearbox holds you back. They are good motors across an average of competencies but not really special at anything other than going sideways which isn't a very daily driver task.
I think a 997 generation C2 or C2S in either manual or PDK depending on your preference (try them both) is an elegant solution to this, and well within budget. You may even find a 991 if you want to spend everything but I it will probably be a bit rough - a well looked after 997 is a better choice.
I went 991 > C63 (pre facelift) > 996.
Absolutely love it, but equally would have been happy with a 997 I think.
M2 was on my radar too but I just couldn't get interested for it. C63 was an objectively good car but I had similar reservations - had the satin designo paintjob that marked so easily, it didn't handle well enough to drive fast, and when you did actually drive fast the gearbox holds you back. They are good motors across an average of competencies but not really special at anything other than going sideways which isn't a very daily driver task.
Benbay001 said:
OutInTheShed said:
I struggle to understand being even conscious of 'a day out' costing £40 when you've got £40k of cars.
My whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Well if you do two days out a week, thats an extra £4k a yearMy whole fleet is worth about £4k and £40 to drive somewhere feels like using things and justifying the fixed costs, if I even think about it at all.
Fine if that's your budget.
But who really manages 100 'days out' a year?
If I did, I think I'd be enjoying a hectic year of going out a lot, and £4k would be a fair price to pay.
£4k is only one chav holiday these days.
Sell Cupra, keep C63. I used my old C63 as a daily and clocked 18K miles within 18 months or so. Guy who bought it, does 1000 miles per year. It's a shame to keep such fun car in a garage and just look at it.
I used other sporty/expensive cars as daily and even commuted in them to London. They didn't really suffer from any damage, except alloy wheels on Audi A8. I always say, that fun cars should be driven and whenever I see fun car with high mileage, I say that owner enjoyed it.
I understand the whole: "it's only £5 when it would cost £25 to drive my other car". So far, I charged my EV really cheaply, so when I think about my other car doing 22mpg, I hesitate to use it. But it's here to be used, not to be hidden in the garage forever.
I used other sporty/expensive cars as daily and even commuted in them to London. They didn't really suffer from any damage, except alloy wheels on Audi A8. I always say, that fun cars should be driven and whenever I see fun car with high mileage, I say that owner enjoyed it.
I understand the whole: "it's only £5 when it would cost £25 to drive my other car". So far, I charged my EV really cheaply, so when I think about my other car doing 22mpg, I hesitate to use it. But it's here to be used, not to be hidden in the garage forever.
Edited by PenelopaPitstop on Friday 14th August 16:01
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