Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[badhuis]

My neighbour took his 2007 Mondeo to his garage for a service and a year inspection. At the end of the day he returned with a 2007 BMW 523i. I never had him as a BMW type of guy and was really surprised because he always talked about getting a "greener" car, a hybrid or even electric.
Asked why he answered that he always liked big cars, the bill for Mondeo repairs was too high and the garage had this one on “special offer”. It was low mileage and had been the car of the garage-owners' wife for two years. Presumably these facts were important to him. He had to pay lots of money of course but he did not mind and said he got a very good price. Amazing.

That would never happen to me. If I take a liking to a specific model of car, I always find out which versions there are, what engine sizes, what kind of luxury packages or accessoires, what colors, what types on interiors cloth or leather and what colors, and so on. Then I look around and set my target how much to pay. It may take a while but when I find one, I am always happy because it fits just all I want from that car.
My neighbour just found out to his chagrin his BMW does not have electric retractable mirrors and no heated seats. That would never happen to me.

Am I alone in my detailed search for specific types of cars?
Do you also buy a car in a whim, then later to find out there was a version you would have liked better?
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[ukdave2002]

No you are not alone! when I am buying a modern I look at every last detail; to the point when I know more than the dealers when I order the car!

Dave

[Rick]

As I've said before, I once went out to buy a loaf of bread, and returned to my folks with the news that I'd bought a Volvo 121 (and the loaf). Saying that, it wasn't big £. When buying a modern for more £, I do tend to research things reasonably thoroughly (even if I then ignore this new-found wisdom).

RJ
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Rick - Admin
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[Ray White]

I have practically given up trying to pick the right car for my wife. I thought I had got it right when I found a Lexus RX hybrid in the right colour. she was nearly talked into buying one locally by a slick salesman - so I stepped in and found a much better deal. Unfortunately, when the car went in for a service, the Lexus garage lent her a smaller NX 300 model which she much preferred. The result was a poor trade in deal on a brand new car.

It is her money. I have told her not to ask me for my opinion again.

[lowdrag]

I think my problem is that at times I am too analytical. I can spend months looking for just what I want and get so blinkered that I lose sight of some cars I perhaps should have bought. On the last car, my biggest problem was colour, and this can be a big problem these days. I researched, found 2,523 (from memory) cars in the bracket I wanted. But only five red and four blue. I just didn't want white, black, or grey. After three months a good deal came up; five years old, low mileage, right price - just what I wanted. So I bought it and like it. Except it is grey. Duh.

[Keith D]

Like badhuis, I like to do extensive homework before I buy. I don't often change cars and when I do, I don't expect to regret what I have bought.

I spent an awfully long time chasing about until I found my 20 year old BMW Z3. With the aid of my son who has owned a superb example for a number of years, I bought one that I am extremely happy with.

I had a list of basic requirements such as 2 litre, 6 cylinder, and five speed manual cog box. Condition was far more important than mileage. I collected mine about eighteen months ago and since then I have enjoyed driving the most fun car that I've ever had.

Keith
_________________
1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
You are either part of the problem or part of the solution

[mikeC]

I've got a foot in both camps!

Some cars I have bought after lengthy research and consideration, and others I have bought in similar circumstances to the Mpndeo/BMW owner - the opportunity and temptation were there and I jumped!
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in the garage: 1938 Talbot Ten Airline
Recently departed: 1953 Lancia Appia, 1931 Austin Seven, 1967 Singer Chamois, 1914 Saxon, 1930 Morris Cowley, 1936 BSA Scout, 1958 Lancia Appia coupe, 1922 Star 11.9 ... the list goes on!

[alanb]

I always buy second hand usually just 3 years old, I don't have a choice of make as both my sons work for the local Mercedes dealership and I get staff discounts on parts and labour as well as on the purchase of the car. They usually find me a bargain and if I like it I buy it. The last one was just 3 years old the right colour the right spec executive not sport what they commonly call grandad spec and at a price I couldn't turndown, though it did cost me my old car which my youngest son now uses. When I was working and had company cars my choice was a Citroen (2xBX 2xXantia) excellent motorway cruiser 's superbly comfortable ride and very well equipped and reliable, over 300,000 between them and not a single breakdown or repair other than servicing.
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old tourer


Morris 8 two seater

[Peter_L]

Sorry to say I have bought most of my cars on a whim, or at least within a few days of comparing prices. A bit like Rick, I was working some distance from home and stopped at a red light just outside a small garage. A few days later I collected an almost new Escort Van. My Ford Scorpio I bought over the phone, admitted it was from someone I knew, 2 days before Christmas. In Canada we bought a Crown Victoria during a shopping trip to Walmart. Went shopping for trees and bought a Caravan. I guess its all about the one you have rather than worrying that maybe the one you saw 3 weeks ago may have been better.

[MikeEdwards]

I find that with cars*, I look and look around for something, and then usually talk myself out of it. My previous Audi was my daily for 15-odd years, and the TT has been with me since 2003. It's not that I don't like cars, I'm just plagued with the thought that if I swap it for something, the new one might not be "as good", and I'll wish I hadn't swapped. Hence the previous Audi is still in the shed, being restored. I never thought I'd be doing that.

Now, tat that I don't need from car boot sales? No problem. The last one I went to at the end of last year scored two TomTom sat-navs, both working, £1 for one and £5 for the other - quick memory card and updated software and maps and I've got one for each car, and a spare.

(* I say "with cars", but the same can be applied to my TV. If it ever stops working I'll replace it, but for now my Sharp 28" CRT is doing OK. Oh, and my Symbian phone. )

[emmerson]

When my pal was grocer he was doing quite well, so decided to upgrade his 1983 Ford Sierra. A local dealer had what he wanted, an identical car but eight years newer.
So he came home with a 1976 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow! Why? Because the number plate was ODD 7P, and he frequently had to ask his customers if they had the odd *p? Well now he had!
It didn't reign long when he paid £80 for a brake hose, which was the same as a mini, which cost £2.70!

[Peter_L]

[lowdrag]

Yes, OO being an Essex plate, loads of Dagenham Dustbins had them.