Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

I guess the only thing is whether you want something more fun. Especially if you don't have kids.

I have no idea what this means. Like a van? Or a sports car?

I'll be honest, I probably won't ever drive it. That'll be the Mrs job.

I totally disagree with this. it isn't that black or white. your Porsche, for example is maintained a level no-one else would require and you option two suggests cars are unusable after 10 years...

Sarah and I ran a '95 1L polo for about 5 years and all it needed was a fuse and a battery. there is no way in the world that vw will cost more than £250 a month over 3+ years. I have no idea about leasing cars - 250 a month was a guess.

Think an E46 318i Touring might be the answer to all my prayers

Think most cars will live a long and happy life if you just do the minimum, you'd really have to abuse them for them to end up as scrap

That's also anecdotal though- what if it needs a clutch and head gasket in addition to the fuse? That's far from impossible if it's been a town car all its life and the coolant bottle starts weeping.

WRT option 2 my cars combined age is 40.

havent read

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-3334971/Used-cars-buyers-travel-48-miles-spend-27-hours-research-regret-purchases.html

I can do mates rates on this if you fancy a van
https://www.gumtree.com/p/vans/ford-transit-connect-t200-panel-van-september-2012-62-reg.-low-milage-full-service-history/1253453194

I would not recommend travelling too far if it's the only car - going back to a dealer to inspect things is a ballache.

You'll start weeping in a minute!

ON TOPIC: See that guy who converted his GT3 RS to manual with a 911R box direct from Porsche. Well now we know that a replacement 911R box from Porsche costs $22,000.

So if you're thinking of running a 911R on the cheap, pray the box doesn't go

sure. my point was more that you can run a car on basic maintenance and it last a long time. a lease is the best way of having a fixed cost, but that will be massively higher than the cost of running a nine year old golf, head gasket/clutch notwithstanding...

sorry if my reply came across as agro - it wasn't meant to.

No worries, I'm just saying hope for the best and plan for the worst.

my AVERAGE is 40 years, including the golf... (53 without) total - 160

I am coveting this:

surfari

That ds is an absolute dream car.

That was the car dad promised to buy when he passed his test in 1976... He didn't drive again til he retired and moved back to Spain thirty years later... He bought a Seat Ibiza...

I still feel cheated...

I'm giving serious thought to buying it.

There would need to be a bit of fundraising and diplomatic discussions.

V nice

It's the perfect solution for a man in your soon-to-be position... #fuckingdoit

Totally do it. You wouldn't be losing money either. They will forever be a classic.

moved back to Spain thirty years later... He bought a Seat Ibiza...

Ha, my dad swears his going to move back to Spain when he retires... He's 67 now and still working... No citroens in a barn to be passed down either. Just a knackered red Corolla!

Slough built or SA import?

Parts are readily available in france.

Fucked hydraulics are not a problem, it is all rebuild able and straight forward.

Better have the dad than the cars. I'd give everything to have a few more minutes.