Justifying/keeping a car you don't use.

[Jamie]

Just wondering where people stand on this. You may have a Clio, you have a Ford, that doesn't matter.

What I was wondering was if people are happy to keep a car they don't use. I do a significant amout of travelling recently and end up taking my wifes car which means in the past couple of months my car has done 300 miles.This is because I don't really fancy going to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool in my car.

As a result, I have a reasonably priced car (Of which I have just spent 2k on) that I don't really use. Furthermore, with the driving and distances I do, I quite fancy something like a 330D or Mondeo TDCI 155 (?) or Golf diesel.

Alot of people must be in similar boats so wondering how you get on.

From quotes of two car insurance policies I can see having two cars in any fashion is also quite expensive.

 

[Revels]

Why don't you want to take it to Manchester/Leeds/Liverpool?

It's a Clio. Not a Ferrari. Cars are made to be driven, not left at home because you'll add a few miles to the engine and some nasty person might park next to it. Yes, it's good to keep a mint car and lower miles is more appealing when sale time comes, but at least enjoy it while you've got it.

In your position I'd either stop being such a girl and drive it all the time or sell it.

 

[Brett]

I sold my car for this reason Jamie, I would hardly use it so I sold it to avoid the running costs. However if you can afford to keep it easily then i'd keep it, you've just had it on track, thats something you wouldn't do in the replacement car probably. It all depends what you want from the car, comfort or fun.

 

[gaz44]

^^

Drive it.

 

[welshname]

there is no reason to not take it to manchester. plenty of merc's, audi's, ferrari's and the like left about in manchester. at the end of the day, whatever engine its got, what ever mods. its a french piece of s**t clio. i would personally love to own a trophy. but still. its a clio.

 

[Jamie]

Why don't you want to take it to Manchester/Leeds/Liverpool?

Costs significantly more to do it in mine that taking my wifes.

The roads are very poor, which means that with the Trophy being very stiff it's not the greatest car to drive in city centres.

I am concerned about returning to damage. Be it a dent etc. The car has no marks on it and want to keep it that way.

My fault, but driving a car which is quite loud on the motorway and that is again stiff is not as comfy or relaxing as other cars.

And to a degree, I think my tastes and preferences have changed in the past 6 months.

 

[twingors]

Why don't you want to take it to Manchester/Leeds/Liverpool?

It's a Clio. Not a Ferrari. Cars are made to be driven, not left at home because you'll add a few miles to the engine and some nasty person might park next to it. Yes, it's good to keep a mint car and lower miles is more appealing when sale time comes, but at least enjoy it while you've got it.

In your position I'd either stop being such a girl and drive it all the time or sell it.

Totally agree with you mate keep it and use mate!

 

[Jamie]

People seem to be implying that I think it's going to get stolen in city centres. That's not the case. It's the factors I've listed above. If you've assumed that's what I did mean, that's not (But can see why you'd go down that route) - it's more about the cost and "comfort" to a degree tbh. After getting up at 6 and coming home at 7 you just want as low hassle as you can get.

 

[.GAZ.]

I got rid of my 172 for the same reason mate, was just lying there and being used once a month etc.

 

[Revels]

People seem to be implying that I think it's going to get stolen in city centres. That's not the case. It's the factors I've listed above. If you've assumed that's what I did mean, that's not (But can see why you'd go down that route) - it's more about the cost and "comfort" to a degree tbh. After getting up at 6 and coming home at 7 you just want as low hassle as you can get.

Time for comfy suspension, heated seats and all the toys then. In a diesel.

As for keeping it for weekends, well only you can decide if it's worth it for you. Personally I don't think it is. A blast to the a Sunday morning is worth the insurance/tax/servicing? Not for me.

 

[richy22]

Time for comfy suspension, heated seats and all the toys then. In a diesel.

As for keeping it for weekends, well only you can decide if it's worth it for you. Personally I don't think it is. A blast to the a Sunday morning is worth the insurance/tax/servicing? Not for me.

Im in a similar situation (ish)...Sold the Clio and bought the EVO. Thought about just using the EVO as a weekend car and getting a cheap £100 car to run to work in. But after waying up costs of insurance/fuel TAX, MOT, any repairs to second car it just doesnt seem worth it.

Mind you having said that wish I hadn't bought this car now...£3K+ repair bill after owning it a month is not nice

 

[ChrisR]

If you're not using it because you don't want to put miles on it then see Revels post Depreciation will be killing the value of it more than enough to worry about a few more quid being knocked off by having a few more miles on it.

I did about 70k in 4.5 years in my 172, had over 100k on the clock when selling it, and still got the same or more than a lot of phase 1s are being advertised on here for.

If you're not driving it because it's uncomfy, inpractical, and would cost you too much then you have the wrong car in the first place

 

[Joshua.J]

I feel the same with my car just got a new job and got to commute 36miles a day, and hate seeing my car clock up with miles but i cant find a car i would enjoy as much to drive as its all country roads and back roads so will make me happy before work.

I just keep thinking if it gets to the point where my car is worth sweet f all i will probs just turn it into a track **** for the weekends instead of selling for no money at all.

 

[Chili Red]

If you're not going to drive it because you're worried about mileage/petrol costs/dents, then sell it!

Buy yourself some boring barge you won't care about but at least you'll drive it.

There's no point keeping the Trophy just for weekends, what a waste of money.

 

[aucky]

it's more about the cost and "comfort" to a degree tbh. After getting up at 6 and coming home at 7 you just want as low hassle as you can get.

I know the feeling. Driving the Trophy home after a 12 hour shift pisses me and spine right off sometimes.
But I remember why I bought it everytime I find myself on a good stretch of North Walean tarmac =]

 

[ChrisR]

I feel the same with my car just got a new job and got to commute 36miles a day, and hate seeing my car clock up with miles

36 miles a day, 5 days a week, say for 48 weeks a year is still only just over 8500 a year, that's nothing, below whats usually taken as average use! I know you've got personal use on top of that but it's still not going to be starship mileage.

I did 50 a day plus big trips now and then, much preferred doing it in the Clio than having to buy something boring.

You've said you like driving the car, so what's the problem? It's not suddenly going to plummet in value because of a few miles.

 

[EllD90]

I reckon use the Trophy for a week, doing all the journeys you'd do in the wife's car. If you find it impractical, sell it and buy a comfy commuter. No point in the car just sitting there!

 

[gaz44]

Costs significantly more to do it in mine that taking my wifes.

The roads are very poor, which means that with the Trophy being very stiff it's not the greatest car to drive in city centres.

I am concerned about returning to damage. Be it a dent etc. The car has no marks on it and want to keep it that way.

My fault, but driving a car which is quite loud on the motorway and that is again stiff is not as comfy or relaxing as other cars.

And to a degree, I think my tastes and preferences have changed in the past 6 months.

Sell it and dry your eyes! It's just a car. Or keep it and use it. Nobody wants their car dented but it happens from time to time - deal with it.

What are you made of, btw? You'll not fall apart in a Trophy due to the ride. Man up!

If it's affordablity, sell it for something cheaper.

 

[Alex_X93]

Your clio sounds like a beloved toy which is fair enough but can you justify/afford to keep the trophy and run a second car for commuting?

 

[keo]

I dont think the trophy is uncomfy, a bit stiff yeah. Drive a VX220/ Elise every day you will see what stiff means lol

 

[Bluebeard]

Sell it. You're an accountant jamie, you can see its losing value every minute of every day of every week.

Buy a big diesel cruiser and be happy.