Driving a fancy car ...

VikashLurker

VikashLurker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2017
Messages
313
Reaction score
119
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina
I have always put allot of emphasis on driving nice cars. Something that I always felt that stretched my budget, but I did it anyway. I never drove a skedonk, from my first car to the car I have now.
Now I know all about a car being a depreciating asset, and that you should rather invest etc. And I must say I did feel guilty about splashing out on fancy cars. 2 months ago I sold my fancy Luxury SUV 4x4 and bought a cheap run around. And I thought I might share my musings with you. Granted, I know this is not a motoring forum, however I think that is what makes the feedback even more diverse.

I absolutely hate driving at the moment. It is the most mind numbing experience that I have ever felt. I literally understand the term of a car just being a means of getting from point A to B. That is all it has become. Jump in the vehicle, and I already can't wait to arrive at destination.

In my Grand Cherokee it was all about the drive. It was comfortable, the cabin was quiet, the sound system was out of this world (I've had custom sound in my 2.0T windgat days, and the 11 speaker Infinity system in the Jeep was just kickAss). It had plenty of power to cruise comfortably without having to think about hills and which gear I need to be in etc. So in short, I would say the journey was much more enjoyable. I would go as far as saying that I actually enjoyed roadtrips. Instead of flying JHB->CPT I always opted to drive. I did this 2 years in a row. I never felt tired after a straight 12 hour commute. In fact, we would get back home, and still find time to chill in front of the tv.

I totally get the money saving aspect of driving a car that is fully paid off and pumping money into investments etc. But on the other hand, I am so glad that I drove what I wanted when, because I got to experience so much more with the lifestyle vehicles. Be it on the racetrack in my early days or off road trails recently.

I guess it comes down to being a petrolhead or not. Where some put their cash into cars, others would rather spend it on the latest mountain bike, or holidays ?
 
+100

ps. My car is part of my holidays. I can now camp in secluded 4x4 only camp sites. I can go fishing where only 4x4's can go etc. I would hate if my car was only a means to get from point A to B. I believe in choosing something you can afford but still have fun owning it.
 
Once you get the feel of a luxury car it's going to be extremely tough for anyone to start driving a for example,a VW Polo
 
Sumen said:
Once you get the feel of a luxury car it's going to be extremely tough for anyone to start driving a for example,a VW Polo
Click to expand...

True, but the thought of some twat banging my car with their door is a huge put off for me.
 
I would probably also struggle to drive a cheap skadonk. But, the middle of the market is where it is at, to me. I drive a car with a 1.6 diesel engine, manual transmission, bluetooth, cruise control and a basic sound system. It is fine. It is reliable, it is fuel efficient, and it is now paid off. I absolutely love the fact that I now do not make any car repayments every month. It is covered by maintenance plan for the next 2 years, which means that, for the next two years, all I have to pay is fuel, licensing, insurance and tires.

When I hear of people making repayments on their cars that are R7000 and more, I am just so grateful that I don't spend that kind of money on a car. Sure, I could afford it, if I wanted to. But I am happy I don't. That is so much money to spend on a car to me. I am far happier driving a basic car and saving that money instead.

The other thing I think a lot of people do is change cars often. I plan to keep this car past the end of the maintenance plan, probably to the 7 or 8 year mark.
 
Ancalagon said:
The other thing I think a lot of people do is change cars often. I plan to keep this car past the end of the maintenance plan, probably to the 7 or 8 year mark.
Click to expand...

My first 3 cars were probably changed just because I needed more power, better handling yadda yadda. I could have stayed with my GTI for longer I suppose. However, my last 2 cars were changed due to circumstance. Getting a four door because kids. Then getting a bigger SUV because, space. So yeah, changing cars is not always to keep up with the Jones.

However, I totally see people throw money down the drain to upgrade from E90 BMW, to F30 ... just to keep up. And it REALLY irks me when people who are NOT car people. I.e just upgrade because you have to have the latest.
 
Ancalagon said:
When I hear of people making repayments on their cars that are R7000 and more, I am just so grateful that I don't spend that kind of money on a car. Sure, I could afford it, if I wanted to. But I am happy I don't. That is so much money to spend on a car to me. I am far happier driving a basic car and saving that money instead.
Click to expand...

+1, agree with this, whatever level you are sitting with its a great idea all round, you enjoy your car more when its paid off and still under warranty
yes not everybody can afford a top of the range car, so everybody makes due with what they have.
 
Nothing wrong with forking out on a car that you enjoy. Some people go on expensive holidays, some people buy expensive camera accessories, Some people spend on golf tours etc. Who the f is anyone to tell you what to do with your spare money?
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Nothing wrong with forking out on a car that you enjoy. Some people go on expensive holidays, some people buy expensive camera accessories, Some people spend on golf tours etc. Who the f is anyone to tell you what to do with your spare money?
Click to expand...

But if they over extend to buy a BMW they must not come to me with sob stories, I can also buy one but I wouldn't.

Edit: OP never said anything that can be construed as complaining, I brought the point into the conversation on my own...
 
Last edited:
Get on a bicycle and you will know the true meaning of a hill :D
I cycle daily and dread the day when I have to start driving to work again...
 
Fancy is a relative term.

A bicycle is fancy compared to walking because you get to your destination faster.
A motorbike is fancy compared to a bicycle because you don't get tired riding it and can go a large amount of kilometers.
A Nissan 1400 is fancy compared to a motorbike because you don't get wet when it is raining.
A Toyota Aygo is fancy compared to a Nissan 1400 because it has aircon,power steering, low road noise, airbags,abs and adjustable seats.

If you think about how dull and horrible your current car is, just know there are people who would regard what megure things it does as a complete luxury.

I don't need my car to entertain me whilst I drive. I have a playlist of podcasts for that.
 
supersunbird said:
But if they over extend to buy a BMW they must not come to me with sob stories, I can also buy one but I wouldn't.

Edit: OP never said anything that can be construed as complaining, I brought the point into the conversation on my own...
Click to expand...
Lol that wasn't a dig at you. Overextending applies to anything though, not just cars. But if you do have the money, and it's something you enjoy, why not?
 
Car doesn't have to be fancy, just has to be something you like.

If you spend money on it and you hate it, it's hard to spend that money.

If you spend money in it and it makes you smile when you walk up to it every morning then it's easier to spend that money.

You'll always spend money on a car, even after a cash purchase - just pick one that'll make you grin a bit.
 
I like driving. And driving a nice car is really nice. And having something with enough power is also crucial. Not to drive like a maniac or anything, but overtaking go up a hill or a truck shouldn't have to be a problem. If I step on the accelerator it should get up and go, regardless of speed or circumstances.

The other problem is that I'm really tall - 1.96cm or 6.5 feet. So generally economy cars aren't too bad, they're just too cramped for me.
 
Last edited:
I will say it depends how long you are in a car. On average I'm 2.5 hours a day so in my car. So I rather pay a bit more for a luxury car, than buying a car thats not comfortable. Just did a 550 km trip, and my body don't feel tired, and I "felt" much safer traveling in a bigger car than a tiny hatch back.
 
The notion these days of "live poor now and save for your old day" is over used by every second personal finance blogger trying to achieve FIRE.

Give me a break. Saving g and investing is important and should be done first, yes, but what's the point of working for 30+ years if you can enjoy yourself doing it.

I owned a paid of Elantra with all the bells and whistles, leather seats ...was a really nice car and a very nice place to sit in daily traffic. So one day I decided to trade it in and get a new Jazz: not expensive, easy on the pocket...I borderline hate it.

So I'm just waiting for the right time and buying a more upmarket sedan again. I'll probably pay double what I am now but FSCK it, my investments are in check and I'd hate to be a grumpy rich old fart one day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X