Head over Heart

[SM1DY]

What makes you buy your new (or new to you) car?

Are you bored, have you had a career change, did your missus sit on a public toilet seat and get pregnant thus needing more space? I haven't been in the market for quite some time and I've forgotten how personal and emotional the process can be. It feels very reminiscent of getting a new family pet - obviously you don't upgrade those every couple of years, that's a life decision.

To my mind, I feel that if you can easily discard your car after a couple years you didn't make the right choice when you bought it. Essentially, you plucked up and bought the wrong car.

I've had my Falcon for just over 7 years, I've often thought about swapping it out for a newer, brighter, tighter model - but never pulled the trigger. I fear that it is a case of 'The Devil you know' and the courage isn't there.

In 'The Coon' I like the way when I plant the throttle it pushes me into the brass end of the car, it hums a song that no 4 banger diesel can replicate, how the rear kicks out on drizzly days, the shunt it gives me when it grips up just plucking go's...

Simply put, it feels like a relationship that she has refused to end, she's intoxicating, she make decisions for me that seem right but feels oh so wrong.

Is it a love of the car, or a fear to move on?

[Kingsley]

For me it's the possibility of seeing someone else enjoying/driving it or the fear it'll be wrecked or the new owner taking credit for the work I did that makes me hesitant to sell. For those reasons that when I do sell, I hope I never see or hear about the car ever again.

[Franco Cozzo]

I just wake up one morning and start wanting something different, then I make it happen

I've bought 7 cars in 7 years, two of those new ones.

[jgs393]

I once sold a car. The bloke gave me a wad of cash. I asked him to drop me at the bank so I could deposit it straight away. I hopped out the passenger seat and as he drove away I felt sick to the core. What the hell had I just done. That feeling is etched into my soul.

I now have a motto. 'I buy cars I don't sell them'.

This in itself creates a problem of course. I've just finished extending my shed!

But I won't ever make myself feel so sick again.

[Professor Farnsworth]

Buying (and modding) cars is a disease when you analyse it. It's irrational, and highly emotional. I have this disease but am trying to cure it.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

Buying (and modding) cars is a disease when you analyse it. It's irrational, and highly emotional. I have this disease but am trying to cure it.

Incurable.

You learn to manage it though

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

Buying (and modding) cars is a disease when you analyse it. It's irrational, and highly emotional. I have this disease but am trying to cure it.

Its until death, sorry fella you're one of us.

Blood in, blood out

[Itsme]

For what ever reason in wanting another vehicle I will purchase it, you only live once so might as well enjoy it.

Oh I do not hold any sentimental ties with cars anymore, once they serve their purpose I move them on.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Cars are like insurance policies in my house. Last a year and then due for renewal.

[blackf6]

I just move on. I think I get bored with a car after a while. I constantly trawl car sales when bored. Nek minute, another car.

[cheap]

Cars are like women, some are keepers, others seemed like a good idea at the time but then you can't end the relationship soon enough.

[Raptor]

I held on to an ED Falcon for 9 years and told myself I wouldn't do that again. Told myself I'd update each 3-5 years. It really annoyed me to see such a good car eventually go for so little money.

The Territory replaced the ED, I've now had that coming up 12 years

I just can't let em go.

They are worth more to me than what anyone is prepared to pay, I guess I'm just tight






.

[Dezza]

I've only owned 3 cars. My first car was the EA which I got several months after getting my P-plates 14 years ago. It's been through a lot and has a lot of sentimental value, which is why I've still got it. When it was getting just too unreliable, I bought an AUII Fairmont. I had that for 5 and a half years, and while mechanically it was still pretty good, the body got hit by rust hard! The climate control blend door motor failed and I realised it just wasn't worth spending the money on a 300,000km super-rattly rust bucket. It was sad to see it go, but when I drive my FG, I get over the old AU pretty quickly!

When I decided I wanted an FG ute, I wasn't even necessarily going to buy a Turbo! This one was just too good an example to pass up, and while I looked at several NA XR6s on Carsales, once I factored in the price of a hardlid, and various other options, the price crept up to that of the Turbo (which is already very well equipped, plus already has the hardlid), and when I drove the Turbo, it won me over. Sure it's running costs are higher (particularly coming from a duel-fuel AU), but it's not too bad.

[thefargo]

I don't sell them. Have got 7, under the carport and in the shed. I sold one to my brother in law, with the understanding that I buy it back if he wants to sell it. I didn't want to sell it, but pressure from the wife (his sister).
is there such a thing as too many?

[Brazen]

Had a car for 9-10 years. Never again, cars improve so much all the time and I missed out on trying out more of them while I kept that car. It's one of my few vices and we are only alive for 7 or 8 decades. So no sentimental value, the only thing keeping me in a car is the cost of a new one and whether I want or need a new one.

Fortunately there is nothing out there I really want (or can afford!!)at the moment.

[Sam_Boss260]

My problem is that once I get an idea in my head, i.e. "I'm just looking, I won't buy anything" I end up looking and looking until I find and purchase. I just can't help myself.

My lease is due to come up in Feb next year and I'm already looking. Hopefully the change over and cost will deter me....... yeah right !!!

[blueoval]

Ive had my Subaru for nearly 4yrs. Love it, intent on keeping it, but recently had been given the opportunity to refinance my lease for a MB CLA250 shooting brake for a lot less than what they are currently going for. Ive just got my Subaru the way I want it and now this 'idea' throws a spanner in the works and I am tempted beyond belief.

[commodorenutt]

I've only managed to sell 1 car in the last 10 years, and it was a near-stocker.
If you have the space, then why sell something for peanuts? Most of the cars I've kept are worth far more to me than what I could sell them for, or they have sentimental value.

The older I get, the more I see newer cars as being a simple mode of transport, and nothing to get excited about. They don't have the soul of a old car to drag you in & keep you hooked.

That said, I did buy the FG off lease, as I liked it so much. Same couldn't be said for the V6 VE I had prior, although I did buy a V8 CalaisV years ago that we still have. Bumps all over it from assholes in shopping centres, and worth stuff all these days, but it goes well, and it's still immaculate inside, so why worry? A new one doesn't have that much extra technology over it, and would only get bumped & scratched. I think I'm getting attached to it too......

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by SM1DY

What makes you buy your new (or new to you) car?...............................Are you bored, have you had a career change, To my mind, I feel that if you can easily discard your car after a couple years you didn't make the right choice when you bought it. Essentially, you plucked up and bought the wrong car.

Is it a love of the car, or a fear to move on?

This will be highly subjective to everyone.

For me, if the car connects with me, and that usually means an engine with soul and a drive that keeps you challenged when coupled with the engine, I have kept the car until it is totalled, or it just flat lines due to multiple "organ failure".

The best car I ever had in some ways, a Honda Euro Manual, handled great, but the engine had no soul unless booting it for the last 700 revs into the rev limiter at 7,500 revs.

This car had an annoying gearbox whine from new that was noticeable at 110 kph with no radio on, and although it handled better round corners than most cars I have driven and you could 4 wheel drift it flat through, I found that it did not challenge me, actually resorted to wet conditions at higher speed for fun.

I then drove an AMG C63 with sports pack, which was feral, a BMW M3 with 4 litre, and the final straw was an F6 auto test drive in Sydney with mods including intake box and swapped battery locator, bigger intercooler, bigger jets, valve springs, tune etc etc. My euro was faster than the F6 round corners by quite a margin, but it was so underwhelming driving the euro after the F6 from Sydney back to Newcastle. The F6 was a handful, but a challenge on corners to be sure.

I then started getting really annoyed with the gear whine of the Euro at cruise, lack of torque, and I driving it at 99% there was just nothing further to challenge me. I was bored....so bored.

So I got the FGX XR8, nice quiet cruising down the freeway -cannot hear engine or gearbox on cruise when using for work with bi-modal connected which is just perfect, and I have still not mastered/perfected the beast round certain figure 8 bends, which is also perfect, and if/when I do I will just open up the engine more and up the rear rubber and suspension.

The engine has soul, and the chassis keeps me challenged with the power. So this is a keeper and I can see me having this car for a long time.

[Tommie]

Have had my BA XR8 Sept 05, and really cannot see myself changing anytime soon. What I have done over the years to keep interest going is to slowly upgrade here and there then enjoy the changes. Seems a basic idea but it works for me. Still upgrading bits and pieces and looking forward to the new changes.

I feel the car has a soul now as others have stated... At first it was just a new car, went well compared to my old EL, looked good but was just a car. it's more than that now.

Understand what the OP was talking about, think I'm in the same boat....

[mike_nofx]

Have bought a few cars just because they were nice cars to drive, such as TA22 Celica, Turbo LX Torana, VL Commodore. Then I got into 4x4's and owned a Landcruiser, a Patrol and a Sierra, all fun to drive and all used for what they were designed for.

But then most of my recent car purchases have been to serve a purpose, such as:

- 2009 Wife got pregnant, upgraded her hatchback to a Falcon Sedan.
- 2010 I started a job which required a commute of 100km each way so bought a LPG Falcon Wagon. (Was always into 4x4's so sold a Patrol to buy this)
- 2013 Wife starts Family daycare, Sold Falcon sedan to buy a Tarago.
- 2015 I want a 4x4 again, but it is to be wifes daily drive so needs to have wife approval, so Sold Tarago and bought a Jeep Wrangler.

I'm waiting for something serious to go wrong with the BF LPG Wagon so I can buy something with a little more character, but since i'm still working with a 200km round trip and the BF is so damn reliable its hard to get rid of it.

[Sleek the Elite]

What's motivating me to buy now is the fact that they're no longer going to be making them post October this year.

If the Mustang doesn't do it for you, what else is there?

If you still want to be driving a falcon around post 2030, now is a good time to buy.

Won't be trading the BA falcon. It's just about due a 225,000km service but is still going strong. Last time I put it in for a service they gave me a near new one for the day. Mine goes better.

[Random Ranger]

My first car was a 5lt HQ Monaro that I did up including building the motor etc, was a bit nervous selling it, albeit to buy my V8 XP Coupe that I also spent a fortune on, both had been my primary mode of transportation and imho very cool cars, I sold the XP to get a house and cars have just been transport ever since

[Sam_Boss260]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Ive had my Subaru for nearly 4yrs. Love it, intent on keeping it, but recently had been given the opportunity to refinance my lease for a MB CLA250 shooting brake for a lot less than what they are currently going for. Ive just got my Subaru the way I want it and now this 'idea' throws a spanner in the works and I am tempted beyond belief.

Damn the person whoever invented the "idea" !!!!

[jimt3te50]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

Buying (and modding) cars is a disease when you analyse it. It's irrational, and highly emotional. I have this disease but am trying to cure it.

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Incurable.

You learn to manage it though

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Its until death, sorry fella you're one of us.

Blood in, blood out

Amen, brothers. I was coined "The Modfather" in my thread

[Ben73]

Longest I have owned a car is 2.5 years, that was my 300c. I probably would of kept it for longer if it wasn't such an unreliable POS.
I am currently up to 2 years on the Ranger. I have already got the itch for something else, but I don't want to sell it either.
Hopefully I can keep it for a while longer to get myself in the position of being able to own 2 cars a once. I feel like I would keep them much longer if there was a bit of variety.

[BPXR6T]

I'm one of those guys who likes buying but not selling them. Just bought car #15 last week. Lucky I have 5ac and three big garages and 6 car ports. Currently have 5 regod which is stupid. Have come to my senses and will start selling or parting out. Sure thing as soon as i have freed up some space I will be wheeling something else in though. I'm constantly scouring the internet for something interesting. My taste in cars is getting weird recently. Find myself looking at beetles, mgbs, and minis.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by SM1DY

What makes you buy your new (or new to you) car?

Attraction. That's all there is to it. When I first saw an EA Falcon, I just loved the way it looked and wanted one. When the BA was first released, it was love at first sight. I still remember the drip feed ads that Ford did at the time. To me, the BA is the car that brought Falcon into the 21st century.

When video reviews of the US-market Fusions started appearing on YouTube, I became addicted to them. I love the sleek new look of the new Mondeo, and although it took me a while to warm to Ford's new corporate front end, I find it quite attractive now.

Originally Posted by SM1DY

To my mind, I feel that if you can easily discard your car after a couple years you didn't make the right choice when you bought it. Essentially, you plucked up and bought the wrong car.

I agree. To me, owning a car is like being in a relationship - in it for better or worse, richer or poorer, in health and in sickness ... etc (carrying on that analogy, I guess I've been rather adulterous). I would not discard a car after two years unless it was clear that I made the wrong choice.

The only car that I've owned for fewer than 2 years was my first car, but that was because it was 18 years old when I got rid of it, and it was blowing blue smoke at the time. That, and I really wanted a Falcon.

Recently I just signed the contract on a new MD Mondeo. Part of me is looking forward to it, from my test drives and from reading other people's ownership experiences, I know the new Mondeo is going to be significantly better than my Fairmont in almost every way.

But part of me regrets doing so - while I intend on keeping both cars, I'm getting pressured to sell the Fairmont. If somebody forced me to choose between the Mondeo and the Fairmont right now, I'll cancel the contract on the Mondeo and bear whatever consequences that may follow, than to sell the Fairmont.

I think I'll try and live with both cars for as long as I can afford them, and if I can't, I'll make the agonising decision on which one to sell. Cross that bridge when I get to it.

Originally Posted by Sam_Boss260

My problem is that once I get an idea in my head, i.e. "I'm just looking, I won't buy anything" I end up looking and looking until I find and purchase. I just can't help myself.

I have this problem too. When I get bored, I also go "just looking" at cars, often just out of curiosity to see what they looked like in the metal. I was "just looking" at the new Mondeo and one thing lead to another ...

[Mr Brooksy]

I've always bought with far more heart over head really. I get attached to a certain car (the idea of that type of car anyway), and then start to stew on it, research the life out of it and finally, when the rode I currently have becomes a disappointment, I inevitably sell what I have and buy what I've filled my mind with. Sometimes (most notably the car I have back home now) it takes a bit more time than when I fall out of love with the old car to afford what I want next, but that desire for the next car is an amazing "carrot" to dangle in front of me, as I can always increase saving 2-3 fold more than I thought previously possible.

But I have noticed that every time a big issue arises that effects my current ride, that's the time I start looking at my options.

I do window shop a lot, like many here have said, but it's usually to see if anything out there gets my attention. Most if the time, since the Phoon, nothing seems remotely interesting. I do get exited about project ideas like a barra turboed XE. Or a classic, like a 67 fast back or X series coupe. Or some kind of track car like a 3 series BMW. But really, it only lasts about a week at best.

All I can say is that I'm glad we are overseas or I'd be racking up massive kms on the phoon... My heart still reigns supreme with this one!

Oh, and the practical car is for my wife (so long as it's not an A to B car. She wants a Territory 7 swatter when we move back home... So in researching F6Xs or at least turbo Ghias. Lol...

[FPV0137]

I've gone through 12 cars since I got my licence in 2007/8. I've only ever sold 1 though. Traded in twice though lol
My first few cars, n13 Nissan exa. I went through a few of these. It is a 1.8l ca18 front wheel drive. Had both the turbo and non turbo. This was basically my education when it came to mechanics lol They all suffered roughly the same fate. Blowing motors, turned into parts cars, crashing into poles/trees, or just sent off to scrap. They handled beautifully, and revved hard! Would have been better with a sr20...
Had an 81 celica after I crashed the last one, then moved onto my first ford, xh panel van, half the interior electrics didn't work and the car yard sold it to me with leaking brakes (18 and trying to buy a car without someone's help lol) had fun thrashing that through all the dirt tracks when I lived out in the desert. If I bottomed out hard enough, the dash lights would work lol
I moved back to Perth after getting a sticker, and trading it on a BA xr6. I grew attached to this car. I thought it was THE car for me for a few years... Modified and thrashed the crap out of that for 50,000kms. I never intended to let this one go, but after being rear ended, it was sitting around for 18 months waiting to get repaired. Wasn't serviced in this time. Decided to take it to a party one night, had a few too many drinks then needed someone to drive me home. Got my car back in the morning, a stupidly strong smell of burning rubber, took it to my brothers to service it and bits of my bearings were falling out of the sump. Always use fresh oil...
Traded that in on my GT now, and been loving life! She is everything I never knew I wanted in a car! I have grown rather attached over the last few years. In saying that though, she will be going on the hoist soon to have the diff cradle removed and see just how much rust she has. Hopefully its not too but, but worst case ill be looking for a b series gtp lol

And that's my reasons for updating cars lol
You know the old saying, "If you don't turn to look at your car in the car park as you're walking away, then you bought the wrong car."