depreciation!,resale!,tax rates!

[gt-83]

am i the only sentimental old fool here, or are there other members who just wouldnt part with an old car,,my old 300e is part of me, i wouldnt part with it,,,,,,the money to keep it running does not come into it,though it owes me more than it is worth (who would buy a twenty year old car with 217000 on the clock),,,,,just that ive read the other thread about resale and depreciation,,,,and wondered if i am the only one who likes to keep a car for as long as possible?

 

[Frank O' Phile]

You're not alone.

My old 200E (of a 1989 vintage) is just a pleasure to drive and keep, and while it is slowly rusting in the wings, I'll try to keep it on the road for as long as possible.

They are a lovely car to drive and and has just clocked up the 130K (only just got the odometer working again).

I believe that these cars haven't achieved the collectable classic stauts of other marques simply because there are plenty that keep going and therefore they are not rare!

IMHO they are the best Practical Classic.

 

[Ade B]

and wondered if i am the only one who likes to keep a car for as long as possible?

I'm hoping to run mine until I can either afford something as nice and brand new with a three year warranty, or it gets legislated off the road. Both are unlikely in the foreseeable future.

I also like the idea that not everything in life has a very short lifespan and that keeping things going rather than chucking them away or changing them for the sake of it brings its own rewards.

Ade

 

[gt-83]

perhaps its just my love of old cars......a lot of people seem obsessed with the reg plate,,,,,,,,my coupe despite being 13 years old is as good as (95%) as it was when it was new

 

[Sp!ke]

I'm with you lot.

I just don't understand the logic in throwing large amounts of ones income on a monthly car plan. After all, a car is only new for... I dunno, a month or so until someone marks or dings it. After that its downhill all the way, every time you look at the car you'll notice the ding and lust after a new unspoilt something.

I bought my CE for £2000 six years ago with 108k on the clock. Its up to 175k now and feels like there's plenty of life left in the old girl.

If I sold it I would get peanuts for it so I'll drive it to its grave. I'm hoping for at least 250, so another 6 years or so with a bit of luck.

My wife's little Bravo is a perfectly sound car with 75k on the clock. One owner, dealer history etc etc. I doubt it would fetch £300 and yet it would probably survive 5 years of driving without even changing the oil.

Its a crazy material world we live in. I only partially subscribe.

 

[Ade B]

I bought a brand new BMW F650 once, the excitement of ordering colours and spec I wanted and picking up a box fresh thing with zero miles was quite good fun at the time. I took it back 7 months later and took a 40% depreciation hit to upgrade to my current bike which once I had finished paying the loan three years later was valued at precisely 1/4 of what I paid for it second hand.

I reckon I'll keep that for a while too - tried to trade it in twice but after the test rides, got back on the S and thought, this bike is great, why replace it...

Ade

 

[gt-83]

my thoughts exactly

 

[Ian B Walker]

I am soon to have a 315k miles estate back on the road. Mad? maybe but for me its worth it.

 

[fuzzer]

once the ashtray is full its time for a change

 

[television]

once the ashtray is full its time for a change

And if you stop smoking ???

 

[jamesmc]

The ashtray would, no doubt, fill up with something else

 

[A210AMG]

I woudl like to agree,

but I just fancy a change every now and again, lately its been every year which is not great but surely if the different people have the ability to buy new, change often etc what does it matter? It means there are some lovely cars for the rest of us at sensible prices

I've had my current ML just over a year and so far no plans to change but always looking...

 

[Rose Chap]

When I had my W124 300E in 2001 when it was 10 years old I couldn't believe that any car could be better, modern or not.

Then I and it had an unfortunate encounter with a motorway barrier and the relatively mediocre W203 C Class courtesy car bought be slap bang into the present.

My W124 suddenly felt very old and despite the fact it was in perfect working order, felt like an obsolete car. No ESP, tinny speakers, small wheels, wooden handling, etc.

I loved my 300E, and my 190E before it, but my affection for these models doesn't mean I didn't want to upgrade.

We upgrade our TVs, computers, clothes, houses... Personally I don't mind upgrading my cars either.

 

[Ade B]

Some aspects of the CE (its fuel consumption) are very old fashioned... Current cars are lighter, safer and more economical and so they should be.

The closest I've got to an equivalent drive (ie. a luxury car) was the Lexus RX300 and 03 ML270 I tested with my Dad a month or so ago. Totally different cars, whilst the interiors were more up to date, the driving experience left a lot to be desired compared to the CE. If I took out a brand new CL I might feel a bit differently...

I could buy a 4 year old C class (out of warranty, still expensive to service and still subject to depreciation) with what I've spent on the CE so far...

Hang on a minute.... those threads with PCP deals.... E class estate...


Ade

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Both our our cars are worth more to us that we'd get if we sold them.

Generally speaking...

The earlier in the day it is, the more that financial considerations influence my thinking, ie I'd be mad to change cars, stick with what I've got.

The later in the day (or night!!) it is, the more I think what the heck, I'm only passing this way once, ie I'd be mad not to change cars, C63 or GTR, ML500 or G500?

Additional cars - Track cars and SMART cars - also tend to become a valid choice later in the day too.

It's just a good job that fortunately dealers tend to be open in the day only, and people selling cars on ebay prefer viewings early evening at the latest!!

 

[st4]

If its a really good quality car that you enjpy owning/driving and it ticks all the boxes then run it until it dies. IMO your far better buying a decent car and keeping it for 7 years than a so so one and PCPing/HPing for 2-3 years.

Car design IMO moves on to make you think your model is old hat, and if you can get over the fact its not the latest one with the new corporate grill then you'll be less at the mercy of car salesmen. I agree we live in a throw away society and why follow the herd?

 

[Frank O' Phile]

Lots of good comments in this thread, and the thing I've noticed is that there aren't many marques that you can say these things about.

For example, you hardly ever see a Sierra on the road. For a model that was positively ubiquitous in its day, they've all but disappeared.

And a comment I heard in reference to a Citroen Xantia (had one of them) they are like disposable lighters, when they run out of fuel, just throw them away.

Love my old Merc, though I may consider changing, but only for another old Merc, BUT BIGGER.:bannana:

 

[Ade B]

Then again some cars stick around for no apparent reason.

MGB GTs

I've never understood the attraction of the rubber bumper cars. Slow, thirsty, badly built, rusty. A mate has one which has been off the road for 3 years. His justification was it was built the same day he was born..


Ade

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

MGB GTs

A mate has one which has been off the road for 3 years. His justification was it was built the same day he was born..

Not born on a Friday afternoon was he??

Seems most BL cars of that era were!!