Fancy Sport cars

[kinaero]

I was trying to look at it from another angle, what if I've won the lottery worth millions?
After a few intensive seconds, nope I am still not interested.

I'll buy Range rover, AMG S Class, and a Morgan plus 8

 

[elisetype25]

I'm having an inverted mid-life crisis.

Having owned the Elise for nearly 12 years, I now find myself using it less and less. The comfort and convenience of the E class means that I tend to use that rather than moving everything out of the garage to get the toy out.

However, on the occassions I do, it still puts a grin on your face from here to John O'Groats.

Still find the Elise to be a perfect, real world sports car. Usably quick, small enough to use on country lanes and phenomenal in the corners. If I had an unlimited budget, I suspect that more expensive machinery would still tempt me, but ultimately I don't see them as being all that usable 99% of the time (too fast, too fat for our roads) and I've never seen the point of straight line speed (I like corners!).

GT cars make more sense as they are designed for touring.

Thoroughly agree on car shows' obsession with exotica, but then again I don't think the audience figures would be too great if they were discussing the boot capacity of an Austin Allegro versus a Morris Marina. (I'd still watch it though).

Regards, Neil

 

[Giantvanman]

From my point of view, anyone can go fast in a sports car and make it convincing because the modern car or motor bike does most of the work for you. It's not until you approach the hairy edge that these type vehicles 'come alive' and there are not many places where you can do that.

And then you have to be seen in the damn thing. And park it in public.

No. It's inconspicuous and comfortable with a decent turn of speed every time for me, every time.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

It's fascinating to read what everyone is saying about "fancy sports cars". The general opinion seems to be that most are no longer attracted to the flashy Ferraris and Lambos, preferring instead the more practical vehicles. This is born out by the seemingly high number of members with, let's face it, pretty ordinary mid 2 litres diesel C and E-Class saloons, estates and coupes. I've even gone for practicality myself, currently owning just a C-Class saloon. OK, it has a nice engine but to all intents and purposes it looks just like the small 4-pot diesels.

But I still yearn for something a lot flashier. My sensible head keeps telling me that I have to have a car that can carry the elderly outlaws in comfort, and that we have no need for more than one car. All that road tax, insurance and depreciation just for something to go out in occasionally is so hard to justify. That's why last year I sold my Porsche 944 Cabriolet, which I spent more time polishing than driving!

But then I see what I still think is gorgeous SLK R171s, that are also nice to drive. But of course there's no way I could have one with a smaller engine than my C-Class so I'd have to go for a more expensive version. Then the costs become even harder to justify. Also, it still has the hairdresser's car reputation (OK for my hairdresser wife) so I should really opt for an even more gorgeous SL R230. But that's even more money to spend on something I don't need.

So for now I'll continue to daydream about Aston Martins from DB9 onwards as my preference. But I'll also look lovingly at the latest Ferraris, Lambos and the like. They're probably just as sh1t to drive as the older ones I've been in, but I have no problem getting the admiring looks! So unlike many others here, despite heading rapidly towards my 8th decade I'm still very much attracted to the flashy sports cars. Must be my mid-life crisis kicking in late!

 

[Giantvanman]

Is it something to do with location, where you frequent, what you use it for, I wonder?

There is a big difference between need and want too. Who among us hasn't substituted need for want when justifying a purchase to their other half, themselves or a friend?

Let us not forget that there are many people who can afford to spend many tens or hundreds of thousands on what is in effect is a toy, an occasionally used plaything. These people buy these cars because they want it (and can afford it). Nothing wrong with that, of course.

If you talk to any vehicle enthusiast, in their perfect world with a lottery win behind them, they always have a 'garage of lust', that perfect vehicle line up, one for every occasion that will satisfy their every desire, need and want.

It's personal, this car/vehicle want/need thing

I would never have a convertible, for example. Don't see the point. Noisy, smelly, not very secure etc. I live in a place where security is everything and I need it to have a buffer from traffic noise, fumes and people in general to keep my sanity. And even if I was driving on lovely country lanes, if it was even remotely nice, I would have the aircon set just so.