Car related ADD - I think I need help

Soldato
Joined
15 Jun 2009
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5,016
Location
London
I think I'm actually willing to admit I have a problem.

I've only owned my GTI-6 powered 205 GTi for just over a month, and I'm already considering selling it, using the "It's uncomfortable" excuse to try and justify changing it, despite the fact that I don't really have any need for a comfortable car.

I'm actually getting a bit annoyed with myself now. My problem is that I'll buy a car, use it for a bit, get bored because it isn't just right (and making it that way will require more money and effort I can be realastically bothered to invest) and 'throw' it away. Well, not quite throw it away, I've still got all three cars I bought this year sitting outside, waiting for me to get off of my backside and actually sell them, although I don't think this has anything to do with my problem. Just me being incredibly lazy.

On top of this stupidity, I actually find myself reconsidering cars I've already gotten bored of. Last week I found myself thinking about my e30 Touring, wondering about how much work it would require for me to be happy to use it again. This is the same car I parked up 2 - 3 months ago because of a driveshaft failure, and the subsequent spreadsheet I did of all the work I'd want to do with the car whilst it was off of the road ran to about £3,000.

And now I find myself looking at old barges as a replacement for the GTi. I think I enjoy the saving, the research, the searching the classifies, the visiting auctions and the initial honeymoon period of a few weeks the best time owning a car. After a few more weeks, everything gets a bit fimilar, and I get bored.

I decided long ago that I needed something that was going to hold my interest for a few years, and I hoped that this 205 would be it. Granted I've never been much of a hot hatchback fan, but it was exactly what I wanted at the time - A Black 205 GTi, It had the added advantage of being cheap, local, low mileage and had a ballistic missile for an engine. It's an awesome car out of the box with the potential to be super-awesome with a simple bit of 'tidying'. I know that when I look at other people's mint examples I find myself wanting to do something similar with my car, but eventually I find myself looking at e34 BMWs again :rolleyes:.

I suppose I'm looking for some Help/Advice/Harsh words. I don't know if I should start spending money on my 205 and hope the interest comes, or just follow my whims and buy what I want when I want. It's not like I'm going to lose much money car hopping in sub £2,000 sheds, in fact in the case of the 205, I'm likely to make a bit.

Yep. I need help :(.
 
I think this describes me too. I can't seem to find a car which excites me anymore, there's always something that I dislike

The Elise was great, but useless for motorway journeys as the wind/induction/exhaust noise drowned out the stereo (I fitted some reasonable aftermarket ICE, still useless)
The TT was fun at first. The DSG was like playing a playstation game, but like all computer games the novelty wore off and I got bored with it. Then the small things like the delay from pressing the accelerator to it moving got annoying. After a few months I hated the way it drove and wanted a manual again.
Then I got the Boxster and it was amazing. Handled great, sounded great, looked great, it was the full package. Then the winter came and it just got annoying not being able to use more than 50% of the power without the back end sliding around (after slithering down a sliproad last week and making my mate squeal I decided it needed to go). Tiptoeing everywhere is boring me now so it's up for sale.

Then the sensible part of me remembers that I drive a grand total of 8 miles per day and I live within 5 mins walk from ASDA so I don't even need a car at all.

Now I'm having weird thoughts about what I really want. Maybe I should just lay off cars for a while until I can decide what I really fancy. Maybe I should get a cheap 125cc for commuting? Maybe I should get another TT (manual gearbox this time) as I actually liked the way that it handled (told you I was weird). Maybe I'll get a fun hot hatch like a Clio 197 (but not sure I could live with that interior...) Maybe I'll get a Yaris and a flat cap.

Is there a support group available?
 
I think you have described a lot of us. I am definately in the same boat, however I just keep my current car and wish I was driving something else rather than making the change.

I think the Octavia only lasted a month before I decided it wasn't right. There is nothing wrong with it, as a good value all rounder it does a great job but I just don't click with it. So I started modding it, just little things, and every mod I do I end up disliking. I'm looking at handling next so maybe that will swing things in a more positive direction... but I won't hold my breath.

If I'm honest I was happier with my 306 than I am with the Octavia.
 
I'm pretty much the same as far as cars go. So looking forward to next year, my financial situation then is going to be different allowing me to splash out on a new car to the tune of @ £20k. Looking forward to it but there's no point drawing up a shortlist of possible buys as I will probably have changed my mind umpteen times by then. :D

I was the same a few years ago with motorbikes. I'd buy a bike then get bored of it after a few months and chop it in for another one. The wife got seriously annoyed at me doing this. Then eventually, I found the Mille and I can't see me parting with it for a long, long time as it does everything I need it to do but most importantly it never gets boring and is the only bike so far to put a huge grin on my face every single time I ride it. ;)
 
Same here. Had my Golf for 4 months.. nice car, goes well enough (1.8T remapped), looks nice, different colour.. loved the research and honey moon period but you'll laugh at me for this, I still kinda wish I'd got my little 1.6 Corsa Sport again haha.

Think all folks into their cars get like this.
 
Then the winter came and it just got annoying not being able to use more than 50% of the power without the back end sliding around (after slithering down a sliproad last week and making my mate squeal I decided it needed to go). Tiptoeing everywhere is boring me now so it's up for sale.

is it REALLY that bad? :s Obviously you've got a fair amount more power than I do, but even still im far from having to tiptoe in the current weather and it's only when really trying that im getting things dubious except on the worst of roads, with a bit of smoothness and caution im still being able to take advantage of the power.....is the boxster that much more twitchy?
 
I usually spend the first week of so of new car ownership wondering if I've made the right decision, missing certain points of my last car etc. Then I realise why i swapped, and start to enjoy!
 
I'm the complete opposite, been driving now for just over 12 years and bought my third car earlier this year!

It does everything I want it to very well so reckon I'll have it for another few years yet.
I did spend the best part of a year deciding what I wanted and finding the right car though :p
 
is it REALLY that bad? :s Obviously you've got a fair amount more power than I do, but even still im far from having to tiptoe in the current weather and it's only when really trying that im getting things dubious except on the worst of roads, with a bit of smoothness and caution im still being able to take advantage of the power.....is the boxster that much more twitchy?

Combine 19" wheels, 265 width rear tyres, wet and bumpy Bristol roads and it's just no fun. :(

In the dry it's absolutely brilliant, but in the wet it takes all the fun out of driving.
 
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one that suffers with this!

I'm in half the mind to just ride the wave and buy what I want, when I want - I have a rather large 'To Own' list I want to work through. And if I'm careful with my purchases, it is very possible for me to make a bit of money off of it. Problem is that deep down, I really want a car that I want to lavish money on and keep forever. I see my friends do this and I personally think it is a far better ownership experience than chopping and changing every 5 minutes like I do.

I do think that I'm more likely to 'enjoy' owning an old Barge such as a big old Bimmer because they seem so much more 'me'. A nice burble from a Inline 6/V8 engine, 80s Rock music on the radio and me reclined slightly in a big leather throne. Seems much more appealing than massive exhaust drone and the sit up and beg position that naturally comes with bucket seats that I get in the 205. Granted I could make my GTi more comfortable, but really, want is the point? It is cheaper and easier to buy something comfortable in the first place!
 
On my 9th car this year. It doesn't seem like that much effort to change, so I just pick and choose anything that vaguely takes my interest. Why not? :)

Only way you really learn about things and find out exactly what you like or don't like - through direct experience...
 
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