Would you have another?

[garethj]

Cars: is it like jobs and girlfriends, you should never go back? Or do you now have a useful insight into what goes wrong and you can make a more informed purchase than the dog you bought last time?

 

If you always get something different, you'll have a more impressive set of Haynes manuals when you die

 

I've had a couple of cars twice - Suzuki Whizzkids where the first one was better bodywork and the second one was good mechanically, a fleet of VWs which told me that a good one is ace and a dog is errrr a dog

 

Now considering another Land Rover, but probably a 110 rather than the Stage 1 I had last time.

 

What do you think - should you ever go back?

[Guest]

If you were happy then why not. I have quite a few times with Citroen ax's / Peugeot 106's.

[AnthonyG]

Of the cars I have had, I would be quite happy to have another:

 

Ford Cortina Mk4 (the 2 litre but probably not the 1300!)

Peugoet 504 TI

Austin 1100

Renault 25

Mercedes 190

Mondeo Mk2

Rover 75 (diesel next time thanx)

[Spiny Norman]

I'm currently on my second Vauxhall Royale saloon, the two separated by a mere 25 years!

 

I'd happily have another E28 BMW 5 series too.

[Father Ted]

If I could (and if they were practical) I would have another one of the following:-

My Blingo - fugging ace

 

BX 1.9 N/A Dizzle Pimp Car - Fugging ace and Fuggy Comfy 50mpg fun

 

Balls out BMW fun - eyeball meltingly fast whilst belching out shit loads of oily smog.

 

1300cc no brakes fun. Doubt I would fit in one now.

 

Ahh the brown interiorness of a Mk2 Metro. Oddly fun to drive and quite reliable.

 

Comfy Long Distance Commuter. Left arm doesnt work enough to ride one now

[Lord Sterling]

I am a one-make and model (So-called) 'enthusiast'. So yes I would go back. I am comfortable in knowing a little bit more about said car than your average punter.

 

Money worries aside. If I could buy another car, happy in the knowlege my current ones are sorted, I would go and try something else, because there is wealth of executive chod to choose from. But the ones I have need attention, I have no money so it will be while before I have that choice again.

 

My car history is a bit like this:

 

1st car - Ford Sierra Sapphire Ghia, Black (free)

2nd - Rover 827Si

3rd - Rover Sterling mk2

4th - Rover Sterling mk1

 

In between those, I have a Micra and another Rover Sterling that needs sorting.

[Pete-M]

I've gone back loads of times, sometimes I've regretted it, sometimes I've been glad I did.

 

I cannot ever have another Mk2 RS2000 unless I find a perfect one, and I've not seen a perfect one for a long, long time. Always fitted with at least a few of the wrong bits and the owners always claim them to be the right ones. I'm a Mk2 Escort anorak of the highest order so it's pointless me buying one as it'll be wrong and it'll annoy me.

 

I'd have another Capri 3.0, but it would have to be a Mk1 as I've not had one of those.

 

I wouldn't have another Mk5 Cortina. I've had around 25 of them, and always preferred the Mk3 and 4 anyway.

 

I also wouldn't have another Rover 827, but truth be told I didn't like the last one.

[Pillock]

I don't think there's a car I've owned that I wouldn't choose again if it came up... I've just never owned anything crap.

 

Mk2 Golf (non-GTI) just for being cheap and reliable and easy to fix.

Scirocco because you don't see them every day (apart from the red one I see every day), quick, and cheap

G40 just because the stupid stupid fun you can have in them. Especially in sleeper mode.

Audi 90 Quattro 20v - great wafting, fast when it needs to be, fun in the twisties

There's others that again, did everything I wanted very well and I had no major grumbles with.

 

However there are also other cars that I'd like to experience, so the chances of me hunting one of those up there down again specifically to own are slim.

[ashmicro]

I'd have another R6 Metro GTa/GTi. Sorry I ever sold the other ones now. GTa 8v on Twin SU's FTW!

[Guest]

Let's see....

 

Ka - yes I would. Not a single fault.

 

306 - yes provided I could find one that was less shagged than mine was. My ownership was when it was past its best but it never actually stopped working. A Rallye would be the next 306 I'd own.

 

Amazon - deffo, but God forbid anything \ or anyone that gets in the way of mine seeing tomorrow.

 

Piazza - definitely, any spec, even the Auto.

 

Celeste - jury's out, I didn't find it that satisfying to drive actually, my Amazon handles better.

 

C4 - not even if the hottest Citroen PR girl sucked me off for a year. Not even if Citroen's MD sent me an apology letter in his own blood, gave me a car and paid me £165 a month for the bothersome chore of owning it. No.

[Owain-328i]

Id glady have another Mk2 Fiesta XR2 but OMG the prices of the things now!!

 

Heres the last one i owned around 2003-2004, she was a honey;

 

[Lord Sterling]

 

YAH!! I was offered an identical one of these for £300 a few years ago, it was an F-reg one. I couldnt buy it because I had no money. I've regretted it ever since.

 

Speaking of KAs I had one off a car reapirs company for a long while, loved it to a fault. I'd have one any day. Love the things.

[Mr Lobster]

Yes and no.

 

I had an R4 van when I was about 20. It was a rusty, unreliable, expensive to run piece of shit so I got rid. But I always remembered it.

 

So when a good one came up about three years ago I got it and have cherished it ever since.

 

Thing is though, I quite fancy another Twingo. Had one about ten years ago and I could justify another. Trouble is though, I'm starting to think that lifes too short to own the same car twice and theres an awful lot of stuff that I'd like to own that I haven't had yet. I like Mr_Bo11ox's theory of buy a car, look after it, do a few jobs and then sell it on after six months having had the 'experience' of it.

[maxpower]

i have had countless cars... some good some bad... mostly good

 

cars i would have back..

 

talbot sunbeam... deffo

 

vauxhall chevette.. oh yes ... loved screaming around the streets in this

 

honda accord... best car for all the toys fitted... please come back

 

ka.. just stopped driving this last month... never had any probs with it.. stepson now getting the pleasure of it

honda civic..my present daily... reliable but would ditch it in a heartbeat for another accord

[Volksy]

 

One of these, with a webasto please..

[shite_meister]

Can't think of many of the cars I've had that I'd not own again.

 

I was always a Rover SD1 man but the build quality just really pissed me off especially when compared to similar aged BMWs, I'd still have another tommorrow but I know I'd hate the gash build qualitee.

 

BMW E30s especially 325i, I've had loads and know them inside out, there is lots of knowledge about them on the net which really helps when repairing them, fairly compact (compared to modern stuff) and brisk straight six rear wheel drive makes for an entertaining package.

 

I wouldn't rush to buy another Sherpa Coupe but thats about the only car I wouldn't buy again.

 

Ones that stand out that I'd like to own again are Rover P6 V8.

[Lukas]

I would and did go back, so my answer would be: Definately!

 

I had 4 Pajeros now (well 3 and a half under license), I think that´s the car of my life somehow. Everytime I sold one of my precious ones, some month or even years later I miss it so much that I buy another one. And all I can say is if I have to sell my current Galloper Euro-II-Diesel because of the planned environmental-zones for 2011, I´ll buy another Pajero, my fifth. Only with a petrol-engine this time!

[dollywobbler]

I've owned shit loads of 2CVs. Always go back for more.

 

Of others, the only duplication is BXs and Rover P6s.

 

First BX was a TGD hatch. Did 6000 miles in six months then stupidly traded it in for a Daewoo Matiz. Just found the BX a bit boring as a 21 year old.

 

Second BX was a barking 16v. A bit of a shit heap, but stupid fun. Did 4000 miles in 12 weeks then got rid.

 

Third BX is the current one. I must be old and boring now because this is also a TGD and I love it.

 

With the P6s, my first was a V8. I loved it. It ruined me financially, but I loved it.

 

Second P6 was a 2000SC. Series 1 again, but with none of the excitement and barely better economy. Also absorbed LOTS of money but I don't miss it at all.

 

Of the other cars I've owned, I'd really like another Alfa Romeo 164 V6. I have fond memories of last summer. That's about it though.

[Negative Creep]

Only car I've ever owned 2 of were Citroen AX's (excluding the 120ySunny/Almera, same family but different cars). Don't think I'd go back to any of the previous models again - I sold them for a reason and want to get as much variety in my car history as possible

[MK5 Escort]

I can think of plenty of cars which have passed though our household (mine, my father’s, brother’s) over the past twenty or so years. Far too many to list, so here's just a quick taster :

 

Renault 11 - Possibly yes, but would go for a five door model. Quite comfortable, spacious enough and once the choke and leaky sunroof was sorted, proven to be pretty reliable. The dashboard started coming loose towards the end of it's time in our household, though.

 

Peugeot 106 - Never again, thanks. It broke down twice and the clutch needed replacing even though we had receipts to prove it had been done only 8000 miles earlier. It wasn't particularly well screwed together judging from the numerous squeaks and rattles (some of which we never tracked down). It may have just been a bad one as I know they tend to get praise here. On the positive side, there's no doubt it handled well and the front seats were nice and soft - just the way I like them.

 

Austin Metro - Definitely, yes. Surprisingly ultra reliable (never missed a beat) even in the coldest of weathers, handled like it was on rails, performance from the 1.0 wasn't as bad as I'd expected and was mega-economical. Interior trim was a bit flaky though - but most were... I look at them with fond memories. Definitely better than any Mini I've experienced.

 

mk2 Golf - Definitely, yes. Miles better than the disappointing mk3 and from my experiences, built more robustly too. Very easy to work on too. I'd try and find one with the rare PAS though, otherwise it's a case of toning up the upper arm muscles before-hand!

 

Ford Ka (original model) - Most certainly. Never missed a beat in the 18 months I had it. Performed very well around town and was comfortable enough at 60/70mph. Spot on in terms of handling too. More space in the back than I expected too and carried four on several occasions. I'll probably get some stick for saying this, but I really liked the way it looked right from day one too. My father said it was the closest thing he's driven to the original Mini. If I were to have another, I'd try and find the ‘Luxury’ model with the full leather interior. Not in black though. Pepper Red or State Blue it would have to be for me.

 

Ford Escort mk5 - Of course I would! I grew up around these things and have many fond childhood memories of them when they were new. The early models, heavily critised in the press, still remain amongst my 'Top Five' cars. Generally anything the press seem to slate are cars I usually really like. Never had any major issues or grief with any I've experienced. A decent amount of space, a wide range of models to suit all tastes, comfortable and in my eyes, the most pleasing and well proportioned Escort to look at (although I'll accept this is probably though rose-tinted spectacles). They're not to everyone’s tastes and there have been some horror stories out there, but they always seem to 'behave' for me. It's like wearing a very comfortable, familiar pair of old shoes for me. They just feel 'right'. I can't describe it any more than that! If someone was to ask me to draw or picture a car - this would be it. Sadly the early models, the ones I like the most, are now becoming very hard to source. Decent and unmolested ones even less so. Most survivors you find are just you're usual modified rag tops. Liking originality (right down to wheeltrims and radios ), I very much doubt I'll find another that'll meet my own standards.

[CreepingJesus]

...My father said it was the closest thing he's driven to the original Mini...

My how we laughed, when after all the Ford hyperbole about it being a young car for young trendy types, one of the first ones sold at the Ford dealers I worked in, at the time, went to an elderly gent who said exactly the same. Scared the salesman witless on the test drive with his 'spirited' driving...

 

I have gone back to MK4/5 Escorts a few times, and usually out of desperation, and because they were cheap. I find them difficult to get excited about, but they're cheap to run and fix. Can't say fairer than that.

The 90's Passats I've been back for, and I may well do again soon. Two estates, both 2 litre 8v's. The first one was a bit of a heap, the second one was better. The third one...I just haven't found yet!

Had two Astras, and two Cavs; feelings much the same as the 'Scort.

Had a Renner 19, and have my eye on a T-plate Megane nearby, does that count?

It's probly more a reflection of the cheap motors I buy, than any great brand loyalties. Other than to Haynes Publishing.