Prestigious cars or retire early

motorguy

NBLondon wrote: »

That is an increasingly common attitude. It started with mobile phones and had spread to cars and other areas. It makes sense as long as the cashflow continues - and means you can always have the latest or "coolest" if that's what is important to you. But for many - they have no fallback plan and if the income stream is disrupted by something out of their control, it all comes tumbling down. If you want the perceived benefits now rather than saving for them - it's easy for many people to get on that rollercoaster. If you're more risk-averse - you won't.

Agreed. Some people live too close to the edge for comfort.

Not for me. Theres a balance to be had.

reeac

fred246 wrote: »

Well I decided to go a bit earlier than I thought so I could enjoy this summer so I've handed in my notice. My spreadsheets were indicating thet I had twice the amount of money that I needed. Now to plan what I am going to do with all the time. I am thinking of getting another Merlin pass for the summer. Stealth 0-80MPH in 1.9 secs. Now that's what I call acceleration!

I had to Google to find out what a Merlin pass is. I thought that maybe it gave you the chance to fly a Spitfire but instead it gives you entry to Legoland, Madame Tussaud's etc. Welll....each to his own.

Robisere

motorguy wrote: »

Do you regret having had those nice cars?

Some on here might say you shouldnt have spent the money, but kept extra for your retirement years?

Definitely no regrets! At the time I was a workshop foreman and I rebuilt most of my cars from luxury models, mostly insurance write-offs from our compound. I spent months rebuilding in my own time, the bodyshop gave them the very best paint and materials, I had independent Engineer's reports to make them legal again, and enjoyed some very good motoring experiences. When I turned up at my house with each different car, curtains twitched. I didn't give a damn wht people thought then and I don't now. Having been so ill for so long, I know how short life could be. Enjoy it.

fred246

motorguy wrote: »

I am sure you took your usual bragging high ground approach to this guy - which as you've told us made you so (un)popular in work - however do you think he would swap you? Your 55 year old life and (mostly inherited) bank balance and only your twilight years to look forward to or his 25 year old lifestyle with his whole life ahead of him? Which do you think he would chose? Which would you chose?

I'd say your antagonistic holier than thou attitude and eke out a living approach, cheap holidays on a caravan site, cycle to work on some rusty old bike, stuck under the bonnet of some old car because you dont trust car dealers to fix it and wont want to pay them money anyway and "make do" lifestyle has done nothing to inspire him to change his ways mind you.

"Spend nothing for the next 30 years and eke out a living and you too could be like me son" I'm sure he ran a mile.

It genuinely bemuses me that you have to come on here and brag about this great "achievement" of yours (bolstered up by a large inheritance which you always forget to mention) - do you think it impresses strangers on the internet?

They are not our ages-fabricated by Motorguy.
Most of my money is not inherited-fabrication by Motorguy.
The discussion I had was only about owning a property.
My main commuter bicycle has an alloy frame and has no rust. My steel frame bikes also have no rust. Interestingly the bloke in question is the only person I have manaaged to convert to bicycle commuting. I then regretted it because there is only one shower at work and he often gets there just before me. Ahh! He also maintains his own cars which is very rare for someone of his age. The only story I ever remember giving about work colleagues was about one who had a very expensive Merc. He thought everybody was talking about it but in fact nobody was interested and I didn't know about it. He started talking to me as though I knew what car he drove. It was just a bit embarrassing because he obviously thought it was impressive and everyone was talking about it.

motorguy

Robisere wrote: »

Definitely no regrets! At the time I was a workshop foreman and I rebuilt most of my cars from luxury models, mostly insurance write-offs from our compound. I spent months rebuilding in my own time, the bodyshop gave them the very best paint and materials, I had independent Engineer's reports to make them legal again, and enjoyed some very good motoring experiences. When I turned up at my house with each different car, curtains twitched. I didn't give a damn wht people thought then and I don't now. Having been so ill for so long, I know how short life could be. Enjoy it.

Sounds fantastic. You must have some great memories.

Thats what lifes about.

No one knows what will be taken away from us and when.

Robisere

motorguy wrote: »

Sounds fantastic. You must have some great memories.

Thats what lifes about.

No one knows what will be taken away from us and when.

Yes I do have great memories of those days, but my life really began anew when I met the lady who became my wife. Along with her came two children who also became a loving son & daughter, giving us 4 smashing grandchildren. Back to old bangers for a while, until we rebuilt our lives and became what I didn't know I was missing: a real family. Beyond price and better than all the prestigious cars you can buy.

John-K_3

parking_question_chap wrote: »

"Nice clothes" need not be expensive.

Unless to you "Nice" means paying extra to display a brand name on the front.

Er, no.

But having a suit made to fit costs a bit more than off the peg, similarly with T-shirts and trousers. It doesn!!!8217;t have to cost the Earth, but it!!!8217;s not Primark money.

ginashamz

disagree with the OP and many of the views here who say that spending money on a 'flash' car is stupid. no one should judge and as long as you are happy with your choice of car, and you can afford the outlay and any maintenance then go ahead and get the car you want.

for some years I have owned a car that falls under the £500 plus bracket for annual VED tax, gives me on average 17mpg, not to mention expensive insurance and maintenance but guess what, i can afford it and it gives me a smile every time i drive it. my last car from 2002 to 2011 was a bmw m3 until it was written off. I must have spent what most people consider a small mortgage for a flat but do i have any regrets? no, for me it was completely worth it

Shoshannah

Drives old car and has done ever since passing test.

Checks bank balance: nope, still poor!

Won't be long until the riches flow, though, surely? Car age and retirement age are inversely proportional, according to the OP.