First Steps to Solvency

getmore4less

Funny you should mention the Superb

In terms of family sided cars the Superb is massive if we needed to go big that's where I would look and benchmark from that They come nicely speced as well at the higher end.
They were known for having more leg room in the back than an S class
Some decent second hand ones in the £10k-£15k range.  top end new get a bit steep.
The main criteria we had for the last change was 3 full sized suitcases in the boot with the cover on, Octavia was just right.

Plenty in the VAG stable to consider


Plenty of second hand f-types where someone else has taken the hit on the depreciation

alt80

@RelievedSheff I don’t know what your obsession with badges is mate but it’s getting a bit old. Nothing to do with badge if that was all I was after I can think of cars with a lot more badge than a Range Rover for the price I paid, knock a bit off even for used car finance being higher rate, still could have bought something with more badge and didn’t. If you can some me a better everyday/ family car than a FFRR with my criteria for a nice interior and a V8 or V12 for 20p or whatever you think it is I’m going to find a car for I’m listening. You know I’ve got a lot of time for you generally but FML I don’t get why you think it’s fine to have a go at me when you’re out spending untold amounts of money.

I’ve not punched anything in front of my son. Another day !!!!!! perfect for my f-type but yeah I’m such a !!!!!! I shouldn’t have anything to look forward to so far as your world is concerned yet only days ago it’s you telling me to spend my money. You’ll have to explain that one to me, gone over my head.

@warby68 I don’t want anything trashed or to have a bike in wouldn’t have that going on in any car. Now keeping things in good condition = need counselling for that? I don’t get that.

Getting some balance on the drive isn’t ego or whatever, it’s having 2 cars that compliment each other. I don’t think 3 is the answer right now. Current paid don’t do too badly but the BMW is a bit numb to drive I never really fell in love with it. Should have bought the M4 but I had the f-type so that wasn’t what I was looking for at the point I bought the BMW. I don’t see keeping the BMW as the answer for me - neither wife nor I love it, it costs a bit and will be depreciating for a long time yet. I have 2 options: car through the business which brings up it’s own issues (can’t get anything with a decent engine without it being a really stupid decision both from a business and personal perspective) and buying an older car personally brings it’s own issues (massive maintenance bills for the stuff I’d look at and either loading up a couple of cards again or taking a loan). Plus side I wouldn’t buy anything likely to depreciate by much or any amount as the frontrunners are XJS V12 or an AM DB7 Vantage. Just can’t get to the point of pulling the trigger and wife will go mental as she likes the XJS but doesn’t get the 10mpg V12 thing, thinks it’s stupid/ massively wasteful lol her words FML. Probably am afraid of her going off and buying some stupid bag or something lol.

@getmore4less I need to keep off it a bit, so !!!!!! ill today.

If you could use the stuff now is the discount v time without the stuff worth it? Suppose only you can weigh that up mate. Think I’m sort of in the same mindset re the Greece trip right now, hoping for a bit extra off. Just don’t want to be in the position I wind up paying more. Some sort of balance to be struck.

You’re right re cars. I don’t want to wind up with another £70-100k debt. Tbh that’s why I’m trying to do the right thing over it look at cheaper cars. Would be easy to say !!!!!! it and put it through my business but tbh I can’t pull the trigger on a decision like that could just see that one spiralling and I’ve already done enough damage getting myself out of trouble once really. It’s the right thing but once my refinance is through I really need to hammer the retained get the funds back up. Don’t need to be depleting funds further. Something like the EQC etc in lieu of future cash bonus is fine but there’s a line I shouldn’t cross already toeing it with some of my choices (high BIK on top of leasing cost). Going back to !!!!!! off the BMW and getting an XJS or DB7 Vantage - less or similar debt but not against a depreciating asset. Idk seems like the best option and maximises my retained as I’ve resigned myself to no additional income hitting my bank account for at least 2 years. OK with that being parked too.

@ladyholly I think it’s a case of I know what I like and the weather is killing me. 

alt80

@woahsoah ha old skool Range Rover. Tbf I am a bit weird/ ocd about my cars and my house generally doesn’t matter what it is. The kid kills me he’s a nightmare wrecks stuff generally. Wouldn’t give him up but FML he’s messy.

@ThatKiss / @getmore4less thank you, I just don’t see where this Skoda or whatever helps me one bit - may as well keep the BMW. A cheap estate car if I buy personally will depreciate to next to nothing and drive terribly. Will have some little 1600/2ltr engine too.

I have considered a used f-type @getmore4less can’t face it though. Only used cars I can come up with up to about £25-30k are XJS V12, DB7 Vantage and Mercedes SL500 old 1980s one. Bigger stuff I did consider an Arnage / Turbo R, could get a T1 for a bit of nostalgia haha. 

RelievedSheff

Talk to your counsellor. There is nothing anyone else on here can do for you until you realise that the amount of money that you waste on cars is the reason that you are in the mess that you are.

A V8  Range Rover is not an ideal family car. You can kid yourself all you like. It just isn't. You might want it to be to justify the obscene amount of money you will have thrown at it, but that doesn't make it ring true.

A family car is one that the whole family can enjoy a day out in, chuck the muddy dog and muddy bikes in the boot and not stress over a bit of dirt in the car. A family car does not have a V8 or a V12, it doesn't need to have. It needs to get you and your loved ones where you are going safely and comfortably. A family car does not cost over £1k a month to finance, maintain and run.

The sooner you give up this vanity project. the sooner your finances will get to the point that you can enjoy a sports car for sunny days. Until you realise that then there is nothing else anyone can do. You put your wife down for being obsessed with IG, yet you don't seem to realise that your vanity with cars is exactly the same.

Nobody cares what cars you have on your drive.

And just to add you don't need to punch a wall in front of your son for him to know it happens. He is old enough now to understand your family dynamics. For his sake start to set a better example. You do not want him growing up to think that it is normal to have a tantrum when you can't get what you want. Both you and your wife.

RelievedSheff

alt80 said:

@woahsoah ha old skool Range Rover. Tbf I am a bit weird/ ocd about my cars and my house generally doesn’t matter what it is. The kid kills me he’s a nightmare wrecks stuff generally. Wouldn’t give him up but FML he’s messy.

@ThatKiss / @getmore4less thank you, I just don’t see where this Skoda or whatever helps me one bit - may as well keep the BMW. A cheap estate car if I buy personally will depreciate to next to nothing and drive terribly. Will have some little 1600/2ltr engine too.

I have considered a used f-type @getmore4less can’t face it though. Only used cars I can come up with up to about £25-30k are XJS V12, DB7 Vantage and Mercedes SL500 old 1980s one. Bigger stuff I did consider an Arnage / Turbo R, could get a T1 for a bit of nostalgia haha. 

Why does the family car have to have a V8?

Do you understand the concept of family?

RelievedSheff

The finance on the van is going to be in the region of £450 per month. It will have free insurance for a year but after that looking at about £300 per year. Tax is £260 per year. So nowhere near the cost of the RR however you try and spin it out.

The van will also be our family holidays for the next ten or more years. Muddy boots, muddy dogs, muddy bikes and all. It is there to be enjoyed. That doesn't mean it won't be loved, well maintained and kept clean and tidy. We had the boat for 13 years and covered more miles in that than most would in lifetimes boating. Despite that it was always kept in tip top condition.

You can use something and respect it, the two are not mutually exclusive.

I'm fairly sure you do earn more than me and the other half put together. I'm also fairly sure that you have much less disposable income than we the pair of us. I'm also fairly sure that you have much less fun in life as well. So you can keep your extra income for what little good it does you. 

ladyholly

@ladyholly I think it’s a case of I know what I like and the weather is killing me.

We all know what we like but sometimes we have to compromise either through circumstances or finances. You are telling your wife to compromise on her wants but are you prepared to do the same. I would love to have my MX5 back in this weather and yes they do drive well and stick to the road like glue when needed but I know I cant so thats the end. Personally I am just grateful that the health problems which have stopped me driving are no worse and I can still do at least some of the things I used to.

I am confused by your terminology what do you mean by balance on your drive?

stymied

I hear you that you like the RR for the ergonomics not the badge and I'm sure we can agree to differ on the mud (I'm of the a bit of dirt never hurt anyone school :-D).

My question that I'm not quite clear on, is who will be the main driver of the second car and who will be the main driver of the RR?

If your wife will mostly have the RR then your family car is sorted. If you will mostly have the RR then she's right that the second car needs to be a family car.

I like the idea of talking to your MG mate. It would be a good compromise to borrow a car from him on occassion. He must trust you to have made the offer. The first date in your budgetting calendar is the July 0% deal ending. You've stopped your wife spending more prior to this date so this applies to the whole family.

What's the minimum term for the car through the business? You can survive 2 years to get the debts paid down and the accountant agreed already. As I understand it the sooner you send the BMW back the more money you save?

theoretica

I get that you like nice stuff and caring for it, but not everything needs to be in that class.  You don't need to love every item in your life - especially when you have expensive tastes. You like some cars, and you have one you like. Your wife driving one you don't like won't affect you at all - even you driving one you don't like won't be any worse than some miles of mild tedium. It will have no effect on who you are as a person or anything other than the little time you are actually using it. 

Also, you putting financial prudence before your car preferences might help your wife stick to a budget too.

ladyholly

If you take the car question to basics does it work with your budget or to put it another way can you afford it without compromising your debt repayments. If it does then you have to decide if you want to be in debt for longer with the consequences that has on your family spending in the future.