Carrying on from: Thinking About Returning to One Car
I am keen to lessen my car expenses.
The Audi A3, being a Cat N, really has little value, and I'm loathe to let go of a perfectly good car for peanuts. I'd like to keep it for a long time partly because of the crazy money I spent on it, getting the gearbox repaired (replaced) but also because, for a daily driver, it's pretty much perfect, not too fast, not too slow, not too big, not too small, and looks wise I like it very much.
So, the Audi A3 being permanent (for now) how can I lessen my car expenses?
To be honest, so far the Exige hasn't cost much:
- One service at Hofmann's which wasn't expensive (around £400)
- A couple of trips to Bell & Colvill, one to fix the O2 sensor, and one to attempt fix of the "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold" EML issue (under £450)
- Road tax at around £450 per year (August 2024: £415 for 12 months, or £435.75 if you pay monthly)
- Insurance (around £550 as a second car on my multicar policy)
There was expense for track days, but that's entirely optional. The O2 sensor issue popped up during my first Anglesey track day, so arguably, that expense could be discounted, and the EML issue did not need fixing. So really £1400.
A good thing about the Lotus Exige is that it doesn't depreciate much, but still, if I sold it after a year, I would lose a chunk of cash (buyers premium and part-exchange loss.)
The options I've looked at:
- Audi TTS Mk3 (in Orange)
- BMW M2 (Red)
- Lotus Evora (Red)
- Lotus Europa 1970 (Red)
- Mazda MX-5 RF ND (in Orange/Red)
- Porsche Cayman 987/981 (in Orange/Red)
- Toyota GT86/GR86 (in Orange/Red)
The colour is important. I'm focused on orange/red (orange because I love orange, and red because I've always fancied a red car with gold wheels).
The main motivation for exchanging the Exige is to reduce costs of a second car (as stated above.)
Tax: Europa (free being older than 40 years) > Mazda MX-5 > Toyota GT86 > Audi TTS > Toyota GR86 > BMW M2 > Evora > Cayman (to be verified - but I believe the M2, Evora and Cayman would be the same or more expensive that then Exige)
Insurance: Mazda MX-5 would be the cheapest (to be verified)
Servicing: Mazda/Toyota would be the cheapest (to be verified)
Size of car and useability: Mazda would be best for usability - it is small, easy to park, and a carefree car.
All things considered, the Mazda MX-5 is the standout option. But ... is it just too common!? Not special enough!?
Of the cars I've seen in the last week or so, my favourite three:
- 1970 Red Lotus Europa @ £21995
- 2009 Orange Porsche Cayman 3.4 987 S Sport @ £24995
- 2010 Red Lotus Evora @ £29995
None of them really fit the bill of being an easier and cheaper to use car than the Exige. So, do I think I'll change!? Honestly after having looked around a bit, and having doubts about MX-5 RF (I had one before), GT86/GR86, TTS and M2; and with my 3 favourites not really being a great benefit, my inclination is to stick with the Exige 😊. Anyway, I've got 5 days work next week then have 2 weeks holiday, so maybe I'll do something during the Christmas break, or maybe not. I'll forget about thoughts of cars now until Friday 20th evening time (the start of my holiday).
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