Buy the car you can afford, that you want and keep it, I hate giving the government money for sales tax just because I want/need to change cars. Here is a list of my cars I have owned
1980 to 1982 - 1968 Mini Matic - I learnt to drive in, loved it and kept it until the gearbox died which is an expensive repair so it got taken to the tip.
1982 to 1983 - 1971 Morris 1300 - also an auto, gearbox also died so car went to the tip and I learnt a hatred of automatic cars that I still have.
1982 to 1987 - 1965 Honda S600 - I wanted a convertible like a MG and this thing was so cute and cheaper, pity it kept breaking down.
1984 to 1985 - 1970 Mini - bought cheap to have something to drive and then sold it to my sisters boyfriend who tried to do 100mph in it and killed it.
1985 to 1987 - 1980 Ford escort - fun to drive but caught fire, went into insurance company said car caught fire and before asking for registration details the clerk said "A Ford Escort?" I replied yes how did she know and the reply was we get about two a week, typical bad Ford UK build quality and electrics.
1987 to 1988 - 1964 EH Holden - An Aussie icon I should have kept as it would be worth 40 times now just for a rusty shell than I sold it for. This one lived up to the name of just Holden together.
1988 to 1992 - 1985 Mazda 323 - great car only sold due to needed a larger car for building a house.
1990 to 1998 - 1989 Mazda MX5 - another great car only sold due to birth of my son and told I needed a practical car.
1992 - to 2002 - 1991 Ford Falcon wagon - got married in 1992, sold my house and Mazda 323, bought a block of land and built a house so needed something to tow etc.
1998 to 2002 - 1998 Nissan Pulsar - the car to fit a baby seat in that replaced the MX5
2002 to 2020 - 1988 Nissan Silvia Convertible - back to a convertible
and my son fitted in the back
2002 to 2014 - 2002 Subaru Outback - Falcon was getting old and needed a lot of expensive repairs so sold it very cheaply to a mate and bough the outback that got written off on my sons last day of school, yes that date is significant as it was also prank day and they were being silly.
2014 - Still own - 2014 Skoda Rapid - bought to have a car after Outback written off. Gave to son who still drives it but of course it is in my name as because not paying Stamp duty to give it to him.
2015 - Still own - 2105 Skoda Octavia - wife and son not happy sharing Skoda Rapid so basically got them a car each
2020 - Still own - 2016 Skoda Rapid - wife and I really needed a car each so when Silvia written off by hail storm I found this one for a good price and bought it
2020 - still own 1969 MGB being given the Frontline treatment with MX5 engine etc.
OK what can we see from this
I have been driving for over 40 years but owned more cars in the first 10 than the last 30 because all the early cars where made during the 1960s and unreliable pieces of rubbish. Considering in the last 30 years I have not only owned less cars but I have owned more at the same time because I have provided a car for me, my wife and later my son to drive it really shows how much better cars are made now.
If you consider the Ford Falcon was owned for 10 years, the Subaru Outback 12 years and the Silvia 18 I would say I try to keep cars for over 10 years if possible.
My plans from now? The 2014 Skoda Rapid my son drives has 170,000km on it so thinking of selling it, giving him the other one that only have 80,000km and getting my wife a new Toyota RAV4 hybrid as my son can service it being a qualified Toyota mechanic. He would do it at work and I would have to pay the dealership so the book is stamped but be cheaper than full price and I know done thoroughly. As it is such a popular model there is a 2 year waiting list so I put our name on the list and if nothing electric is available in Australia beforehand I will get one. As that will be able to tow the trailer etc. maybe the Octavia will be traded for an electric car if they ever become a sensible option, currently I feel Hydrogen has just as much chance of being the next sensible thing
My concern is all three Skoda's are over 6 years old and out of warranty and there are bugger all good cars for sale. I just hope nothing goes wrong that can't be economically fixed before the world side shortage of computer chips etc. is over and buying cars is easy again.
