[330Stevie]

Following a serious accident to my elderly mother her “little car” has been parked up since March. My dad has asked me to get it started and run it for a few weeks to stop it getting seized up as he put it.

She’s a beauty; 2016 Nissan micra 1.0.

It’s only done 700 miles!!

So after years of driving my cars; most of which have had twice the number of cylinders ive had a week in it. I’ve become quite attached!! It’s bloody awful to drive; it has no power at all; the steering is heavy, the lack of HK is obvious. I could go on. I have started to realise tho at what point did I ever decide my cars needed to be any more than this.? It’s getting me around at a fraction of the cost and is perfectly acceptable...,,ish. Have we all just become a bit spoilt?

That said the sight of the 330 and RS3 parked up as I left this morning confirmed that’s yes I’m probably very spoilt and don’t want to go back to this type of car (I work bloody hard). But if I had to, yes I could.
In short, I recommend a week in a micra, makes you grateful and keeps you grounded!!!

[SilverGrey]

When I had my Z4 coupe (3.0, straight 6, 265 bhp) I also had a 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder, 60bhp Polo.

I loved the Polo - it was cheap motoring and a car I didn't mind leaving anywhere. Mind you, I had to change my driving style, particularly when finding gaps big enough in the traffic! And it was always a massive joy to get back in the Z4!

[330XDave]

My missus has a 57 reg Seat Ibiza 1.4 petrol (80 bhp I think). She's only been driving 6 months. It's as battered as you get and rattles, groans and creaks more than could ever be classed as acceptable but you know what, it's loads of fun to drive! It's got a great turn in and really has that go kart feel. I like you do often wonder whilst I'm driving it why I spend so much on cars!

[kitster]

We have an Hyundai i10 (2nd Gen), as a school run / city car. Brought outright from new, cheap as chips to run (£100 for fully comp and £20 for road tax). For sure it's very slow but for the awful roads in London it's perfect and parking into tiny spaces is most welcomed.

I personally don't feel the slightest embarrassed using it. It's a fun little car brought for a purpose and it does it very well.

Downsides? Compared to the F31, you do get bullied on the road, cars cutting you up and driving right up your arse.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by kitster

We have an Hyundai i10 (2nd Gen), as a school run / city car. Brought outright from new, cheap as chips to run (£100 for fully comp and £20 for road tax). For sure it's very slow but for the awful roads in London it's perfect and parking into tiny spaces is most welcomed.

I personally don't feel the slightest embarrassed using it. It's a fun little car brought for a purpose and it does it very well.

Downsides? Compared to the F31, you do get bullied on the road, cars cutting you up and driving right up your arse.

I'd agree with that. You don't get let out of junctions as much either!

[doncarlyon]

Gadgets and trim levels I can live without but I do miss the power...

I ran around in a 2005 Fiesta ST 2.0 for a few months while I was waiting on an Audi being delivered (which never turned up so I cancelled) and even though it was a gokart... it lacked the torque I have been used to.

[330Stevie]

Yes I have also very much had to adjust my timings at junctions!!

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by SilverGrey

When I had my Z4 coupe (3.0, straight 6, 265 bhp) I also had a 1.2 litre, 3 cylinder, 60bhp Polo.

I loved the Polo - it was cheap motoring and a car I didn't mind leaving anywhere. Mind you, I had to change my driving style, particularly when finding gaps big enough in the traffic! And it was always a massive joy to get back in the Z4!

Just bought a new polo for the wife - was surprised how nice it looked both outside and in. Even base spec had apple carplay built in!

Then I realised I could have two polos for less than my 3 series is costing on its own. But then I often have these fleeting moments of sanity - they soon pass

[teaston]

It depends what you want from a car, if it's just a mode of transportation and you don't drive for hours per day then something like that is fine, but for me personally a) I spend a lot of time in my car so comfortable seats, decent armrests and active cruise control etc is a must, and b) my car is my fun, as i have little other fun in my life, so a car like that would just not fulfil my needs whatsoever.

[Ss66]

Got my little yaris as my run around and work. Does make me appreciate the 440 when I get in her.

[225]

I don't think its being spoilt. We are car people so if we can afford it then why not?!

Due to usual kids etc I'm not out every weekend pi55ing 200 quid up a wall so why shouldn't I drive something that makes me smile (even if my current car doesn't quite do that..).

Same can be said for anything, house, car, tv etc etc you can but any of them that will do the job but not necessarily make you smile.

[Kendo67]

We have two similar cars in the household , a 107 and an `06 Clio. The Clio cost £0 as it was a hand-me-down when my boy got the daughters 107.

It is worth around £100 in its present state but still passes an MOT without too much hassle , i fill it with stuff for the dump on a regular basis , the dog gets taken to the park in it , it can be parked anywhere with out worrying it is going to get vandalized and when the snow and ice comes it allows the 440 to hibernate and stay safe.

Would i choose to drive to London in it , no . Would i spend time keeping it in tip top condition , no. Would i spend £0.01 on modifying it , no. Would i be without it , no.

Horses for courses as they say.

Kenny

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Kendo67

We have two similar cars in the household , a 107 and an `06 Clio. The Clio cost £0 as it was a hand-me-down when my boy got the daughters 107.

It is worth around £100 in its present state but still passes an MOT without too much hassle , i fill it with stuff for the dump on a regular basis , the dog gets taken to the park in it , it can be parked anywhere with out worrying it is going to get vandalized and when the snow and ice comes it allows the 440 to hibernate and stay safe.

Would i choose to drive to London in it , no . Would i spend time keeping it in tip top condition , no. Would i spend £0.01 on modifying it , no. Would i be without it , no.

Horses for courses as they say.

Kenny

I have an old 2001 Ford Focus for tip runs, going metal detecting, and car parks I don't fancy leaving the F30 parked up on etc. Minimum money gets spent on that too, ...needed a new horn recently ..£7 on eBay thank you very much. It passed its MOT a few weeks ago, although it only just got through the emissions test by a whisker!

The Crazy thing is it's exempt from the ULEZ but my 2014 F30 330d isn't.

[Jimbob335DX]

I don't feel its spoilt per say, its more the reward for the effort. Now if I were to be just given a car, then that's spoilt. Whilst I agree that some like to give their kids things to encourage growth, and pay of uni loans etc, that's fine, but its spoilt. Anything I have now I earned, along side the wife, and we enjoy what we have, Some have 1.0 Clio's, some have minis etc etc It does feel like slumming it when I have to have a day in the impreza.
Its not worth a great amount, owned since new and it drives. Goes like stink when it wants and breaks down regularly, purely because its not used enough.




But I also see the point of the OP, I need to be greatful for what we have, and to understand what it would mean to not have them.

[nascot]

We've also got a 2 year old 1.0 75BHP Polo. It's great for going to shops etc. It's not even that bad on a motorway when up to speed. It's very well made and has a few toys. The lack of power bothers me bit then I can jump in my car to make me feel better!

[Techno 9000]

We have a 2001 A2 TDi. 1000kg of (mainly aluminium) fun. So narrow you can really position it for a bend, unlike the vast girth of a 4GC. 150 lb ft to get you out of junctions at a pace. 45mpg average, far from great but it's all on short journeys. Massive room in the back with the seats folded.

A great alternative car.

[RobUK]

My other half's S5 makes me appreciate the 340i every time I get back in it! Talk about suspension that manages to be both bone-crunchingly hard yet bouncy at the same time. (I'd never tell her that tho)

[Gromdal]

My missus has a 1.25l 75bhp 1998 Fiesta that we're running into the ground that was inherited from her grandparents - she won't let me drive it with her in as I treat it like Mario Kart around town. Bloody thing has one new exhaust and 3 tyres to replace perished old rubber (one tyre was the factory original going on not having a date on it) and £50 of welding in the 7 years she's had it. It's got a coolant leak somewhere so it gets topped up once a month with about 200ml but it's been the absolute cheapest car our household has ever seen and still only at 60k miles.

[mcoops]

I had to live with a VW Fox a while back. Objectively, an awful car. But...you had to engage your brain to get the most out of it, and being so basic in some ways I felt more connected to the car and the road. But still glad when I sold it on to a work colleague!

[goodbyalfa]

Originally Posted by Jimbob335DX

That's a very shiny MG hearse you have there!
Fancy giving my F36 a wipe over...?

[Jimbob335DX]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

That's a very shiny MG hearse you have there!
Fancy giving my F36 a wipe over...?

To be fair, its something I don't mind doing. Carlack Nano and New York Double coat Paste wax, make it an easy affair. I have done a few friends cars before, so if your anywhere near Doncaster, sure. (I do live by the adage if you don't ask, you don't get!)

[pdk42]

I've been away in South Africa on business this past week and rented a base Micra for the last weekend. Yeuk! There's basic and then there's the Micra. I'd be quite happy with a Golf or a base 1 series, but the Micra is several steps too far.