Do we really need a third car?

[TitanTim]

Put the sensible hat on a flog the Zed for something more practicable, you said youself the Zed is being used less and more likely so with an alrounder car. You just need to ask yourself if you can stomach the cost of a car sitting on the drive doing nothing, sounds from what you have said it would bother you. Personally it doesn't bother me, Z3 gets used between Nov to March and the Z4 the rest of the year, I don't think of the costs of an idle car, if I did I would only have one.

Tim.

 

[Maniac]

Being sensible can also be quite boring tho!?

 

[sars]

Being sensible can also be quite boring tho!?

To true, stop messing around and get a 911, dog can sit in the back

 

[Anonymous]

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[Maniac]

Being sensible can also be quite boring tho!?

To true, stop messing around and get a 911, dog can sit in the back

A 2nd hand 911 is ok by me but I read a lot about servicing costs being mental and reliability being poor..

 

[gov]

We have a Fiesta , VW Campervan and the zed and it's just the 2 of us. As I'm retired we use the Fiesta as the DD and I use the VW on the odd occasions my wife needs to use the Fiesta and I want to go somewhere else at the same time. I hardly take the zed out at this time of the year so it remains under cover in the garage - have thought about selling it but on a sunny day I take the covers off and it looks so stunning I can't bring myself to part with it - the difference is though mine is nearly 10 years old so keeping it is not really costing me much at all in depreciation. The vw has classic insurance and has an a agreed valuation that is more than I paid for it 7 years ago so no depreciation on that either.

I can see where you're coming from though - the comfort of a new bigger car would make you think twice about taking the zed out more and you could end up using it even less. The sensible ( though painful ) thing would be to accept the loss on your zed ( you're no worse off than any other owner who bought a new E89 ) and move on .

As for Fords I'm a big fan - we bought our Fiesta new in 2004 and it's never missed a beat - far better quality than many other brands - cheap to buy and cheap to run and IMO look good . If I did ever sell my zed I would be looking to get a diesel 2007 onwards Focus or Mondeo - great reviews on both and 50 plus mpg.

 

[TitanTim]

Being sensible can also be quite boring tho!?

Mr Indecisive

How about a Polo 1.2 tsi R Line, nice interior quality, decently roomy and sensible running costs. Its on my shopping list, just a tad dull to look at.

http://engagesportmode.com/2013/03/24/vw-polo-r-line-1000-mile-review/

As for a Porsche, the pooch would leave home in protest.

Tim.

 

[Talksthetorque]

Get a Dog harness and a seatbelt strap from Pets at Home.
Ours are fine once they realise they're restricted to the seat with the bed on it.

 

[TitanTim]

You could get some RED seat covers for the Zed and we can all take the p*ss Functional and stylish

Tim.

 

[sars]

Being sensible can also be quite boring tho!?

To true, stop messing around and get a 911, dog can sit in the back

A 2nd hand 911 is ok by me but I read a lot about servicing costs being mental and reliability being poor..

Yes but at least it won't rattle or creak, well probably

 

[nightyard]

I haven't bothered to read the whole thread as I don't have the time but ,I say its a bad idea to get a 3rd car.
what is the point, enjoy the zed whilst you have it.

I know you don't want to get your car damaged in any way but just cover up the passenger seat and the interior at risk when you put the dog in the car... surely the cost of any damage to the interior couldn't exceed the cost of a 3rd car :?


you could even attach some velcro to the dashboard and to a sheet or something to cover your entire dashboard on the passenger side when the dog is in there along with the seat.. I don't know how far you want to take it!

 

[TitanTim]

I haven't bothered to read the whole thread as I don't have the time but ,I say its a bad idea to get a 3rd car.
what is the point, enjoy the zed whilst you have it.

I know you don't want to get your car damaged in any way but just cover up the passenger seat and the interior at risk when you put the dog in the car... surely the cost of any damage to the interior couldn't exceed the cost of a 3rd car :?


you could even attach some velcro to the dashboard and to a sheet or something to cover your entire dashboard on the passenger side when the dog is in there along with the seat.. I don't know how far you want to take it!

This, probably the most sensible solution, plus a harness will keep the dog in place as you shouldn't have a loose dog in the car anyways unless caged in the back and with a decen't washable seat cover that takes a second to put on/off I don't see any damage occuring. All cheaper than buying another car.

Tim.

 

[GreyZed]

Of course not, but do you want one?

Plus if you don't get a third car how will you ever buy your fourth?

 

[original guvnor]

I did as GBG did, and bought a cheap runaround. In my case it wasn't a new car, quite the opposite - it was my dear mothers Honda Civic which she had worn out covering 19k miles in 11 years. I've now increased the mileage to 55k and its cheap to run, quite fun to drive, practical, everyone lets you out of junctions and is generally nice to you. A bit of a revelation really. I quite like driving it because you get to see who has a snobbery issue too when you turn up somewhere in it! When it gets too old to be reliable I will swap it for a nearly new ex-demo hatch of some description. I'm building up a separate NCD on it because I found it cheaper after the 1st year to have two separate policies. Since I've owned it my mileage in the M has dropped to 3k a year and every time I drive it now is an occasion for me.

I'd say buy the 3rd car Maniac. You love that Z so keep it nice for the weekends, the track days and the Forum runs!

 

[markeg]

Another vote for a cheap third car - have a Saab Diesel estate for the crap jobs - carrying DIY gear, trips to the dumps, transporting two large Labradors (especially useful for trips to the beach). Had the car for 6 years, great little runner, still does 40+ mpg! will keep it until it falls apart/rots then replace it with something similar.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

I have three cars. I've had my Westfield for years and it gets used only for trackdays and occasional summer Sunday afternoon drives. My ///M is for evenings and weekends, trackdays, road trips and for commuting when I can't resist driving it. I bought an E46 320d in 2010 when I moved to a hospital a long way from home. It's comfortable and cheap to run (50mpg), and fun to drive at legal speeds. It's actually quite quick if you keep the turbo spinning (8.5 sec to 60; 135mph). I can drive and park it anywhere and I don't worry about it when I walk away. That said, I wouldn't let a dog anywhere near any of my cars
If I were you, I'd buy a reliable second hand car and keep the Zed - how about an E46 330d M Sport Touring?

 

[Carol M]

We have three cars. Well, I have two and Mr M has his.
I have a Freelander or more affectionately known as, 'the bus'.
It's all relative. If you have a telly in your spare room it may not get used all the time but it's there if needed.
If you can afford a third car and it's not an inconvenience and makes your life easier then get one.
On the whole we are used to just having one car so it seems unnecessary and extravagant to get another but if you want to and it will make your life easier or if it pleases you then get one. Simples!

 

[Maniac]

As much as I'd like to get a single nice car that's more practical, I can't see anything I fancy for less than 35K and that means a cost to change of 18K ish. A new focus or similar I can get for sub 12K or a second hand 4K or less option. Having said that, I'll have two running costs and insurance in Manchester is very expensive which over a few years will mount up considerably. Still a tough one. I do like the idea perhaps of a second hand project car so long as its something I really like, that could be used daily. I think the key here is justification and the money element will seem less of an issue if I get a car that interests me.

 

[markeg]

I have a Freelander or more affectionately known as, 'the bus'.

:lol: ours is known as "the shed"

 

[Sketchley]

As much as I'd like to get a single nice car that's more practical, I can't see anything I fancy for less than 35K and that means a cost to change of 18K ish. A new focus or similar I can get for sub 12K or a second hand 4K or less option. Having said that, I'll have two running costs and insurance in Manchester is very expensive which over a few years will mount up considerably. Still a tough one. I do like the idea perhaps of a second hand project car so long as its something I really like, that could be used daily. I think the key here is justification and the money element will seem less of an issue if I get a car that interests me.

Seriously have you looked at ZipCar as an option? You can take pets in them with a pet carrier. It's pay as you go, insurance, tax, fuel etc all included. Only issue is if you have a ZipCar parking spot near you or not. Has to be the cheaper option and it does mean you don't own a third car?