1. Realities of money (if so, who's... the firms, yours or the finance company)?

2. Attachment?

3. Time (too busy, too much hassle, stick with what you've got)?

4. The Jones's (keeping up with)

I just hate the whole process - haggling - feeling like you could have / should have got a better deal - so once I've got one I like, I tend to keep it until there is a good reason to change.

The end of a finance period might count as a good reason

Keep it until you get bored and want a new toy

I tend to keep mine until I get the new car itch, which I then scratch if I have a big enough pile of cash. I tend not to finance cars so there is never any pressure to change apart from my own wants.

I'm getting a Porsche itch at the moment but I don't think that I can tow the caravan with a 911...... So it maybe that swmbos car has to change, though I can't see her in either a 911 or a ffrr There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

Interesting question PLD and one I have been pondering, for me its an age thing, when younger I changed like the wind looking for the next exciting big thing and yes it had to conform to 'society'. As i have got older and hopefully wiser, it is there to do a job and still make you feel good. Hence why I still have a 12 year old FF as its main job is towing, doesnt do many miles and I enjoy it, would an extra 20/30 grand FF make me feel better, I doubt it I have bought Audi S6, RRS, SL etc during my FF ownership but got rid of them within 6 months. I can spend my depreciation money on toys !!

I forgot attachment I still have an old A4 and an S320 somewhere that are loaned out to family and I will wait till they die

I quite agree with the age thing. Now approaching 50 next Bday and the itch to change over recent years has decreased. Both SWMBO and I have never financed or borrowed for our cars and I think that has something to do with it - in otherwords we cant change until we can afford it. As you get older and perhaps have kids etc the purse strings are devoted elsewhere. Next windfall = next car change.

I also think if you have reliable FF which has been looked after and serves you well there is always that risk that the next one might be a bit more 'challenging' so I for one would rather keep it.

I did ask our friendly site sponsor Gary to value mine a week or so ago as SWMBO has taken a fancy to a Carrera 4S and my RRC would be more than capable of towing the tin tent. Garys kind valuation put the brakes on that idea!!!  405 AB exec seats Baltic and Cirrus
93 RR Classic efi

Remember it's easier to get forgiveness than permission!

Gone in order:
4.4 TDV8 SE - gone to a good home
93 Classic hard dash Plymouth Blue
03 L322 Oslo Blue
2000 Disco TD5 ES Epsom Green
98 P38 Rioja Red
89 Classic Cairngorm Brown

Ajac, I am of a simliar age to yourself, was driving Golf GTIs in the early 80s and the M3s that cost my annual salary back then but had to be done, now I couldnt give a F@@k and am MUCH happier

pld118 wrote:

1. Realities of money (if so, who's... the firms, yours or the finance company)?

2. Attachment?

3. Time (too busy, too much hassle, stick with what you've got)?

4. The Jones's (keeping up with)

1, Mine... Never had finance! Have always bought my own cars without

2, Yes? Sometimes BUT!!! Never if they are haemorrhaging money

3, Don’t know, never have any spare!

4, Never! Individuality has always been my bag

Last time I used finance was in the 1970s.
First FFRR seven months on still get the silly grin though have harnessed the power now.
Was a major change from Japanese import MPVs - getting in and out with knackered knees was my number 1 reason.
Nope the Jones keep up with me in 10 year plus car buying circles. I did buy a new car once never again spent more time going back to dealers that using it.

I would say 1 & 2, but after some consideration, I'd say it's more like 2 & 3. I'd also include investment in maintenance and modifications which kind of fits in with No. 2.

4 certainly doesn't come into it for me.  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

I think a variety of things.

My Aston, I bought new for cash. Still own it 6 years later. I like it and it suits me to a tee. I think it's the best looking car ever made.

I have quite often traded cars at or shortly after the three year mark. Gone out of manufacturer's warranty. A bit of boredom. A bit of wanting to upgrade to the latest model.

I also hate the process. Negotiating the deal is such a pain. I wish there were no discounts: the price is the price. And that the dealers paid a fair whack for my car (or one could trust them on consignment sales - take a commission on selling mine).

I was a serial "car flipper" until I got into FFRR ownership and from then on my buying pattern has changed entirely. maybe it's because I realise that to get something that gives me as much of the "feel good factor" would cost a significant wedge, I've settled into long term ownership.  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

I'm still a serial car flipper, although I'm trying to self medicate this life long burden, my FFRR Overfinch was the perfect car, just love the looks etc. but after 6 months it's days are looking numbered, partly because I hate haemorrhaging all my money over the the OPEC nations (4.2 SC) and partly because I really don't use my car much and I never carry passengers, tow anything, need it's size etc. in summer I ride my push bike the 20 miles or so to work and back as much as I can hence the lack of use, as for weekend driving my poor f430 spider rarely sees the outside of my garage, if it does it's because I've pushed it out of my garage on to my drive so I can see it when I take out the recycling or mow the lawn
I've started down the Tesla route, love the idea of zero fuel costs, test drove the model S and have a 3 on deposit, maybe that will be a keeper?

Life’s too short to worry about fuel consumption if you drive limited miles sir...

Just get the 430 out for a weeks use and you’ll soon love the FF again