dee
Well-known
At 68, my last car must-well-last !
My 14 year old Alfa Romeo 147 has wide doors, a small rear window etc and is totally unsuitable for future decrepitude ...
I also smile when I look out and see it on the drive .
A Fiat Pand is a sensible size , upright with 4 narrow doors and eminently suitable for future ... whatever.
By contrast , a VW Beetle latest version ,in silver is reminiscent of a Porche , has wide doors , and even smaller rear window and little space in the back.
The Fiat would remind me of my situation .
I would smile when I look out to the wannabe Porsche on the drive .
Should common sense rule ?
dee
My 14 year old Alfa Romeo 147 has wide doors, a small rear window etc and is totally unsuitable for future decrepitude ...
I also smile when I look out and see it on the drive .
A Fiat Pand is a sensible size , upright with 4 narrow doors and eminently suitable for future ... whatever.
By contrast , a VW Beetle latest version ,in silver is reminiscent of a Porche , has wide doors , and even smaller rear window and little space in the back.
The Fiat would remind me of my situation .
I would smile when I look out to the wannabe Porsche on the drive .
Should common sense rule ?
dee
rscheffler
Well-known
How about a Range Rover Evoque? You get the higher driving position and four doors while keeping the small rear window. 
I say get something you like. If you've got the money, you can't take it with you once you pass from this plane of existence.
While I'm over 20 years from your situation, I find myself at a 'car crossroads' at the moment too. My 11-y-o Audi A4 is in for some significant engine work and routine timing belt change... For the last couple years, it seems every 6 months or so, a relatively significant repair has popped up. Fuel pump, wheel bearing, engine thermostat and now a coolant leak into one of the cylinders. It looks like a head gasket problem, with the hope that it didn't overheat enough to warp the head. $$$$ Meanwhile I rented a Japanese compact. It was alright, and that's what I had before the A4. But it wasn't much fun to drive. It had no pickup, no road presence. But practicality would say, get something reliable and economical. Or maybe just sign up for a carshare program, since I don't need to drive everyday to a 9-5 type job. The illogical side argues that if I'm going to spend the money on a boring car, then I should spend a bit more on something nicer, digging myself even deeper into the car ownership money pit...
Hmm, this is sounding kind of similar to digital Leica M ownership....
I say get something you like. If you've got the money, you can't take it with you once you pass from this plane of existence.
While I'm over 20 years from your situation, I find myself at a 'car crossroads' at the moment too. My 11-y-o Audi A4 is in for some significant engine work and routine timing belt change... For the last couple years, it seems every 6 months or so, a relatively significant repair has popped up. Fuel pump, wheel bearing, engine thermostat and now a coolant leak into one of the cylinders. It looks like a head gasket problem, with the hope that it didn't overheat enough to warp the head. $$$$ Meanwhile I rented a Japanese compact. It was alright, and that's what I had before the A4. But it wasn't much fun to drive. It had no pickup, no road presence. But practicality would say, get something reliable and economical. Or maybe just sign up for a carshare program, since I don't need to drive everyday to a 9-5 type job. The illogical side argues that if I'm going to spend the money on a boring car, then I should spend a bit more on something nicer, digging myself even deeper into the car ownership money pit...
Hmm, this is sounding kind of similar to digital Leica M ownership....
jesse1dog
Light Catcher
Got a 10 year old Skoda Octavia which is getting older like me. And the driving position seems a bit lower than when I bought it! But it goes well, does very little mileage, and still seems reliable. Still looking to the future perhaps I should be buying my last car. Quite fancy one of those Suzuki SX4 Cross, and the dealer is relatively close, 18 miles!
But now I'm waiting for a windscreen repair - looks as if I was shot at! So I guess I'll wait a bit longer before I replace.
I recognise the poster dilemma!
j
But now I'm waiting for a windscreen repair - looks as if I was shot at! So I guess I'll wait a bit longer before I replace.
I recognise the poster dilemma!
j
dee
Well-known
= beggar Common sense !!
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
If it has to last, then something like a Toyota makes sense. Though it might not thrill you, style-wise.
~Joe
~Joe
sc_rufctr
Leica nuts
My daily is a 94 VVW Golf (VR6)... Yes that's right 21 years old and still going strong.
The biggest issue I have is what to replace it with. Apparently newer Golfs have issue.
Maybe Audi but they've had bad reports online as well.
It seems Toyota would be the most sensible option but I really don't want an appliance car.
Maybe an older Mk4/Mk5 Golf? (full tradition manual)
The biggest issue I have is what to replace it with. Apparently newer Golfs have issue.
Maybe Audi but they've had bad reports online as well.
It seems Toyota would be the most sensible option but I really don't want an appliance car.
Maybe an older Mk4/Mk5 Golf? (full tradition manual)
MikeWebb
Established
Unless we are all spectacularly old I suspect our last cars will either be all electric or hybrid. So, I think 'last car' might be a misnomer.
FWIW I am going to have to get a car in the next couple of years to replace my ageing Rover 75 diesel which has been a lovely car but at some point will be an uneconomic repair. At the moment a Jaguar X or S Type looks good, I can never recall which it is X or S but it's diesel, rather unloved and hence you get a lot of car for your money.
Find an unloved semi luxury car that has taken a huge depreciation hit, that's my plan. But I try and avoid the ones with all the electric toys as they'll just break (and of course this makes the actual car even less desirable to others).
The Octavia is very popular and hence was more expensive than the Rover when I was buying.
FWIW I am going to have to get a car in the next couple of years to replace my ageing Rover 75 diesel which has been a lovely car but at some point will be an uneconomic repair. At the moment a Jaguar X or S Type looks good, I can never recall which it is X or S but it's diesel, rather unloved and hence you get a lot of car for your money.
Find an unloved semi luxury car that has taken a huge depreciation hit, that's my plan. But I try and avoid the ones with all the electric toys as they'll just break (and of course this makes the actual car even less desirable to others).
The Octavia is very popular and hence was more expensive than the Rover when I was buying.