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This is a question Waste of money

I once paid a small fortune to a solicitor in a legal case. She got lost on the way to court, turned up late with the wrong papers and started an argument with the judge, who told her to "shut up, for the love of God". A stunning investment.

Thanks to golddust for the suggestion

(, Thu 30 Sep 2010, 12:45)
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Unsuitable motor
My weakness is definitely cars. I've been driving 14 years but have had around 26 cars in that time! Everytime I tell myself I'm gonna buy a nice one suitable for my circumstances, which then promptly change.

Take for example 5 years ago when I was commuting into outer London from Milton Keynes. Every day I'd spend 1 1/2 - 2 hours in stop start traffic. My average speed for the journey was about 8mph! Clearly the aging tuned up VW corrado I drove wasn't up to it anymore and the engine went bang when it overheated in stationary traffic.
So I decided it was time for a "sensible" car. I took my savings and spent £5k on a 20v petrol VW passat, crucially with an automatic gearbox. Sure the salesman tried to talk me into a Diesel one but I was having none of it. Now the stop start traffic would be of no concern but I'd have a bit of power for the occasional quick bit!

Barely 3 months later and I'm relocating to Devon. Sure I've still got a 35 mile motorway commute to work but the traffic is non existent! Seriously my average speed now is 70mph (honest officer). The brilliant choice of automatic and petrol means I'm getting just over 20mpg but earning less too. So the car's gotta go as I can't afford to run it. This is where I learn about regional demand, in that in Devon nobody wants a petrol automatic car, everybody here drives diesels. I eventually got £2200 for it.

Repeat this same sequence a few more times with a Vauxhall Meriva (awful car) when we had a baby, a campervan just before we split up etc etc.

Yeah I love cars, but I make terrible choices about which ones to buy. Currently saving for an Audi A4 convertible!
(, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 11:46, 5 replies)
I have been driving for 16 years
I'm on my second car
(, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 12:01, closed)
I've been driving for too long
I don't even own a car now.
Take my advice - get a motorbike.
(, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 12:20, closed)
Driving 25 years... on car number 15
I've spent fortunes on cars, usually trading up just after a pay rise so I never really see the benefit of my increased wage.

I tend to alternate between cars that suit my self-image, but are too expensive to run, and sensible cars that are too boring to keep for long.

I'm now under orders from she who must be obeyed that I have to keep my current car until an expensive swathe of upgrades to the house are completed.
(, Fri 1 Oct 2010, 22:26, closed)
Suck it up...
and buy a Diesel. I had a Passat TDi 130 and fucking loved it. I bought it with 122k on the clock and it drove like new and pulled like a train. Totally turned me on to them, I might just get a Beemer 330d or 530d next. No more petrol cars.
I would really like an Audi R8 if the finances will ever allow (never) and there's talk of a Diesel version. Result!!
(, Sun 3 Oct 2010, 20:48, closed)
there is an R8 diesel version already...

(, Tue 5 Oct 2010, 11:56, closed)

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