First car was a 1965 Anglia, looked OK (just) and ran fine (it did have a 1500 engine in it) but I was offered a 1964 Anglia from a family friend (her father had died and had owned the car for 9 years) and whilst it looked a bit grim it was nothing a bit of tidying would sort. never let me down in the 9 months I owned it but did need an exhaust and a clutch, cost me about £25.

When I got my first pay cheque aged 18 (the age apprentices moved onto adult rates) I splashed out on a 1970 Herald. Way better than the Anglias but in truth only a stop gap to get me through the winter (doubted the Anglia would make it - the buyer proved that).

In spring I got a loan and bought a 1972 1 owner Viva 1800 SL. Decent enough, cost me an exhaust and tyres in 3 years but at 6 years old the tin worm was really showing through the wings, had to before needing work.

Dad was having a new car so bought his 1975 Avenger 1600. 1 owner, low miles and a total money pit. In 3 months it had a new petrol tank, new battery, new starter motor, new radiator, new head gasket, new tyres. What it did do was demonstrate that I could afford a new(er) car that would hopefully be reliable and cost free. At least i sold it for what I paid plus the parts to fix it.

Dropped on a 3 week old Spitfire with 11 miles on the clock. Owner had to sell since he had got a new job with a company car. Made him a stupid offer (which I did not expect him to accept but he did). Ran it for 2 years, cost me nothing other than petrol, tax and insurance. Lost about £100 in depreciation.

Decided that a 2 seater was not really a great daily driver so bought a new 1980 Escort 1600. Ran it for 4 years, cost me a clutch. After 50,000 miles it still had the original Michelin's on it.

With a bit more money in my pocket from overtime bought a new 1984 XR3i. Total tat, how did they get away with it. Kept it until I had paid for it (2 years) and was glad to see the back of it despite not spending a penny on it.

Bought my first Golf GTi in 1986, what a revelation. Excellent in every respect, 2 tyres were my only expenditure in 3 1/2 years. So good I bought another.

That was 1989 Golf GTi. Ran it for 7 1/2 years and 113,000 miles. That one towed the Caterham most summer weekends and as a result need a few sets of tyres and a diff rebuild but considering the abuse it had it was amazing. Last saw it in 2016, had just over 200,000 on the clock.

Since then the cars have got more boring, the only exception being the 1700 Puma I bought in 1999 and kept for 6 years with only 4 tyres needed. Great cross country car, a match for the Golf without doubt but not as practical. Its still on the road, must be rotten by now. That was replaced by a Mini Cooper S which we never really gelled with, the Puma was simply too good. Sold after 2 years with little loss.

[Edited]

Aug 2012: BMW 320d SE Touring.

Bought from my sister. (£2,500) Has been more reliable than I expected (too many scare stories from BMW forums). The Touring hasn't lacked for TLC from my sister or myself.

Oct 2001: SEAT Arosa.

Bought from a SEAT dealer (£3,995) An super-reliable car. I only sold it when (mid-life crisis age) I was offered the BMW @ family rates.

Apr 1994: Nissan Micra.

Bought from a dealer in Taunton to replace a rusting VW Beetle 1303 (£2995) E892 ...

Apr 1989: VW Beetle 1303.

Bought from a Manchester Evening News advert. This car was cute, but suffered from rust problems. Whilst serving a RAF Gatow a guy from the motor club offered to replace rust panels and give it a respray. After parting with DM4,000 the car left the motor club looking mint. It had minimum rust proofing underneath, hence me eventually getting rid of it.

Whilst in Taunton (1994) I paid £300 to treat rusting near-side front suspension. A few months later the off-side front suspension was suffering the same fate and I didn't want to fork-out another £300 to tackle it.

Jul 1987: Toyota Starlet. (£CYP 2995)

Bought from a Toyota dealer in Limassol (after being strong-armed by a RAF Warrant Officer, who would only sign-off car purchase forms for single guys from the particular dealer. He was given a free car when he left the island).

After rear-ending a fruit truck, I had the car fixed and then sold it. Truck had no brake lights and was dripping fruit from the overloaded crates of grapes.

1985: VW Beetle 1300.

Bought from a Manchester Evening News advert: Rusted a lot and wouldn't start in damp weather.

1981: Hillman Imp: (£200)

Bought from a mechanic (Ex-school pal) It got me around, including a Manchester > London trip with 4 passengers. Kept if for about 12 months.

Edited by De Sisti on 21/11/2023 at 19:16

The Puma was a great little car, a work colleague had one from almost new but even at six years old it was looking a bit scabby. I can't remember the last time I saw one, there can't be any left that haven't been extensively welded.

I've generally had old cars as either my work provided me with one or I could walk. I've had old Golfs and Polos, the first virtually new car was a 2004 Megane diesel which was really nice although that wasn't hard compared to what came before it. I then got the current Focus in 2008 initially as a temporary car but I just kept it. It's not an exciting car but it just works giving no grief. I have promised myself something a bit special when I retire hopefully in June but when I mention leaving I get incentivised to stay so I may as well milk that for a bit longer...

Last examples of the run out models has been the habit for some 57 years. Trailing edge technology is a sound buy in many cases.

Good advice. Our 'last of the line' model, a 2019 Peugeot 2008 1.2 puretech130 EAT6 Allure Premium is now 4yrs old, their early engine problems resolved. Cost £17,000, well below 'list' as they were trying to shift them before the new shape 2008 appeared.

Keep hold of a good car when you have one......... I have had some 40+ new cars in the 57 years......

Probably high miler 'company cars'. I shudder to think of the cumulative depreciation cost! For a low miler private buyer, good used cars to keep hold of make more sense. Since 1980 I have bought only four used cars for myself, (TR7, Audis 100, A6 and A8). Total cost <£28,000. I still have two of them and have no plans to replace either.