Why did you buy a European expensive car ?
Why Did You Buy a European Expensive Car ? [POLL]
vroomkroom on 12/06/2020 - 08:31
Poll Options
- 58I love to drive
- 8I am brand conscious
- 6Peer pressure
- 4Lease on business account ( accountant advise )
Comments
How is this not one of the poll options?
Quality is also missing from poll.
We'd been disappointed by 3 holden vehicles in a row, then bought a 320d and were really impressed by the difference: the alternator worked, the interior wasn't falling apart… I can't remember all the problems we had.
As for costs, it's a myth. I had car serviced at Midas at a very reasonable rate, and it didn't need repairs….
…until ~10yo, then electronics did start failing and that was expensive.
If they gave a 7 year warranty I'd definitely have got the BMW SUV, but went with Kia Sorento instead… and it's been really good too.So maybe I didn't have to go European, just avoid Holden??
Well, some Holdens were Europeans, and some other are Mexican or Korean… It is not the nationality it is the brand… GM
The other day was wondering why people buy expensive cars, whinge about maintenance cost and almost regret their decision. Personally, I love to drive and have owned small performance euro hatch in the past but the cost of maintenance changed my perception after three years of owning. Currently have a Japanese car, takes me from A to B in relative comfort and very happy when it comes to maintenance cost.
As with anything, you're hearing the people who have problems.
Lots of us around who have these sort of cars, love them, and don't have an issue/understand costs associated.
(BTW - almost universally costs are far, far lower if you find a good mechanic!)
Can please you provide us with a summary of your costs for the last 2 years and compare this to a summary of your cost of owning a Japanese car for 2 years?
I've got no idea why that is relevant to this discussion? I don't own a Japanese car (I do have a Korean one though), and there is not much difference between my Euro cars and my Korean car - which are serviced at the same mechanic.
As I said, find a good third party mechanic and your costs will almost always be lower - regardless of if you have a Japanese, Korean, or Euro car.
@MynyMouqe: Today, I will pay $1700 for 105K Km service on my little VW polo. And that's not from the dealer, but another local mechanic. Dealer would have been another $500 easy.
Its just that parts are expensive if you want good ones (not genuine), and these cars are labour intensive.almost universally costs are far, far lower if you find a good mechanic
I've got no idea why that is relevant to this discussion?
You are saying the costs are lower, how did you come to that conclusion if you didn't compare the cost?
@TheBilly: I think you're missing the point.
The cost of a service is nearly always cheaper at a good mechanic than the dealership.
I remember the average (Bi-Annual service) was about $600 (Average) and my Japanese car was $300 (Average | Bi-annual). Both at the same time and at the respective dealership. BTW both my jap cars have now moved to annual service which still hovers around $330 last few years. Even though I love to drive have very little knowledge to service the car my self and rely on dealers. In the past, independent mechanics have taken me for a ride and I somehow prefer a dealership to independents. Overall, my expectations for a car are very minimal and one day I would like to think I can live in this country without owning a car comfortably.
But I didn't.
Was also looking for this option.
Why does it have to be expensive? Mines worth $12,000
is that before or after maintenance costs?
no, that is the maintenance cost.
you forgot the word "monthly"
That is the price I can sell it for.
Missing poll options:
[ ] To show off, impress others with my wealth.
[ ] To feel better about myself, enhance my self esteem.[ ] Because all the other soccer moms have one.
[ ] Because I don't like to use indicators.
Fake wealth, I bet a lot of them are upside down on their massive car loans
Only if it is almost new 50% off new price and the savings you can put into cost of servicing and maintenance. I did buy a 1 year old car for 40% off new price, low kilometres. The savings is enough for 20 years of servicing. It is also fuel efficient niche model.
I'd look long and hard at buying European car. People might talk, hurt your pride for driving a Japanese or Korean car but the real loss in quality of life with money no longer in your pocket is real and tangible.
Your last sentence is interesting. For me having a boring car is a big impact on quality of life.
It really depends on the situation. For me to drive to work takes the same 35 minutes as riding a commuter bike but I would much rather ride my bike but some people would prefer their car.
Because I got a good deal, and yes after maintenance and other costs, it ended up being cheaper (and nicer to drive).
So I am currently tossing up buying a demo/1 year old golf r, and my reasoning is as follows.
I genuinely enjoy driving and have a strong love of cars. I would say it's almost up there with hobby status
My most recent car purchase, I ended up ignoring my desire for a hot hatch, and instead went a new mazda 3 Astina. Ended up selling it after a year due to a combination of it being a nice, but ultimately quite boring car, and the car developing issues after only a few months, with Mazda Australia being a complete pain to deal with. Never again.
It's something that is not a straight forward purchase, as from a purely financial purchase you are right, European is usually more expensive in the long run than Japanese or Korean. However, in my case I think it will always be a "What if" until I bite the bullet and do it.
If it makes you happy go for it but don't drive like a knob. I wouldn't keep it for more than five years though.
Agree on the 5 years peice. Looking at an MY19.5 or up which come with the 5 year warranty standard.
Golf's are incredibly boring and dime a dozen. Megane RS or 308 GTi way more fun and unique IMO..
Depreciation on the models you mentioned are far worse than a Golf R.
I'm much happier in life with a cheap Japanese car as long as it gets me from A to B safely and reliably. The benefits are massive.
- Bird poops on car, who cares
- Kids make a mess, who cares
- Depreciation, who cares
- Cheap maintenance ($50 for oil and filter)
- Cheap insurance
- Park anywhere and in the smallest spaces without the worry of dents
- Never spend your weekend washing or waxing it
Then you have people loaded with money that have exactly the same attitude towards life but with a nicer car
Define expensive. I am picking up a $60k "Euro" car (made in Mexico) today that was bought through business (not leased as you don't get instant tax write off that way). We needed a larger car for business and image is something that's important in business (which is BS but that's how it is unfortunately).
Though I am still keeping my Fiesta ST which I love.
Yes, not all "Euro" cars are made in Europe.
And not all "Euro" cars are expensive.My Fiesta St is more Euro than the Euro car I'm getting today. Made in Germany.
11 years ago I bought a new Euro car - Renault Megane sedan.
It wasn't expensive but scored it for $20,000. I think it must've been some kind of sales coz they were typically around $26,000.I still have it as my daily drive. Never missed a beat, very dependable and reliable, cheap to run (and yes cheap to service too - I also spend around $50 on oil & filter & change it myself).
When I need something major done, like timing belts etc I go to an expert Renault mechanic who is no more expensive than any other mechanic. The parts don't seem to be too much more expensive either than Jap cars.
The Megane has been an excellent buy, an excellent car, a fun drive, and I'd buy a Renault again based on my experience.
I have Kia Pro_ceed GT, its made in Slovakia, its expensive for a Kia, do I count?
How about new Commodore and Ford owners? Do they count?
Nvm.
Too controversial.
Cause they have the money to do it?
I've heard this a lot but I still don't understand how euros are expensive to maintain. Though servicing cost of Japanese might be less, they need a service every 6 months. Most euros need service only once a year, some even once in two years so it evens out. I agree the spares may cost slightly higher but it's not like you need them everyday. I tend to sell and replace my car once it's around 5 to 6 years old so may be that's the reason I've not seen huge bills.
I personally love the drive of euros. Very comfortable and smooth to drive and needles to say the quality of interiors. My wife drives a Japanese car and I hate to drive it. Theres something about japanese cars that I hate (throttle response) which i have felt in most Japanese I've driven (Toyota, Subaru, etc). I don't think I'll get another Japanese for me and probably replace my wife's car with euro too when it's time to replace.
An increasing number of new Japanese makes have already moved to annual servicing.
Re: driving feel and response - as @Spackbace would say - I would humbly suggest you try a TNGA-platformed Toyota/Lexus first e.g. a current shape Corolla hatch (especially in manual), before dissing and walking away from all Japanese makes completely.
Thanks for the suggestion, will definately give this a go.
Edit: Just reading about TNGA now. Looks interesting.
Where's the "Because I have no dick " option?
How about girls?
Well, girls who drive Beemer M4 Convertibles def have more fun than those who drive Toyota Corollas.
LOL
"European" brands made in … anywhere else but Europe!!MG from China, VW from South Africa, Audi from somewhere in Asia …
Tell them they are dreaming!!!!
LOL
I think some enjoy the luxury + performance. If I'm rich I'd buy a M2 competition or something. The Germans are good at what they do.
Would you consider the new Supra Euro????I know it is very hard to define 'expensive' but for me its like a sedan which cost like brand new 100K+ AUD. How this started - A colleague at work got her self a RS 4 Avant TFSI quattro triotonic end of 2019 ( approx $160K ). Now with this WFH situation, she has not driven the car for nearly three months and considers selling it. Few of them asked her what made her buy such an expensive car and she has no answer other than AUDI being her fav brand. Needless to say she is on big coins and maybe its not expensive enough for her!!
RS4 is an epic car. If she loves driving, she would love this thing. I think maybe the salesman talked her into buying it as the best Audi (being RS) she could afford at the time and she has no clue but just want to drop some money. I'm sure who ever buys it off her would get a pretty good deal.
Send me the deets if she's actually selling?
Most recent car purchase was my wifes - a VW Passat Wagon.
Went euro mostly due to safety. The other models in that mid to large wagon were all missing a lot of safety features i wanted that the Passat had (the big one, reversing AEB). Also i love turbocharged cars. Its not super fast but i just prefer the power delivery/torque vs having something like a Mazda 6 with the 2.5 atmo.
In theory VW servicing is expensive, but in the last 4 years we haven't really copped much depreciation as we bargained hard upfront and took a car that had been sitting in their storage for 9 months. Paid $32k and could probably sell it for ~$25k which IMO for a brand new car is pretty good.
I am guessing the Mazda 6 turbo petrol was not available when you purchased the Passat?
I recently purchased a used Audi A5 MY2010 with 50K on the clock for $24k. Some of the thinking behind my purchase:
1) I needed a vehicle with good fuel economy due to my commute and the A5 is 6.6L/100Kms
2) I have always loved the Audi styling/body shapes since I was a kid
3) I wanted an all-wheel-drive as I think they are safer and have better handling
4) I wanted something with a lot of torque
5) I had never owned a Euro before and wanted to experience the difference
6) I wanted to see if Euro vehicles were indeed more expensive to run, I figured the only way to find out, was to own one.
7) My local mechanic is a Euro specialist. He charges the same rates as any other car. He has a solid network from which to source parts and materials.
8) I am financially secure enough to not worry too much about any surprises. If I encounter a show stopping cost, I'll sell it.
9) It holds value better than other cars of the same age and class.
10) I have a very small penis :)I have had it for 3 months now and my findings so far:
1) Each time I get out of the car, I look back and admire it. This is a joy.
2) Being a diesel and with the 6.6L/100Kms fuel economy it has been cheap to run.
3) Major service done for $700, $100 more than my other jap car.
4) It drives like a dream. I thoroughly enjoy driving it and take every opportunity to do so.
5) The quality of the build, the materials etc. are noticeably better than other non-euro cars I've owned.We'll see what the future holds for it but worst case scenario, I'll just sell it.
I've got the same car - is it a 3.0 TDI?
Make sure that you get the DSG serviced at 60k km - mechatronics repair is way more expensive if you skip the service especially with the earlier models. Engine swirl flaps can also be problematic and throw a check engine light once they get clogged up with carbon and can't move - they were removed in the facelift/relocated to the EGR. Front control arm bushings can wear out easy too in these models but besides that a pretty solid car.
Yep, 3.0 TDI. I don't plan to ever skip a service, but I'll mention those items when I speak to my mechanic, thanks. I love it so far. high five
Not yet but am waiting for the new RS3 to come out before deciding if I want to get the A/CLA 45s AMG.
Why? Coz I want the luxury, look, quality and fast car experience. It would be my new daily car with free servicing, warranty, and roadside assist for 5 years so no need to worry about maintenance.
Been driving Honda for 9 years now and clocked up 125k already. Yet, still a very reliable car and working perfectly fine.
High Yield Investment