Having always enjoyed reading about people buying dumb cars I have just renewed my insurance on my current (and only) car, which is a 1991 Turbo R I bought just over 2 years ago.
Have always had fairly interesting daily’s which have included a V8 F type, Jag XJS, Silver Spirt ect. Other than the F Type which I bought new I have never lost money on a car, which I think offsets the sometimes large running costs.
For those that might be considering what appears to be a gamble my total running costs from 2 years are below as well as an overview of its use.
For reference I’m early 30s male, with zero points and 3 years no claims (had to restart after not having a car for a bit and just using motorbikes). Insurance is around £300 a year fully comp, with agreed value and Euro breakdown cover.
Car is mechanically solid and cosmetically acceptable, the ideal if you are going to daily it.
Kept outside, bought in Feb 24 with 141k miles. Now has 150k miles. Don’t need a car for work so social only around 5,000 miles a year.
Am fortunate to live very close to a small well priced classic specialist who understands these cars.
I have a good mechanical knowledge but don’t do any work myself.
Expenses as follows:
Feb 24 – Purchased for just under £4,000. Was advertised for £5,500.
Feb 24 – Post purchase inspection. New spark plugs x 8. £350
Feb 24 – AC failed. System isolated. Repair would have been more than price of car. Just use my windows now… still blows hot air from fan in winter. £130
June 24 – Drivers window motor and chain replaced. £350
July 24 – Replace antifreeze and flush system £300
Feb 25 – MOT £60
March 25 – General inspection £130
August 25 – Fluids and oil change service £550
Sept 25 – Replace rear suspension spheres inc labour £600
Oct 25 – Replace steering rack after failure, plus rent of another car for 1 month while parts arrive. Car unusable during this time. £2800
Feb 26 – MOT and couple of minor items £150.
Total maintenance £5,270. Probably £5,500 with a few small consumables I’ve lost receipts for.
Burns around 1 litre of engine oil per 1000 miles but this hasn’t got any worse since purchase. Appears to be a valve stem leak but repair for this is pointless and more than the price of the car.
Fuel averages about 12mpg combined driving so about 50p per mile on E5.
Total fuel cost around £2,500 / year for 5k miles.
Tax and insurance / mot £700 per year
Maintenance has averaged £2,750. Would be more if I did paint repairs.
Total running cost around £6,000 per year.
