I'm not sure I'm gel'ing with Westy ownership

[Deako]

Well the advert is up. We shall see if I regret it. Thanks for all the opinions guys.

[Michael Whitworth]

Link?

[Deako]

The classifieds section: http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/107954-2010-westfield-mazda-sdv-1800-feeler/

[Kalli]

Well this will be a bit of science then!

 

I was reading your thread earlier today, and connected with alot of it. I've got myself a 2010 3.0l Z4 (all the creature comforts imaginable, and a good bit of performance), and a 2.0l Zetec Aeroscreen Westie. Since I was 20 (5 years ago), i've had a Porsche924S, 1l Corsa Life, Smart Roadster, VX220 Turbo and the above two. I'm always on Autotrader; and I too am 'finished' as soon as I decide to browse for a new car officially.

 

Since i've had the westie, a fair few teething issues have taken hold, such as needing to replace the alternator, oil filter leak, indicator failure, electric issues, a stupid woman in a car park not seeing me, and a practical girlfriend (i'm sure some will realise the impact having such a lady in my life). That and everyone saying i'm crazy for having it.

 

Every fibre in my body is saying I need to sell it before summer, before the price drops for winter and so on. However.... 3 months ago I was saying:

 

• I have never replaced an alternator before in my life.
• I have never wired a car before in my life.
• I have never done any major modifications to a car before.
• I have never bought parts online before for a car.
• I dont know the basic mechanical workings of a car before.
• I dont know how fragile each area of a car is, such as suspension and steering.
• I have never had such stares before in a car.
• I have never forgotten to put the oil cap back on, and gone for a drive....

 

Nowdays I can say yes to every one, and many more. Many lessons learnt for certain! The car makes me want to pull out my hair, and yes, the thought of throwing it on autotrader (or a ditch) has popped into my head. BUT; if I sold it, i'd want to keep tinkering....and I wont be able to tinker with the Z4. I'll go back to being a detailing and polishing OCD chap. I'll pop the bonnet, and stare at it, rather than fiddle. And i'll look to doing modifications that will cost 10x more.

 

What I have right now, is a toy to play with; a hobby. One that has its ups and downs, like any hobby; and comes with a great community and so on. I've yet to take it on the track, but some roads are absolutely amazing in it.

 

The day I sell this car, will be to fund a house. And currently, my life isnt there. Hope it isnt for a while longer, purely as an excuse to keep ol' red!

 

Hope this helps

 

T

[Dibby]

Sad to see her up for sale Deako, good luck finding something you enjoy a bit more. Open topped cars with no creature comforts are an acquired taste and not for everyone - as are motorbikes, (real) 4x4's, motorhomes ... any specialist vehicle.

 

 

Personally, I love it. I tried to combine fun and practicality into one car a few years back with an Alfa Romeo and it was a nightmare, spent too long in the garage, too expensive to keep fixing, it ate tyres and I had to rely on it to get to work and back every day. The boot space wasn't great and suspension was a bit hard for long journeys on our motorways so it wasn't 100% practical and didn't really cut the mustard for fun - it was a bit faster than a Golf but wasn't going to set the world alight. 

 

Divorcing fun from practicality was the best thing I've done. The daily drive is dull as dishwater but it's got 220k on the clock and hasn't failed an MOT yet, she starts first turn of the key every time and costs hardly anything to run. Big estate boot for the bike and camping kit and I'm not too precious about trolley dings in supermarket carparks. Whereas the Westie is the complete opposite. I'd be hard pushed to buy anything with 4 wheels that will outperform it for the money, it's completely impractical but the smile it puts on my face, the noise, the drama, the concentration, the raw power, the handling, the sunburn ... I love it. If it has to be off the road for repairs it's not the end of the world, I can still get to work in the lumbering estate.

[Deako]

Already have a daily. Brand new Skoda Yeti, which we changed from an A3 Black Edition last year. More boot room for dogs.

I still want open top for weekend fun, but something I can stick a weekend bag in.

[Dibby]

Wrap your toothbrush in a clean pair of pants and that's all a man needs for a weekend away. Perfect excuse to stop the Mrs bring the kitchen sink for a weekend away.

[tisme]

I've had my Westie for over 10 years now after I had to give up single seater racing (ill health) so no other car would come close to excitement than my Jedi, but the Westie appealed because at heart I love the mechanics and the ability to carefully upgrade or just "tinker" (which is why I probably have the lowest mileage 2002 Westie in the country). I have often thought of selling it but couldn't face any vehicle where I couldn't tinker with it - all new road cars are so packed full of expensive electronics I shudder to think what will happen to them in 10 or 20 years time when they're past their best and fall into the young drivers "first car" market. Where does that future experience come from about what makes a car tick and how to avoid being ripped off by so called "knowledgeable" garages?

 

The only other fun car I would like is surprisingly the the Cox GTM (or just GTM) which is now owned by Westfield but I'm not sure if they're ever going to restart production. I'm still having problems with my back so the Westie can be a PITA (literally) at times - I'm getting to that stage where a bit more space and proper wet weather gear (or the coupe version) would be best but I still want to tinker !!!

 

At the end of the day, you have to go with your heart and the only production sports car I'd go for now is the Jaguar F type (and a lottery win) 

 

Good luck in your quest though

 

 

[Stevo]

I've recently bought a 911 turbo (996) and it is an awesome car but probably too fast for the country lanes I like to carve up, the Westfield is much more fun on the twistys but sadly the weather is pretty rubbish most of the time (north east England) so for the one or two nice days of the year I'll be blatting in the Westie and for the others I'll be wafting along in Stuttgart's finest.