Looking back, I pretty much spent every bit of free time wrenching on cars. First, daily driving the 911 through final years of university and first year of full time working with a 100 mile commute - had a bit of time, didn't have money, had to do all the work myself. Then I got a bit smarter and got a beater commuter - Mk2 VW's and E36 - didn't have time, had a little bit more money but still had to do all the work myself, now on 2 cars. I didn't appreciate it at the time, but my wife (then girlfriend) is an angel for not complaining too much.
Fast forward to 2012. Parked the 911 at my parents' garage and moved to the UK. First year - back in school, didn't need a car. Second year - bus wanker, didn't need a car. Third year - finally bought a car, well a van actually. A friend had converted a small van to a camper which we bought and drove all around France, Spain and Germany for 2 weeks. My priorities shifted. Travelling and driving in one - sounds great!
Still do a fair amount of work on my cars but mostly because I have to, not because it bring me any joy. The last car I bought is a 2005 Mini Cooper S, which actually reminds me a lot of the 911. Enjoy driving it, don't really enjoy working on it. In fact, I just don't enjoy lying under a car sitting in jack stands any more. Not having a garage space doesn't help either. My daily driver is a brand new A180d through company lease scheme. I only have to open the hood to refill the washer fluids. Love it. Does 50+MPG. Love it. Plenty fast for these roads and comfortable. That's just about all I want in a car nowadays. What the heck happened??
I'm very fortunate that I get to play with race cars at work, and I have zero desire left to dick with my own cars. Of course, some people at work like fast cars, and I can get a selection of AMG cars for a very good deal (for how much they retail), but I just don't see the point. Work mates always ask when I would ship my 911 over, which would cost less than buying a semi-beater car here. The thing is, I just don't miss it that much! I know, it's shameful. Sometimes I wish I was in it when I'm driving through a really nice Alps road or something, but then I remember it would cost a fortune in fuel just to get there, and we will suffer without the A/C the whole time.
2 years ago, I was supposed to get a Mercedes Marco Polo on the scheme and take it around Europe for 2 weeks. Sadly there was a recall pre-delivery which meant I couldn't collect the car in time for the trip. So I had to kit out the little van we had for taking bikes, etc. for a 2 week trip. I loved doing that, and of course we enjoyed the trip. On the way back, we saw a convoy of fast 911's, Lambos and McLarens waiting for the Chunnel. My wife and I agreed that, if we had half of that kind of cash to spend, we would buy a Marco Polo. Maybe one day I'll hit my mid life crisis and get back into a sports car. Until then, we can enjoy the journey AND the destination together in a slow van.
Kitting out the van:
Parked next to a Marco Polo (oh the irony):
