Too good to drive?

[Belfry]

5 years ago I fulfilled a dream and bought a perfect RHD Merak SS with the Bora dash. At the time it was known as the "Aston Workshop Merak" as the craftsmen from the team at Aston Workshop near Durham carried out a full nut and bolt/bare metal restoration with receipts for £130,000. The mileage then was something like 26,000. It is now about 28,000 miles.

The Merak sits in it's pressurised Carcoon and only gets used 10 times a year. The problem that I have is that the car is just too good for me to use. It is so special that I almost feel guilty taking to the shops for a pint of milk.

I am lucky to have some other lovely things in the garage to use, but I wondered if anyone else feels like this about certain cars? I have a 100,000 mile RUF 930 turbo that is a little untidy and I have no issue using this regularly. Am I mad or can any of you empathise?

 

[CatmanV2]

Holy ****, that looks awesome. Pretty sure that none of my experience allows me to make relevant comment other than 'You do you.'

C

 

[Oneball]

No, don’t feel like that about any car I’ve owned but each to their own. It’s your car do what you feel comfortable with.

I’ve completely restored 3 cars, full ground up restorations. Actually 4 as one of them I’ve done twice. All have got used properly. Some might have even been crashed more than once. My opinion is it’s been restored once it can be done again.

 

[Fubar]

Youve absolutely hit the nail on the head for me. Ive been looking to buy my childhood dream car, an SS, but a ‘cheap’ one terrifies me and I've been having exactly the same thoughts as you about buying a really good one. I dont want a car I'm fearful of driving because it might get scratched, or lose value.

 

[Motorsport3]

I am on the camp that would feel more guilty for not driving it if im honest. I would be careful but use it nonetheless. If I wasn't getting a kick out of the whole process I would sell it and find something that it does.

 

[Scaf]

Some of the most valuable cars in the world are raced to within an inch of their lives on race tracks around the world.

I do not have a car in the +£100k bracket but have had some top end examples of lesser value cars, they have always been used and enjoyed.

On retirement in 4 years I have every hope of buying a DB6 and will use it as it was intended.

 

[Ewan]

I doubt anyone uses a Merak more than 1000 miles per year. Most are lucky to get there Meraks capable of making it to the shops for a pint of milk, let alone back again! If you are using yours ten times a year, you‘re doing well, and please keep it up.

 

[general_piffle]

I totally hear where you're coming from. My small collection is modest in comparison, an extremely clean 1996 Ghibli GT with about 23,000 miles on the clock, a 1996 supercharged 4 litre Jaguar XJR6 (about 29,000 miles) and an Alfa Romeo GTV 916 24v 3.0 V6 Busso from 1999 with about 19,000 miles.

They're all cosseted in cocoons and are driven a handful of times a year, ideally in good weather. But, due to recent events I'm completely changing my attitude towards them. Unfortunately, my father was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year and is currently nearing the end. He's also a petrol-head and we've always shared a passion for cars. So, now I've realised that I don't want to waste opportunities to use my cars and I'm incredibly fortunate to have them.

The Jag is going to become my daily driver, no longer wrapped in cotton wool, I'm going to enjoy it. The same for the Ghibli and the GTV, even though they'll still be Sunday drivers I'm determined to use them more. It sounds cliched but life really is short. Where something like a car is concerned (no matter its value, it's still just a car) I'd say better to enjoy what you have today.

 

[Belfry]

Sadly it feels like it’s time to let the Merak go to a better home where it’ll be used and enjoyed more.

 

[Phil H]

Sadly it feels like it’s time to let the Merak go to a better home where it’ll be used and enjoyed more.

If you feel guilty to drive it but sad to lose it fear not, there is a solution; keep it, and I'll drive it for you.

 

[zagatoes30]

Not sure I could have a car that I was afraid to use, to me even the most stylish car has to be a joy to drive or there is no point having it but that doesn't stop me respecting people who have different views. I know two people with relatively normal cars that are treated better than there family, one a 2.5V6 Alfa 155 which gets more love than the owners 355 which was given to him as a present. Each to there own don't be judged by other opinions live your life your way.

 

[Hurricane52]

Your Merak looks sensational. It is a work of art.

I had a similar feeling last year, so as soon as I got the right weather, I did a back to back test drive - Ghibli SS and QP GTS to see if I still enjoyed driving the old car. Thankfully, it was a resounding yes.

Now the roads are salty and muddy round here, those days are gone for the time being. It does mean that now is the time to make plans for high days and holidays.

 

[MarkMas]

I understand the sentiment. I must admit I am a bit rough and careless with my cars, so would feel bad treating a perfect classic in that way. But it sounds like if you ell it, it is more likely to go to a museum-like collection than a more active driver.

 

[safrane]

When you are laid there waiting to pass to the next world are you likely to say..." I wish I had driven the Maser less?"

So much of this is about damaging the perceived value... Im even guilty of it myself.

 

[Belfry]

Last night I read a very complimentary article in EVO about the new Maserati MC20. It looks like they’re back on form. Think it was Jethro Bovington who wrote the review.

Might the MC20 lift classic Maserati values?

 

[safrane]

Doubt it

 

[dt95aac]

I'm also in the 'if it was restored once it can be restored again' camp and I enjoy using my cars not keeping them locked up.

Having said that each person gets pleasure from different aspects of car ownership, so I fully understand people with large collections that never see the light of day.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Question to @Belfry: would you feel differently if your car was somehow more accessible than being squirrelled away in a carcoon? I mean, it's stunning. Just gorgeous. Part of the shame is not only the lack of use, but that you probably don't get to enjoy its beauty as much as you might like.

How big's your study / living room / hallway...?

 

[Belfry]

Question to @Belfry: would you feel differently if your car was somehow more accessible than being squirrelled away in a carcoon? I mean, it's stunning. Just gorgeous. Part of the shame is not only the lack of use, but that you probably don't get to enjoy its beauty as much as you might like.

How big's your study / living room / hallway...?

Lovely idea. Not sure my wife would understand! But what a creative idea. Thank you.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Lovely idea. Not sure my wife would understand! But what a creative idea. Thank you.

I tried the same idea for my man cave and then the lounge. Nil points.