Rising interest rates have taken their toll on my monthly budget and currently I haven't got any money to do the things I want to do at my age. So the S is going up for sale. Bit gutted that it has come to this but will never let my quality of life be affected for the sake of a car, after all I only bought it because I could afford to run it at the time.

So she's gone on the 'trader website last night for

 

bummer

At least you can always re-enter the S world when your a bit more secure

 

Yes that's what the plan is. I'm going to drive a beater style vehicle for a year or so and then get me another S. I still think it's the most fantastic car I have ever driven. Just got to shift my one now

 

Don't worry. You did well being so young to own an S, it's pretty unusual for anyone under 25 to own a car like this. AND you didn't total it, which if I'd had one at your age without a doubt it would have ended up backwards in a ditch or worse!
Just think, the contrast when you do get back to an S from your beater will be amazing.

 

Ryn, I'm sorry you've had to sell your S but I hope you stay on the Board - you do offer a different perspective on many threads

Don't take this personally, but your choice is the latest of quite a few people who have decided to sell their S2000s due to financial position otherwise that due to a job loss (which I could totally understand). Contrary to the stereotypical corpoate lawyer image, I don't get paid a small fortune (although I would not plead poverty, I am lucky to be where I am) but equally I've not stretched myself to buy the car, like so many seem to do However, perhaps this is simply a question of being able to jump on the property ladder a few years ago, before become a first time buyer became such a millstone? (I put part of the car purchase on my mortgage)

I'm just increasingly intrigued as to how far people will stretch themselves to buy an S - is it happening more frequently and, if so, is it a result of the housing market price increase which is causing us car nuts to stretch ourselves further to get a car which puts a smile on our faces as much as the S2000?

This could be my lunchtime pint of cider talking here

 

It's hard to escape that conclusion, isn't it? I did the same as Craig and released a chunk of equity in my house to pay for both my first S2000 and then to replace it with an 04 about this time last year. Without the ability to do that, I suspect I would have been far more reluctant to take on the necessary debt through a more conventional loan.

Equity release is behind a large part of the increase in consumer spending over the past few years - in that respect, cars are no different to holidays, expensive new TVs or whatever else your hobby happens to be, I suppose.

Good luck with the sale, Ryan - hope you're back behind the wheel of an S soon

 

Must be gutting for you, I'd hate to have to sell mine

I saved up for my car over a year and it's mostly paid for, didn't really fancy the HP route. I could have used the money as a deposit for a house but to be honest even if I had the cash I wouldn't be in the market for a house right now, it's just a bad time to be buying IMHO.

I think everyone has different priorities though, if a nice car gives you a lot of enjoyment then it is worth paying for, it's just a matter of how far you will go before it becomes 'too expensive'.

 

Ryn - but I can totally understand.

However, just cos you don't drive an S doesn't mena you can't have a laugh with us or not come to the Surrey meets and if there is a drive happening we can always find you a spare seat. Are you coming along for a beer tonight?

 

Hi guys

Yes Kelk I'll be along tonight

The real situation is that whilst I can afford to keep the S I can't afford to do anything else. I've only owned the house for 2 years so I have quite a large mortgage. Equity release is not an option for me.

I have got to the point where sometimes I have to say to my friends 'Sorry I can't come out tonight, I can't afford it.'

Frankly this is absurd as I earn very well for my age and there is no way that my life is going to be ruled by a car. Even if it is a very very good one

The most difficult choice I have had to make is what to drive instead. Almost anything is going to feel slower than the S, but I wanted something that at least had a bit of poke, was cheap to run and insure, won't fall to bits, and carried a certain amount of exclusivity. So I have settled on, don't laugh, a VW Lupo Gti. Found one at only 1 year old with 7000 miles for

 

As I work in Financial Services and advise on mortgages amongst other things, I have my eyes opened daily to the levels of debt people get themselves into, young and old. I especially see the unfortunate consequences of people over extending themselves by borrowing on the never never and I am a little worried about the levels of debt people now have secured against inflated property prices..... Having said all that, if there is one thing I can understand people getting into debt for, its an S2000.....! I think we should all buy two with one as a spare...