Honesty

[Brightonuk]

So last night I sat down and tried to compile an honest spreadsheet on what my used 2001 Caterham Superlite has cost me.

It is embarrassing to see the amount of money I have spent on the car, and in hindsight I think 2 years later I could have purchased a new 620r for the cash I have spent on this baby

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope there are at least 3 others that can say the same as I am also torn about telling the wife how much (of my secret money) I have spent, Me thinks if she knew I would be looking for a new place to sleep.

 

But at least I will be with my other love.

 

 

[Croc]

Let me console you with some kind words:

 

(a) You have not spent the most on a seven. That achievement goes to the owners of a certain orange Caterham that started life as an R400. I wont mention how much into six figures that car has gone.

 

(b) I don't have to do the precise math to know I could probably buy two Caterham 620Rs today with the accumulated total I have spent on maintenance/upgrades/parts/rubber/fuel on my 2010 CSR over the last 10 years.

 

© I vaguely suspect what I have spent on my various sevens over my entire driving history could buy me the Caterham factory.

 

(d) I have found women more expensive than cars. Certainly they have better brakes at stopping me in my tracks, are more cantankerous in daily life and are harder to fix.

 

 

I would not share your costs with your wife unless she shares how much she has spent on shoes and dresses. However, if you decide otherwise, I do want to offer that it has been nice knowing you. Do you want me to read your eulogy?

[lucky dawg]

Regardless of what you have spent, it's healthier than booze and cheaper than another woman. Probably safer too.

[ashyers]

Better than a drug habit...

[JohnCh]

I am also torn about telling the wife how much (of my secret money) I have spent,

Do you think she will be more upset by the amount of money you spent on the car, or the fact that you have secret money? :jester:

 

When it comes to spending on the cars, I'm a big believer in embracing ignorance.

 

-John

[panamericano]

I suspect that if you had bought a newer modal, you would also lavish attention ($$$) on that one.

Just give in.

There is no stopping it.

It's only money.

Everything said above about other expensive outlets.

Guess what? It gets harder to have any secret money once you are retired.

Telling the wife about a mistress (flesh or aluminum) rarely yields happiness.

[ashyers]

Does she like driving it? That has worked for me :driving:.

 

Heck, maybe you can get her to pitch in for the maintenance!!!!!!!!!

[yellowss7]

 

(a) You have not spent the most on a seven. That achievement goes to the owners of a certain orange Caterham that started life as an R400. I wont mention how much into six figures that car has gone.

 

and that doesn’t include the $$$ spent on the Yellow car

 

 

 

I would not share your costs with your wife unless she shares how much she has spent on shoes and dresses. ?

 

Are YOU talking to me?

[Croc]

Are YOU talking to me? ��

 

Feeling sensitive are we? :rofl:

 

In fairness, I was more referring to the prior owner of your orange car. That said, your lovely wife does have a closet full of shoes sized like half my modest home. I suppose that gives you bargaining rights for spending money on your toys/bourbon collection! :cheers:

 

Your yellow car has been fairly economic when you think about its lifetime.

[Brightonuk]

Sorry I should clarify:

 

"Secret Money" is the term (I use) to describe the 65% of what it actually cost part, you ordered from Caterham, shipped to the US, and paid custom import duty for.

 

 

 

Economics of scale?

[mrmustang]

As my wife states:

 

"Cheaper than a two legged mistress"

 

 

Bill

[lucky dawg]

As my wife states:

 

"Cheaper than a two legged mistress"

 

 

Bill

 

Safer too.

[FE07]

My wife knows my girlfriends are in the garage. Don't EVER add up the money. Just make you sick.

 

I've got a T shirt from Blipshift that applies more to racing but goes:

 

Race-Regret-Repair in a triangle. Unfortunately it's true!

 

Jim

[papak]

Saw this one on a fellow race car years ago: “Driver carries no cash-(anymore)”. How true...

[Kitcat]

Right BrightonUK, but what your formula has overlooked is the cubic $ you would have spent on the Cat 620 keeping it happy!

 

I am old enough (sadly) to say my track car experience has been very expensive, no matter what car I have. At one point I had a new '94 Miata and at the end of the experience I realized I could have had a new Porsche 911 for what I spent on it. Who cares, I loved every minute of researching, purchasing, and installing the various "improvements" to my car. An experience I have duplicated with every car since:).

 

As long as you are not taking food off the table, ignoring your 401K or your kids' college fund, who cares? Enjoy it while you can, tomorrow may be too late.

Edited August 13, 2020 by Kitcat

[wemtd]

If you only had a wife with a horse...

 

She’ll never question the expenses of your mistress :auto: over those of her show horse habit

Edited August 13, 2020 by wemtd

[papak]

I keep the receipts in a zippered binder hidden away in a dark corner. It’s now 2” thick and the zipper is getting quite strained.

[Croc]

If you only had a wife with a horse...

 

She’ll never question the expenses of your mistress :auto: over those of her show horse habit

 

But you are a vet!

[Anaximander]

This thread reminds me of most of the expensive hobbies I have been involved in. There seems to be a standing mantra that most of us repeat to our wives periodically: "Honey, if I die, please don't sell the car (insert whatever item(s)) for what I told you I paid for it". Of course, over the years, her rejoinder has been: "If you die, I am going to sell that (name item) cheap".

[Nick OTeen]

When it comes to the cost of all things automotive, honesty is overrated.