Boomer54

In my best therapist voice 'how long have you been seeing things. Particularly invisible cars'

Not strictly 'a new car', but a Demo model. Way back I found the car model I wanted which was a BMW 5 series Tourer (yes, I know, beg for no snow). Anyway, no way I want new with the depreciation, but it happened the car design had an upcoming change on it's way. Hence, the dealership wanted their Demonstrator gone. 6 months old, 4k on the clock (hardly run in), blemish free. Got that at a price which mitigated the first two years depreciation. Probably , the best price value deal I have ever had. Kept it 10 years with hardly a thing to report.

I was out walking the other week and saw one parked up. So, as you do I stopped to chat. I asked it 'what do you want to be when you grow up?', and it replied a Lexus SC 430 😉 Welcome , and enjoy your car, lots of kerb appeal to keep you smiling.

"What's the best way to get a good deal on a new car?" Buy a used one of course ! Hope that isn't too subtle.

On a serious note it always concerns me if there is just one person in a democratic society who appears to paint Putin and his actions as anything other than what they are, criminal. No one (the EU) should need any persuasion from the US, or anyoneelse, to get aligned with sanctions against such action just because it is the right thing to do ! THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Sometimes there is such a thing.

I think you might need to join the meeting behind the shed. No offence 😉

Glyn do you recall where you bought the cover?

Just to fill in the blank details above I have bought the 2005 SC430 from LocalHero on this site. Counting down to picking it up on Monday. Indeed, the debut trip back to Lancashire following the A55 along the N Wales coastline is a very nice way to start. The wife might get worried if I get carried away and start texting from Inverness. Really looking forward to the experience of owning a really lovely, relatively scarce marque, with bags of kerb appeal. Apparently they only sold just over 2000 here in the UK, but given the build quality they are for the most part still running about. I know people have different views about car covers, but I am double wrapping this car, because it will be parked in an area where it gets very little sun, but quite a bit of rain and wind. I used to park my BMW there for long periods so I know the issues to be addressed. By double wrapping I mean a fleece lined cover sitting within a tubular flexi tent bolted to the cobbles. Sizing up a little so I can work inside it as well. Now clock watching. NB If my brother is reading, come on son , really , you want to park your TT next to this ;(

Without writing War & Peace length posts it's hard to capture ALL of the argument we would like to make. On that note I would be in agreement with most of what you have written. The optimum economic strategy will not account for other desireable goals such as energy independency. Putin has already given us a timely reminder why that would be worth pursuing. The only thing I did not get onboard with was 'Additionally, whilst our environmental impact may be minuscule compared to the likes of China or India, it's impossible to put any pressure on them if we aren't doing anything ourselves.' I sincerely believe that such dialogue is worthless. They will do what they want and to believe we have any meaningful leverage is delusional. There may be many reasons to act ,but that isn't one of them.

There is a an underlying truth begging to get out in that story. It is this, 'handbuilt' tends to be conceptualised by people has superior and worthy of a premium. The reality is it can almost never replicate the precision and reliability of a machined product. Essentially we are being encouraged to buy a misrepresentation of reality and if you dig into it ,it is invariably just great marketing behind it. Indeed, if the production was ever as good as the marketing you' d be making a good buy.

Looks like we have twins ! Nope, I see you have Ecru leather.

I have only two, but they are both noteworthy. 1.Letting my LWB 1959 Landrover go (and for peanuts). 2. I declined to buy the Jensen (colour yellow I think). Same marque as the chappie below. At the time circa '95 priced just under 5k with restoration required. As decisions go, what a stinker. Share yours if you feel inclined.

In essence, it is most unfortunate that people influencing decisions really do not prioritise factual data. Indeed, I suspect you could qualify most of them to be in one of two camps (sometimes both). Group one, blinded by ideology, what they 'know' is absolutely right (Greta). Group two, politicians and their associated satellites, who are mostly interested in the political value of the issue at the ballot box. Bring those two together, and who cares about the facts. Far too complicated to sell to the electorate over their morning breakfast juggling kids to school and rush hour traffic to the workplace.

"the most sensible and cost effective way is up for debate." Not really. See above. Now bring to play Paretos Law and frame the issue within that context. Under that spotlight ,what we (the UK) are doing makes no strategic sense whatsoever. For clarity, if you are not familiar with Pareto I refer you to ; Pareto analysis is a decision-making technique used to statistically separate the data entries into groups with the most or least effect on the data. It is commonly used in business to find the best strategies or problems to pursue.

I am pretty sure the last time I saw that a Klingon was wearing it to headbutt James T Kirk.

Thanks Glyn. Just a fluke really. I happened to come to market when Stew was thinking of selling. Otherwise, I might have been looking for a long time, because the wider market offerings don't tend to impress. Either the car is sorted, but too premiumed, or alternatively 'lucky dip' with a dealer with all the undisclosed nonsense that that can come with. Yes, think I got lucky, because Stew has obviously put a lot into sorting that car, and it's a credit to him.

I tend towards your view myself. I am no expert on climate change, but I am pretty good with numbers. That is where I take great umbrage with our govt approach to limiting carbon emissions in this country. That is, given we contribute approximately 1% of carbon emissions globally it is an accounting farce to take on a rather disproportionate added cost in order to reduce same. Basically, our actions are hardly likely to have any significant impact at all on climate change given our almost miniscule contribution yet we are sold the need to address it as though it is our highest priority. Frankly, it's going to make some money for some people, but implicitly the rest of us pick up that cost. No politician though is going to stand up and honestly declare they have been sold 'a pup'.

Think of the joy you are spreading. but if that doesn't help try a few pints.

On the otherhand I have not stopped smiling, thanks Stew.

Dudley, Have also been scouting. I would be fairly confident in saying there is no 2006 + plate, also with low mileage, that is out there for that budget (although you'd need to define what low mileage is for an engine that can clearly circle the clock at least a couple of times). I have seen some in the obvious place ,but you would need to add a few thousand.

Leaving details aside so the seller may do his thing at his leisure I am pleased to say it's 'welcome aboard' the 'we love SC express'. A little disingenuous given those are also my initials ...it's a twofer😏

Got me ! Indeed, scratching through the bottom of my wardrobe for the flares, flowery waistcoat etc last worn en route to San Francisco so that I can accessorise properly.

Test drive day is upon us, and I am feeling quietly confident regarding the outcome given the pedigree. The crowd went 'will he, won't he'. Watch this space and all shall be revealed.

Introducing my low tech solution. 39kgs of muscle, teeth and claws that does not tolerate strangers, unless of course I tell him to. KIng.mp4

Don't think I can agree with that Malc. Had a great year mopping up fixed term bonds incremently ,but heading upwards from 5 to 6% plus over 3 to 5 years. In ISA so tax free converts up towards 7% pa real return as risk free return as it ever gets with the FSCS underwriting it. Heck, how else am I going to afford to run a V8 .