England: Miata vs Mustang

[Raza]

This also seems relevant: 
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/276595/ford_mustang_boss_v_bmw_m3_v_audi_rs5_v_mercedes_c63_amg.html

Here?s today?s premise: Imagine you are part of the US Air Force based in the UK (I rather think I?d be called Rich) and you enjoy driving. What do you choose to make your journeys between bases?

[Raza]

Clio V6

Seriously.  This is the chance to have a car like the Clio V6 or an Alfa Romeo or a TVR.  The Mustang will be here when he gets back and Miatas are a goddamn dime for two dozen.  This is a time where he can experience something that he will likely never get to experience again and something that most car enthusiasts in the US would envy.

[2o6]

No car payments... but these cars are my babies.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to roll with the Miata.  I just don't want to get over there and drive a crap box when I have two nice cars... and I don't want to buy a nice car and take a hit in depreciation.

Seems like buying a 1000 pound fun little nothing car will not depreciate any further than it already has.


So many Alfas at that price....

[mzziaz]

Bring the Mustang you retard.

[Raza]

Bring the Mustang you retard.

Oh, shut up, you idiot.  You're hogging all the cool European cars and importing pieces of shit from the 1970s!  No one should take your advice.

[cawimmer430]

Ok, seriously. You're coming to Europe. Drive something European. Experience the delight of the cool cars and CHOICES we get here.

Now, when you're in the UK, head over to your local Citroen dealership and look if they have one of these. 

[Rich]

I can rent some European cars cheap if I want to drive one... the problem is there's nothing I really want the driving experience of outside of an Elise.

[cawimmer430]

I can rent some European cars cheap if I want to drive one... the problem is there's nothing I really want the driving experience of outside of an Elise.

You need to try a Citroen DS3 or DS3 Racing. These are awesome machines.

[Xer0]

I would bring the Mustang.  Sure, there are plenty of cool alternative choices in Europe, some of which we don?t get here, but very few of them will approach the Miata for pure joys and almost none of them will approach the Mustang for thrills.  You?ll just be let down. 

And besides, everyone in Europe drives little 100hp diesel hatches.  You can drive around in a 420hp muscle car.  I think its an easy choice.

[MrH]

I don't know, I just think it's silly to have all that cash tied up in two depreciating assets, and then on top of that to be paying to store them for 2 YEARS just seems crazy to me.  Sell them, buy another mustang and/or miata when you get back

[Rich]

I don't know, I just think it's silly to have all that cash tied up in two depreciating assets, and then on top of that to be paying to store them for 2 YEARS just seems crazy to me.  Sell them, buy another mustang and/or miata when you get back

I love 'em like kids...  If I take one, I can leave the other at my parent's house to drive when I'm home on leave. 

They've already depreciated... if I sell them and then buy new ones when I get back I wouldn't be saving any money...

Sell the Mustang for $26K?  Used 2011 GTs will probably be about 22-23K when I get back.... new ones will probably be even more expensive...

I can understand not holding onto the depreciating assets if I sold them when I get back to the US... but I plan on keeping these guys for a very long time..

... the Mustang for a lifetime..
..the Miata until 200-250K miles (then buy a used ND if I like 'em)

[MX793]

I love 'em like kids...  If I take one, I can leave the other at my parent's house to drive when I'm home on leave. 

They've already depreciated... if I sell them and then buy new ones when I get back I wouldn't be saving any money...

Sell the Mustang for $26K?  Used 2011 GTs will probably be about 22-23K when I get back.... new ones will probably be even more expensive...

I can understand not holding onto the depreciating assets if I sold them when I get back to the US... but I plan on keeping these guys for a very long time..

... the Mustang for a lifetime..
..the Miata until 200-250K miles (then buy a used ND if I like 'em)

Not to mention that you bought the Mustang new to your specifications.  What are the odds of finding a used one in the same condition when you get back with all the same options and equipment?

[Madman]

I can rent some European cars cheap if I want to drive one... the problem is there's nothing I really want the driving experience of outside of an Elise.

Here's your answer!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/lotus/elise/postcode/rg88qa/radius/1501/quicksearch/true

[Cookie Monster]

I'm still sticking with taking the Miata. I think it'll be easier to drive in England (I have no experience with that, however), and plus, you drove all around this country in the Miata. I think it'd be cool to drive all around another country in the same car. I know I'd love to.

Add to that you already know your cars well and know about the problems and maintenance and history. That seems far better than going to England and buying a car you're unfamiliar with and has an unknown history. It could be a ticking time bomb for all you know.

Also, depending on the length of time you're there, you're going to have to do some maintenance on the one car you're already storing. Why have to do more maintenance by storing two cars, paying to store one, and then buying another random car and taking a depreciation hit? You already love your cars, I'd stick to one of them.

[68_427]

Makes like no sense to bring his Miata when he can get a RHD MX-5 over there.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-MAZDA-MX5-R-LIMITED-RED-LEATHER-LSD-FACTORY-TUNED-T-T-HARDTOP-VERY-RARE-/270935358964?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f15017df4

shiiiit FTO GPX

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-MITSUBISHI-FTO-GPX-/260983187535?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cc3cf684f

Or the better looking, better driving (Jeremy Clarkson) Elise

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VAUXHALL-VX220-TURBO-BLUE-54k-FSH-12-months-MOT-6-months-TAX-/260991275223?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cc44ad0d7

[r0tor]

You actually make a very good point. I was all about the novelty of owning a 5.0 Mustang in the UK, but that's very true- when else will you be able to own something like a French hot hatch?

Which will get smoked by a 5.0 Mustang

[CALL_911]

Which will get smoked by a 5.0 Mustang

That, and driving around the UK in a 5.0 Mustang would be ridiculous in itself.

[Rupert]

It doesn't make sense to sell the Mustang, for sure, but Miatas are cheap and will only be cheaper in a couple of years. I know you like your Miata, but all Miatas are pretty much the same...

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

It doesn't make sense to sell the Mustang, for sure, but Miatas are cheap and will only be cheaper in a couple of years. I know you like your Miata, but all Miatas are pretty much the same...

[Colin]

There are loads of MX5s here, of all ages, and in all price brackets. I really struggle to see the logic of bringing a US spec lhd model car over here when you can get one which will be easier to drive with the steering wheel on the correct side and fully UK road legal.

You will find the Mustang more awkward, as it is much bigger, and things like barriers to car parks and toll booths are a real pain when you are in the car by yourself (its the same if I take my car to the continent), but if you really want to be driving the 'Stang here, then bringing yours over probably does make sense.

[mzziaz]

Oh, shut up, you idiot.  You're hogging all the cool European cars and importing pieces of shit from the 1970s!  No one should take your advice.

[mzziaz]

You will find the Mustang more awkward, as it is much bigger, and things like barriers to car parks and toll booths are a real pain when you are in the car by yourself (its the same if I take my car to the continent), but if you really want to be driving the 'Stang here, then bringing yours over probably does make sense.

huh?

The Mustang is, like, Mondeo sized!

[Raza]

huh?

The Mustang is, like, Mondeo sized!

Sight lines are definitely different, and the Mustang feels quite big for its size because the visibility isn't as good as a sedan.  And, no amount of modifications to the brake lights will ever make it RHD. 

[cawimmer430]

Which will get smoked by a 5.0 Mustang

Europeans aren't as sensitive about their penis size at stoplights. 

[CJ]

Europeans aren't as sensitive about their penis size at stoplights. 

You don't get it. You really don't get it. It's nice to know that, when some nasty punk rolls up next to your car in a Civic with a fart can, you can smoke te guy for all he's worth.

[Madman]

You don't get it. You really don't get it. It's nice to know that, when some nasty punk rolls up next to your car in a Civic with a fart can, you can smoke te guy for all he's worth.

SOME of us are above such childish nonsense. 

[Cookie Monster]

SOME of us are above such childish nonsense. 

Yes, you just take pictures of his car repeatedly and post them here on carspin to make fun of him.

[CALL_911]

Europeans aren't as sensitive about their penis size at stoplights. 

Untrue, Europeans equate penis size to stupid shit like H&H.

[Rich]

Should I buy extra badges for my car to hand out at stoplights?

[SVT32V]

Would a Mustang GT be worth more across the pond, meaning sell it there for a considerable gain before you get back.