Big Bens non Clio

Not much happening car wise and it’s these moments when I contemplate what I’m doing owning the car still.
I took it out Easter Sunday and had a spirited drive but as good as the car is it’s beginning to thrill me less. I’m sure that’s human nature. Does anyone else have these thoughts?
I’m mid 40’s now and my son sadly isn’t interested in cars and trackdays (I failed) and as cool as it is meeting like minded guys on the odd trackday I’m not sure that’s enough to warrant the cost involved of keeping the car race ready.
I wobble most years in the winter about ownership but these next couple of trackdays in May could well be the last. I don’t get the same sense of anticipation as I once did. I actually prefer seeing the friends I’ve made through the forum over tracking the car! Doesn’t say much for the car does it:grinning:
 
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I was starting to feel the same just before I sold mine :tearsofjoy:

I get the most enjoyment out of close battles with the boys on track. Unfortunately that didn’t often bode well with the marshals.
The laps I had with Iain at the ring were properly epic, and I know I’ve ruined that by buying the Megane now.
 
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I was starting to feel the same just before I sold mine :tearsofjoy:

I get the most enjoyment out of close battles with the boys on track. Unfortunately that didn’t often bode well with the marshals.
The laps I had with Iain at the ring were properly epic, and I know I’ve ruined that by buying the Megane now.
Aye that’s special when you’re nip and tuck on track with evenly matched cars but I’m in the wilderness when it comes to that which is my own fault admittedly!
Is them few hours a year worth the aggro and expenditure though? Debatable
 
Tbh the same happens with all cars in the down time - gotta give it a wash and take it for a sunday morning spin… or book on some track days!
 
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Is them few hours a year worth the aggro and expenditure though? Debatable

I have been doing track days for less time that yourself but I am still getting a buzz out of booking the days, and doing the days. I think part of track days is constantly wanting to develop your car, buying new parts and see how they perform on track. For me the few hours a year is worth it.
 
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I have been doing track days for less time that yourself but I am still getting a buzz out of booking the days, and doing the days. I think part of track days is constantly wanting to develop your car, buying new parts and see how they perform on track. For me the few hours a year is worth it.
I liken it to sleeping with the wife for 25yrs. It’s still good but it ain’t as great as when you first started out. Bodywork has faded, few age related marks. You’re tired and your back hurts after riding in it….!
 
I think it’s human nature to want a change - the fun is in the unknown and the finding out!

I still get a buzz from the sighting laps when meeting a new track - but the excitement will never be as intense as that first time round Brands, so I get what your saying.

I’ve also finished modding my car - I got to a point where I’m happy with it and just sort of lost interest. Agree maintenance jobs aren’t cheap - e.g. new gearbox, clutch and flywheel this year… I reckon I’ve spent about £1,000,000 and its resale is about £5, so there’s a strong financial incentive to keep it and get some value back.

As a fellow mid 40s chap whose family couldn’t be less interested in my hobby I’m interested in what you might do next if you sold the car… would you start over with a different car (maybe something more comfortable!) or have you scratched the track day itch and ready to move onto something totally different?
 
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I think it’s human nature to want a change - the fun is in the unknown and the finding out!

I still get a buzz from the sighting laps when meeting a new track - but the excitement will never be as intense as that first time round Brands, so I get what your saying.

I’ve also finished modding my car - I got to a point where I’m happy with it and just sort of lost interest. Agree maintenance jobs aren’t cheap - e.g. new gearbox, clutch and flywheel this year… I reckon I’ve spent about £1,000,000 and its resale is about £5, so there’s a strong financial incentive to keep it and get some value back.

As a fellow mid 40s chap whose family couldn’t be less interested in my hobby I’m interested in what you might do next if you sold the car… would you start over with a different car (maybe something more comfortable!) or have you scratched the track day itch and ready to move onto something totally different?
At the minute I think that I’d be ok without a toy/weekend car. A break from it would be a good test of that.
With all my hobbies over the years (football, golf, greyhounds) they’ve had similar lifespans to the 8yrs I’ve owned the car. I was really hoping that it’d be a father/son project but that’s not materialised which is a real shame. So yes I’m wondering what’s next. What’s out there that could pique my interest.