We have always had two cars. Living in the country with poor public transport links has always made that a necessity not a luxury. However I have never really wanted rack up unnecessary mileage on our expensive Cali. Not only is there the accelerated depreciation issue to consider but short trips aren't good as they tend to clog the DPF, and then there's the increased servicing costs as well. Consequently we mainly use it for longer trips, picnics, days out, camping breaks and seven seater family use, e.g airport runs. Most of the short day to day run arounds fell to my wife's car, a Skoda Superb Estate.
Things took a different turn during the covid lock down when my father passed away after having caught it in hospital, having been admitted following a fall at home. Rather than sell his old 2005 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDi diesel, we decided to keep it as a family hack/pool car. This car cost us nothing, and can be taxed, insured and MOT'd for around £300 pa. It constantly returns 60+ mpg and parts are ridiculously cheap. We can leave it anywhere and lend it to family members without worrying if it's going to get damaged. It's constantly in use and is a delight to drive.
This meant that my wife's Skoda Superb wasn't getting much use. Also as it had started to hint at developing several potentially expensive issues, we took the opportunity to off load it onto WBAC pdq before we had to start paying out. That presented us with the opportunity replace it with a fun car. (We still needed a number two car as my dad's old Fabia is often away being used by our kids). We didn't want a classic car as it wasn't going to be garaged and I didn't fancy the DIY maintenance that that option would have required. Being old, bald and nearly past it, I fancied a convertible. Never owned one. We looked at various alternatives but settled on this Mercedes E Class Cabriolet, as it's a proper four seater which should prove more useful and a little less self indulgent.
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Like our Cali this car doesn't get used much for day to day work. Instead we use it mainly for long distance trips and days out with the top down. Just like the Cali it too give you a glorious sense of freedom and well being. It's not a sports car but a proper four seater wafting barge, ideally suited for cruising through our glorious British countryside.
We couldn't and wouldn't have considered buying this car if it wasn't for having a cheap inexpensive alternative to do all the donkey work at home.