This is the first time in my life where I've had to make a weird decision: Parting ways with cars

So I'm in this situation for the first time in my life basically due to two factors:

1) I finally have a driveway that consists of cars I actually like
2) They're not making new cars like these anymore.

Right now I've got an '08 LR3, '09 NC2, and '99 NB1. I love them all for different reasons. Basically, when it's time to move on because I'm running out of driveway space and want to "try" other cars (Currently on my list: some sort of P-car and/or kei/imported car). All three vehicles are great examples for what they are. So, how do people come up with ways to part from vehicles they love?

This is a very hard decision for me. I love the golden era 90's NB1 but right now, it doesn't really fit into any motorsport classes and does well in them (except E-Street Auto-X, not interested). No way I would daily this thing because its a death trap and the roads on my way to work are TERRIBLE. I got this car about a year or so ago from a GRMer and its an amazing example that always gets compliments from people.

The NC2 is great and oddly enough, at the timing I found this car and bought it recently, they released both Spec MX5 (I do not intend to club race this Miata) and Club Spec. The thing is, I planned on using this as a nice daily but now it has become a prime example for motorsports competition. I just purchased this one recently and its not like I wanted/intended to sell it because I know the previous owner took great care of it and its a beautiful example.

The LR3 is a truck I've always liked and wanted and it has been pretty useful. I've really put a lot of time/money into sorting it out and doubt I would ever get back the money I spent on it (which is fine, thats what happens with old cars/trucks), but I don't really do off road/camping/race car things with it because I've preferred renting these days if I do so. It basically means this is just a utilitarian 4x4 that gets bad gas mileage but rides very nicely for a daily, but daily duties would probably be more suited to anything else. Out of all the vehicles here, I've owned this one the longest (since 2021).

Sell LR3 and NB1 and use that toward P car and/or kei/imported car.

I struggle with this as well, but the the key is to understand and avoid the sunk cost fallacy.  

What you put into a vehicle is irrelevant.  You can only look forwards.  Today it is the equivalent value of $X in your hand.  Would you rather have said vehicle in your driveway and what it can do for your today with your current interests and desires, or would you rather have $X dollars towards the next automotive interest at this point in your life.  That's it.  

No judgment, but it reads like you're telling us all the reasons you should get rid of two of the vehicles, but looking for someone to agree.  

xflowgolf (Forum Supporter) said:

I struggle with this as well, but the the key is to understand and avoid the sunk cost fallacy.  

What you put into a vehicle is irrelevant.  You can only look forwards.  Today it is the equivalent value of $X in your hand.  Would you rather have said vehicle in your driveway and what it can do for your today with your current interests and desires, or would you rather have $X dollars towards the next automotive interest at this point in your life.  That's it.  

No judgment, but it reads like you're telling us all the reasons you should get rid of two of the vehicles, but looking for someone to agree.  

Weird, I didn't see it that way at all because I want to keep both Miatas actually. Maybe I just listed why I might be opting to sell my Land Rover.

If a tree fell on all of them in the driveway tomorrow and then you had the equivalent pile of cash, what would you buy?   

Do you need a winter/Tow car? That's what I see the LR as. 

Do you want something to soak up the miles in? 

Sounds like you don't or you feel like you would rent a car if you needed a car for a road trip. 

Sounds like of the 3, the LR has no defined mission in your day to day. So that would be gone first. Then I would look at the NB1. 

If you heard that a tree branch fell on one of your cars, which one would you hope it hit?

Sonic said:

If a tree fell on all of them in the driveway tomorrow and then you had the equivalent pile of cash, what would you buy?   

This is a tough one because I'm sort of the kind of person where one car is never enough. I'd probably end up in a new GR86/BRZ or a used 996/997 911.

jfryjfry said:

If you heard that a tree branch fell on one of your cars, which one would you hope it hit?

Guess the Rover is first on the chopping (selling) block.

I just went down to 7 from 8 cars. Sold my least liked car.

Selling two more in the spring. '85 Westfalia and an '07 Cayman S.

Westy money will go into savings for a forever home/car and bike BnB down south. Cayman money will go to my Opel and 914.

preach said:

I just went down to 7 from 8 cars. Sold my least liked car.

Selling two more in the spring. '85 Westfalia and an '07 Cayman S.

Westy money will go into savings for a forever home/car and bike BnB down south. Cayman money will go to my Opel and 914.

A Cayman S you say? Interesting....

You can always try an extended rental of one of the cars you're interested in via Turo before committing to an actual purchase - and an actual sale 

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:

preach said:

I just went down to 7 from 8 cars. Sold my least liked car.

Selling two more in the spring. '85 Westfalia and an '07 Cayman S.

Westy money will go into savings for a forever home/car and bike BnB down south. Cayman money will go to my Opel and 914.

A Cayman S you say? Interesting....

Not just interesting, it's storied.

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:

Sonic said:

If a tree fell on all of them in the driveway tomorrow and then you had the equivalent pile of cash, what would you buy?   

This is a tough one because I'm sort of the kind of person where one car is never enough. I'd probably end up in a new GR86/BRZ or a used 996/997 911.

I understand......my wife recently encouraged me to think about car number 7......as in getting a 7th car because there appears to be a need.

preach said:

I just went down to 7 from 8 cars. Sold my least liked car.

Selling two more in the spring. '85 Westfalia and an '07 Cayman S.

Westy money will go into savings for a forever home/car and bike BnB down south. Cayman money will go to my Opel and 914.

Still thinking eastern TN?

In reply to dyintorace :

Yes.

Tom1200 said:

RyanGreener (Forum Supporter) said:

Sonic said:

If a tree fell on all of them in the driveway tomorrow and then you had the equivalent pile of cash, what would you buy?   

This is a tough one because I'm sort of the kind of person where one car is never enough. I'd probably end up in a new GR86/BRZ or a used 996/997 911.

I understand......my wife recently encouraged me to think about car number 7......as in getting a 7th car because there appears to be a need.

That's amazing. I normally cut the count off at 3 (which is the problem here!)

It's two cars for me, and a dual sport moto

docwyte said:

It's two cars for me, and a dual sport moto

One of my mistakes in life was wanting to get a motorcycle after I got married, not before. Wife isn't a big fan of the "lack of safety", yet I still club race and drive on track from time to time. I've always had an interest in them since I was young but "something" always got in the way.

How much for the lr3 if you were to let it go? Does it like sitting? 

That would be perfect for our cabin in the Shenandoah in the winter time. Something I don't mind getting messed up and dirty. Otherwise, it'll be a Montero lol

yupididit said:

How much for the lr3 if you were to let it go? Does it like sitting? 

That would be perfect for our cabin in the Shenandoah in the winter time. Something I don't mind getting messed up and dirty. Otherwise, it'll be a Montero lol

Wanna discuss via PM? I mean, I don't want to turn this into a for sale ad thread!

Also, car spent the majority of the first year of its ownership sitting with me because I was just slowly replacing stuff. I'd estimate it was about 2-3 months where it sat but still started/drove just fine afterwards, YMMV. I daily drive it right now so it doesn't sit much.

I'm pretty sure the answer is buy acreage.

z31maniac said:

Sell LR3 and NB1 and use that toward P car and/or kei/imported car.

I second this motion.

Stampie said:

I'm pretty sure the answer is buy acreage.

This.

But... Having had NA, NB and NC Miatas, with the current street Miata being an NB1 (with NB2 engine) I would sell it in a heartbeat for an NC2-3 PRHT for a street driver.  I may actually get serious about that after the holidays.  So in your situation, I'd let the NB go, knowing the NC checks those boxes.

Rodan said:

Stampie said:

I'm pretty sure the answer is buy acreage.

This.

But... Having had NA, NB and NC Miatas, with the current street Miata being an NB1 (with NB2 engine) I would sell it in a heartbeat for an NC2-3 PRHT for a street driver.  I may actually get serious about that after the holidays.  So in your situation, I'd let the NB go, knowing the NC checks those boxes.

Well right now, the NC2 is a nice car but I'm sort of lukewarm towards it right now. Maybe the longer I own/drive it the more I'll like it enough to wipe out the NB1 from my mind.