Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 September 2007 14:53:37
When I picked Tiddles up from the stables last week, we talked about the comparative cost of buying and running a car against buying and keeping a horse and how both entailed far far more outlay than is at first evident. I have promised to pay for his driving lessons, as long as I judge him to be at a level of maturity for them to be a good investment, and to buy his first car in order to prevent him getting something on its last wheels.
After a moment's thought, he launched into the following conversation:
T: I think the best thing is to save up and get a mini.
S: Why a mini?
T: M at the stables says you can get a mini for around £200
S: You don't want a £200 mini!
T: It sounds a real bargain to me. Far cheaper than I'd expected.
S: Yes, my love, but this is one time when it's a mistake to go for something too cheap. It's worth spending a bit more than £200.
T: Why?
S: Well, if you only buy something cheap, you'll end up paying more in the long run. It's far more likely to break down.
T: Minis don't break down!
S: Oh they do. Even the most reliable minis need a lot of maintenance and you start having to pay out a lot money once they start getting older. That's why they're so cheap.
T: But minis are really strong, and £200 is a good price.
S: No, I'd put my foot down because I really wouldn't be happy for you to have something for £200. You'd regret it the first time it broke down and you had to pay for repairs.
T: Mum, you don't have to pay for repairs to minis. I'd pay out for a proper car, but a mini is just as healthy as any bigger horse and £200 for a Shetland pony is far less than I'd have thought it would cost.