Each to their own and it's your prerogative but I really don't know how you can bring yourself to buy a brand new car so frequently. If you're on your eighth A3 then you must be changing it on average every two years which means you must be losing at least £5k a year in depreciation alone.
I assumed a change every 18 months or so. Every two years isn't bad really.
I tend to depreciate my cars at a rate I can afford from new and change providing I can realise a trade in value in line with my predictions (god, I sound like an accountant.... I'm not though, honest). I also get bored very easily.
Over the last few cars, I've been guilty of squandering a few quid I guess. This one will be my seventh car in eight years.
Audi TT - sold after 9 months due to pregnancy (not mine to hasten to add)
A3 - kept for 4 weeks (didn't like sport spec, swapped out for S-Line)
A3 - kept for 2 yrs 6 months (offered deal I couldn't refuse)
S3 - kept for 18 months (fed up with putting toddler in back seat.... Argh... back ache)
Golf GT Sport - kept for 2 yrs (kept with S3 for a while until sold, then got very bored)
A4 S-Line - currently coming up to 3 yrs (tied myself into lease to stop changing so often... vowed never to do it again)
I'll probably own the new A3 for 18 months to 2 years before upgrading to S3 Sportback, Golf GTi or black edition 180ps when it inevitably arrives. The way I look at it (or rather justify it to the wife) is that I could spend twice as much and keep the car for three years and it would cost more long-term! I seriously considered the A7 Sportback, but just didn't need a car that big.
Thanks for making me think how much I've spent.... off to cry myself to sleep now....
Apologies for :sign_ot: