Friday, 9th January, 2026

More less is needed.

Up to 3 days streak on DayOne. Want to focus on that first.

With all this snow, I started looking at Land Rover Discoverys again, there’s even a nice one for sale nearby. A nice 2016 Disco 4 with all the trimmings. Expensive for a 10 year old car but knew it was probably a huge figure and I’m sure it’ll keep its value well. It’s probably not a good idea, expensive to tax, insure, and run. Very mixed views on reliability: either “they’re dire” or “with care they’ll last forever”.

Really I should think about the EV as its lease is ending this year. Not so sure another lease is a good idea. Benefit in kind tax on EVs is being increased each year. If one wants a new car every 3 years then it’s probably worth it. Just not sure that’s what I want. The market is flooded with used model 3s and they’re pretty competitively priced for what you get. Wasn’t keen on one but they have good range and all the whistles.

In reality it only snows here about two sets of one week periods each year. This year is a record one. Nothing is setup for snow so the world crashes to a halt anyway, so I’m working at home and the kids may or may not get to school. What we really need is a car with decent all season tyres. Like Michelin Cross Countries. To get down to the shops and back up the hill. It’s more likely to be icy more often than not and I’m not going off-road, through mud and rivers, so a real 4x4 is somewhat excessive. I’d like an old defender as a project but I don’t have time for that.

It’s just annoying the main car had four new tyres fitted in May - under a crunch of two punctures and needing to drive the next day so we had fitted whatever they had in our size that night. So I don’t really want to buy another four to replace them. I could buy them with wheels but then that’s more expensive (although can utilise them in the long run) and where am I keeping the other set? Leasing a car means it comes with new tyres, that I’m effectively paying for, and whilst they will replaced used ones, they won’t replace with what I want, so then I’m forking out myself.

I had a fancy car in the past and I really regretted buying it. I sold it and moved on but it felt like such a waste of money. I don’t want to relive that. Is a 10 year old Land Rover a bad choice? My fear is that every time it goes to the garage it’s £3+ grand to fix some whatsit.

I have wondered what I’d do if our family car did die. Some major failure that was £5k+ to fix. Buy a new car is the answer but what would it be. My hope is it lasts another 5-7 years with no major issues and then we won’t need a seven seater, and now the world is our used car clam. Although a 5k repair bill would be cheaper than a new car 😅

I’ve liked the lease as it means you don’t need to do anything and you’re not tied down to anything. Of course at the end you give it back and have nothing to show. Just a fee you paid to have access to the car.

Anyway. That completes the circular thoughts on this matter.