Sunshine
Well-Known Member
Realise we are in a better position than most, so this might seem ungrateful, but someone once said that being able to afford things only gives you more options or makes decisions even harder.
We have an old 3.5t lorry, no living bar grooms area under horses heads. Only used to carry one pony and, occasionally, kit for stay away shows. Has been very faithful, if slow, never let us down, and is easy to keep and drive, just had £400 worth of new brakes but MOT is due very soon and we know there is a fair amount of work required to get through - welding inner wheel arches, new metalwork on cab and possibly other little bits. I estimate it would be about a grand to get work done.
Have seen a larger and 13 years newer wagon for sale, similar quality original build so we know that the horse area is bob on, definitely able to carry two plus extras in weight limit. I had been looking for a while because I want another horse and intend to go out with daughter. Its got some living with hob and sink, seating and bed, properly done but not glamorous and no tack lockers or fancy horse shower etc. Here's the rub, we still only have one horse, a youngster, so long distance competitions are likely to be a while off, it will be more to plate and possibly tax, and is so much bigger. There is a little bit of maintenance work needed on this one too but have negotiated price discount to cover that.
We have the money in savings to cover the purchase but I'm getting cold feet about spending it because it seems like a luxury we don't need, and am feeling guilty about abandoning a reliable old wagon for an unknown quantity, just for the sake of a bit of money. OH POV is that the chassis parts are becoming difficult to source for ours, it doesn't have power steering or creature comforts for the poor humans and we would need to replace with a bigger wagon to carry two any way.
Am I being unreasonable?
We have an old 3.5t lorry, no living bar grooms area under horses heads. Only used to carry one pony and, occasionally, kit for stay away shows. Has been very faithful, if slow, never let us down, and is easy to keep and drive, just had £400 worth of new brakes but MOT is due very soon and we know there is a fair amount of work required to get through - welding inner wheel arches, new metalwork on cab and possibly other little bits. I estimate it would be about a grand to get work done.
Have seen a larger and 13 years newer wagon for sale, similar quality original build so we know that the horse area is bob on, definitely able to carry two plus extras in weight limit. I had been looking for a while because I want another horse and intend to go out with daughter. Its got some living with hob and sink, seating and bed, properly done but not glamorous and no tack lockers or fancy horse shower etc. Here's the rub, we still only have one horse, a youngster, so long distance competitions are likely to be a while off, it will be more to plate and possibly tax, and is so much bigger. There is a little bit of maintenance work needed on this one too but have negotiated price discount to cover that.
We have the money in savings to cover the purchase but I'm getting cold feet about spending it because it seems like a luxury we don't need, and am feeling guilty about abandoning a reliable old wagon for an unknown quantity, just for the sake of a bit of money. OH POV is that the chassis parts are becoming difficult to source for ours, it doesn't have power steering or creature comforts for the poor humans and we would need to replace with a bigger wagon to carry two any way.
Am I being unreasonable?
