What is it about a car that makes you hand over cold hard cash?

A discussion AnthonyGS and I are having in the thread about the Honda Civic Type R has me interested in what motivates you to buy a car. 
Now, I'm not necessarily talking about your daily driver because things like comfort, economy, safety, etc. often play a large part of those decisions. But a car that you bought just to have enjoyment with, one that doesn't have to take you, the wife, 2 kids, a dog, and camping gear 400 miles away and return 20 mpg while doing so.  

Personally, I really feel I have automotive ADD. I really do. I've bought cars just because "huh, I've never had a car from that company before" or "well, I should really get a British car, they have unique character. I wonder what a classic mini is like". But there are cars that I've either bought, or will one day buy because it just grabs me. The SVX is on that list, for example. Auto only, FWD or AWD, Japanese. These traits usually mean boring. But it's still a beautiful car today, the interior is quirky (I really like quirky cars), it's a flat 6, how cool is that!?!? In fact, it it were an I-4 or a V6 I think that would take away 40% of the appeal, maybe 50%. 

So what is it? How do you weigh performance vs styling vs feature set vs brand/national loyalty vs some x-factor? And what's that x-factor if you have one? 

I think it depends on the car, not a set formula.  There are some cars I'd buy just because I think they're cool, others because they just feel good to drive, and some that I've always wanted to own and would buy pretty much regardless of other factors unless I drove one and decided I hated it. 

Depends on the car and the intended usage.

I have in my mind a pretty good idea of what I want a car to feel like when driving it. I then want that draped in a bodystyle that appeals to me.  This is the formula that has driven my builds and my new car purchases for the last 45 years.

If it is just a toaster, I really have no preconceived needs or triggers; it just needs to move under its own power and be reliable.

It's cheap like me.

Anything cheap and decrepit.  If it's a tiny fragment of hope on 4 rotted tires, it's like crack to me. 

The only thing that stops me is lack of cold hard cash, and a limit to my wifes patience.

Middle class income, marriage and Fatherhood..... its all about function. Minivan and Giant SUV.

Someday I plan to return to 2 seat sports coupes and manual transmissions. I just hope gas is still attainable when I'm ready. 

Is it Korean? If yes, is it Daewoo? If yes then no. If no then yes. 

I decided to get a 2022 Honda Civic Si to replace my demised Focus.  A new Si is cheaper than a used one in today's market.  I would not be making  a purchase if I didn't HAVE to.  But the thought was to daily a car similar in characteristics to my CTR so it will be come more familiar when at an autocross!  Plus, it has room for our family of four.  Gets good MPG's and will liven up a boring commute!

Side note: The Honda Civic Type R is made in Swindon, UK.  That was my first British car.   LOL.

It fulfills the requirement for basic transportation.

Lately, my goal has been a car that that is simple, reliable, fun to drive, and meets 90% of my needs.  Apparently that is hard to find :/

Mostly, they just fall into my lap. Taking a walk-there's a Miata for sale. Robbie advertises a free X1/9 with title. I'm out driving-there's a Swift GTi in somebody's front yard. Then I obsess over it until it is mine, or someone else buys it. All these are true, by the way.

I've thought about this a lot.

I love cars that have a distinct driving feel. Cars like the Peugeot 405 Mi16 and 205GTI, Lancer Evolution (pretty much any generation), Lotus Esprit or Elise, Renault Clio V6, Lancia Fulvia, etc.

I also have a special weakness for genuine homologation specials, like the E30 M3, Sierra Cosworth, and my Mercedes 190E 16v.

Do I like it enough to pay for it? Yes buy. No don't.

That is it.

I listen to the voices in my head, even though I probably shouldn't. 

John Heinricy 2009 Nurburing CTSV ytube .....hence my avitar

Lately my fetish has been small light cars with high power but not finished.  But then you need a little strange sometimes so I'm also looking at BBC and diesel  powered tow vehicles.

In reply to trucke :

I have a 22 Si on order as well.  My reasons are it is fun to drive but can get near 40 mpg, which I will want on my new work commute.

I like weird stuff, and trying different things. I also love cars that are really good at what they need to do. This makes my "favourite cars owned" list a bit weird.

Favourites (of 37, in no particular order). They were all good in very different ways.

Porsche 964

Prius

Golf TDI

BMW e36 M3

Grand Caravan

Discovery 3 (2.7 diesel)

BMW M135i

Fiesta ST

Depends on how it feels. Perfect example, my Mazdaspeed 3. I bought one of the very first ones in MN, completely on impulse. I went by the dealer to look at one, and my regular 3 wasn't even two years old. They let me drive one, and as soon as I was out of sight, I lit it up. It tried to change lanes in second year, and that made me really happy. I was already enamored with the Mazda layout, and the seats were super comfy. I've had plenty of other cars that were bought purely on opportunity, regardless of my like for the car, but that was the first car that really spoke to me. 

Number one rule: If it doesn't work out, can I get my money back?

I violated that rule on the Forte because I really liked it and hated myself for it later. In the end it worked out. Not the way I would have hoped, but it did.

Is it easy to work on? Is there a decent community and aftermarket support? If not, is making your own stuff straightforward and manageable?

I must be the anomaly, every automotive enthusiast I know has a revolving door of project cars or tons of cars. I have had the same rx7 since 2006. I go through a revolving door of daily drivers and tow trucks though it seems but they each stay for years too, not months at a time. 

A combination of want, cost and need.  Of my current fleet, I'll start with oldest purchase to the most recent:

1. 1973 Volvo 1800ES - (2005) bought because it was cheap; originally to part out for profit and then I couldn't go through with it.  It doesn't cost me anything to sit in its current condition until I have the space to work on it.

2. 1972 Triumph GT6 - (2011) bought because it was a good deal and I didn't have a Triumph at the time.  And is was a good companion to my ex's Spitfire, although that never really worked out. 

3. 1979 Triumph Spitfire - (2014) Also bought for the price and value, although I didn't really need another car at the time. But Little British Cars are like potato chips - you can't have just one.

4. 2006 MINI Cooper S JCW - (2017) Purchased mostly with insurance money from a previous Mini, I bought this car because I knew the seller well and it was a somewhat rare option spec.  It serves as my back-up DD, autocross car and back-up British car when I don't want to drive either of the Triumphs for whatever reason. Plus - potato chip comment above.

5. 1992 Ford E350 conversion van (2017). Purchased because it was the unicorn that had been a decades long search. Extended, raised roof conversion van. And bonus (maybe?) being a diesel.  And it was cheap.  I've gone back and forth on keeping it, but right now I am not sure a replacement is a viable option, so I probably will.  At least for now. Unfortunately, it has issues I still need to fix (or find someone to fix). 

6. 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan (2018) bought because the previous minivan was starting to nickle and dime me and being overall less than dependable. I was about to return to making regular trips to NH and needed a vehicle I could depend on.  The minivan in general was purchased as a "temporary" DD while I serviced my TDI and waited until I could find the "van of my dreams" to convert into a camper.  Eight years later, I'm still driving a minivan most of the time as it fits my DD needs well. 

So of the 6 vehicles, only the minivan I actively sought out to buy - although at the time I was actually shopping for a Pacifica. The rest sort of fell into my lap and were purchased based on the price, my desire to own, and my level of extra cash.  Right now, what makes me not buy any more cars is a lack of space.  And time - I have definitely reached a point where I am struggling to make time to work on or even drive the cars I have.

SV reX said:

Anything cheap and decrepit.  If it's a tiny fragment of hope on 4 rotted tires, it's like crack to me. 

Possibly the funniest and most personally insightful thing I've read on the Interwebz today.

fidelity101 said:

I must be the anomaly, every automotive enthusiast I know has a revolving door of project cars or tons of cars. I have had the same rx7 since 2006. I go through a revolving door of daily drivers and tow trucks though it seems but they each stay for years too, not months at a time. 

I keep a nice car for three years or so, I have had the black RX-7 since 2007...