Robots build better cars than humans as far as precision and consistency is concerned and that's part of the reason why car last longer now than 20 years ago- they come off the assembly line in much better fit and finish and technology has made the engines better.
Until 2024, I had a 2003 VW van and a 2005 Saab. The VW had around 73K miles, the Saab around 37K. I hated to give them up but with age comes lots of repairs even with the low mileage as the gaskets and other products dry out and cause issues. I bought a 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid. I wish I still had the other 2 cars. I, like many others, wish we could go back to cars that we could fix ourselves. Cars with crank windows, heat you could turn on with a knob instead of a computer etc. etc. Because, like Bill, I don't drive much, working from home and all, my battery died twice last winter and now I need to keep it trickle charging during the cold months (I live in VT). Fun stuff! My advice, follow Bill's lead and keep your car.
Another benefit to keeping around a older car, is that for the jurisdictions that charge property taxes on cars the fair market value is lower so your property tax on that car is lower than buying a new car. Another savings.
I drive a 2010 Nissan Cube that we bought new, and I plan to drive it until it can’t go any farther. I love having no car payments, low insurance costs, and great fuel economy. Why buy a new vehicle just to dodge potholes and travel on poorly maintained highways?
Reason #1274 I drive an '87 E250. Fuel economy sucks, but you can't beat the space, the no car payment, and the $40/mo insurance - even in Utah. I'd much rather pay for repairs than have a car payment along with some repairs.
Family car census: 2015 Honda Pilot, 2010 Honda Civic, 2010 Toyota Corolla. 2019 Honda Accord is our "new" car that allowed us to pass down the Civic. Every ding and dent is a lovable character flaw as long as they keep on getting us to our destinations.
I bought a new car this year. We had a 2019 CR-V when my hubby was the main driver. When he developed dementia and lost his license, I became the driver and hated the size of the thing. In January of this year, I traded down to a new HR-V. Got a decent trade in on the CR-V and paid cash for the balance, so now it’s my car, free and clear. I enjoy driving again and don’t expect I will buy another car in my life time. I live in a very walkable town and only take the car out once a week to keep the battery charged.
I feel for the citizens in Ukraine. Can’t imagine what they are going for because of one man and his idiosyncrasies.
In 2022 I bought my first new car in over 35 years cause I wanted the safety features. I paid cash cause I could. Many of my previous cars I drove over 250,000 miles. I’m not a young person; this will be the last car I purchase, & I don’t drive a lot now. The safety features are definitely what appealed to me.
In 2000 my husband and I bought our beautiful, new Dodge Grand Caravan in order to travel around the US and play golf; which we did, by the way. He was its primary driver and it was his golf baby after our trip. It was perfect for carrying a foursome, clubs and luggage. By the time he decided that could no longer drive just a few weeks before he died, he sold it with over 256,000 miles on it for $1000.00 cash. As far as I know, it’s still running. I drove a 2007 Honda CR-V for years but after my husband’s death, I found a 2014 Subaru Forester and traded my Honda for it plus 3K. Fewer miles and a bit more updated. Loved it and sold it before I moved south for 5K cash. Came out pretty well I think. I’ve been lucky with cars but I take care of them too. I’m just glad now I’m no longer in the states. I did buy a newer and, frankly, better car here for my son to drive me around in and use himself. Can’t say as how I miss driving at all.
As for those numb nuts who thought they would attack the White House grounds for the president’s big bash, turns out they were a bunch of young, disaffected right wingers who had bought into a lot of the conspiracy theories that have been part of our poisonous atmosphere for the last 11 years. That none of them had actually happened, they thought they would start something. https://youtube.com/shorts/On3oZxzB5ko?si=7FUMBRRYmbQHyFEN
Well Bill, not long ago I would’ve been right there with you. My old truck had over 155k miles on it plus the 90k or so that I towed it behind our home and was 11 years old. Motorhome is 12 and 135k on it.
But, when I was having breakfast with my bride a few months ago I told her I was going to order a part for the truck and she told me -why don’t you just buy a new one? So…there you go. Did I really need it? No. But it’s paid for and the massage seats (who knew?!?) are wonderful, and of course, it’s likely my last. So…to each their own.
Robots build better cars than humans as far as precision and consistency is concerned and that's part of the reason why car last longer now than 20 years ago- they come off the assembly line in much better fit and finish and technology has made the engines better.
Until 2024, I had a 2003 VW van and a 2005 Saab. The VW had around 73K miles, the Saab around 37K. I hated to give them up but with age comes lots of repairs even with the low mileage as the gaskets and other products dry out and cause issues. I bought a 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid. I wish I still had the other 2 cars. I, like many others, wish we could go back to cars that we could fix ourselves. Cars with crank windows, heat you could turn on with a knob instead of a computer etc. etc. Because, like Bill, I don't drive much, working from home and all, my battery died twice last winter and now I need to keep it trickle charging during the cold months (I live in VT). Fun stuff! My advice, follow Bill's lead and keep your car.
Another benefit to keeping around a older car, is that for the jurisdictions that charge property taxes on cars the fair market value is lower so your property tax on that car is lower than buying a new car. Another savings.
I drive a 2010 Nissan Cube that we bought new, and I plan to drive it until it can’t go any farther. I love having no car payments, low insurance costs, and great fuel economy. Why buy a new vehicle just to dodge potholes and travel on poorly maintained highways?
Reason #1274 I drive an '87 E250. Fuel economy sucks, but you can't beat the space, the no car payment, and the $40/mo insurance - even in Utah. I'd much rather pay for repairs than have a car payment along with some repairs.
Family car census: 2015 Honda Pilot, 2010 Honda Civic, 2010 Toyota Corolla. 2019 Honda Accord is our "new" car that allowed us to pass down the Civic. Every ding and dent is a lovable character flaw as long as they keep on getting us to our destinations.
I bought a new car this year. We had a 2019 CR-V when my hubby was the main driver. When he developed dementia and lost his license, I became the driver and hated the size of the thing. In January of this year, I traded down to a new HR-V. Got a decent trade in on the CR-V and paid cash for the balance, so now it’s my car, free and clear. I enjoy driving again and don’t expect I will buy another car in my life time. I live in a very walkable town and only take the car out once a week to keep the battery charged.
I feel for the citizens in Ukraine. Can’t imagine what they are going for because of one man and his idiosyncrasies.
In 2022 I bought my first new car in over 35 years cause I wanted the safety features. I paid cash cause I could. Many of my previous cars I drove over 250,000 miles. I’m not a young person; this will be the last car I purchase, & I don’t drive a lot now. The safety features are definitely what appealed to me.
In 2000 my husband and I bought our beautiful, new Dodge Grand Caravan in order to travel around the US and play golf; which we did, by the way. He was its primary driver and it was his golf baby after our trip. It was perfect for carrying a foursome, clubs and luggage. By the time he decided that could no longer drive just a few weeks before he died, he sold it with over 256,000 miles on it for $1000.00 cash. As far as I know, it’s still running. I drove a 2007 Honda CR-V for years but after my husband’s death, I found a 2014 Subaru Forester and traded my Honda for it plus 3K. Fewer miles and a bit more updated. Loved it and sold it before I moved south for 5K cash. Came out pretty well I think. I’ve been lucky with cars but I take care of them too. I’m just glad now I’m no longer in the states. I did buy a newer and, frankly, better car here for my son to drive me around in and use himself. Can’t say as how I miss driving at all.
As for those numb nuts who thought they would attack the White House grounds for the president’s big bash, turns out they were a bunch of young, disaffected right wingers who had bought into a lot of the conspiracy theories that have been part of our poisonous atmosphere for the last 11 years. That none of them had actually happened, they thought they would start something. https://youtube.com/shorts/On3oZxzB5ko?si=7FUMBRRYmbQHyFEN
Check it out. It’s almost funny.
Well Bill, not long ago I would’ve been right there with you. My old truck had over 155k miles on it plus the 90k or so that I towed it behind our home and was 11 years old. Motorhome is 12 and 135k on it.
But, when I was having breakfast with my bride a few months ago I told her I was going to order a part for the truck and she told me -why don’t you just buy a new one? So…there you go. Did I really need it? No. But it’s paid for and the massage seats (who knew?!?) are wonderful, and of course, it’s likely my last. So…to each their own.