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- Sep 30, 2020
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Anyone rethinking auto decisions?
- Thread starter supton
- Start date
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
My family still drives the same amount we canāt keep ourselves home unless I am wrenching with my dad or helping the neighbors. He parks his truck 25 miles away from home and we go over there everyday to work on his truck and other trucks there too since I am the new mobile mechanic for everyone since the other one who trained me unfortunately passed away from a heart attack a few weeks ago and I was fortunate though to get some tools from him but anyway. Unless he is working then I go over there on my own in my vehicle. We donāt stay home so having good automobiles is important I can drive all of them except the 2017 Camry my mom doesnāt let me or my dad drive it but itās the most reliable one we have but also the most uncomfortable too. The Escape has turned into a daily driver as well for me because the truck got hit so I am waiting on parts for it so I can fix it and the truck is doing great minus the damage from the hit. And my other cars the 1994 Ford Econoline and the 2001 Jeep well they are just there and will get fixed when it warms up since I donāt have a full garage and the beetle is still a work in progress too as everything is on hold till I get the front open. I also frequently drive to my sisters house to work on their vehicles too so there is no staying home for me. And in my free time when I aināt wrenchinā I am usually going around town to the pawn shops and parts stores. So no rethinking our decisions.
I bought during the pandemic, for a smaller runabout while prices sagged some. I was DDāing the F150, which for the way I drive was totally reasonable. 1 vehicle to register, insure and maintain, 21mpg, hauls the camper, the riding mower, plywood, and cleans up well enough for work. But I had the itch for a smaller vehicle. I really wanted another Volvo (what is it with this thread?). As much as I tried, I just couldnāt connect with the 2nd gen s60 or v60, and was not going to buy new. My wife added the requirement that whatever I bought had to be under 100k miles. I looked at a couple of 3-series and didnt like the seats, and then with the momentum already there, bought the ā14 Lexus GS a week or two after the whole teleworking thing hit here. This exaggerated a wave of buyers remorse as now I had an additional car and nothing was being driven.
the lex basically became the toy car to refresh a bit, or just leave alone until the buyers remorse faded. Truth is, my wife loves it and prefers to ride in it than the truck. And right now during the winter, heated seats is the bomb. But, like everywhere else, my mileage is cut by 75%. I paid cash, otherwise paying a note while not driving would add insult to injury. But Iād like to think as this thing passes, Iāll be back on the road a little more. Itās hard being home all the time.
I have noticed lower fuel bills here from the reduced commuting, thatās nice. Unfortunately for when we return to commuting, I was surprised to find the lex has no real fuel advantage over the truck at 22-23mpg.
I too have noticed that chipmunks climb up under the f150 if parked on one side, but not on the other side, of the driveway. Mental note to move it tomorrow. Itās also leaking coolant, but Iām not particularly motivated to take it in for work since itās not getting many miles. Similarly, then, itās getting some neglect since vehicles arenāt as big of a thing right now.
what IS getting attention are little woodworking projects, like a pair of folded horn subwoofers being built (BFM tuba 24s) covered in Fender Tweed. I ordered enough tweed to upholster a couch. I will likely need more before the pandemic craziness passes on.
bottom line, Iām not making a change. small responses to little ripples can make exaggerated waves.
the lex basically became the toy car to refresh a bit, or just leave alone until the buyers remorse faded. Truth is, my wife loves it and prefers to ride in it than the truck. And right now during the winter, heated seats is the bomb. But, like everywhere else, my mileage is cut by 75%. I paid cash, otherwise paying a note while not driving would add insult to injury. But Iād like to think as this thing passes, Iāll be back on the road a little more. Itās hard being home all the time.
I have noticed lower fuel bills here from the reduced commuting, thatās nice. Unfortunately for when we return to commuting, I was surprised to find the lex has no real fuel advantage over the truck at 22-23mpg.
I too have noticed that chipmunks climb up under the f150 if parked on one side, but not on the other side, of the driveway. Mental note to move it tomorrow. Itās also leaking coolant, but Iām not particularly motivated to take it in for work since itās not getting many miles. Similarly, then, itās getting some neglect since vehicles arenāt as big of a thing right now.
what IS getting attention are little woodworking projects, like a pair of folded horn subwoofers being built (BFM tuba 24s) covered in Fender Tweed. I ordered enough tweed to upholster a couch. I will likely need more before the pandemic craziness passes on.
bottom line, Iām not making a change. small responses to little ripples can make exaggerated waves.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2014
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- 3,001
I did rethink a recent purchase...and two years later I traded it in. Bought a 2018 Silverado new, put around 26,000 miles a year on it and traded it in at 52,000 miles.
A few reasons for ārethinking itā. Pretty decent size price and payment. Wasnāt using it as a truck very much (maybe only a few times a year). Pretty tough to take this thing out for dinner on the weekends and fit everyone in it - double cab, kind of tight in the back - and the thing was a pain to park. I really did get great gas mileage in it, but it was already starting to have issues...random misfires, oil usage, starter failed. I didnāt want to deal with any of that crap from a vehicle I paid that much for and was only driving gently up and down the highway, commuting to work. So it traded it in and purchased a Toyota Avalon. Saved $10,000 in the process and I no longer have a car payment.
I havenāt really missed owning a truck all that much since, although I did need to borrow a truck twice when we moved this last summer. But ever since the move I havenāt needed a truck once. And I have nothing against trucks, theyāre great vehicle nowadays.
A few reasons for ārethinking itā. Pretty decent size price and payment. Wasnāt using it as a truck very much (maybe only a few times a year). Pretty tough to take this thing out for dinner on the weekends and fit everyone in it - double cab, kind of tight in the back - and the thing was a pain to park. I really did get great gas mileage in it, but it was already starting to have issues...random misfires, oil usage, starter failed. I didnāt want to deal with any of that crap from a vehicle I paid that much for and was only driving gently up and down the highway, commuting to work. So it traded it in and purchased a Toyota Avalon. Saved $10,000 in the process and I no longer have a car payment.
I havenāt really missed owning a truck all that much since, although I did need to borrow a truck twice when we moved this last summer. But ever since the move I havenāt needed a truck once. And I have nothing against trucks, theyāre great vehicle nowadays.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2014
- Messages
- 3,001
I wouldnāt have any recourse about buying a Lexus GS350, those are very reliable and nice cars. Came inches away from buying one this summer...a little tight inside for me but they drove fantastic (super durable and reliable Lexus). But as I was heading down to make my purchase, I asked if the car was ever in an accident (after we negotiated price) and it was. And that was it, I walked away from it. I purchased a Lexus LS460 once and it had been in an accident...nearly impossible to resell it years later because of that one little accident/fender bender on the carfax. Everyone response I got on Craigslist or market place, tried to knock several thousands off my already ridiculously low price. Honestly, I was selling a Lexus LS460 for $15,000 at the time and getting offers for $8,000.
With the semiconductor shortage, I would expect at least some to put off purchases, and some to sell cars that they were maybe only thinking about getting rid of.
A local McDonalds employee has the two door coupe!
Going to be getting rid of the 06 lexus.
The ridgeline rides better, is more useful, has longer range, gets better freeway MPG, has a better AWD system, and has better cabin tech.
I just dont need 3 vehicles anymore with the kids gone and driving way fewer miles.
The ridgeline rides better, is more useful, has longer range, gets better freeway MPG, has a better AWD system, and has better cabin tech.
I just dont need 3 vehicles anymore with the kids gone and driving way fewer miles.
Rethinking because of gas prices on a steady march upwards.
Toyota Sienna hybrid looks good at 36/36 mpg.
Toyota Sienna hybrid looks good at 36/36 mpg.
A lot of people like the way they ride and the "driving a couch" type of comfort. It's not for everyone, but neither are firm seats and suspensions. I've been on a 10 hour, roughly 650 mile trip in a fully loaded 2007? Grand Marquis (when it was nearly new) and it was a very comfortable car for that trip and got 28-29 MPG. To get similar comfort in a new car, the least expensive option would probably be an Avalon, and the base prices for those start at over $35K. The Panther Chassis was outdated, but it was a good value considering the amount of car and comfort you got for the price.
Also, it wasn't just that they were generally reliable, they had almost truck-like durability due to the outdated construction. Is that necessary for most? No. Is it appealing to some people? I'm sure, whether they need it or not.
They definitely are not for everyone, but they didn't get such a following or stay in production for over 30 years by being bad cars. What I have really never understood is CKN's visceral hatred of these cars, or anything more than 3-4 years old, or anything with more than 100,000 miles. Drive what you like and enjoy it. I don't see the enjoyment in constantly getting worked up over a model of car you don't plan on owning anyway.
I'd call it obsessive....not visceral. I don't dislike vehicles with over 100,000 miles-but I don't personally keep them that long. And 300,000 miles 25 year old Suburbans (or whatever) being posted as "Scores". Well...I'm the first to admit that when you post it leaves you open for fodder....so there is that. One more post to 6,000-and only banned once!
Finding a well maintained vehicle in decent shape despite having age and miles is a score if that's what you want. It may not be for you, but you don't have to go out of your way to take a dump on others' choice of vehicle just because it's old or high miles. Especially on you know, a forum about automotive maintenance.
My dinosaur definitely cost me significantly less than just the massive depreciation on your Santa Fe Sport, and I have zero interest in a Santa Fe Sport. I may have even less money in the dinosaur than the depreciation on your Silverado. I absolutely would not trade my Explorer for a Santa Fe Sport, unless I could sell the Santa Fe Sport before it depreciates even more and buy the Explorer back. The Explorer is what I want and is doing just fine at 24 years old and 220K miles. It gets me to work every day, just like a Santa Fe Sport would, without being a Santa Fe Sport.
Now while I do not like Santa Fe Sports, I don't go out of my way (except in this instance) to take a dump on them. If someone made a post about their Santa Fe Sport that they were really happy with, I'd either find something to compliment or say nothing at all. Now when someone ignores good advice or warnings and then gets what was coming, that's fodder. Just buying an old car because you like it shouldn't be.
Oh and I think I've only gotten one ban too, for the "can you fake an RO" debate with another notorious dinosaur owner which resulted in me making a Ford Sucks of Missouri RO in MS Paint (dinosaur program) or something.
My dinosaur definitely cost me significantly less than just the massive depreciation on your Santa Fe Sport, and I have zero interest in a Santa Fe Sport. I may have even less money in the dinosaur than the depreciation on your Silverado. I absolutely would not trade my Explorer for a Santa Fe Sport, unless I could sell the Santa Fe Sport before it depreciates even more and buy the Explorer back. The Explorer is what I want and is doing just fine at 24 years old and 220K miles. It gets me to work every day, just like a Santa Fe Sport would, without being a Santa Fe Sport.
Now while I do not like Santa Fe Sports, I don't go out of my way (except in this instance) to take a dump on them. If someone made a post about their Santa Fe Sport that they were really happy with, I'd either find something to compliment or say nothing at all. Now when someone ignores good advice or warnings and then gets what was coming, that's fodder. Just buying an old car because you like it shouldn't be.
Oh and I think I've only gotten one ban too, for the "can you fake an RO" debate with another notorious dinosaur owner which resulted in me making a Ford Sucks of Missouri RO in MS Paint (dinosaur program) or something.
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Juts an FYI. New cars depreciate-that's what THEY DO. But just so you know-The Hyundai Santa Fe Limited XL (NOT THE SPORT) has depreciated at right around $300.00/ish month. Thats right in line with others in it's class. My Silverado BTW-is worth not much less than I paid-due to crazy high resale values. As a matter of fact-I'm looking at the 2021 Ford F-150 at the end of this year-or sooner. That depreciation (or lack there of) is astonishing. I ALWAYS get high book at trade in time.
Sorry, replace where I said Sport with Limited XL, or just CUV. Absolutely, depreciation is just what happens, and that's okay. It's also okay if people don't want to buy a brand new vehicle every three years and buy something older where the value has already bottomed out.
I'm not. I've been retired for 3.5 years so my driving was cut way down after that. I was driving about 60 miles a day while working. All of my vehicles are older and paid off and I don't want another car payment.
My two trucks are still low mileage( 120,000 miles and 140,000 miles) for the year and in good shape so I will just keep them. I don't need so many vehicles but they serve their purpose.
My two trucks are still low mileage( 120,000 miles and 140,000 miles) for the year and in good shape so I will just keep them. I don't need so many vehicles but they serve their purpose.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2016
- Messages
- 1,286
Sell them both and buy a motorcycle!
Ha! Too funny.
The short answer is YES, I've thought about my auto decisions. I have a total of 5 vehicles, and my wife and I are the only drivers in the house. Since March of last year, we've both started working from home and we each drive maybe 5k miles per year. So, the vehicle situation is a little...excessive. The practical side of me has been at war with the emotional/sentimental side of me for months. The emotional side is winning.
If I were to sell most of the vehicles and keep only the bare minimum, we would keep the Escalade and the Sienna, and sell everything else. We need his and her family cars that can carry all 3 of the kids, and they are multi-purpose vehicles that can do most of what I need a vehicle to do.
I have my reasons for keeping the other three. They may or may not be good reasons, but the only real expense in keeping them (besides not being able to pocket the cash from selling them) is insurance. And the Bronco has been sitting for 2 years and I took the insurance off that a long time ago, so that one isn't really costing anything at all (see, there I go rationalizing...).
If/when the pandemic ever ends, we might have to resume commuting every day and it's easier to justify multiple vehicles. But regardless, they're all mostly or fully depreciated and paid for, and I like them, so
I keep them.
If I were to sell most of the vehicles and keep only the bare minimum, we would keep the Escalade and the Sienna, and sell everything else. We need his and her family cars that can carry all 3 of the kids, and they are multi-purpose vehicles that can do most of what I need a vehicle to do.
I have my reasons for keeping the other three. They may or may not be good reasons, but the only real expense in keeping them (besides not being able to pocket the cash from selling them) is insurance. And the Bronco has been sitting for 2 years and I took the insurance off that a long time ago, so that one isn't really costing anything at all (see, there I go rationalizing...).
If/when the pandemic ever ends, we might have to resume commuting every day and it's easier to justify multiple vehicles. But regardless, they're all mostly or fully depreciated and paid for, and I like them, so
I keep them.- Status