Patman
Staff member
The Corvette I just bought is my 16th car since I got my licence in 1986.
This one is a keeper though, for sure!
This one is a keeper though, for sure!
Do you keep your cars or trade them in?
- Thread starter buster
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It makes more sense to keep them, but for me it's tough bc I love cars so much and I get tired of them. At some point I'll have to keep them. I'm going to check out the new Tacoma when it comes out. I might end up trading in my truck for that in a few years. That would be a keeper.
Patman, I'd hold on to that Vette as well!
As a young guy that doesn't have very much money I like to drive things until they need rebuilt. Rebuild and then drive them somemore. I don't drive junk.
I usually buy old and build them into something nice. It takes a lot of work but time in the garage is better spent than time in front of the TV. Plus it keeps me from chasing strange wemens at the bar. I have old cars and trucks that have cost me 1/2 to 3/4 money a new car would (figure my time at $0.05 per hour
) but it looks better, sounds better and out runs newer stuff. The gas mileage sucks on my gas motors but if you put the money spent on a new car in a good CD it would take a long time to make up the cost in gas mileage on a new car. I wouldn't buy a gas getter if I was to buy new anyway.
I see fixing up an old car as an optional payment. As long as I keep things in decent condition I can spend money when I have it and just take care of things when I don't. You do need to have some money or and extra car around in case something major dies. Although I haven't had any thing more expensive than an alternator die when I wasn't expecting it.
I can also fix many of the problems that arise on my carbureted, non-electronic engines in the middle of BFE with the few parts I carry.
I only spend $125 per five years on registration and $250 per year on good insurance. Also with classic plates I NEVER have to deal with emission tests again.
If I was to buy new I would drive it to 60-80k then analyze it. If it is wearing good with no problems then I would run it into the ground. If problems come up dump it before it costs more than its worth. With the complicated electronics in new cars I think the problems will be more expensive in the future. Things are also much harder for a non ASAE mec to fix.
Sorry for the long rant.
"Its not what you buy, its what you build"
I usually buy old and build them into something nice. It takes a lot of work but time in the garage is better spent than time in front of the TV. Plus it keeps me from chasing strange wemens at the bar. I have old cars and trucks that have cost me 1/2 to 3/4 money a new car would (figure my time at $0.05 per hour
I see fixing up an old car as an optional payment. As long as I keep things in decent condition I can spend money when I have it and just take care of things when I don't. You do need to have some money or and extra car around in case something major dies. Although I haven't had any thing more expensive than an alternator die when I wasn't expecting it.
I can also fix many of the problems that arise on my carbureted, non-electronic engines in the middle of BFE with the few parts I carry.
I only spend $125 per five years on registration and $250 per year on good insurance. Also with classic plates I NEVER have to deal with emission tests again.
If I was to buy new I would drive it to 60-80k then analyze it. If it is wearing good with no problems then I would run it into the ground. If problems come up dump it before it costs more than its worth. With the complicated electronics in new cars I think the problems will be more expensive in the future. Things are also much harder for a non ASAE mec to fix.
Sorry for the long rant.
"Its not what you buy, its what you build"
Kestas
Staff member
Ditto. I buy used cars. Because I can fix cars and am able to more tolerate problems than the non-DIYer, it doesn't make sense for me to buy new. It seems most here also wrench on their own cars.
I look at wrenching as a second job. While others are working 10 hours a day to make more money, I spend that extra time keeping my cars running well, which helps me prevent spending my hard-earned money and enjoy a higher level of car ownership (Mercedes plus a classic car). It's the same result in the end - more money in the bank and more car in the stable.
I look at wrenching as a second job. While others are working 10 hours a day to make more money, I spend that extra time keeping my cars running well, which helps me prevent spending my hard-earned money and enjoy a higher level of car ownership (Mercedes plus a classic car). It's the same result in the end - more money in the bank and more car in the stable.
He will get verbose samples though
The responses so far are interesting. The theme, whether starting with new cars or not has generally been to get the value out of them before getting rid of them.
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We pretty much went with "buy new ..keep it til it dies" method. We had to finance all our new car purchases. I owned many brand new vehicles when young and in a fairly lucritive business ..but the winds of fortune blow in any direction that they feel like in my life.
From 20-24 (new-most of these were used when I owned a courier service that delivered radio isotopes to hospitals = one large order day ..the rest of the week maybe a shopping bag worth and about 300-450 a day travel)
75 C20 (traded @ 100k plus)
77 Chevette (totalled @ 165)
78 C20 (sold @ 51k)
78 BMW 320i (sold @ 52k)
79 Peugeot 504 diesel wagon (stolen @ 160k)
80 Toyota modified chassis cube van (turned in upon business failure in 1981 -48k = lease)
Since I was married with children: (new)
86 Tempo- given away in 1996 w/ 140k
92 Caravan = still have with 164k
99 Jeep = still have w/payments (89k)
02 Jeep -still have w/payments (41k)
I don't think we'll ever buy an new car again unless there is some radical revolution in the auto/fuel market that makes our current fleet so obsolete that they fail to be functional transportation. Having our jeeps has, at least for me, caused me to look at vehicles in a vastly different manner. I don't lust for a vehicle for the status that it brings. I marvel more at its utility a functionality. I now look at enhancing its ability to provide those items.
I think that I'd be just as happy with my daughter's 91 Taurus, although I do like being able to form a vehicles "lifecycle" with virgin stock.
From 20-24 (new-most of these were used when I owned a courier service that delivered radio isotopes to hospitals = one large order day ..the rest of the week maybe a shopping bag worth and about 300-450 a day travel)
75 C20 (traded @ 100k plus)
77 Chevette (totalled @ 165)
78 C20 (sold @ 51k)
78 BMW 320i (sold @ 52k)
79 Peugeot 504 diesel wagon (stolen @ 160k)
80 Toyota modified chassis cube van (turned in upon business failure in 1981 -48k = lease)
Since I was married with children: (new)
86 Tempo- given away in 1996 w/ 140k
92 Caravan = still have with 164k
99 Jeep = still have w/payments (89k)
02 Jeep -still have w/payments (41k)
I don't think we'll ever buy an new car again unless there is some radical revolution in the auto/fuel market that makes our current fleet so obsolete that they fail to be functional transportation. Having our jeeps has, at least for me, caused me to look at vehicles in a vastly different manner. I don't lust for a vehicle for the status that it brings. I marvel more at its utility a functionality. I now look at enhancing its ability to provide those items.
I think that I'd be just as happy with my daughter's 91 Taurus, although I do like being able to form a vehicles "lifecycle" with virgin stock.
I'm of the same mind as you Buster. I love automobiles, love driving, love driving fastquote:
Originally posted by buster:
It makes more sense to keep them, but for me it's tough bc I love cars so much and I get tired of them. At some point I'll have to keep them. I'm going to check out the new Tacoma when it comes out. I might end up trading in my truck for that in a few years. That would be a keeper.Patman, I'd hold on to that Vette as well!
There were a few cars I wish I had kept not the least of which was that '67 Firebird. I'm sure a lot of others here have the same story. Cars that turned out to be classics or highly collectible automobiles that we sold as if they were a darn Chevy Citation.
Since vehicle ownership started in 1993 for me I have owned and driven the following:
1983 GMC 3500 diesel 4x4 (still own)
1984 Oldmobile Cutlass (loved this car, Why did I sell it!?!?!)
1983 GMC 2500 diesel 4x4 (traded, nothing left of it at over 310,000 miles)
1997 F150 4x4 (traded due to V6 issues of that vintage)
2001 F150 4x4 (current daily driver)
The Fords are the only vehicles that I have ever financed and the 01 is the only new vehicle I've ever owned. I will contiue to drive this truck until the cost of the repairs at any given time are greater than purchasing a used late model truck. I like the idea of buying new and driving a vehicle unitl its no longer repairable, but monthly payments are not going to be a factor in my budget any longer than they have to be. If I buy new again, I will pay cash.
Interesting to note: A friends mother buys a new car every 5 years. Her very first car was inexpensive and used, but the following cars have all be new. She saves up for 5 years and puts the money into an account soley for her new car. At the end of each 5 year period she has enough in her car account to go and buy a new loaded Camry. Just like pre-financing you new car, but she collects the interest!
1983 GMC 3500 diesel 4x4 (still own)
1984 Oldmobile Cutlass (loved this car, Why did I sell it!?!?!)
1983 GMC 2500 diesel 4x4 (traded, nothing left of it at over 310,000 miles)
1997 F150 4x4 (traded due to V6 issues of that vintage)
2001 F150 4x4 (current daily driver)
The Fords are the only vehicles that I have ever financed and the 01 is the only new vehicle I've ever owned. I will contiue to drive this truck until the cost of the repairs at any given time are greater than purchasing a used late model truck. I like the idea of buying new and driving a vehicle unitl its no longer repairable, but monthly payments are not going to be a factor in my budget any longer than they have to be. If I buy new again, I will pay cash.
Interesting to note: A friends mother buys a new car every 5 years. Her very first car was inexpensive and used, but the following cars have all be new. She saves up for 5 years and puts the money into an account soley for her new car. At the end of each 5 year period she has enough in her car account to go and buy a new loaded Camry. Just like pre-financing you new car, but she collects the interest!
I went through a period when I bought new and "traded up" every few years.
1980 Ford Fiesta, $5000
1984 Toyota pickup, $8000
1988 Ford Ranger, $12000
1994 Chevy C1500, $15000
Inflation was killing me, so I now buy used, for cash. And, since I do not want to be in debt when I retire., what would go to a car/truck payment every month is used to pay down the mortgage.
1980 Ford Fiesta, $5000
1984 Toyota pickup, $8000
1988 Ford Ranger, $12000
1994 Chevy C1500, $15000
Inflation was killing me, so I now buy used, for cash. And, since I do not want to be in debt when I retire., what would go to a car/truck payment every month is used to pay down the mortgage.
I normally run VW Jetta diesels 400,000-450,000 Km and then turn them over to one of the kids. We just sold my 91 with 680,000km. It was still running well.
With me, it depends on the particular car I guess. If I like the car a lot and it's fun to drive, I'll drive it to the ground or until I can no longer afford to fix it. That's the plan with my current '01 A4 (bought new).
However, it was very different with my previous car - '00 Accord (bought new). The thing was so incredibly boring and unoriginal (what was I thinking?
On my third car of my life at 33 year old. My first car a 1987 Jetta GLI 16V (140k sold), recently sold a 1995 Civic (226k miles boooooring at that), and now with a brand new 2004 WRX back to the fun to drive for the next 8-10 years
!
No more boring cars for me!
No more boring cars for me!
My 2003 Honda will be my last new car. It is such a waste of money to purchase a new vehicle. I would rather put my money in my home or a nice vacation with my family.
I have to disagree, My wifes 2000 and my 1998 accord are awsome cars!
Well planned interior, no legs hitting consoles and feeling cramped. Lots of storage space,so less junk on the seat next to me.
The accord is far from boring,no its not like cockpit interior but I outgrew those small cars a while back. Now im like an old man, the more room the better.
Well planned interior, no legs hitting consoles and feeling cramped. Lots of storage space,so less junk on the seat next to me.
The accord is far from boring,no its not like cockpit interior but I outgrew those small cars a while back. Now im like an old man, the more room the better.
That's funny about the Hondas. A friend of mine has had two of them and he calls them "transportation appliances". Reliable transportation from point A to point B but nothing memorable about them. I've never had one but I did have a 90 Corolla that I would describe the same way. But in 140k of neglect and abuse I couldn't kill it. The guy that bought it went to 180k before I lost touch with it. It was an "appliance" too.
I used to trade cars all the time. Like Patman, I got my license in 1983 (couple years sooner) and I've had in the neighborhood of 15 cars. Mostly used though and some I drove a year and sold for what I paid for them. I'm now older (hopefully wiser) and can't/don't want to lose anymore money. Baby on the way.
I have an '03 Mazda MPV and an '01 Suburban. I plan to go over 200k on both and put the payments in my pocket. They are both paid for. It's NICE not having a monthly payment for a change. I'm going to put the extra money in a new house and start saving for the replacements in 6-8 years.
I used to trade cars all the time. Like Patman, I got my license in 1983 (couple years sooner) and I've had in the neighborhood of 15 cars. Mostly used though and some I drove a year and sold for what I paid for them. I'm now older (hopefully wiser) and can't/don't want to lose anymore money. Baby on the way.
I used to be a car "mover"...alway had two or four beater Volvos that I barely drove sitting in the driveway. I guess I had kids and soccer and work 12 hours and church and....well I'm down to two.
But, Buster (I always wanted to say THAT) you know at 249,000+ miles, I keep my favorites. Anyone that has owned a moded Volvo 245Ti...is bound to keep the car. Such a sleeper, beater, 2.1L 26 MPG, 3.91 rear...and Volvo's don't handle? Well they do with the right "bars and such"....
On the other hand, the wife is itching for a new something to replace the other Volvo wagon. Nothing wrong with it, she wants a TRUCK....I want a HiPo Mustang!!!
So I have bought new (worst was the POS Chevy Blazer) used (bought one Volvo 262C for $800, sold for $4300!!) ......Used is good if you have time and know what you are getting yourself into. New is ok if, you know what you are getting yourself into
But, Buster (I always wanted to say THAT) you know at 249,000+ miles, I keep my favorites. Anyone that has owned a moded Volvo 245Ti...is bound to keep the car. Such a sleeper, beater, 2.1L 26 MPG, 3.91 rear...and Volvo's don't handle? Well they do with the right "bars and such"....
On the other hand, the wife is itching for a new something to replace the other Volvo wagon. Nothing wrong with it, she wants a TRUCK....I want a HiPo Mustang!!!
So I have bought new (worst was the POS Chevy Blazer) used (bought one Volvo 262C for $800, sold for $4300!!) ......Used is good if you have time and know what you are getting yourself into. New is ok if, you know what you are getting yourself into
After signing the title to a new car, you lose roughly 2 grand in equity without even turning 1 mile on the odo. I don't think I'll ever buy a new car, well, maybe when I finally really start making it on my own and have a good, better paying job. I'm content with buying 10 year old Corolla's and driving them until they die. Too many people I know get WAY upside down on car loans, then trade in on something spiffier, get upside down again, then wonder why they have 50 grand in credit card debt after they transfered all their balances from other loans onto a new credit card.
Meanwhile, I'm still gettin from point A to point B just the same as they are with money in the bank
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