Another type buys cars but keeps his cars for several years - usually until the new car warranty is about to expire. But these types are always looking and are usually defenseless if a car catches their fancy and the deal is too good to ignore.
This one is definitely me.
Driver falls in this category as well.
Thanks, you saved me the trouble of answering....I was just about to do that.
btw....was oldfarmer on that list, multiple cars that make up a diverse fleet?
While I am here, I will post one observation I made today. When I leave the compound...our semi-gated community (gate but no guard) I come to a stop sign. Then I wanted to turn left onto a somewhat busy street, that has a curve to the left and to the right. When it was clear I drove out and went left. Of course, by the time you actually go out a car is coming from the right. Like my wife said at the time, that's the time you really appreciate that extra horsepower. When we entered I-75 I needed the 330 horses (and when entering I go into SPORT MODE) again to stay ahead of the big heard of cars in the right lane.
I am a firm believer that horsepower can give you a big safety advantage if used wisely.
No question about it. Gear ratios also help. The 330 hp twin turbo is like "THE MOUSE THAT ROARED"! Quiet while idling or cruising at 65 mph, but when you kick that sucker down and those turbos kick in, it's like a V8. The outstanding 354 lb ft of torque also makes a tremendous difference.
You left out my category -- buy a new vehicle and drive it for 100 - 200K miles. A well-chosen car is no less satisfying when it's old than when it was new, unless one is inclined to be distracted by whatever new shiny object comes into view.
I've got my Prelude - 13 years & 156K - well chosen & very satisfying to drive.
I've got our Pilot which will be 5 years old in May & paid off. Currently 72K miles. It fits the needs of our family of 5 quite well and should have no trouble lasting until it at least crosses the 200K mark.
My Legacy is the youngest car in the fleet. 1 year & 3 months - 24K miles. Truly everything I need and nothing I don't. Automatic Transmission (CVT), All Wheel Drive, Heated Cloth Seats, Bluetooth, Backup Camera, 4 doors, big trunk. It's 175 horsepower H4 engine is merely adequate. It gets up to speed and doesnt have any trouble keeping up with traffic. It is comfortable, well screwed together, & I'm maintaining it for the long haul. I just can't blast out of toll booths or merge onto the highway like the Millenium Falcon with the hyper drive engaged. It was an affordable vehicle (sticker was $24K & change). Subaru's tend to hold their value well, so I didn't hesitate to take out a 72 month loan which I will pay off way ahead of time. I'm maintaining it like it is a keeper. So we shall see.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Just saw a direct withdrawal for my electric bill - $34.11 including taxes and fees. That is the lowest electric bill I've ever gotten (29 days service). Besides, I've been running the AC 24 hours a day because of the high daily temps and high humidity. But $34.11 - unbelievable!
You left out my category -- buy a new vehicle and drive it for 100 - 200K miles. A well-chosen car is no less satisfying when it's old than when it was new, unless one is inclined to be distracted by whatever new shiny object comes into view.
Agreed! Then there was the guy in another thread who frequently bragged that every car that he bought was an "upgrade"- which in his eyes meant that it was more expensive and thus bolstered his fragile sense of self worth. He knew about as much about fine automobiles as my cat. Although on second thought I'd say that my cat knows more than that poor idjit- having actually at least ridden in some decent cars.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Pretty much, although I think I'm a bit more likely to buy a 1-3 year old used car(usually a CPO) than a new car. It all depends on the needs/wants/availability/cost matrix. The youngster in the garage is my wife's 2009 328i which has 81k miles on it. That said, it may soon be my son's car; tonight my wife asked me if I'd mind if she "repossesses" her X3; like me she likes it better than the 3er. I told her it was her call- so we will see...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
so you are a reverse snob? I figure if the price is right, oh well if you slob it up a bit!
besides, if you express interest, it gives me an excuse to go over and check it out!
amazes me how much compacter they were back then. a current version of that truck seems to sit 2' higher, with a massive prow that looks like a bulldozer blade. Must really block vision to the front.
LOL, now I understand. I'm the same way, whenever a friend mentions a need for a new car I'm like a race horse at the gate.
Let me help you out. GEE STICK, I LOVE THAT TRUCK! Could you go check it out for me?
I agree that new trucks just look too massive. I wonder if there is a practical reason or is it just the macho factor.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I have done a little analysis of the car buyers both on this thread and over on CCBA (I monitor that thread but don't post much). It seems that there are several types of car buyers:
One type loves to have several cars/trucks in his fleet - and is always looking to add more - a true chronic car buyer and stable owner.
Another type loves to buy new cars - at least one per year - because there is always something coming onto the market that is perceived to be a "must have"!
Another type buys cars but keeps his cars for several years - usually until the new car warranty is about to expire. But these types are always looking and are usually defenseless if a car catches their fancy and the deal is too good to ignore.
Then, there's the pre-owned only type - never buys a new car, but is in and out of used cars constantly. This type loves to tinker with his cars as well.
There are a myriad of types of car buyers, but they usually can comfortably fit into one or more of the above categories. Where do you fit?
I think I fit into all of those categories. While I usually intend to keep my new cars forever I will consider trading up. My Eclipse was a great car but the Mustang beat it in every way that was important to me. On the other extreme I love seeking out old car bargains as often as possible. While I can resist the urge to throw $40k at the latest new shiney object I am often helpless when something comes along in the sub $3k range.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Oldfarmer said " While I can resist the urge to throw $40k at the latest new shiney object I am often helpless when something comes along in the sub $3k range."
that is definitely not me. I've done my share of sub $3k cars with three teenage and college kids. For myself I definitely want nicer and newer. That said, I'm always happy to help other people look for older cars. They're still cars after all.
I noticed plenty of MG Midgets priced from $4,000 on up to around $15,000 the last few days on Hemming's. The lower-priced ones I'd have a mechanic check out first, of course, but I am impressed by what you can get for $5,000 in the way of a tiny, British legendary sports car. Most had good paint and tires and around 40,000 - 70,000 miles on them. Here in the mid of winter (actually it's just beginning) I can get all excited about something I'll never do and go over my options.
Farmer, I think it is totally a macho factor. No practicality at all (if anything, it is style over function, which seems really odd in a "work" vehicle).
I don't know what category I am in. Have to factor in the frugal/budget issue too. Plus, room.
I like new, but will hold something that makes sense for a decent long time (5+ years). But, I am always looking. At anything, I just like to look. Most likely going forward, a gently (2 year, maybe 3) YO used car to get the price down.
I also run parallel threads. My wife's car (usually the family truckster) that has always been, and likely continue to be, new, but also kept the longest. My car, that at times will get frequently flipped, but not be new.
If I had extra garage/driveway space, I could see a definite fleet in my future! One of the prime criteria as we start thinking about house shopping for a future move.
I noticed plenty of MG Midgets priced from $4,000 on up to around $15,000 the last few days on Hemming's. The lower-priced ones I'd have a mechanic check out first, of course, but I am impressed by what you can get for $5,000 in the way of a tiny, British legendary sports car. Most had good paint and tires and around 40,000 - 70,000 miles on them. Here in the mid of winter (actually it's just beginning) I can get all excited about something I'll never do and go over my options.
Sort of a day trading thrill of some sort?
Those MGs are deceiving.....look like fun but are usually a lot of trouble. They didn't hold up that well when they were bought new.
I had a 59 Bug Eye Sprite, used more oil than gasoline. Used to buy 10W60 oil by the gallon can.
I have a friend with a classic MG. It's his continuous project. He drives it in the summertime. Sometimes. When it runs. If you want a car hobby it's a good one. A car to drive often, not so much.
If I had extra garage/driveway space, I could see a definite fleet in my future! One of the prime criteria as we start thinking about house shopping for a future move.
If I had the space, I think I'd like something like this, though maybe not quite as fancy - an older truck that isn't so nice you can't use it for its intended purpose.
We just returned from a family vacation to Utah that involved a drive from Colorado to the Salt Lake area. We left December 23 while it was sunny and beautiful in Northern Colorado, only to encounter a wind storm raking across Wyoming. What a drive. The Impreza typically averages around 34 mpg at 75 mph while turning 2300 RPM. Well, that trip, I noted on a 5ish percent grade down hill section, the motor was turning 3500 RPM and returning 24 mpg while fighting the brutal headwind. And we were in a low car.
The semi trucks weren't nearly so lucky with their high profiles and dragging trailers. We came across four of them overturned on the opposite east bound lanes, two of which had totally shut down the freeway due to the trailers blocking all regular and emergency lanes.
The wind blew snow across the highway which packed down to 2 inches of solid, shiny ice, and the blowing snow created a white-out effect from the ground to about 3 feet up, so there was no way to see what you were driving on. Only the tall road marker polls kept me oriented to the freeway. Crazy.
The Impreza really was the perfect car for those conditions with an amazingly effective AWD system, solid chassis, decent tires, and slung low to the ground. I was still miserable and white knuckled.
At Rock Springs we noticed the digital freeway signs indicated that I-80 had been closed, but the gates were all still open and traffic continued along. So we kept crawling along with the others, right up until the middle of nowhere, also known as Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Winter population: 1 parking lot full of semi trucks.
As we approached the Fort Bridger exit I noticed a police car with flashing lights parked across the highway lanes, and turned to my wife and asked, "do you you think he would mind if I just blew by him?" Well, that question remained unanswered because just as we approached him, he lowered the freeway gates to block all traffic east and west. Bummer. Our Impreza was handling the conditions just fine, but all those semi trucks struggling with the wind and ice became the impetuous for closing the freeway.
So, we exited with the semis and a handful of other cars to find the only thing around was a parking lot on the side of the freeway with howling winds and 7-degree temps not counting the wind chill factor. Not good. We did have a nearly full tank of gas, food, water, and plenty of clothing, so our lives weren't in danger by any means. But, spending an evening in a compact car with three people, a golden retriever, clothing for a week, and Christmas presents after already having spent 7 hours in said car, well, that wasn't a very pleasant thought.
We parked for a moment to get our bearings, and then sent our phones into search and rescue mode. There were two hotels accessible by a side road that branched off from the highway, and we found one to be closed for winter. That left one place left, the Country Cabins Inn in Mountain View, Wyoming. My wife called and found they had vacancy (yeah!!) and they would take our dog (double yeah!!). So, we set out on the icy country road wondering what kind of hotel we'd find in such a remote area.
We pulled into little Mountain View and discovered quite a nice little place. The Country Cabins facility was indeed made up of individual cabins that were new, clean, warm, and comfortable, and featured two very comfortable queen beds. We literally could not have found a better place for our needs. To add to the pleasant surprise was a Chinese restaurant attached to the facility and the owner mentioned they made good food, and he was right. Shortly after thawing out and eating dinner, we found a note in the cabin that stated no pets, so we learned then that the owner had made an exception for us given the circumstances, which we genuinely appreciated. And to top it off, an hour after checking in, the owner stopped by with a Christmas toy for our daughter. What an amazing guy.
The next morning the winds ebbed and the plows added a layer of sand to the ice. The freeway reopened and we then continued our journey to enjoy Christmas Eve as planned with our friends and family. So, a miserable experience was turned heart warming because of the generosity of an individual. It was our own little Christmas story.
I agree that new trucks just look too massive. I wonder if there is a practical reason or is it just the macho factor.
For one thing, they raised the body up off of the frame, this achieves two purposes.
One, the drive shaft does not intrude into the cabin (these are front engine / rear wheel drive vehicles, and they have no hump in the middle of the floorboard.)
Two, with the body up higher, the fender wheels take up less of the cargo space in the bed. Which is very important, as most of the trucks they sell these days only have a 5.5' bed.
And, I think they just go after the "macho", big truck image.
Wow, some vacation! What you experienced (weather) is the one reason I remain in Florida. Just to make you a little jealous, today's high is 87 degrees and the low tonight will be 76 degrees. Same for tomorrow. We are breaking records for highest "high" temps and record "high" low temps almost every day.
A cold front is expected to come through this weekend dropping temps into the mid 70's and lows in the mid 60's. A chance to open the windows and turn off the AC.
Nice, Mike! It's been cold, cold, cold in Utah and Colorado. Normally snow melts off right away after a storm, but the last week the snow has turned to ice and then stuck around. I'm indeed jealous! But, I'll be in your area shortly. I'm traveling out for a business conference in Orlando, then holding meetings with clients in Miami and West Palm Beach the remainder of the week. Hold that nice weather for just a while longer
Our Taos company stayed over an extra night and our TX company stayed over two nights. Still some roads closed up north of Hobbs on the eastern side of the state.
Nice, Mike! It's been cold, cold, cold in Utah and Colorado. Normally snow melts off right away after a storm, but the last week the snow has turned to ice and then stuck around. I'm indeed jealous! But, I'll be in your area shortly. I'm traveling out for a business conference in Orlando, then holding meetings with clients in Miami and West Palm Beach the remainder of the week. Hold that nice weather for just a while longer
Miami and Palm Beach? Too bad - I live right between those two cities. Would have loved to meet you for lunch one day!
Don't know what category I'm in but I would define it as pragmatic. I usually keep my vehicle 2+ years beyond the warranty or when repairs and maintenance reach $2,000 regardless of mileage. When I get to the point of needing four new tires, a brake job or other high cost maintenance items its time to trade or sell.
Like someone said, my new vehicle is always an upgrade in price, size and prestige from my previous car. That's probably a pretty common strategy as auto makers design cars for the entire life cycle -- from Millennials, Gen X-ers, Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation (parents of the Boomers). With global warming becoming a serious environmental issue, buying habits are changing with some households now own one rather than two vehicles in the family.
Miami and Palm Beach? Too bad - I live right between those two cities. Would have loved to meet you for lunch one day!
I think we could make something work! I'll be driving from Orlando to Miami on a Wednesday for client meetings, and then Thursday and Friday are currently soft scheduled with West Palm Beach and technical training. Let me get those firmed up and I'll be back in touch. That would a be a treat to meet in person!
Very, very true. Yesterday we drove home to Colorado thinking the roads would be clear. Nope. They looked clear. But the Impreza back end was yawing a bit at 55 MPH, just a minor and random oscillation. On a straight section I tapped the brakes for a quick road surface check and confirmed my suspicions when the ABS immediately kicked in and traction control went nuts. More ice. So we slowed down, added some time to the trip, and watched other vehicles spin off into the ditch.
Miami and Palm Beach? Too bad - I live right between those two cities. Would have loved to meet you for lunch one day!
I think we could make something work! I'll be driving from Orlando to Miami on a Wednesday for client meetings, and then Thursday and Friday are currently soft scheduled with West Palm Beach and technical training. Let me get those firmed up and I'll be back in touch. That would a be a treat to meet in person!
Palm Beach is about 30 miles north of me. I live right off the Florida Turnpike and Okeechobee Road is the main exit for West Palm Beach.
Miami and Palm Beach? Too bad - I live right between those two cities. Would have loved to meet you for lunch one day!
I think we could make something work! I'll be driving from Orlando to Miami on a Wednesday for client meetings, and then Thursday and Friday are currently soft scheduled with West Palm Beach and technical training. Let me get those firmed up and I'll be back in touch. That would a be a treat to meet in person!
Palm Beach is about 30 miles north of me. I live right off the Florida Turnpike and Okeechobee Road is the main exit for West Palm Beach.
When you drive from Orlando to Miami on the Turnpike, you pass right by me (1 block away).
I just paid $1.49 per gallon for home heating oil. Cheapest in the 5+ years I've lived in CT.
Just paid $2.36 for PUG at Sunoco. That's the lowest in about 10 years. I remember back in 2007 thinking that if gas went back to $2.50 for Premium I would pull the trigger on a sporty car. It didn't but I did anyway and gas went to $4.35 for PUG..
Now I buy an even sportier car and the price of gas drops through the floor.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I just paid $1.49 per gallon for home heating oil. Cheapest in the 5+ years I've lived in CT.
Just paid $2.36 for PUG at Sunoco. That's the lowest in about 10 years. I remember back in 2007 thinking that if gas went back to $2.50 for Premium I would pull the trigger on a sporty car. It didn't but I did anyway and gas went to $4.35 for PUG..
Now I buy an even sportier car and the price of gas drops through the floor.
Costco is at $2.34.9 for PUG. I agree, that's the lowest I have paid in a long time for PUG. RUG at Costco is $1.81.9.
It snowed overnight here in Dodge City, KS. We got about one inch of snow but we're still thawing out from the first two snow storms of the winter. The "anger of the Plains", as Jason Isbell writes in his song, 'Children of Children,' from his great new album 'Southeastern.'
All this wind and snow. Dodge City is the windiest city in the U.S. with an average daily wind speed of 14 miles an hour. Combine that with snow and you've got all kinds of fun. Mrs. iluvmysephia1 and I found a house to rent on the south end of town. We're moving in mid-Jan.2016. It's a 3BD, 1 BA rectangular white house with a fenced front yard for our Pomeranian and Akita Chow. So we're pretty stoked about that. It even has a detached 3-car garage complete with an automatic garage door opener! Whoo-hooo!
I've been saving my new Wal*Mart hubcaps until we move in so I can put them on inside the garage. With Dodge City's wind it's actually too uncomfortable to work out of doors in the Kia Soul. The windchill bites. So I can't wait ta get out of this apartment! The pups will dig it, all of us will dig it so much.
Yeah, regarding the MG Midget, I could pick one up for $4,000 - $6000 if went all rogue and made a "put my foot down" type of decision, but frankly, I don't want a project car. I'm too spoiled by the reliability of my 2011 Kia Soul. That would freak me out - my car breaking down intermittently like that. It would be like a return of my 1965 Ford Mustang. That car kept me on my toes, back when money was really hard ta come by and the Mrs. and I had the little toe-head ta bring up. And Boeing said sayinara to me in March off 1982 and all that lovey stuff. That was layoff #1 of 2. The second layoff wouldn't come until May of 2003.
"With global warming becoming a serious environmental issue, buying habits are changing with some households now own one rather than two vehicles in the family."
"With global warming becoming a serious environmental issue, buying habits are changing with some households now own one rather than two vehicles in the family."
I guess they feel they're doing their part.
If you follow this thread and CCBA, you'd never guess from the posts that households are one car families instead of 2-car or 3-car families!
Hm, guess we are in year 14 of sharing one car for the two of us since ~1980. What's that, 40% of the time? 19 of those years we were in a bikeable/walkable neighborhood and I most always worked at home anyway.
You don't own stuff, it owns you. Move and shed. It's not about the bike. Collect experiences. Talk don't Yoda like.
You are fortunate to have such living conditions. Here in rural Ohio there is no public transportation, roads are narrow and hilly and not friendly to walkers/bikers, and everything is generally 3-5 miles or more apart. Two cars a necessity for us.
"With global warming becoming a serious environmental issue, buying habits are changing with some households now own one rather than two vehicles in the family."
I guess they feel they're doing their part.
Thank goodness for oldfarmer....he brings our average up.
we have only been 1 car for brief periods, when I was "in between" rides. Technically doable, but I would never actually want to. Heck, I am more likely to go up to 3-4 when my daughter is off on her own! Just need to move to a place where the parking logistics work better!
We had our first snow/ice storm in a while yesterday. Roads where pretty bad, although not lots of traffic due to kids being out of school. Decided to drive to work without using 4WD or locking axle. Went better than I expected. Don't have any weight in the bed, but new tires, traction and stability control help a lot.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
Hm, guess we are in year 14 of sharing one car for the two of us since ~1980. What's that, 40% of the time? 19 of those years we were in a bikeable/walkable neighborhood and I most always worked at home anyway.
You don't own stuff, it owns you. Move and shed. It's not about the bike. Collect experiences. Talk don't Yoda like.
Did I miss any?
I want to personally thank you for limiting yourself to one car so that others like myself can go hog wild.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Just got home from taking my neighbors to dinner. They were so nice to me after I got home from the hospital and went shopping for me, I thought I would treat them to a steak dinner.
When the check came and I took a good look at it, I asked the neighbors if they knew how to wash dishes. All kidding aside, the 3 of us racked up a bill of $311.00. I left a $60.00 tip and began to think - I had a surf and turf, so did the husband. The wife had a petit filet and they shared a Caesar salad. They ordered sautéed mushrooms and chef fries and each of them had a drink. I did not have any sides or alcoholic beverages. They shared a large piece of cheesecake. Each had a cappuccino.
They sure could pack it away. But $371.00 for dinner - that's almost the price of an HDTV at BestBuy. I didn't think I knew anyone well enough to spend that much money on dinner for 3 - and all I had was a main course and iced tea. Next time, it's Chick-Fil-A or McDonalds!
Well, not exactly packing it away to have one drink each and share salad and dessert. You gave the cue for the cost level of the main dish by ordering surf and turf. You could pick a less pricy restaurant next time! It was very nice of you to do.
Well, not exactly packing it away to have one drink each and share salad and dessert. You gave the cue for the cost level of the main dish by ordering surf and turf. You could pick a less pricy restaurant next time! It was very nice of you to do.
In all honesty, I did enjoy their company and was appreciative of their concern and assistance when I was in need. Well worth making them happy!
I have a friend with a classic MG. It's his continuous project. He drives it in the summertime. Sometimes. When it runs. If you want a car hobby it's a good one. A car to drive often, not so much.
One of my best friends in high school had an MG. Being from a rural area with few foreign cars when people asked her what she drove and she said "an MG" they would say "Oh you mean a GM" thinking she didn't know her cars.
She loved it but as you note it was a continuous project.
The wife's Outback has almost 11,000 miles on it and it goes in for it's second service today. Wanted to confirm with @nyccarguy and @tyguy that it's the AWD differential fluid that I want changed this trip.
Got the car cleaned up inside and out yesterday - the bad weather we've had the past couple of weeks makes cars quite filthy. Shines up like a new penny. No complaints whatsoever after 10 months.
My first car was a '65 MGB that I bought used in August of '69 and drove almost 104K miles in just under four years through 44 states and 8 provinces. It did go through oil, and I learned to replace the generator bushing in under 30 minutes (always carried a minimum of one spare), but overall it never left me stranded. Tightest steering and shift linkage of any car I've ever driven.
Comments
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I've got my Prelude - 13 years & 156K - well chosen & very satisfying to drive.
I've got our Pilot which will be 5 years old in May & paid off. Currently 72K miles. It fits the needs of our family of 5 quite well and should have no trouble lasting until it at least crosses the 200K mark.
My Legacy is the youngest car in the fleet. 1 year & 3 months - 24K miles. Truly everything I need and nothing I don't. Automatic Transmission (CVT), All Wheel Drive, Heated Cloth Seats, Bluetooth, Backup Camera, 4 doors, big trunk. It's 175 horsepower H4 engine is merely adequate. It gets up to speed and doesnt have any trouble keeping up with traffic. It is comfortable, well screwed together, & I'm maintaining it for the long haul. I just can't blast out of toll booths or merge onto the highway like the Millenium Falcon with the hyper drive engaged. It was an affordable vehicle (sticker was $24K & change). Subaru's tend to hold their value well, so I didn't hesitate to take out a 72 month loan which I will pay off way ahead of time. I'm maintaining it like it is a keeper. So we shall see.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Although on second thought I'd say that my cat knows more than that poor idjit- having actually at least ridden in some decent cars.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The youngster in the garage is my wife's 2009 328i which has 81k miles on it.
That said, it may soon be my son's car; tonight my wife asked me if I'd mind if she "repossesses" her X3; like me she likes it better than the 3er. I told her it was her call- so we will see...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Let me help you out. GEE STICK, I LOVE THAT TRUCK! Could you go check it out for me?
I agree that new trucks just look too massive. I wonder if there is a practical reason or is it just the macho factor.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
" While I can resist the urge to throw $40k at the latest new shiney object I am often helpless when something comes along in the sub $3k range."
that is definitely not me. I've done my share of sub $3k cars with three teenage and college kids. For myself I definitely want nicer and newer. That said, I'm always happy to help other people look for older cars. They're still cars after all.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Sort of a day trading thrill of some sort?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I like new, but will hold something that makes sense for a decent long time (5+ years). But, I am always looking. At anything, I just like to look. Most likely going forward, a gently (2 year, maybe 3) YO used car to get the price down.
I also run parallel threads. My wife's car (usually the family truckster) that has always been, and likely continue to be, new, but also kept the longest. My car, that at times will get frequently flipped, but not be new.
If I had extra garage/driveway space, I could see a definite fleet in my future! One of the prime criteria as we start thinking about house shopping for a future move.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Those MGs are deceiving.....look like fun but are usually a lot of trouble.
They didn't hold up that well when they were bought new.
I had a 59 Bug Eye Sprite, used more oil than gasoline. Used to buy 10W60 oil by the gallon can.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
The semi trucks weren't nearly so lucky with their high profiles and dragging trailers. We came across four of them overturned on the opposite east bound lanes, two of which had totally shut down the freeway due to the trailers blocking all regular and emergency lanes.
The wind blew snow across the highway which packed down to 2 inches of solid, shiny ice, and the blowing snow created a white-out effect from the ground to about 3 feet up, so there was no way to see what you were driving on. Only the tall road marker polls kept me oriented to the freeway. Crazy.
The Impreza really was the perfect car for those conditions with an amazingly effective AWD system, solid chassis, decent tires, and slung low to the ground. I was still miserable and white knuckled.
At Rock Springs we noticed the digital freeway signs indicated that I-80 had been closed, but the gates were all still open and traffic continued along. So we kept crawling along with the others, right up until the middle of nowhere, also known as Fort Bridger, Wyoming. Winter population: 1 parking lot full of semi trucks.
As we approached the Fort Bridger exit I noticed a police car with flashing lights parked across the highway lanes, and turned to my wife and asked, "do you you think he would mind if I just blew by him?" Well, that question remained unanswered because just as we approached him, he lowered the freeway gates to block all traffic east and west. Bummer. Our Impreza was handling the conditions just fine, but all those semi trucks struggling with the wind and ice became the impetuous for closing the freeway.
So, we exited with the semis and a handful of other cars to find the only thing around was a parking lot on the side of the freeway with howling winds and 7-degree temps not counting the wind chill factor. Not good. We did have a nearly full tank of gas, food, water, and plenty of clothing, so our lives weren't in danger by any means. But, spending an evening in a compact car with three people, a golden retriever, clothing for a week, and Christmas presents after already having spent 7 hours in said car, well, that wasn't a very pleasant thought.
We parked for a moment to get our bearings, and then sent our phones into search and rescue mode. There were two hotels accessible by a side road that branched off from the highway, and we found one to be closed for winter. That left one place left, the Country Cabins Inn in Mountain View, Wyoming. My wife called and found they had vacancy (yeah!!) and they would take our dog (double yeah!!). So, we set out on the icy country road wondering what kind of hotel we'd find in such a remote area.
We pulled into little Mountain View and discovered quite a nice little place. The Country Cabins facility was indeed made up of individual cabins that were new, clean, warm, and comfortable, and featured two very comfortable queen beds. We literally could not have found a better place for our needs. To add to the pleasant surprise was a Chinese restaurant attached to the facility and the owner mentioned they made good food, and he was right. Shortly after thawing out and eating dinner, we found a note in the cabin that stated no pets, so we learned then that the owner had made an exception for us given the circumstances, which we genuinely appreciated. And to top it off, an hour after checking in, the owner stopped by with a Christmas toy for our daughter. What an amazing guy.
The next morning the winds ebbed and the plows added a layer of sand to the ice. The freeway reopened and we then continued our journey to enjoy Christmas Eve as planned with our friends and family. So, a miserable experience was turned heart warming because of the generosity of an individual. It was our own little Christmas story.
One, the drive shaft does not intrude into the cabin (these are front engine / rear wheel drive vehicles, and they have no hump in the middle of the floorboard.)
Two, with the body up higher, the fender wheels take up less of the cargo space in the bed. Which is very important, as most of the trucks they sell these days only have a 5.5' bed.
And, I think they just go after the "macho", big truck image.
Wow, some vacation! What you experienced (weather) is the one reason I remain in Florida. Just to make you a little jealous, today's high is 87 degrees and the low tonight will be 76 degrees. Same for tomorrow. We are breaking records for highest "high" temps and record "high" low temps almost every day.
A cold front is expected to come through this weekend dropping temps into the mid 70's and lows in the mid 60's. A chance to open the windows and turn off the AC.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Our Taos company stayed over an extra night and our TX company stayed over two nights. Still some roads closed up north of Hobbs on the eastern side of the state.
Sure is quiet around here all of a sudden....
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Like someone said, my new vehicle is always an upgrade in price, size and prestige from my previous car. That's probably a pretty common strategy as auto makers design cars for the entire life cycle -- from Millennials, Gen X-ers, Baby Boomers and the Greatest Generation (parents of the Boomers). With global warming becoming a serious environmental issue, buying habits are changing with some households now own one rather than two vehicles in the family.
What, no shopping!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Now I buy an even sportier car and the price of gas drops through the floor.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
All this wind and snow. Dodge City is the windiest city in the U.S. with an average daily wind speed of 14 miles an hour. Combine that with snow and you've got all kinds of fun. Mrs. iluvmysephia1 and I found a house to rent on the south end of town. We're moving in mid-Jan.2016. It's a 3BD, 1 BA rectangular white house with a fenced front yard for our Pomeranian and Akita Chow. So we're pretty stoked about that. It even has a detached 3-car garage complete with an automatic garage door opener!
I've been saving my new Wal*Mart hubcaps until we move in so I can put them on inside the garage. With Dodge City's wind it's actually too uncomfortable to work out of doors in the Kia Soul. The windchill bites. So I can't wait ta get out of this apartment! The pups will dig it, all of us will dig it so much.
Yeah, regarding the MG Midget, I could pick one up for $4,000 - $6000 if went all rogue and made a "put my foot down" type of decision, but frankly, I don't want a project car. I'm too spoiled by the reliability of my 2011 Kia Soul. That would freak me out - my car breaking down intermittently like that. It would be like a return of my 1965 Ford Mustang. That car kept me on my toes, back when money was really hard ta come by and the Mrs. and I had the little toe-head ta bring up. And Boeing said sayinara to me in March off 1982 and all that lovey stuff. That was layoff #1 of 2. The second layoff wouldn't come until May of 2003.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I guess they feel they're doing their part.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
You don't own stuff, it owns you. Move and shed. It's not about the bike. Collect experiences. Talk don't Yoda like.
Did I miss any?
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Decided to drive to work without using 4WD or locking axle. Went better than I expected.
Don't have any weight in the bed, but new tires, traction and stability control help a lot.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
When the check came and I took a good look at it, I asked the neighbors if they knew how to wash dishes. All kidding aside, the 3 of us racked up a bill of $311.00. I left a $60.00 tip and began to think - I had a surf and turf, so did the husband. The wife had a petit filet and they shared a Caesar salad. They ordered sautéed mushrooms and chef fries and each of them had a drink. I did not have any sides or alcoholic beverages. They shared a large piece of cheesecake. Each had a cappuccino.
They sure could pack it away. But $371.00 for dinner - that's almost the price of an HDTV at BestBuy. I didn't think I knew anyone well enough to spend that much money on dinner for 3 - and all I had was a main course and iced tea. Next time, it's Chick-Fil-A or McDonalds!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
She loved it but as you note it was a continuous project.
Got the car cleaned up inside and out yesterday - the bad weather we've had the past couple of weeks makes cars quite filthy. Shines up like a new penny. No complaints whatsoever after 10 months.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Good times.