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I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)
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2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Funny thing is, whenever conversations about how expensive cars are come up, I'm usually the first to say that adjusting for inflation, when you account for all the safety advances, standard features, performance improvements, etc, cars are actually pretty cheap these days. I just have trouble practicing what I preach, I guess.
It blows my mind to think that in 1999, at the age of 29, I had no trouble buying a $41K car (in today's dollars) spur of the moment, but today, at the age of 53, and being in a better place financially, hell, I don't even want to buy a $22,389 car!
I remember the mental accounting gymnastics I did back in 1999, to justify buying that Intrepid. I still had a second job delivering pizzas in the evenings, and was using a 1989 Gran Fury ex police car that had an appetite for premium fuel. Well, I had refinanced my condo a few months before, which saved about $200/mo. I estimated the Intrepid would save me around $125-150/mo in fuel costs compared to the Gran Fury. The monthly payment was $347.66, so I figured the fuel savings and mortgage refinance savings would make the monthly payment, so in essence the car was free!
That’s perfect car math!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Besides, if you hoard too well and do without things, and have a lot of money in a pre-tax 401k/IRA, in 20 years you will be complaining about having to take big MRDs and getting hit for a tax bill!
and yes, this was the justification my wife used to coerce me to spend more than I wanted to on the new house.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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We spend …
Main factors being my Dad passed at 41, wife’s dad at 56 and I’ve already had the big C
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
When I was a young adult, I only remember Cadillac having extra-cost 'Firemist' colors. Chevy never had any.
We bought a metallic black '11 Malibu that the paint was optional, but it sticks in my craw, LOL.
I just don't love any of the C8 colors now that Caffeine is gone. My wife likes the idea of white to match her Equinox in the garage, LOL.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
we are both tired of the corporate grind (and I only went back to it 3 months ago!) so feeling secure enough to cut the cord entirely is absolutely the goal. Trying to make it another 3.5 years, but will revisit in 1.5 and decide. Buying a new (more expensive house) that we will want to do things with, not helping. Otherwise we could go now, and should be fine, but I hate the idea of having to worry about a budget. Another few years will take care of that (and ideally we work and quit right when Medicare kicks in, if that even still exists in 4 years!)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The scare was one thing but the early passing of both of our fathers weighed in too. Heck even my stepdad passed early. His biggest dream was a condo in Ocean City. Many times they were close to pulling the trigger but got cold feet.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Well, I found my Dad, dead on his couch, a few months after his 71st birthday back in 2017. There was no autopsy; I didn't request one because I knew Dad wouldn't have wanted it, but the coroner guessed it was bladder cancer. Well, Dad smoked like a chimney, drank like a fish, and ran himself ragged taking care of Granddad in his later year. Rarely went to the doctor. Anyway, I figured I still have longevity potential, from both sides of the family, and maybe Dad was just an aberration.
And then, suddenly Mom, at the age of 74, got diagnosed with cancer back in April of this year. It was in one of her kidneys, her liver, and brain. And, on July 26, she died in hospice care. Never smoked, rarely drank, took good care of herself.
So, while it might not be a bad idea for me to plan it out to 100, just in case, I have a feeling that might be overkill. And, I don't have a spouse, or any kids or grandkids to leave anything to, so that takes off some of the pressure to save.
I have heard that a lot of retirees run into this same problem. After being conditioned to live frugally, save and sacrifice for decades, it's hard to flip the mental switch from save mode to spend mode.
both our moms passed from the big C (68 maybe for hers, 84 by mine) but both apparently put off getting looked at way too long. Her father made it to 75, but mine is 94 and still going (and driving). So, it is a crapshoot!
I do need to get on this sports car thing though once we get the house business straightened out!
Andre, go get that snazzy blue Charger today. You want it, you deserve it. Plus it ain't my money!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That is going to be my problem. I will be fine living on other income and not saving any of it, but have a big problem thinking about actually taking money out of the retirement accounts (before RMD time of course). Though that does mean working until probably at least 65!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Paternal grandfather made it into his early 80s after having a big heart attack and some scares. However, the women on both sides frequently approach or make it to 100 - my grandmothers both made it to 93, one of their mothers made it to her late 90s, another great grandmother made it to 100, etc. Doesn't help me though
These are the good old days, enjoy something now.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
We'll come up with some low mileage NB shoes for you.
license plate was "oldnfast". I had to explain it to the wife. but it fit.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Disclaimer: In those days you could obtain a loan no matter the income of your family- you only agreed to use the money "to further your education." I would submit that both of my choices met that definition.
And I paid the loans off years early.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
When I first showed up for my monthly run/walk/breakfast meetup in the 2er, I was derided as to always claiming to be poor. Yet, another car... My retort was that indeed I'm poor because I keep buying cars (Of course, I'm a total dilettante in this crowd.)!
And that they'll lend any idiot money. I'm just that idiot...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I am amazed at how many C8 owners track their cars.
And my favorite, a Triumph TR6. no front bumper on it. Looked very nice. I wanted it.
and today an 80s El Camino.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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Rebadged Nissan frontier.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
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Saw my Baltimore friend this past weekend. His plan is to show his black with red interior '64 Impala SS hardtop, 300 hp 327 with 4-speed, at Hershey this year. If you see him, stop and say 'hi'. His name is Bob.
This one charmed me - original car save for paint when the car was nearly new due to a fender bender:
2 doors, 99 miles long:
XSive:
1955 is early for one of these:
Also 1955:
Drysdale special, this one appeared to be a high quality restoration:
6 window:
Early 928 in original excellent survivor condition:
The Burdettes would approve:
Big cat:
California:
I think this is one shade off from the fintail:
Pretty pastel green bubbletop:
Special:
427 side oiler in a Cobra replica:
Not seen every day:
Independent:
I assume these are re-creations:
Oops looks like I posted a bit. Have fun!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
My BIL has a Cobra (Superformance) with a Roush built 427. scary. There may be no such thing as "too much power" but when you have to feather it in 3rd gear to avoid breaking loose, you are getting close. I think it is running in the neighborhood of 500-600 to the wheels and weighs a whopping 2200 or so pounds. And zero electronic assistance of any kind. If you do something to make the tires spin, they will spin until you hit the tree!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I think the stylists did a good job too, differentiating it from the Mustang. I have a feeling most people, unless they're into cars, would know that it was the same basic car.
Personally, I could be really happy with that '62 Cadillac. Coincidentally, the other day I saw that Planet of the Apes movie where they blow up a '61 coupe, and have to admit I cringed! That Toronado XS is nice, too.
Definitely some good variety at that show. And, from the looks of it, a lot of moneyed people!
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
My high-school nurse drove a 190SL just like that blue one, same color. My Stude dealer friend said they serviced it, but I don't recall him saying that they sold it.
I like the '61 Impala, best of the '61-64 years, but I can't stand how the radio pushbuttons spell "CHEVY". It's a 'Chevrolet', not a 'Chevy'! Same that I wouldn't have liked "STUDE" on a Studebaker radio's buttons. I'd look for a '61 Chevy with the straight-line tuning radio, LOL.
I do find Lou, although affable, to often seem clueless about the cars he's looking at....even basic stuff.
https://www.facebook.com/MyCarStoryWithLou/videos/789955749546912
Nice assortment there Fintail. I saw a Toro just like that last weekend driving down my street.
Mark V looked nice. Not my favorite color on those, but there are worse. I really think when I’m in a place to get a classic, I want a Mark V. Most likely a 79 Collectors in white, 79 Bill Blass or a 78 Cartier.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Going to the dragstrip in the mid 60s:
Summer vibes from this:
Fancy with brute:
I think this was another very original car:
My dad would have appreciated this:
Always interesting to see ordinary cars restored to a high standard:
Cartruck:
I met friend there, who was most impressed by this old timer - the non-electric lighting and crank start was fascinating to him:
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
a lot driving around, likely going there. Super nice Buick GS convertible with a family of 4 in it, top down. a bunch of old Ford PUs, and a slammed squarebody Chevy. and a bunch more that have slipped my mind already!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I read something to this similar, and it had me thinking:
If Back to the Future was made today, Marty would go back to 1993
If Peggy Sue Got Married was made today, she'd be transported back to 1998.
If American Graffiti was made today, the line would be "where were you in 2012?"
But, I'm just having trouble pulling the trigger, even though logic says it's the right thing to do. I'm going to have to do something, as the Regal really is turning into a time bomb at this point. If nothing else, its next emissions test is in April 2024, and I know it's not going to pass. I was able to barely get it past last time, by using a code reader to turn off the check engine light and clear out the codes...and I just got lucky that the light came back on after the test! If I can't do that again, it's going to need some emissions work. And on top of that it needs a ton of other stuff.
Anyway, it's been ages since I've bought a car, and I know things have changed with vehicle shortages and such, so I want y'all's opinions. Should I even try negotiating on the price of this car? It actually doesn't seem too bad, as-is, but again, I'm really out of touch with car prices.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
In 2012, around this time, I was in the process of buying my '12 Ram, a vehicle that was still in production as the "Ram Classic" until just a few months ago, I believe. In some respects, it seems like only yesterday.
Yet, in my mind, the difference between the end of summer vacation 1962, and the later part of 1973, seem eons apart.