FIRE Car

[audreyh1]

Just before I retired, I bought my first SUV. We needed 4-wheel-drive and high clearance for all the outdoor stuff we planned to do. Needed to lug a lot of gear around. Plus later we did indeed start pulling a trailer, etc.

Shortly after retirement we got rid of the second car (an Accord). Have never bought a sedan since.

Audrey

[serie1926]

Bertha spends most of her days sitting in the garage waiting for us to FIRE!

[ejman]

After being FIRE'd for 7 years, I just bough my first new car since 1990 - a 2009 Dodge Caliber. Between the Cash for Clunkers program and Chrysler rebates the car ended up being $9,300 out the door (brand new) I just couldn't resist that. I had been looking for a car since my old clunker a 1990 Astro ( My last new car purchase) had started using too much oil at 242,000 miles (still original engine and transmission).

I was also looking for better mileage since the Astro averages about 17/18 miles to the gallon. I've only had the Caliber a few days but so far I'm happy with 35 mpg. The car feels nice and peppy but I have the 5 speed manual ( I'm out in the bunnies so I don't have to put up with stop and go commuting traffic - what's ER for if not that?). We'll see how it goes.

[dm]

Here is the wife's car, she gave her jeep to one of the kids. And the silver one is my ride to the golf club. We still have a Chevy Avalanche if we have to haul 4 people or more stuff.

[Kroeran]

I prefer the Cherokee ; - )

[dm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroeran I prefer the Cherokee ; - )

It lasted about 3 month's before the kid totaled it.

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by serie1926 Bertha spends most of her days sitting in the garage waiting for us to FIRE!

Sitting in the GARAGE? That's sad.........I love Porsches.........

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude Sitting in the GARAGE? That's sad.........I love Porsches.........

BURN! You returned... And just to express your love of Porsches?

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude Sitting in the GARAGE? That's sad.........I love Porsches.........

Welcome back! Yes, I love Porsches too (other people's Porsches, that is -- they are not for me).

[serie1926]

Not to worry, I take her out for a good flogging regularly, but look forward to the day when she becomes my DD.

[freebird5825]

92 Honda Accord, purchased new, now has over 130K miles
02 Jeep GC, purchased used in 04, has approx 70K miles
05 Mustang 5 speed convertible, purchased new, midlife crisis summer only car , less than 10K miles

FIRED in 07

If the Honda gives out, I will buy a used winter rat with cash.

No car payments!

[Koolau]

When I visit the mainland (like right now) I drive my last purchased-new car - a 91 Mazda 626 with 135K. I leave it parked behind the family business when I leave for home in Hawaii. It was parked 8 months without being started this time. Started right up - though it sounded like a Diesel for a minute. Heck, the clock was still right on time. Unfortunately, the thing is sort of like the Blues-Mobile. Everything is self destructing at the same time. The finish is completely shot, the plastic interior pieces are splitting, the LCD on the radio is blank, the muffler is shot, the air/fuel intake system has a problem which makes every start like a flash-back to driver's Ed, it needs a new timing belt, the turn signals have some sort of short in them, it leaks oil, etc., etc. BUT... it runs and saves me a rental at $30 to $50/day. So until I put a bullet between its headlights, I'm going to continue driving it. I wouldn't be concerned to take it cross country, though I would not do so with DW or without my cell phone. Oh, yeah. It still gets 30+ mpg!

I love the car because it looks so utterly clapped out. No one gets in my way 'cause they sense that I have nothing to lose, heh, heh. Given my choice, I wouldn't own a car worth more than $1K, but DW demands a decent car when we're back home, so we have 2 cars in the 2000 vintage - no more than 100K miles right now. We'll see.

Oh, yeah. YMMV, heh, heh.

[Dawg52]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude Sitting in the GARAGE? That's sad.........I love Porsches.........

Must have had a weak moment. Hey, what do you think about your boy Brett coming back to play for your rival?

[haha]

I am considering swapping my '06 FIRE Subaru for my son's 2002 Audi S-4. Extremely nice car, very low miles, very nice paint and interior. Only thing holding me back is that my Sub wagon can haul some stuff around, and it is much cheaper to maintain than an S-4.

Ha

[aaronc879]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha I am considering swapping my '06 FIRE Subaru for my son's 2002 Audi S-4. Extremely nice car, very low miles, very nice paint and interior. Only thing holding me back is that my Sub wagon can haul some stuff around, and it is much cheaper to maintain than an S-4. Ha

Do you have a turbo Subie? If so I don't think you'd find a significant increase in "fun factor" by switching to the S-4. Not enough to cover the ~$5000 higher current value of the Subie. If you have a NA Subie wagon then it's just a matter of frugal vs fun. At my age, being frugal is more important to me right now so i'd stay with the Subie for another decade+. Then go with the more fun car when money's not such a big issue. You may be at that stage now so I can see your dilemma.

[BanDit1]

In March I traded in my 1997 Accord (155,000 miles) for a 2008 Prius. I really like the Prius. My insurance only went up about $10.00 per month, and I love my 48.0 - 48.5 miles per gallon. Literally cut my gas costs in half. My wife drives a 1997 Acura with 152,000 miles on it. Will keep that one running as long as we can.