Knee-jerk and expense-tracking

[Sunset]

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One example right now, where I'm going through it, is in getting a new car. I've been coming up with one excuse after another to put it off.

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DW has the same issue, she keeps putting off buying a new car. Content with her 25 year old Toyota !

I just let her be, as we can easily live with just one vehicle, as we have a van and use that for most of the driving.

But it's no big deal if we get one or don't.

 

[Koolau]

DW has the same issue, she keeps putting off buying a new car. Content with her 25 year old Toyota !

I just let her be, as we can easily live with just one vehicle, as we have a van and use that for most of the driving.

But it's no big deal if we get one or don't.

I'm amazed that my 23 year old Buick is still good, reliable transportation. I'd be "honored" to drive a 25 year old Toyota. Still, new cars can be magic carpets if you choose the right one.

 

[athena53]

I'm amazed that my 23 year old Buick is still good, reliable transportation. I'd be "honored" to drive a 25 year old Toyota. Still, new cars can be magic carpets if you choose the right one.

Three years ago my 8-year old Nissan died at "only" 134,000 miles. Transmission died and even a rebuilt one would cost more than the car was worth. Actually, it was good timing- supply chain issues started a few months later and the price of cars shot up after that. I called my financial advisor and told him I needed him to transfer $$ to my bank account since I was paying cash for the new car. He asked what kind. Honda Civic, I told him. He laughed and asked why not a BMW. I replied, "Why would I do that?"

Just not my priority. This was the first time I'd bought a current model year car since 1991 and I knew the new-car thrill would wear off after a week no matter what I bought.

 

[Phroig]

I'm amazed that my 23 year old Buick is still good, reliable transportation. I'd be "honored" to drive a 25 year old Toyota. Still, new cars can be magic carpets if you choose the right one.

I drive an 18 year old minivan. Some of my colleagues drive newish Teslas, Audis, etc. I only get jealous if I see a car that’s older than mine in the parking lot.

 

[Dtail]

I also track all spending mostly every day and analyze monthly. If we are running high vs. budget, we sometimes discuss it and sometimes we don't.

 

[skyking1]

DW appreciates a nice car, and I am pleased to back her on that. For 15 years I drove her hand-me-downs
If we splurge on something at the new home it will be something that plugs in.

 

[audreyh1]

We are so far behind on our travel spending (our largest discretionary category by far) that I don’t plan to worry about it for a long while.

 

[skyking1]

^ plus a million on that sentiment!^
It gets worse because we won't travel until the new house is built. OMY on kicking the travel can down the road.

 

[Badger]

Sometimes.
We track spending, still live fairly frugally, buy what we need. I still go through the "is it need or a want?" questions for purchases outside the regular budget.

We don't have the money to buy whatever we want, whenever we want, but we have enough.
Enough to enjoy our life and time spend with family and friends.
Feel blessed and grateful every day.

+1 It is always so refreshing to read this forum and find so many that understand the difference between "Need and Want". What a difference from the rest of the country.

Cheers!

 

[Koolau]

Three years ago my 8-year old Nissan died at "only" 134,000 miles. Transmission died and even a rebuilt one would cost more than the car was worth. Actually, it was good timing- supply chain issues started a few months later and the price of cars shot up after that. I called my financial advisor and told him I needed him to transfer $$ to my bank account since I was paying cash for the new car. He asked what kind. Honda Civic, I told him. He laughed and asked why not a BMW. I replied, "Why would I do that?"

Just not my priority. This was the first time I'd bought a current model year car since 1991 and I knew the new-car thrill would wear off after a week no matter what I bought.

Heh, heh, note to self: Fire Ralph (the financial advisor.)

 

[Koolau]

I drive an 18 year old minivan. Some of my colleagues drive newish Teslas, Audis, etc. I only get jealous if I see a car that’s older than mine in the parking lot.

I love seeing someone driving a car that's 20 years old, has a replaced hood and both back doors. All in different colors. That car is bullet proof. It needs no collision coverage. T-bone it and it's totaled and you just go get another one like it - different color scheme.

 

[freedomatlast]

Three years ago my 8-year old Nissan died at "only" 134,000 miles. Transmission died and even a rebuilt one would cost more than the car was worth.

I'm guessing it was a Rogue or Altima with one of Nissan's horrible CVT's?

 

[athena53]

I'm guessing it was a Rogue or Altima with one of Nissan's horrible CVT's?

Yes, it was an Altima. It's why I didn't buy another Nissan.

 

[Phroig]

The other thing about older cars is you get a lot of respect on the road. Nobody wants their car to mess with your car.

 

[brett]

We are surrounded by late model high end Merc, Audi, and Acura SUV's. One or two high end late model domestic labels. Beautiful cars that get low mileage and then get traded at 3 years.

Us...2006 Accord and 2007 Solara in our driveway. Absolutely no intention changing. Both are as new.

Last car we gave to our son was a Camry. 18 years old, 200K miles on the clock, and he drove it for another four years.

For years I got a new company car every year. All sorts for luxury, suv, sedan, etc. The novelty wore off.

 

[Teacher Terry]

A year ago I considered getting a new car but this forum convinced me my Toyota Corolla would last as long as I did. It’s a 2008 with 68k miles. I put on less than 3k a year. Most parking spaces are carports at my condo but I am lucky enough to have one of the 6 spaces under the building which is great.

Pulling in one day I misjudged and managed to scrape the side of my car on the building. I would have been crying like a baby if I had a new car). Probably half of the building is seniors and there’s plenty of dents on the carport poles.

 

[jollystomper]

Pulling in one day I misjudged and managed to scrape the side of my car on the building. I would have been crying like a baby if I had a new car).

That is one hesitation about a getting a new car - that inevitable first scrape/scratch dent that one has to deal with mentally .

I have thought about going to a dealer and asking "do you have any new cars that already have scrapes/dents, and would you be willing to sell it to me at a discount?" I could deal with it then .

 

[Sunset]

That is one hesitation about a getting a new car - that inevitable first scrape/scratch dent that one has to deal with mentally .

I have thought about going to a dealer and asking "do you have any new cars that already have scrapes/dents, and would you be willing to sell it to me at a discount?" I could deal with it then .

Go right after a hailstorm

 

[Koolau]

That is one hesitation about a getting a new car - that inevitable first scrape/scratch dent that one has to deal with mentally .

I have thought about going to a dealer and asking "do you have any new cars that already have scrapes/dents, and would you be willing to sell it to me at a discount?" I could deal with it then .

I'm not sure why, but here on the Island, hit and runs are the norm rather than the exception. I've had two major scrapes in 5 years that no one left a note. One happened in the parking structure. Even for fatal crashes, we have many hit and runs. So, I have no collision and I don't worry what my "old" '12 looks like. It's the perfect car. Beat up, low mileage, good driver, low cost insurance. YMMV

 

[COcheesehead]

I'm not sure why, but here on the Island, hit and runs are the norm rather than the exception. I've had two major scrapes in 5 years that no one left a note. One happened in the parking structure. Even for fatal crashes, we have many hit and runs. So, I have no collision and I don't worry what my "old" '12 looks like. It's the perfect car. Beat up, low mileage, good driver, low cost insurance. YMMV

My wife and I have traded probably our last 4-5 cars without even a ding on them including time lived in Denver. We practice safe parking principles

 

[aja8888]

I'm not sure why, but here on the Island, hit and runs are the norm rather than the exception. I've had two major scrapes in 5 years that no one left a note. One happened in the parking structure. Even for fatal crashes, we have many hit and runs. So, I have no collision and I don't worry what my "old" '12 looks like. It's the perfect car. Beat up, low mileage, good driver, low cost insurance. YMMV

My 2021 Hyundai Tucson has 32,000 miles on it, has been all over the East coast for family visits, and does not have a ding or a scratch on it. I'm careful where and how i park it. It's not rocket science as to how to keep a car looking and staying in nice condition.

 

[Koolau]

My wife and I have traded probably our last 4-5 cars without even a ding on them including time lived in Denver. We practice safe parking principles

Safe parking practices on Oahu would be a book worth buying. At Christmas time, there is a line on the street to get IN to the parking structure at Sams/Walmart. Most parking lots are pretty much full all over the Island during regular business hours. I do think alcohol is involved in many/most hit and runs. Unless there is injury or death, H&R are just another police report (if you bother) that gets filed but not investigated.

Back in the day on the mainland, I recall a guy parking a new car way out in Megacorp's lot. When he came back there was a rusted out truck on one side and a clapped out car on the other. No idea if it was due to parking volume or just a couple of guys wanting to punk the new car driver. In any case, it was kinda hilarious - in a sick sort of way.

 

[COcheesehead]

Safe parking practices on Oahu would be a book worth buying. At Christmas time, there is a line on the street to get IN to the parking structure at Sams/Walmart. Most parking lots are pretty much full all over the Island during regular business hours. I do think alcohol is involved in many/most hit and runs. Unless there is injury or death, H&R are just another police report (if you bother) that gets filed but not investigated.

Back in the day on the mainland, I recall a guy parking a new car way out in Megacorp's lot. When he came back there was a rusted out truck on one side and a clapped out car on the other. No idea if it was due to parking volume or just a couple of guys wanting to punk the new car driver. In any case, it was kinda hilarious - in a sick sort of way.

Sounds like a challenge I would be willing to take on. My wife no longer comments on where I park or how far we may have to walk - she just gets me now.

 

[Badger]

I'm not sure why, but here on the Island, hit and runs are the norm rather than the exception. I've had two major scrapes in 5 years that no one left a note. One happened in the parking structure. Even for fatal crashes, we have many hit and runs. So, I have no collision and I don't worry what my "old" '12 looks like. It's the perfect car. Beat up, low mileage, good driver, low cost insurance. YMMV

For many years I drove old used cars. For a few years I drove an ocean liner of a Lincoln Town Car that was 19 years old when I got it in 2008. I had no fear since I had another of the same age but in good condition as a spare that I bought from my mother when she was no longer able to drive.

Cheers!

 

[Global Wizzo]

Remember watching the kids on Oahu going to school in heavy coats, mittens and sock caps. Temp was 68F.

Haole life in the islands is unique.