If you were buying a car today...

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucija Want2Retire - I like the new car smell as well. I also like the idea of buying new (and not owning other people's problems). Once I get the car, though, I hang onto it for a while...

Me too - - when I buy my next car, my present car will be ten years old or older. I get fond of cars and don't want to replace them.

[haha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinanceDude A new Accord was $23,500 at the time,I paid $15,500 3 years old with 34,000 miles........... I think I'm ahead.thus far...............

Do you have another car to drive for sales calls?

How can a financial products salesperson call on clients in an old Accord? I would think that one of 100 would think that you were frugal, the other 99 would think you weren't any good at markets.

Unless all your clients are engineers- and we all know what that would be like!

Ha

[samclem]

Quote:

Originally Posted by al_bundy toyotas and hondas are notorious for holding their values

True. But, inconsistent with . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by al_bundy wife and i put nothing down and financed every single penny at $20,845.

together with . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by al_bundy $10,000 is my guess for dealer trade in next year.

So, you expect your 2005 Matrix to have lost about 50% of its value by 2009. That's a big depreciation hit for these reliable, in-demand cars. As you say, they usually don't depreciate much.

Wait, here's the answer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by al_bundy i take my car for an oil change and a quick check up once a year and that's it. w

Dang it, don't be such a cheapskate! Take that car in for an oil change every three months and it will still have bearings and rings when it is 5 years old .

No charge for the helpful tip.

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha Do you have another car to drive for sales calls? How can a financial products salesperson call on clients in an old Accord? I would think that one of 100 would think that you were frugal, the other 99 would think you weren't any good at markets. Unless all your clients are engineers- and we all know what that would be like! Ha

I have a 2006 Odyssey and an M3, but drive the Accord the most.......

[bruce1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha You spent 4 months and wound up with an old Buick? You are a highly motivated man! Ha

After all I am retired and got to annoy a lot of car salemen.

Bruce

[Jay_Gatsby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucija Want2Retire - I like the new car smell as well. I also like the idea of buying new (and not owning other people's problems). Once I get the car, though, I hang onto it for a while...

Agreed. I bought a new Accord EX-L in 2006 and haven't regretted the purchase for a minute. The car now has 40k miles on it and the only repair beyond changing the filters has been to replace the brakes.

What really annoys me about having a new car is that it is a "blank canvas" for people to put their stamp ding/dent of approval on the doors, fenders and bumpers (I now count at least 10 dings of various sizes - most very small, fortunately).

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby What really annoys me about having a new car is that it is a "blank canvas" for people to put their stamp ding/dent of approval on the doors, fenders and bumpers (I now count at least 10 dings of various sizes - most very small, fortunately).

That is why I am waiting until 2010 to replace my (perfectly good) 2000 Camry Solara. By that time, I should be moved up to Missouri. My car won't be in a public parking lot all day at work like it is while I finish my working years. So, hopefully that will cut down on the dings.

Also, by waiting I won't have to put miles on my new car by driving it across country once, or more likely several times, during our move.

[bow-tie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby ...What really annoys me about having a new car is that it is a "blank canvas" for people to put their stamp ding/dent of approval on the doors, fenders and bumpers (I now count at least 10 dings of various sizes - most very small, fortunately).

My DW was rearended in our Bonnevillle. It had over 175k on so they totaled it and I bought it back. Methinks we're given a wide berth from other motorists with all of that paint missing off of the rear bumper.

If I don't get over 200k out of that 3800 drivetrain, I'll be very surprised. The DW wants another car in the bullpen, so now I have to hunt down another used (depreciated) 3800 vehicle from uncle GM. Good thing they put that motor into about a million different models...

[bow-tie]

... and I'm not sure what the big deal is with maintaining a used car. It may be luck, but I've only put around 1000 bones in non-routine maintenance in the Bonnie over 140k. I'll take that deal every time when I don't have to pay for some of that depreciation. YMMV I guess.

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bow-tie My DW was rearended in our Bonnevillle. It had over 175k on so they totaled it and I bought it back. Methinks we're given a wide berth from other motorists with all of that paint missing off of the rear bumper. If I don't get over 200k out of that 3800 drivetrain, I'll be very surprised. The DW wants another car in the bullpen, so now I have to hunt down another used (depreciated) 3800 vehicle from uncle GM. Good thing they put that motor into about a million different models...

I had a Grand Prix with the 3100 V-6. I wish I still had that car........

[rs0460a]

Man Drives Over a Million Miles | KSNT.com - News, Weather, Sports | KSNT Ticker

"Chet's been driving coast to coast for twenty five years, and his pride and joy has never broken down."

Hey, the warranty covered the costs! I'll add this guy to my "living frugal" list ...

Anyway, that's why I still buy "Detroit Iron" ...

- Ron

[Patrick]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs0460a "Chet's been driving coast to coast for twenty five years, and his pride and joy has never broken down."

Nope, never broke down, but he did have the engine and transmission rebuilt.

[rs0460a]

Well, after reading this thread for a time, it is very obvious that there is no consensus on vehicles (car vs. SUV vs. truck), brand (foreign/domestic - whatever that actually means), new vs. used, and length of time you actually "keep" the vehicle.

Sounds a lot like how people invest on this board. That is that the "young folk" are generally more agressive, and the "old folk" (like me ) have had "too much excitement" in their lives, and they want to follow a "smooth path" through retirement.

I'd even say that this subject (being basicly non-investment related) probably ties with the word "annuity" as the most disagreed upon on this forum, in general.

I'll restate my obversation (when it comes to "mass disagreement") - that is that it really dosen't make a difference. If your decision works for you, then nothing (and nobody) differing views matter.

Anyway, that's my "closing thought" on this subject ...

- Ron

[Jay_Gatsby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2retire That is why I am waiting until 2010 to replace my (perfectly good) 2000 Camry Solara. By that time, I should be moved up to Missouri. My car won't be in a public parking lot all day at work like it is while I finish my working years. So, hopefully that will cut down on the dings. Also, by waiting I won't have to put miles on my new car by driving it across country once, or more likely several times, during our move.

One more thing. I priced out the cost of removing the dings and it's $50-$100 per ding to fix (e.g., Dent Doctor). A little bit of touch up paint and a toothpick will remedy a few of them, and the remainder are noticeable only if you're looking for them. Consequently, I don't plan on fixing them, particularly since they're on a 2006 Honda Accord with 40k+ miles (fair market value is $17,000 or so). If it was a Mercedes, BMW, etc... I'd be more annoyed.

Then again, I wouldn't be on this board if I spent my money like that.

[FinanceDude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay_Gatsby One more thing. I priced out the cost of removing the dings and it's $50-$100 per ding to fix (e.g., Dent Doctor). A little bit of touch up paint and a toothpick will remedy a few of them, and the remainder are noticeable only if you're looking for them. Consequently, I don't plan on fixing them, particularly since they're on a 2006 Honda Accord with 40k+ miles (fair market value is $17,000 or so). If it was a Mercedes, BMW, etc... I'd be more annoyed. Then again, I wouldn't be on this board if I spent my money like that.

Not ALL folks driving Mercedes and BMWs are broke.........

[kumquat]

I bought a 2007 Ford Ranger 4X4 with under 10K miles for about 70% of the sticker price on a new 2008. Not really worried about gas prices since I don't put on a lot of miles. Has the largest towing capacity of the small trucks. Me & a 14 ft. enclosed trailer just moved DD 600 miles.
Now is the time to buy a gas-guzzler if you need one.

[calmloki]

Our 1994 Caprice Washington State trooper-mobile (cop engine, cop suspension, cop brakes, cop exhaust) is getting dismantled and rebuilt prior to going into and under the gal's '56 Chevy 210 wagon. Hoping to get 25mpg on the highway and be just a tad quicker with the LT1 than the 235 6 with 3 on the tree it used to have....

As for me, i'm getting bored with my BMW 525iT work truck and looking for a circa 1990 Saab 4 door hatch as my new landlord Cadillac - might go some newer, but they started getting awful Chevy-like thereafter....

Way i see it, why buy something new when for the same money you can have something interesting that there won't be 15 of in the parking lot. Granted, airbags and safety and reliability aren't paramount with me. It's all style baby...

[bruce1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bow-tie My DW was rearended in our Bonnevillle. It had over 175k on so they totaled it and I bought it back. Methinks we're given a wide berth from other motorists with all of that paint missing off of the rear bumper. If I don't get over 200k out of that 3800 drivetrain, I'll be very surprised. The DW wants another car in the bullpen, so now I have to hunt down another used (depreciated) 3800 vehicle from uncle GM. Good thing they put that motor into about a million different models...

Same engine as my Buick. My cousin put over 300,000 Miles on a 3800 Grand Prix.

Bruce

[bow-tie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by calmloki Our 1994 Caprice Washington State trooper-mobile (cop engine, cop suspension, cop brakes, cop exhaust) is getting dismantled and rebuilt prior to going into and under the gal's '56 Chevy 210 wagon. Hoping to get 25mpg on the highway and be just a tad quicker with the LT1 than the 235 6 with 3 on the tree it used to have....

Ah, yes... the blessed LT1. What a wonderful motor. Those things are damn-neart bullet-proof.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruce1 Same engine as my Buick. My cousin put over 300,000 Miles on a 3800 Grand Prix. Bruce....

If I see only 250k with mine, that would totally rule!

[Neongreen]

My good old, reliable 1989 Mazda Capella(A.K.A. 626) has done 180K. Time to be replaced? Nope, only when I can find something which gets 40MPG for about $800 and the capella is a rusted pile of steel. That being said, it's getting there, I just spent $200 replacing a frost plug which had rusted through.