Musings... how to nudge "kid" to get a new car

Kings over Queens said:
What about the Hybrid appeals to him? Perhaps take that angle. If it's low cost of use, share information on the affordability factor. If on the other hand its saving the planet, focus on that.
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I wanted to get him the Tesla model 3 for the past couple of years but he has said no to full electric. I have also been gently pursuing him to look at hybrid models if he does not want an electric car. I have the Cadillac Lyric Sports 3, which is full electric.
 
Not sure if you want to go the extra cost but the PHEV Lexus is great...

DW drives most of the time in EV mode, but it is hybrid and gets 35 mpg when using gas...

I only got it because we were able to get the tax credit before it went away... I doubt I would spend the money today for that feature...
 
In reading these messages, I get the impression that a lot of posters think there is something wrong with someone who doesn't want a new car. I bought my Toyota Rav4 new in 2008 after my previous 11 year old Honda CRV got totaled in a crash. After 18 years I have no interest in replacing it. My current car still runs great, gets about the same mileage as any new equivalent non-hybrid car, and I know where all the controls are. Also important to me is that it has a fender mounted antenna that clearly brings in AM/FM stations and doesn't interfere with my use of the roof rack. Sure, it's needed a few repairs along the way, but that's a lot less expensive than buying a new car. If your son is happy with his older car just let him stay with it. Who knows, maybe someday it will become a valuable antique collector's item.
 
RetiredHappy said:
"I have been nudging him to get a new car and that I will pay for it and he would immediately say no. Yesterday, out of the blue he texted me picture of a Lexus UX premium hybrid and said it looks nice but he is not buying it. That car is tiny but he likes small cars. I told him that I would pay for it and as usual he said no. I then looked at the Toyota equivalent of that car which is called a Toyota Corolla Cross and texted it to him that it is a little cheaper if it works for him. Immediately he said no because the Lexus seats are more comfortable."
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Obviously he has been in a Lexus UX premium hybrid and a Toyota Corolla Cross if he knows the seats are more comfortable in the Lexus. I think he has been looking around a bit, don't you?
 
EastWest Gal said:
Obviously he has been in a Lexus UX premium hybrid and a Toyota Corolla Cross if he knows the seats are more comfortable in the Lexus. I think he has been looking around a bit, don't you?
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Yep, but I doubt he has been either one. He likes to watch YouTube videos so I think that is where he gets ideas about the difference between a Lexus and a Toyota.
 
StevenA said:
In reading these messages, I get the impression that a lot of posters think there is something wrong with someone who doesn't want a new car. I bought my Toyota Rav4 new in 2008 after my previous 11 year old Honda CRV got totaled in a crash. After 18 years I have no interest in replacing it. My current car still runs great, gets about the same mileage as any new equivalent non-hybrid car, and I know where all the controls are. Also important to me is that it has a fender mounted antenna that clearly brings in AM/FM stations and doesn't interfere with my use of the roof rack. Sure, it's needed a few repairs along the way, but that's a lot less expensive than buying a new car. If your son is happy with his older car just let him stay with it. Who knows, maybe someday it will become a valuable antique collector's item.
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Exactly right. When it comes to cars, new is not always better than old. I have both old and new cars and in many instances, I prefer the older ones. My newest is a 2024, so what follows is not meant to deter folks from buying a new car, it's more of just a message about the evolution of cars and trucks in general.

The "new safety features" guard mainly against distracted drivers who can't seem to pay attention and won't stay off their phones. What's really ironic, is the safety features built into new cars guard against the drivers that are too busy searching for something on the screen in the center of the dash as designed on their new cars, instead of keeping their eyes on the road. There's no tactile feel of controls on a center screen like there was with the knobs and buttons on the old cars that allowed you to keep your eyes on the road.

The mandated push for higher and higher fuel economy has led manufacturers to resort to increased complexity on newer cars, and because of this complexity, in general, years down the road, the new will never be as trouble free and easy to repair as the older models. For example, take full size Chevy and GMC trucks, including Suburban / Tahoe / Yukon, etc. A decade or more ago, these were pretty durable and reliable vehicles. Because of this incessant push for EPA mandated fuel economy, GM introduced 10 speed automatic transmissions that are absolute nightmares after they get some significant miles on them. Torque converter failures are commonplace and in the worst cases, they'll lock up while driving. Instead of fixing the problem when you bring the vehicle in for the recall, GM decided not to fix the issue with premature transmission failure, they instead install a software update that programs a message to come up on the dash 10,000 miles before the transmission may lock up for you to bring it in to the the dealer for a new transmission. As insane as this sounds, it's true. You can Google all the details if you wish. The Ford Ecoboost nightmares are another example. There's many, many more examples from many different manufacturers out there. With the increased complexity, comes increased weight, powered by smaller engines that have to work harder than the engines they replaced. Often times, turbochargers are added to the smaller engines to boost output which means even more complexity. So the consumer ends up with much more complex newer vehicles with about the same fuel economy as the older ones, but a decrease in overall reliability and increased repair costs in the long term.
 
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The bricking possibility in 2026 models discourages me from getting one.
 
I am all for keeping an older car if you really like it..... if I had not totaled my 2004 Acura TL 6sp manual car I would still be driving it... I LOVED that car..

After that drove Hyundai Elantra for a few years until my DD got old enough to drive.. bought a used Genesis.. OK cars but nothing special..

I will never buy another GM or Ford product again... too many bad experiences... I was looking at used EVs and like the Acura ZDX but found out it was a GM... gotta be careful now a day..
 
shafer9 said:
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
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Keeping it for a while at least. In the last couple years we spent about $3k on suspension, change all fluids, spark plugs, serpentine belt, new tires, and what not.
 
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One of our sons car was a similar problem. His old car was being towed increasingly often.

He’s not going to take anything from us easily…
DW told him that she wanted him to have all the new safety equipment because she worries about him. Asked him to go to the dealer and look at the features. If he finds something he likes and he can trade his in and we’ll pay the difference. He liked that idea.

He went and found a two year old car he liked. His trade in was almost worthless, but he’s not that good at math. We paid the difference and he’s happy as a clam.

This whole thing took over 6 months to complete.

For us, 1- make sure it’s about his safety, not about us giving him money. 2- And, give him lots of time to get accustomed to the idea. Good luck.
 
LOL, Speaking of stubborn, let it go. My friend does this with her high functioning daughter, pushes and pushes because she knows what's right. He's said no so let it go. :)
 
RetiredHappy said:
New tech has blind spot detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control etc. Those are vital safety features.
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Not sure how 'vital' those are.

DWs 2015 Cruze doesn't have them, but our 2024 Trax has the first two. She much prefers driving her Cruze over the Trax. She says all that stuff is just 'too techy' for her.

The only newer safety feature she appreciates is the back-up camera, as she's not that great with using her mirrors when backing up.

For me, my 2010 GMC pickup doesn't have any ADAS (Advanced Driver Annoyance Systems), and I much prefer driving my truck over either of our newer cars, but mainly because it's a 2-door and a 5-speed!
 
IMO, the backup camera and associated warning beeps that a car is coming from the left or right are very useful safety features, as I frequently see folks driving waaaaaay too fast for safety in crowded parking lots. Has certainly saved me from more than one collision.

Blind spot sensors are useful as well. I agree that they are most useful for a distracted or careless driver - and who hasn't fallen into that category at some point? The key is to use them as a backup and not a substitute for looking first.
 
RetiredHappy said:
I wanted to get him the Tesla model 3 for the past couple of years but he has said no to full electric. I have also been gently pursuing him to look at hybrid models if he does not want an electric car. I have the Cadillac Lyric Sports 3, which is full electric.
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Have you/he considered a Maverick hybrid? I have had one for 3 years and love it. It is the best little truck that I have ever had. While I have the basic XLT model, the higher level trim packages have all the new safety features. 42 mpg in mixed driving, 36 mpg on the highway. No range anxiety... just gas and go.
 
Whichever car it will be is still a step after he is willing to get a new car.
 
TickTock said:
Blind spot sensors are useful as well. I agree that they are most useful for a distracted or careless driver - and who hasn't fallen into that category at some point? The key is to use them as a backup and not a substitute for looking first.
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When the mirrors are aligned correctly there is no blind spot.
 
Music Lover said:
When the mirrors are aligned correctly there is no blind spot.
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Not on all vehicles. On DWs Cruze, I had to add those little stick-on convex corner mirrors so I could see vehicles that were not quite behind me, but not quite beside me just yet.

With that car, if you adjust the side mirrors outward, then it's difficult to see while backing into the garage or carport.
 
Music Lover said:
I've been doing it for over 40 years. There are dozens of YouTube videos showing how it's done.
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Agree here with Music Lover. I made the transition 20 years ago and it changed everything. I use the rear view mirror for behind me, the two other mirrors for beside me. Done. No blind spots.

Most people adjust the side view mirrors to also see behind them. That's non-optimal if you have a rear view mirror with a clear back window.

If you have a panel truck with no working rear view, then you adjust the side view mirrors to see (mostly) behind you, and then depend on the little sub-optimal convex mirrors for the blind spot.

In any and all cases, you still should do a quick side glance with your own eyes before changing lanes.
 
Music Lover said:
I've been doing it for over 40 years. There are dozens of YouTube videos showing how it's done.
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Agreed. With two side view mirrors and the regular rear view mirror, visibility on both sides should be easy if the mirrors are adjusted correctly.

That said I find blind spot warning very useful when my vehicle is parked between a stretched delivery van and some oversized macho pickup truck. Backing out without visibility has always been an issue for me. The blind spot monitoring senses an oncoming vehicle far earlier than I can see it.

I’m regards to the original problem, I know guy who will torch any car for a very reasonable fixed fee*. Ask for Vinnie Dicoltello. :biggrin:

*Extra charge may apply if there’s a body in the trunk.
 
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