Killing the car guy?

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: greaper007
$100,000 worth of cars, does he own a bank? I know plenty of people that make $300,000 and drive 10 year old Camrys. I couldn't see paying that much for cars unless I was making at least $500,000 a year. That kind of dough belongs in a retirement account or other investment vehicle.


Thanks much;! I'll be sure and let him know of your financial concerns! That said, I would never recommend buying a 10 year old Camry; I find Camrys of any vintage to be extremely dangerous.
My son-like his father-would almost certainly die of boredom behind the wheel...


My first car when I turned 17 was a Camry, and I quickly came to the conclusion that it sucked and life was to short to drive a dishwasher.

6 months of cutting lawns and washing boats later I replaced it with a diesel Mercedes. I really wanted an old Jag but couldn't find a good one at the time.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy

My first car when I turned 17 was a Camry, and I quickly came to the conclusion that it sucked and life was to short to drive a dishwasher.

6 months of cutting lawns and washing boats later I replaced it with a diesel Mercedes. I really wanted an old Jag but couldn't find a good one at the time.



David E. Davis Jr. turned me on to the cars from Munich with his landmark 1968 Car and Driver article "Turn your Hymnals to 2002."

Still, the first car I owned free and clear was a 1979 Plymouth(Mitsubishi) Arrow GT 2.6 that I bought as a leftover in the fall of 1980(in that automotive Dark Age a car with four wheel discs that did 0-60 in under 10 seconds was really something special). I drove it until 1983 when my future(now current) wife found a 1973 Bavaria 3.0.

Within a week I had sold the Arrow and the Bavaria was all mine- a decision I have never regretted.

In 2004 I had the honor of meeting DED Jr. and I thanked him for his life-changing article- and he was gracious enough to sign my pristine copy of the Car and Driver issue that contained his article.

And his inscription? "No Boring Cars!"

 

[Silverado12]

I guess it boils down to where you're at in life and what your priorities are. I'm older (early 50's), pd for house, decent paying trade, kids out of college, and I buy what I want (after I save the money) and pay cash (for the most part). Life is too short to drive junk, and I always had a decent car all my adult life. I prefer to buy American cars from American manufacturers if possible, but to each their own.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Bring in an old K car wagon,have it gone over with Fluid Film,do whatever mechanical and body touch up is needed,and drive it forever.You will get mid to high 20s mpg every week and you will have a near one of a kind.And good ones are out there for around $1500 bucks.Parts are cheap(all over EBAY),the slant4 engine is very easy to work on (it was designed around maintenance),every shop knows how to rebuild the A413 auto transmission,you have a beam rear axle so no alignment issues,seats up to 6 people...and none of this horrid OBDII stuff to always go wrong.Plus,performance items from other 80s era Chrysler cars (like Daytona) interchange,so you could have a Shelby handling Reliant wagon in no time!


You forgot: it will rot to powder in about a year!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: greaper007
Originally Posted By: MCompact
My son caught the car/bike bug from me- he's not as much of a gearhead, but he likes nice cars. I can easily see him with a JK Rubicon and a Cayman S or Z4 M coupe in his garage in a few years.


$100,000 worth of cars, does he own a bank? I know plenty of people that make $300,000 and drive 10 year old Camrys. I couldn't see paying that much for cars unless I was making at least $500,000 a year. That kind of dough belongs in a retirement account or other investment vehicle.


That's the funny thing. Most millionaires drive older cars, and most that I know don't drive fancy models. It's those that pretend they are millionaires and want to "look the part" that are car rich and everything else poor. Often they are leveraged to the hilt and just a few bad situations away from bankruptcy.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What part of this all is the Michigan insurance system by design? Isnt there some no fault system, where not only your liability, but the liability of everybody else on the road gets calculated in?

You get hit, 100% fault of the other driver, but your insurance pays for your damages. So you're always paying for the stupidity of others.

And if there was an exodus of responsible, insured, producing type professional people, the risks go up. Then there you have it.



You got it, no fault! And a fund to cover all those uninsured drivers...

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: JANDSZIRKLE
Wife and I drove beaters for years. We now have our home paid for early. Saved money for two more years and purchased two new vehicles cash in hand afterwards. Now we have two beaters and two "like new" vehicles still under warranty.
Coworkers and friends laughed at us for years. They are still trying to pay off one payment. If your willing to sacrifice and live within your means its doable. I still drive a beater to work everyday, no shame here. And i will drive them till the wheels fall off. Beaters rule indeed.



Truth there....

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

That's the funny thing. Most millionaires drive older cars, and most that I know don't drive fancy models. It's those that pretend they are millionaires and want to "look the part" that are car rich and everything else poor. Often they are leveraged to the hilt and just a few bad situations away from bankruptcy.


I must admit that this discussion has filled me with bitter regret; instead of spending glorious weekends lapping Watkins Glen, Infineon, Mid Ohio, Road Atlanta, Motorsport Ranch, and Putnam Road Course in various Bimmers and hot hatches I should have been driving the automotive equivalent of sackcloth and ashes.
Now I'm tortured by thoughts of what might have been...

 

[Lyman]

I have owned 40 cars over the last 35 years. Some I keep a while and others only a short time. I never have had a car loan. Always pay cash. The most I ever paid was $11k the least was $150. I did pay $23k for a Harley once though. Still paid cash. I buy good running used vehicles and drive em and fix all that needs fixing.
My current vehicle for instance I paid $3,500 for with 123,000 miles. The body is perfect and the interior looks great. Engine runs strong. I have had to fix a few minor things but that is to be expected. When Im on the hunt for something new to me I take my time until the right deal falls in my lap.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: JHZR2

That's the funny thing. Most millionaires drive older cars, and most that I know don't drive fancy models. It's those that pretend they are millionaires and want to "look the part" that are car rich and everything else poor. Often they are leveraged to the hilt and just a few bad situations away from bankruptcy.


I must admit that this discussion has filled me with bitter regret; instead of spending glorious weekends lapping Watkins Glen, Infineon, Mid Ohio, Road Atlanta, Motorsport Ranch, and Putnam Road Course in various Bimmers and hot hatches I should have been driving the automotive equivalent of sackcloth and ashes.
Now I'm tortured by thoughts of what might have been...


Nothing wrong IMHO owning a fleet of cars. However it looks really stupid IMHO to have average to below average value property with a really excessive car sitting in driveway in front(esp no garage). Or even worst having majority of them sitting outside littering the driveway.

To OP. I would simply narrow the vast choices on inexpensive insurance if so high in state. Many times it is not the inexpensive economy cars as more folks afford them including those with terrible driving records.

I am floored my 07 Acura MDX rate is so low/year but apparently drivers are old folks. $410/year in NH full coverage.

 

[Silverado12]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: JHZR2

That's the funny thing. Most millionaires drive older cars, and most that I know don't drive fancy models. It's those that pretend they are millionaires and want to "look the part" that are car rich and everything else poor. Often they are leveraged to the hilt and just a few bad situations away from bankruptcy.


I must admit that this discussion has filled me with bitter regret; instead of spending glorious weekends lapping Watkins Glen, Infineon, Mid Ohio, Road Atlanta, Motorsport Ranch, and Putnam Road Course in various Bimmers and hot hatches I should have been driving the automotive equivalent of sackcloth and ashes.
Now I'm tortured by thoughts of what might have been...


Nothing wrong IMHO owning a fleet of cars. However it looks really stupid IMHO to have average to below average value property with a really excessive car sitting in driveway in front(esp no garage). Or even worst having majority of them sitting outside littering the driveway.

To OP. I would simply narrow the vast choices on inexpensive insurance if so high in state. Many times it is not the inexpensive economy cars as more folks afford them including those with terrible driving records.

I am floored my 07 Acura MDX rate is so low/year but apparently drivers are old folks. $410/year in NH full coverage.





I noticed the same thing in VA. A Cavalier that I used for a commuter was pretty high to insure, and my Challenger was cheaper.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: rjundi

Nothing wrong IMHO owning a fleet of cars. However it looks really stupid IMHO to have average to below average value property with a really excessive car sitting in driveway in front(esp no garage). Or even worst having majority of them sitting outside littering the driveway.



I agree, I was replying to those that consider driving automotive flotsam to be the a cardinal virtue...

 

[KitaCam]

What's killing THIS car guy is the end of the manual transmission...I keep thinking that each car I drive with an MT will be the last one I'll be able to get...

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: bvance554
Insurance rates higher than the car payment?! I say what are you talking about?! You have a couple DUI's or something?


Interestingly my car payments (on Kitacam for 4 years) are the same as my insurance....and the same as the repairs/per month for the last 2 years on my last car...I "traded" repair costs for payments on a 6 year newer car with 100k fewer miles...a newer/better, more reliable car.

 

[Da Game]

Live in Chicago right on the lakefront. Take public transportation to downtown everyday. Wife spends total 50min a day to work & back. I use this forum everyday to learn about maintenance, cheaper than a car note.

 

[Bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: JHZR2

That's the funny thing. Most millionaires drive older cars, and most that I know don't drive fancy models. It's those that pretend they are millionaires and want to "look the part" that are car rich and everything else poor. Often they are leveraged to the hilt and just a few bad situations away from bankruptcy.


I must admit that this discussion has filled me with bitter regret; instead of spending glorious weekends lapping Watkins Glen, Infineon, Mid Ohio, Road Atlanta, Motorsport Ranch, and Putnam Road Course in various Bimmers and hot hatches I should have been driving the automotive equivalent of sackcloth and ashes.
Now I'm tortured by thoughts of what might have been...


I'm with you.

Some people are here on this forum because they want to save every last penny in life, so they drive around in rolling death traps, just so that they can die one day with a big pile of cash, that will either go to ungrateful family members, or to the local government treasury department.

Me, I would much rather enjoy my money now while I can still see, when age and disease hasn't ravaged my reflexes and joints too badly. I like owning a car that I can slide through mountain roads, and enjoy a good drive, not just get be back and forth to work, like all the other drones on the road every day.

I enjoy my vehicles.
Commuting to work on a Ducati 848 (4 times last week, 40.8 mpg, and fully paid for, BTW) is way more enjoyable than any car that is capable of getting 40 mpg, city. When it's time for a car to drive in, my CX-5 brings me to work in comfort, and style, plus, I can still go around a corner with a smile on my face. When my fiancee drives the CX-5, I have access to her Abarth or her PT Cruiser (that's not my preferred method of going anywhere, honestly), and I get to drive something different.

The bulk of the people who have posted in this thread just don't like driving, and want to spend as little time doing it, and as little money while doing it, as they possibly can. I just can't fathom that.

We bought a less expensive house in a decent neighborhood just so that we can afford nice cars and bikes. My best friend bought a really expensive house in a neighborhood I would never live in, and he complains about not being able to have really nice cars. I would love to have a house with a 3 or 4 car garage, but then I wouldn't be able to afford the extra $100k to $200k to buy it. It would almost be cheaper to buy a second house in our current neighborhood in order to get the extra garage space.

Regardless, I'm going to keep on doing what I've been doing, while you guys keep on doing what you've all been doing. Either way, we all still die. I will just get to spend some quality time listening to the sound of my Ducati before that day comes, while some of you get to listen to your investments earn that extra nickel.

BC.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter

I'm with you.

Some people are here on this forum because they want to save every last penny in life, so they drive around in rolling death traps, just so that they can die one day with a big pile of cash, that will either go to ungrateful family members, or to the local government treasury department.

Me, I would much rather enjoy my money now while I can still see, when age and disease hasn't ravaged my reflexes and joints too badly. I like owning a car that I can slide through mountain roads, and enjoy a good drive, not just get be back and forth to work, like all the other drones on the road every day.

I enjoy my vehicles.
Commuting to work on a Ducati 848 (4 times last week, 40.8 mpg, and fully paid for, BTW) is way more enjoyable than any car that is capable of getting 40 mpg, city. When it's time for a car to drive in, my CX-5 brings me to work in comfort, and style, plus, I can still go around a corner with a smile on my face. When my fiancee drives the CX-5, I have access to her Abarth or her PT Cruiser (that's not my preferred method of going anywhere, honestly), and I get to drive something different.

The bulk of the people who have posted in this thread just don't like driving, and want to spend as little time doing it, and as little money while doing it, as they possibly can. I just can't fathom that.

We bought a less expensive house in a decent neighborhood just so that we can afford nice cars and bikes. My best friend bought a really expensive house in a neighborhood I would never live in, and he complains about not being able to have really nice cars. I would love to have a house with a 3 or 4 car garage, but then I wouldn't be able to afford the extra $100k to $200k to buy it. It would almost be cheaper to buy a second house in our current neighborhood in order to get the extra garage space.

Regardless, I'm going to keep on doing what I've been doing, while you guys keep on doing what you've all been doing. Either way, we all still die. I will just get to spend some quality time listening to the sound of my Ducati before that day comes, while some of you get to listen to your investments earn that extra nickel.

BC.


Precisely. I really don't care how other people choose to manage their finances, but it seems that the hairshirt crowd simply cannot resist proclaiming to everyone else the error of their ways- and this thread is a perfect example.

I mentioned before that I bought a 1988 M6 with the extra proceeds from a re-fi in 1992. I drove it for three years and flipped it for $500 less than I paid for it.

I seriously doubt that I'll be lying on my deathbed muttering, "Why oh why did I buy that M6? I desperately wish I had bought a 10 year old Camry instead."

In fact, my only regret about the M6 is that I sold it.

 

[andyd]

You're preaching to the choir, M Compact. I was looking for a good commuter in '96. 5-6 K $ was all I had budgeted. A 5yr old Toyota or Taurus or an 8 yr old 528e? I went with the 528e and never looked back

 

[supton]

I used to be a car guy, or at least thought I was. But back when I was willing to work on cars I couldn't really afford anything nice. Then I was off to college so I could get a good paying job; afterwards I had to tote the note. Now I'm doing the family thing, and a long commute... I just don't care anymore.

When I drive in a spirited fashion I'm on the lookout for police presence, as you can guess I'm bending speed limits. If I drive the limit, well, it's boring. What is one to do? Save a few bucks and drive the limit, I'm starting to head towards that; and when I do that then boring vehicles fill the role amply.

Myself, I'm busy with career and family. Not interested in repairs. It's nice having shiny cars, and I don't mind washing and cleaning, but I have to admit, waxing is something I haven't learned yet. I don't mind beaters, probably because my beater would still be pretty clean--and at least the maintance would be up to date. But I no longer have any patience for something I can't trust to make a trip, not with kids in the car. Or a life that's run by schedules and plans rather than whims.

These days I run into another problem: back when I did have a beater, if I screwed up a repair or a maintance item I couldn't be possibly out any more than the cost of another beater. Now if I screw up something I could be out of a $4k transmission. Or at the very least stuck at home until its fixed (meaning, not making it into work, you know, the place that gives me money for showing up). Ouch. That hurts, when I'm supposed to be saving up for college or retirement.

I've thought of moving close to work, and biking. I'd like that, assuming the roads weren't too unsafe. I'd keep my big vehicle for traveling. But the above would still apply: just not interested in turning wrenches anymore.

Sorry guys. I sold my soul and bought a Toyota.

 

[daves87rs]

Some good food for thought here....enjoying the thread...