Model Loyalty

[dogememe]

I’ve noticed something over the years… families that have multiple of the same vehicle.

A block from work I noticed someone got a blue Prologue (same color as the one I had) a few months ago. This week they must have got a 2nd one (in Silver) because every time I drive by they are parked next to each other.

When I walk around my neighborhood many people don’t just have multiple of the same brand of car but the same model.

Sometimes they are identical cars in different color, sometimes multiple generations of the same vehicle in the same color.

Like, this one house has three Volts, a first gen and two 2nd gens. Another house has three red Yukons, a GMT800, GMT900, and whatever the newest ones are called. Another has two current gen Acadias but in different colors.

In your household do you have a tendency to have the same model of car in the family or is it random?

 

[eljefino]

I do the same because the acquisition/ transaction costs are low for me. IE if I buy a car I hate I can get out of it for the money I have into it. Buy low, sell medium-low. I've got no qualms against trying something new if I get it in beater-status. Loved my Volvo 940 Turbo wagon, for example, but hated my money-pit 97 Taurus.

But if I find a car I like, wife and kids generally like it as well, so I get multiples. Plus there's the whole "get to know it mechanically" aspect, having spare parts, winter tires, etc.

Presently like the Toyota universe but I've had three F150s, three Dakotas, 18-ish Saturn S-series...

 

[Blagoje]

I am the Outback King and I have had several Subaru Outbacks starting with my 2003 H6 model. It is a vehicle that has suited my needs very well.

 

[rijndael]

There's a house near my that has 5 or 6 Honda Elements in the driveway.

 

[dishdude]

 

[JayhawkRoy]

Family has owned four Outbacks since 1999, and multiple Ford pickups since 1982. All other brands were onesies or twosies.

 

[BHopkins]

I have a neighbor across the street from me that has two Malibu cars. They have been driving them for many years. One of them has over 400k miles on it.

I've never asked why he bought 2 cars of the same model. But to him, cars are nothing more than an appliance, so I'm sure they will drive those Malibu cars into the ground.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If it worked the first time why not buy it again.

Unless you have had life changes then you know it works for you. Most people's vehicle is simply to provide utility. Its like a toaster - if the last one worked out well buy it again.

 

[Pew]

View attachment 299167

I told my friend/landlord that if he kicks me out, I'm filling his driveway and street with Azteks, HHRs, and PT Cruisers.

 

[wings&wheels]

Well, owning three 911's...

Aside from collectors, I'd say folks buy what has served or serves them well and also what they are comfortable with, with the comfortable with factor seemingly becoming more important as in-car tech and the user interfaces become more complex. Some interfaces can be maddening...actually all are somewhat maddening to me, but some are much worse.

 

[Kira]

There's a house near me with 3 very dirty A body Oldsmobiles (94-97 98's) and another with 2 B body (Delta 88).

I knew a family which had 3 entirely different vehicles...all of which were factory red and black. It was kinda cool.

 

[JRay’07]

When my Grandparents were still alive it seemed like everybody owned a Subaru of some sort. Outback, Legacy, and Forester models were common. I believe one of my Uncles rolled up in a Subaru Loyale during a family reunion. Did that prove his brand loyalty?

 

[Passport1]

Loved my Volvo 940 Turbo wagon,

Still have mine.

 

[goblin]

If I could get a fully loaded end of series Santa Fe XL new every few years, I wouldn't think of a different vehicle, pretty much ever.

As for the Prologues - they are getting insane leases till the end of September (EV credit expiration), leases that end up at less than $15k for 36 months at 15k miles per year, so they are a no brainer.
My understanding is Honda is tossing them at loss so they can build an EV clientele in time for their own EVs due about three years from now. Sorta what they did with Isuzu when they were working on their first Pilot.

 

[ecotourist]

We tend to have 2 quite different vehicles.

My plan is to have one fairly new vehicle and one older vehicle that stays as long as I'm comfortable driving it. At some point the older vehicle is pushed off the board and we get another new vehicle. Our older vehicle is then often given (or sold for a nominal amount) to a friend or family member.

Our newer vehicle (the Tesla Model 3) is 4 years old and our older vehicle (the Honda Accord) is 18 years old. The Accord might become our grandson's first vehicle. It would be perfect (V6, 6MT, handles well, brakes well, everything works, rust free, looks good but not too good, lots of crush room). He's 13 years old now.

 

[CharBaby]

I’ve owned 3 Camaros/Firebirds at the same time…twice!

 

[fantastic]

Old friends bought two Kawasaki 1700cc Classics b/c they got a better price than buying one. Not sure if that's what you mean but a good argument for why one would have more of the same.

 

[brages]

I like to have different vehicles, so they are good for different things and I can drive the one that suits the need best.

But I have replaced a car with the same model, different year, on two occasions.

 

[Boomer]

Right now I have two VWs, both purchased new. One is coming up on nine years and the other is just over six years. Before that I had two VW diesels. For a lot of my life, I was a Chevy guy but grew tired of the shoddy workmanship in them; I blame the UAW.

 

[Propflux01]

People tend to stay with what works for them, and what style they like.