How much is "Too Much" car?

[jbrown329]

I did the screwdriver listen on a friend's car a few years ago. He gave me the 'wtf' look And I can rebuild a Carter 4bl AFB in my sleep. Getting under the hood on new cars ain't for me. I know just about squat with new cars.

 

[gsdx]

Basically a $150,000 oversized paperweight. Sadly it wouldn't fit on most people's desks, even if they could afford to have it hoisted onto the desk.

It would take a helluva set of lungs to encase it in glass!!

 

[peeonme]

I did the screwdriver listen on a friend's car a few years ago. He gave me the 'wtf' look And I can rebuild a Carter 4bl AFB in my sleep. Getting under the hood on new cars ain't for me. I know just about squat with new cars.

Before fuel injection and computers in cars I did most of my own work, I used to rebuild carbs. on my kitchen table. My son was at my side handing me a wrench out in the garage, now after working on f-14's on the deck of an air craft carrier he works at an auto dealers as a mechanic, I can't believe how much they pay him. Back in my day it was never a top pay job so I went with tool and die work, now it's reversed. Tool and die suck and the wrench turners make the bucks.

 

[sixthson]

Alnitak, I think one of the things that most often annoy people with the lane change technology is the beeping sound it makes when you creep over a line. At least in my car, that sound can be turned off and still leave the lights and other warnings intact. I've found this lane change feature to be useful.

For me, because I am directionaly challenged, the voice navigation system is the best thing on cars. I keep waiting for it to say "Hey stupid, I told you to turn there, why didn't you?". Blue tooth technology is great. I know that if the technology goes bad and you are off warranty, it is expensive to replace.

 

[rareboy]

All cars are too much car now.

We used to trade every year and then when we got our Honda Pilot...we kept it for 8 years because they never made it better and then traded it for another Pilot when I could stand the look of the front grille again. I hate all the electronics in the cars...just more shit to go wrong....and when our rear side got fucked up by some idiot in the parking lot last year when it was only coming on to four years old...I said 'no more': I'm tired of always getting stuff fixed...so we drive it like we don't care on the outside...as long as it is immaculate on the inside.

I really resent the money that gets spent on new cars. And the more I could afford a car, the less I wanted to spend on one. Ten years ago, we drove almost 40,000 kms a year....so comfort was everything.

I suspect that this is likely the second to last vehicle that we'll own in our lifetimes...I'm determined to keep it until it is at least eight years old as well and then see what is available in the simplest car option available to just do local driving because I think that our driving long distances will soon be at an end by then as well. If we can keep that one for another eight years, we'll likely be in the nursing home by then.

 

[peeonme]

@ rareboy,
I feel the same, I hate spending the money. The last new car I bought was a 1996 Jeep Cherokee, it was a plain Jane, I did get air and had some CD player put in later. Also it was a 2 wd, I bought it to pull our boat not to play in the mud.
It's still in the family 20 years later, still runs well. I gave it up as it was just too uncomfortable, not much room to get in or out of it.

 

[Aron9000]

The city where I live, not owning a car is impossible. Public transit is a joke. The bus system in Nashville doesn't go cross town, so if you need to get from Nolensville Pike to Murfreesboro Pike(they're about 4 miles apart, from east to west), you have to ride the bus downtown, and get on the other bus going to Murfreesboro Pike. 5 minute trip by car is over an hour one way by bus.


As for that Mercedes Maybach in the first post, I had a 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood that was bigger. I had it hopped up too with a full exhaust, 3.73 rear gear with a limited slip diff, and a different intake. It had the same motor as the Corvette and would straight move, especially when you consider it was longer than a Suburban. Tech wise it was the Flinstone's car compared to the Benz lol.

As for newer cars, I don't believe in car payments, so everything I've owned has been 6 to 20 years old when I bought it. If you do your research on car forums, you can figure out what to buy that is fully depreciated and still very reliable. Generally just avoid old German cars or cars with air and electronic suspensions at all costs.

 

[Alnitak]

The city where I live, not owning a car is impossible. Public transit is a joke. The bus system in Nashville doesn't go cross town, so if you need to get from Nolensville Pike to Murfreesboro Pike(they're about 4 miles apart, from east to west), you have to ride the bus downtown, and get on the other bus going to Murfreesboro Pike. 5 minute trip by car is over an hour one way by bus.

Baltimore also the public transit is piss poor. We have a single track subway and a single track light rail that don't share a single station. The buses are badly timed and frequently involved in accidents because they self insured. Most of my friends who don't have cars just Uber to work. In good weather my boyfriend last summer would walk five miles from Pigtown to Canton for work or I would drive him.

Generally just avoid old German cars or cars with air and electronic suspensions at all costs.

Electronic parts are getting expensive especially from luxury cars. Gone are the days of the belt.

 

[ronboy]

I'm at that stage in my life where I can afford a nice car, and I have one!
Yes, it has "toys" on it.
Yes, when something goes wrong, it's not a cheap repair bill.
But since I don't indulge in much else, it's worth it to me....

 

[Willie Boy]

Before fuel injection and computers in cars I did most of my own work, I used to rebuild carbs. on my kitchen table. My son was at my side handing me a wrench out in the garage, now after working on f-14's on the deck of an air craft carrier he works at an auto dealers as a mechanic, I can't believe how much they pay him. Back in my day it was never a top pay job so I went with tool and die work, now it's reversed. Tool and die suck and the wrench turners make the bucks.

And today its more about plugging the computer in and being able to read the instructions.

 

[nycguydowntown]

I pay cash for used cars, usually about $5000. give or take a thou.
I know at the time I will put out money for tires brakes and general maintenance. The car I have now was $6000. I have been driving it for about 4 years, it has 83,000. miles on it and I have had little trouble.

I run car fax and get the car checked out by a mechanic (usually my son) before I buy it.
I used to be a no frills guy, then a few cars ago I found a Lincoln Town Car, I paid about $3700. for it and got spoiled, it lasted me about 4 years.

If I ever bought a new car it would be around $20,000 and I would have to make payments, so it ain't happening.

I have not problem with what you do but couldn't you take the 5000 and lease a new car for 2 or 3 years and not worry about if it worked or not? Or does my math not work.

 

[EddMarkStarr]

Here's a little story I found fascinating.

Waay back in 2007 Toyota and Ford were playing around with an idea pegged for the future:
The End of Car Ownership.

Toyota's Lexus division had introduced the new LS 460 with the introduction of the new LS 600h L in the works. The LS 600h L was so full of electronics that the term "robocar" did not seem out of place. Ford also saw the future of cars going all electronic to the point that private ownership would no longer be practical. Ford and Toyota agreed that the burden of the "computer car" would be beyond the means of the average person.

The solution, in their mind, was Lease Only - with No option to buy.

It would be necessary for robot cars of the future to be totally owned by the manufacturer, the practical means to keep the vehicle properly maintained with proper service and parts at the dealership level.

Seems to me that the next step beyond this would be fully autonomous robot cars available only on a "per-ride" basis. The manufacturer maintains vehicle ownership and provides total care for each vehicle. Of course that would mean the end of ownership for us ordinary guys but the price of cars are already beyond the means of many.

 

[peeonme]

I have not problem with what you do but couldn't you take the 5000 and lease a new car for 2 or 3 years and not worry about if it worked or not? Or does my math not work.

I leased one car, I had to worry about millage, condition, scheduled maintenance and of course qualifying for a new lease when that one ran out.
I can keep a $5000. car for 7 or 8 years if I have to, I can go down to the cheapest insurance that just keeps me legal also, I have considered a lease, but only if I don't have the cash on hand to buy a decent used car.
Also if I decide to go on a road trip and feel as though my car might give me trouble I can rent a car fairly cheap that is nearly new.

 

[Willie Boy]

I leased one car, I had to worry about millage...

I don't know where you leased that car from, but nobody should have to worry about how effectively their car turns a mill, that's what mules or work horses are for...... Whoever leased you that car sure saw a sucker!

What you should have to keep track of is mileage, or distance traveled, not rotations of the mill wheel.

 

[kev]

I pay cash for used cars, usually about $5000. give or take a thou.
I know at the time I will put out money for tires brakes and general maintenance. The car I have now was $6000. I have been driving it for about 4 years, it has 83,000. miles on it and I have had little trouble.

I run car fax and get the car checked out by a mechanic (usually my son) before I buy it.
I used to be a no frills guy, then a few cars ago I found a Lincoln Town Car, I paid about $3700. for it and got spoiled, it lasted me about 4 years.

If I ever bought a new car it would be around $20,000 and I would have to make payments, so it ain't happening.

I knew it!!! You are a closet capitalist!!!

Come out of the closet sweetie.

 

[nycguydowntown]

This is the new Tesla 3---very space age electric affordable car. It I lived somewhere where it didn't snow--like California-- I'd like one.

 

[zoltanspawn]

I'm not at all interested in the frivolous pleasures that make a car luxurious.

I can use my money in more edifying ways.

 

[peeonme]

I don't know where you leased that car from, but nobody should have to worry about how effectively their car turns a mill, that's what mules or work horses are for...... Whoever leased you that car sure saw a sucker!

What you should have to keep track of is mileage, or distance traveled, not rotations of the mill wheel.

Well well, well, Willy Boy gets the JUB gold star of the day for nailing some dumb bastard who kan't spel rite!

 

[peeonme]

I knew it!!! You are a closet capitalist!!!

Come out of the closet sweetie.

I live in a capitalist society, I take part in it. However, even though I could have become wealthy at the expense of my fellow man I chose not to do so. I always had an urge to start my own business, but I was fearful of becoming like those whom I had worked for.
To thine own self be true.

 

[Taralen]

Edd, I don't know what dial-a-ride is, but do you have public transportation easily available for daily use, such as going to work, etc?
If you haven't had a car for 13 years, you must not really need one.
Most of us need cars on a daily basis. How much you pay for one depends on what our budgets allow (or credit debt you are willing to take on). While I think modern cars have way more technology than most of us need, I love the voice GPS system and back up camera features, even if they are more a luxury than a necessity.
I can't imagine not having a car. Sometimes it's just nice to drive (or ride) around.

It could be an area thing. My aunt was a bus driver and I knew exactly what a dial-a-ride was.

But usually people who have disabilities and can't drive, and find it difficult to operate public transportation or it costs to much, they get anxious etc.

They use a dial-a-ride service. Which here in LA is called Access.

You basically call them up and you can either use a taxi, or a shuttle that has other people in it. They take you to your destination, and then bring you back home.

You have to qualify for it though.