vehicles........love em or hate em?

[DrW]

When I came to the US in 1990, one of my desires was to drive a full-size station wagon, a type of car which we did not have in Germany. I got a used Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, and I loved it. We took it from Rochester on trips to the West Coast, to Florida and Louisiana, and to Newfoundland, until it died with 237,000 miles. It was replaced by another full-size wagon, a Pontiac Safari, which did nearly as well.

We did not take the Pontiac with us when we moved to West Texas 20+years ago, only my wife's Pontiac Bonneville. Thus, I had to look for a car here, and with two young kids at that time I was thinking SUV. Well, I ended up with my first minivan, a Ford Windstar. I had never imagined me driving such a vehicle, but it was just too darn practical. It was followed by another Windstar, and now for about seven years I have been driving a 2010 Honda Odyssey. It is truly low-maintenance, and at the moment I cannot imagine anything more useful.

When my son went to high school, his first car was a hand-me-down Windstar. At first there was some fear of embarrassment, as most kids here drive trucks. However, there was never a problem. On several occasions his classmates decorated the "swagger wagon". Thus, when he had to replace it as student at UT, the first car of his own choice (with some parental financial help) was ... a Honda Odyssey.

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

I’m bragging that the kid learned a lesson. He’s coming to understand money. He’s also a AMAZING dad to two kids with the oldest just having her 2nd BDay.  Sue me. 

No doubt... Has nothing to do with a vehicle.  

 

What lesson? That he had $40k in 2014 and still hung on to hung on to vehicle?

 

Amazing story bro!  More people should learn that lesson!

 

Not knocking... It's all where people choose to put their resources... If someone is coming up with BMWs for their 16 year old... It's probably chump change to them.

 

God..  I'd hate to see the horrible living conditions. 😆 

[Augie]

1 minute ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

No doubt... Has nothing to do with a vehicle.  

 

What lesson? That he had $40k in 2014 and still hung on to hung on to vehicle?

 

Amazing story bro!  More people should learn that lesson!

 

Not knocking... It's all where people choose to put their resources... If someone is coming up with BMWs for their 16 year old... It's probably chump change to them.

 

God..  I'd hate to see the horrible living conditions. 😆 

 

I’m sorry, but it appears you lean a certain (complaining) way and just don’t get where I’m coming from. I think it is terrible that people do that to/for their kids. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to do well in life, and that comes in many different forms. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

22 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I’m sorry, but it appears you lean a certain (complaining) way and just don’t get where I’m coming from. I think it is terrible that people do that to/for their kids. There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to do well in life, and that comes in many different forms. 

Nobody is complaining.   It's 2024. 

 

Rich folk buying their kid a car is chump change.  No lessons are being taught.

 

People drive. It doesn't have to be stratified. 

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Nobody is complaining.   It's 2024. 

 

Rich folk buying their kid a car is chump change.  No lessons are being taught.

 

People drive. It doesn't have to be stratified. 

 

You seem to make it that way. 

 

You complain about “rich folk” a lot. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

10 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

You seem to make it that way. 

 

You complain about “rich folk” a lot. 

Seems that you are complaining about them.

 

Again, them not buying their kids a car isn't some teaching lesson. LoL...

 

Where did you ever get that notion. Like buying their kids a pair of shoes. I got no problem with it.

[Just Jack]

3 hours ago, DrW said:

When I came to the US in 1990, one of my desires was to drive a full-size station wagon, a type of car which we did not have in Germany. I got a used Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser, and I loved it. We took it from Rochester on trips to the West Coast, to Florida and Louisiana, and to Newfoundland, until it died with 237,000 miles. It was replaced by another full-size wagon, a Pontiac Safari, which did nearly as well.

We did not take the Pontiac with us when we moved to West Texas 20+years ago, only my wife's Pontiac Bonneville. Thus, I had to look for a car here, and with two young kids at that time I was thinking SUV. Well, I ended up with my first minivan, a Ford Windstar. I had never imagined me driving such a vehicle, but it was just too darn practical. It was followed by another Windstar, and now for about seven years I have been driving a 2010 Honda Odyssey. It is truly low-maintenance, and at the moment I cannot imagine anything more useful.

When my son went to high school, his first car was a hand-me-down Windstar. At first there was some fear of embarrassment, as most kids here drive trucks. However, there was never a problem. On several occasions his classmates decorated the "swagger wagon". Thus, when he had to replace it as student at UT, the first car of his own choice (with some parental financial help) was ... a Honda Odyssey.

 

 

[ExiledInIllinois]

For the complainers like @Augie... 😉 

 

We're almost evenly divided on a very controversial issue:

 

https://finmasters.com/should-parents-buy-their-child-a-car/

 

If they can afford it... Sure why not buy your kid a car! More power to them. Give your kid a head start, leg up! Sets them up for long term success. 

 

 

"Pros of Buying Your Child a Car

Your child will be able to come up with a million reasons why you should get them a car, probably starting with the fact that their friend got one. But in reality, there are two main reasons to buy them a car instead of letting them do it themselves.

First, it’s a chance for you to give your child a financial head start and set them up for long-term success. When you cover the cost of the vehicle, they’ll typically be able to:

Avoid taking on an expensive auto loan.

Hold onto any cash savings they’ve set aside.

Get a car sooner than they could on their own.

Second, buying a car for your child means you have direct control over what they drive. You can choose a vehicle that’s safe, reliable, and economical. Left to their own devices, a teenager might buy something they think looks cool and exclude more important considerations."

 

 

 

Lots of cool & safe luxury rides! 😆 

Edited November 13 by ExiledInIllinois

[That's No Moon]

2013 Mazda CX-9 185,000 miles

2021 Mazda CX-5 46,000 miles

2015 Honda Accord 57,000 miles

 

My Mazdas have been great and drive great. The Honda was a pain in the ass when I first got it. It was back to the dealership 4 or 5 times in less than a year before they finally fixed it properly and I had a Honda customer service reps number and was on a first name basis.  It's the 2nd Honda I've had and honestly I've been kind of underwhelmed by them. I had a Toyota Corolla in the mid 2000's and was pretty underwhelmed by its build quality.  The Mazdas on the other hand have been really really good to me. I'd buy another of those in a heartbeat.

[Son of a K-Gun]

Whole lotta Toyotas in here...my winter ride is my Grandpa's old 2002 Camry and it just clocked 125,000 miles.

 

Daily driver is a Jeep Wrangler (with a Wrangler before that, and a Wrangler before that, and a Wrangler before that...)

 

Summer car is a 2017 Abarth 124 Spider.  Actually tailgated once with it a couple years ago...surprising how much you can fit in the boot.

[Augie]

9 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

For the complainers like @Augie... 😉 

 

We're almost evenly divided on a very controversial issue:

 

https://finmasters.com/should-parents-buy-their-child-a-car/

 

If they can afford it... Sure why not buy your kid a car! More power to them. Give your kid a head start, leg up! Sets them up for long term success. 

 

 

"Pros of Buying Your Child a Car

Your child will be able to come up with a million reasons why you should get them a car, probably starting with the fact that their friend got one. But in reality, there are two main reasons to buy them a car instead of letting them do it themselves.

First, it’s a chance for you to give your child a financial head start and set them up for long-term success. When you cover the cost of the vehicle, they’ll typically be able to:

Avoid taking on an expensive auto loan.

Hold onto any cash savings they’ve set aside.

Get a car sooner than they could on their own.

Second, buying a car for your child means you have direct control over what they drive. You can choose a vehicle that’s safe, reliable, and economical. Left to their own devices, a teenager might buy something they think looks cool and exclude more important considerations."

 

 

 

Lots of cool & safe luxury rides! 😆 

 

IDK, I don’t think I’m the one doing most of the complaining. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

59 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

IDK, I don’t think I’m the one doing most of the complaining. 

You sure are! 😆 

 

Geesh... Can't parents buy their kid a nice ride presented with a big azz bow on it!

 

If they got it, spend it... More power to them. Everybody drives, you don't have to be a Puritan... Why begrudge them! People spend their money on all kinds of crap, why so judgemental? That 4 Runner probably cost more than a BMW back in day.

[Sweats]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

IDK, I don’t think I’m the one doing most of the complaining. 

 

 

 

 

I really feel like i should be saying something here.......

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

Love em. Currently driving a modded 2016 Tacoma. Not the perfect vehicle some would have you believe, but reliable, fun, and should last a long time.  Summer toys are an 05 mustang gt (still minty with low mileage and never really sees rain, let alone snow) and a 2017 baby Harley Iron 883. Doesn’t include the Sea Ray boat. Some people p their money away on gambling, booze, or drugs. I prefer to do it on things with motors 😂

[The BLUES Brothers]

BMW X5 M Sport model. A lot ot fun to drive especially in sport mode, but rode in my daughter's boyfrined's chevy EV yesterday and excited for the future 

[Pete]

Show me the truck of someone’s car, and I could tell a lot about the cars owner

[Pete]

When I was younger, for 7 years I commuted by bike to work, 30 miles a day, year round.  I had my license and a car, but I chose to ride.  It was very liberating not driving.  The money I saved from insurance, gas, upkeep, etc-I backpacked Europe 4 times.

 

My father didn’t get it.  He said “don’t you think it’s strange, not driving?  Most every American has their license” I’d say “it keeps me in shape, it’s great for the environment, it saves money, enables me to travel, etc”.  My Dad is happy that I traveled, but never understood.

 

Biking 4 seasons was a life affirming and amazing experience lol 

[ExiledInIllinois]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

When I was younger, for 7 years I commuted by bike to work, 30 miles a day, year round.  I had my license and a car, but I chose to ride.  It was very liberating not driving.  The money I saved from insurance, gas, upkeep, etc-I backpacked Europe 4 times.

 

My father didn’t get it.  He said “don’t you think it’s strange, not driving?  Most every American has their license” I’d say “it keeps me in shape, it’s great for the environment, it saves money, enables me to travel, etc”.  My Dad is happy that I traveled, but never understood.

 

Biking 4 seasons was a life affirming and amazing experience lol 

And... Kills roads, infrastructure. 

 

Where would the tax revenue for the roads come from to ride your bicycle on if everyone did that and the fuel taxes plummeted?  Roads are funded @ around 25mpg for optimal care & upkeep.

 

Yeah... I get it, it works for the few. 

 

How should we fund laying asphalt & concrete? 

 

It's liberating because you're not kicking into the fund.

 

(OF course how they manage these funds is left for another debate)

[BuffaloBill]

On 11/12/2024 at 2:59 PM, Jauronimo said:

 

 

I did drive a Tesla model 3 as a rental when I was back in Buffalo for the home opener.  That was a fun ride. My wife wants a new car so badly that I am concerned hers is going to be met with a suspicious accident.

 

Is she going to seek a two-fer and take you out in the process?

[RkFast]

On 11/19/2024 at 9:29 AM, ExiledInIllinois said:

And... Kills roads, infrastructure. 

 

Where would the tax revenue for the roads come from to ride your bicycle on if everyone did that and the fuel taxes plummeted?  Roads are funded @ around 25mpg for optimal care & upkeep.

 

Yeah... I get it, it works for the few. 

 

How should we fund laying asphalt & concrete? 

 

It's liberating because you're not kicking into the fund.

 

(OF course how they manage these funds is left for another debate)

 

That's it...Im selling all my bikes and buying a 1972 Caddy Fleetwood with a 472 cubic inch engine with a bad tuneup and underinflated tires to help save the roads and infrastructure. 

Edited 8 hours ago by RkFast