How Do You Rate Your Car(s)? (Toronto: to rent, insurance)

[kjbrill]

Just thought I would throw this out there as a matter of curiosity. How do you rate your cars and why do you own them?

Several responders on this forum would rather not have a car at all, and this I can understand. Overall, they are expensive, often exceeding the total annual cost of a home. So why do you own them and what do you expect?

[Peregrine]

Often exceeding the total annual cost of your home? Ok, maybe if your house payment is $200.
I drive a 10 year old Saab that probably costs me 1% of my total annual home cost. Maybe.

[kjbrill]

I will be the first responder to my own thread. I have two cars.
1) A 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis, bought used in 1997, currently has 95,000 miles.
2) A 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis, bought new, currently has 45,000 miles.

As you can see, we don't drive a lot of miles.

The 2001 has an hydraulic lift on the back to transport my wife's electric scooter, which she requires due to her mobility problems. To compensate for the extra weight, I had it outfitted with an air suspension system. The hydraulic lift looks like Hell, but functionality is what is important.

The 1992 is quote My Car. It is basically what I drive to the golf course. I have resolved to drive it until it croaks, which so far it has not. As the gas prices go up, we just select a closer golf course.

Both of these cars have V-8 engines, and are terrible on gas around town. On the highway, not so bad, delivering about 23 miles per gallon. But as you can see by the mileage, we don't do this very often.

In my estimation, these have been the two best cars I have ever owned. I base this on 1)Purchase Price, 2)Maintenance and repair, 3)Still look good as they age.

Yes, I know, these are Old Peoples Cars. Every time I go up to my local Kroger, I am amazed at how many Mercury Grand Marquis I see in the lot, particularly in the Handicap Parking zone.

I have given you the reasons why I own what I own. I am awaiting your responses as to why you love your cars, and why they were the best choice for you.

[Sunnydee]

I have a 2002 Honda Accord with approx. 48,000 miles on it. I love this car! It hasn't given me any problems, is easy on gas, and very reliable. My teenage daughter has put dibs on this car because she loves it too.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Often exceeding the total annual cost of your home? Ok, maybe if your house payment is $200.
I drive a 10 year old Saab that probably costs me 1% of my total annual home cost. Maybe.

With your accounting, I agree. That is the philosophy I follow also. But many have two cars, both still on payments, and if you factor in the insurance, cost to operate, etc. exceeds their house mortgage. Let's face it, the car is America's obsession. Not mine, but many.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Often exceeding the total annual cost of your home? Ok, maybe if your house payment is $200.
I drive a 10 year old Saab that probably costs me 1% of my total annual home cost. Maybe.

It is people like you and I the car dealers hate. Of course, you do realize we are a negative contributor to the economy?

[Cincy-Rise]

I hate owning a car and would love the option to not have to have one. Trust me, I've researched routes on where I need to go, and it's not that it's just inconvenient, they simply do not go where I need to go.

For every dollar you spend on improvements to your house, you will see a 80-90% ROI. With a car, this is the exact opposite.

AAA: The price of owning a car -- any car -- rose over the last year
April 8, 2010 | 5:53 pm
As with many things nowadays, the cost of owning a car went up over the last year, AAA said Thursday.

The average cost to operate a medium-sized automobile -- such as a Ford Fusion or a Honda Accord -- increased 4.8% in the last 12 months, according to AAA's annual "Your Driving Cost" study. Based on driving 15,000 miles a year, it costs 47.6 cents a mile, or $9,519 a year, to operate a mid-size car, the study said.

WTF???

If I lived in D.C. I can get an unlimited Metro pass for a YEAR for about $1,500-1,800.

If the Metro served my route, I could ride unlimited - annually for about $850!

[Ohiogirl81]

I'd ditch the car if I could as well (nevermind that I spent $900 in "improvements" to the little red monster just yesterday ...). Driving is a lot less fun than it used to be.

[Wilson513]

I have a few cars and trucks. DD is a 1988 MB 300SEL. As fine a machine as ever made. Sometimes I have to look at the tachometer just to see if its running. Purchased used 15 years ago. I am privileged to have it.

Most interesting vehicle in my fleet, is a 1984 MB Unimog 406. 6L diesel, 20 speed, locking differentials, exo cage, R-1 tractor tires with Staun internal beadlocks, 15k hydralic winch, wet lines and pto's on both ends. Pretty much goes anywhere. Heres a video of it in action:


YouTube - Unimog Extracts Prerunner at Haspin


Oh, heck, here's another interesting one, my 1999 Jeep Cherokee: 10" lift, ARB air locker in front, Lockrite on Dana 44, 37"BFG Krawlers with Staun internal beadlocks, MM winch, inside roll cage, every recovery accessory one could find, blah, blah, blah. (but, I can recover any moron's Jeep out of the creek bed as needed. Gas mileage is a little poor:

[high mileage]

I have a 2005 Subaru WRX with a whopping 126,000 miles on it (hence the screen name). I REALLY need to rent cars when I travel, but I'm under 25(for a few more months) so the cost is outrageous. We're putting "Scooby" on the road to head to Toronto in a few weeks which will add another 1,500-2,000 miles on it.

Even with the mods I have on it, it runs like new, and I haven't had a single problem with it, just routine maintenace.

"Scooby" has been to 37 states, including two road trips to California, one to Houston, and routine trips to Connecticut when I visit my parents.

I've been contemplating on getting rid of it at the end of the year, but it's been so good to me, and I love it. I've been thinking I should just go ahead and keep it, especially since it's paid off. I detest car payments!