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I drove a piece of crap Ford Tempo for years because I had other more important financial goals and I didn't want to spend the money on a new car. I've only actually had one new car in my nearly 60 years and it's almost 14 years old. Cars have never really been all that important to me. I miss the days when I could park any where and not care about what happens to it. I still park far away from everyone as the car still looks really good. If you want to drive something nicer set a financial goal, write up a plan and stick to it. If it's not that serious then don't worry about what other people think. I had the the means to drive something nice years before I bought my car. I just didn't give a hoot about driving my "dog car." I used to leave the keys in my Maverick hoping someone would steal it and put me out of my misery. I've actually had a couple of those dog cars.
IMO it's about what having a newer car represents to you, and what driving a jalopy represents to you, not the car itself. For instance when you drive your car, does it represent wrong turns you took or things you didn't accomplish so that you are not where your peers are? When you see them in newer nicer cars, what does it mean to you? That is where the problem and the solution lies, not in saving enough money to get a nicer car but in getting your life in general where you need it to be to feel good about yourself.
I drive a 17 year old car by choice. I paid it off 8 years ago and kept it and it has 308,000 miles on it now. Not only don't I feel bad about driving it, I am exceedingly proud of it and brag about it. I can easily afford a newer car but I don't want one.
You should talk about this in the automotive forum. It's more of a hardware problem than a psychological problem. If the body is straight, you could give it a $500 Maaco paint job and be driving a shiny new car in a week. If it has dings and dents, buy some tools and a tub of Bondo and learn to do body work. You can do the same thing with the interior: some fitted seat covers and cheap carpet on the floor and you have a whole new car. If you need a new head liner, it might cost a bit more.
I know that a car is a car and transportation is important, but I feel self-conscious when I'm driving. I only ever see decent-looking cars on the road. What advice can you give me to not feel bad about driving an old rundown car? I don't have the means to buy a better car.
Save your money and live like no one else so you can live like no one else later.
Dave Ramsey
Driving an old car is no big deal. Don't worry about it.
Now, when a car is a filthy pit that's full of garbage, that's another story entirely.
Then I think the owner is a slob. But that's not the car's fault.
OP: as many other fine posters here have said, you needn't give a damn about what some stranger thinks of you. You drive what you can afford and if it works, why assume unnecessary debt by replacing something that runs well but is older, faded, etc?
Truth is, many of those who are really wealthy are not concerned with what others perceive of them. There was this old man in the town where I grew up who owned a huge house off Pine Island Road that backed up to Long Island Sound. He always wore worn-looking clothes that looked off the rack from Sears and he drove this orange Fiat Brava that was rusted out. I mowed his lawn in 7th & 8th grades, so I got to know him a little. Down to earth guy.
He passed away several years later when I was in high school and it was then I learned that his estate was well into the 6 figures. Never looked it, was the most unassuming person in both appearance and attitude.
He obviously didn't care what people thought of him.
I'm not recommending you go full Ebeneezer Scrooge and count your coins every evening, but enjoy your thrift!
Why feel bad about something you can't control, Now if you were a criminal and drove around in new car with a sign saying that I could understand the shame or whatever.
What is the definition of jalopy in this situation? Merely old?
Both of my vehicles are 22 yo and the truck needs a paint job.
All of my neighbors mention my Caddy for some reason. Maybe because huge land yachts in great shape are a rarity?
No car payments but lots of maintenance. Good thing a friend and I know how to keep the things running.
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Merely old?
