driving cars into the ground.

[Dirtbag]

I dunno about driving them into the ground but my damn wife sure likes driving them into things!

 

[was thatguy]

I love my 2006 330i. Bought brand new, just about every option. 205,000 and still looks and runs great.
I have no plans of offing it anytime soon. [emoji106]

That is a nice Bimmer for sure.
If you get Suzy a new car this year you can inherit the Mercedes though!:thumbsup:thumbsup

PS, I get home tomorrow for a week. Told them I'm taking a week or adios for good.

 

[was thatguy]

I can't get Deb a new car every 2-3 years even though I would like to...She crashes them up too fast.:grumble:

 

[OCMerrill]

I typically don't like wasting my money buying cars, however I made the mistake of buying a newer model Ford Focus commuter, in 2014, equipped with the TCM transmission & I don't know if I want to keep this car after the extended powertrain warranty expires, so I have a decision to make sooner or later. Two things piss me off: First of all, I should've just kept the perfectly running 2005 Ford that I had & would've saved thousands & secondly I realize that for me to sell or trade in this car, for another commuter, will require me to take a few grand out of savings again, because I will only buy a newer model used car, say 2014-16ish, that's still under a factory warranty & has less than 15k miles.

We have a 2014 SE and the auto shift manual trans is a joke. Ford refuses to address it so now were looking at other options. Ford is real clever how they write their service orders trying to avoid being responsible for a failed design that was apparently way worse than I thought.

The entire world knows and their value has plummeted. Look at Nada and KBB and get ready to throw up.

No more American made small cars for me. Lemon HHR SS and now this POS.


Everything else I own has 150k or more on the ODO and is 12 years old or older and run perfect.

 

[milkmoney]

We have:

2014 Chevy trk - 25k

2015 BMW 338I- 10k

2005 Chevy trk - 160k

2004 Pontiac grand prix-149k

I jus kinda buy as I need or want. I want a new 3/4 diesel and then look at the 14 trk we have and think it does everything it needs to, so I pass.
Beemer is leased for 3 years. So less than 2 years to go. We jus don't drive it much , the 05 trk is strong and still running. The girls drive that trk. Get thier experience before getting something new or newer.
04 Pontiac is jus a beater grandma car that runs great that I use to beat around in.

My problem is having something new I try to keep it new and low miles as long as I can. Seems once I get miles or a few scratches , then I want to replace it. [emoji202][emoji41]

 

[rrrr]

My mother-in-law has a Focus with one of those transmissions, what a piece of shit.

And I feel like it's my fault. She had a 05 Focus, wanted another one and asked me to go to the dealership with her. I beat them down and got a good price but I didn't do any homework on the car. At one point she waited five months for the dealer to work on it, they claimed a parts shortage.

I should have done what I knew was better and steered her into a Civic.

I have a '99 Camry and an '01 V-10 4WD Excursion. I don't drive the Ex much, it has 70K on the clock. The Camry is in good shape, 165K, and since I only drive about 5,000 miles a year there isn't a good reason to replace it.

I used to get a new car every three years, now I have turned into an old fucker and it doesn't bother me to be driving an 18 year old car. :skull

 

[Waffles]

The problem with doing that , is that you get into a downward spiral ...you never have any equity in the car , you are constantly paying huge amounts of sales tax and higher DMV fees , all to experience that new car feel , which wears off in a year anyway , and to one-up your friends or neighbors . The best plane economically , is to keep it for at last 10 years , maintain it well , pay it off , then sell it privately when you want .

Cheers to this :beer

I still dont know how people manage to buy new cars every couple of years just to keep up with the jones'.

As much as id like to own a new car/jeep/truck, Im pretty content with driving my 01 Wrangler until her wheels fall off.

 

[BHC Vic]

My truck is an 02 Silverado 1500 HD. I think around 160k but new motor at 119k. I want a new diesel but it doesn't pencil out. Not only do I not want to make another payment there's no way I could afford insurance on a newer 4x4. Dui's strike again. [emoji58]

 

[pwerwagn]

We keep them forever typically.

Every vehicle we own has over 100K except our motorhome. I have 2 "beater" Daily's, that I have next to nothing invested in so the nicer cars last longer...although we still put a ton of miles on those. I either drive a 97 saturn with 200K that I paid 800$ for, or drive an 87 samurai with unknown mileage that I paid 250$ for. CHEAP daily transportation is the name of the game for me.

My 04 cummins has 165K, my wifes escalade has ~130K, my 93 cummins has 270K. I sold my 89 cummins with 301K (for more than I paid for it when it had 85K). My wifes last car got sold just below 200K. I think the only 2 vehicles we have sold with less than 100K was the durango we hated, and the wrangler when we had kids. Other than that, I try to squeeze every bit of life out of them.

I still have my 77 power wagon I bought when I was ~14. I also have the 74 power wagon I bought when I was 16.

 

[Deja_Vu]

I commute 54 miles one way to work so I have been Ridesharing for years.
I lease a new Chevy Traverse every year from Enterprise. It usually has 22-25k miles when I get another.
SANDAG subsidizes us $400 which gets the lease down to $500 a month.
Saves me a ton of wear and tear on my vehicles.

I usually buy clean used low mile cars between 3-5 years old.
Our newest car is an '06 now

 

[OCMerrill]

It's really hard to believe that Ford acts as though there's nothing wrong with the car & its 'driving as designed' I take it in for service & they act as though I'm stupid. 'Oh we can have our trans specialist look at it & determine if there's any issues, but you'll have to leave it all day & no, we don't offer free loaner cars, but you can pay for a rental' LOL! What a joke, how many times do they need to look at this stupid car? I guess hesitation on acceleration & constant shuddering are normal characteristics?

I actually won't let anyone else drive my car because of the acceleration issues, for fear that it might cause an accident, if they're unfamiliar with how the car drives. Sure I could dump the car at CarMax & buy something else, but I would also loose my ass & I would only sell it to a private party if they're fully educated on the issues with the 2012-2014s.

2015's and 2016's have the same issue, same dual-clutch trans. Zero Changes! I spent a 1/2hr on the phone with RSM Ford's Service Manger and she basically said don't bring it back here again as there is nothing we can do and they don't want me as a customer. I also share the same idea that nobody else should drive it other than my wife or daughter. There is no way you can hold a cup of coffee and drive it. Upon take off the car basically pops the clutch then short shifts to 2nd so you get tossed back and then jarred forward all in 2 seconds. it's total shit, never did that when new, and that behavior is normal according to the new vibration recording Trans Control Module which was a recall to log data so Ford can fight people in court.

This is my issue with buying Fords, just like the 6.0 truck they made for 4+ years with the same KNOWN issues and all those angry customers. Like some cult however that same dude is in there buying the next latest and greatest Ford.

For me I think this Focus is a nice car, drives well, sport package with 4 wheel disks, driving lights, and a dedicated interior to the package. Its a little different and super roomy for a small car. 5 star crash rated and American made which was the pull to the car in the 1st place.

NEVER AGAIN!

 

[Uncle Dave]

2015's and 2016's have the same issue, same dual-clutch trans. Zero Changes! I spent a 1/2hr on the phone with RSM Ford's Service Manger and she basically said don't bring it back here again as there is nothing we can do and they don't want me as a customer. I also share the same idea that nobody else should drive it other than my wife or daughter. There is no way you can hold a cup of coffee and drive it. Upon take off the car basically pops the clutch then short shifts to 2nd so you get tossed back and then jarred forward all in 2 seconds. it's total shit, never did that when new, and that behavior is normal according to the new vibration recording Trans Control Module which was a recall to log data so Ford can fight people in court.

This is my issue with buying Fords, just like the 6.0 truck they made for 4+ years with the same KNOWN issues and all those angry customers. Like some cult however that same dude is in there buying the next latest and greatest Ford.

For me I think this Focus is a nice car, drives well, sport package with 4 wheel disks, driving lights, and a dedicated interior to the package. Its a little different and super roomy for a small car. 5 star crash rated and American made which was the pull to the car in the 1st place.

NEVER AGAIN!

My kids focus has the same judder problem and the same temporary amnesia problem every time he takes it in. Total POS trans.
His first new car just paid off in 4 of 5 years and he's got to go buy another one at 45K.
The only ford builds that gets any real loving is the f150.

He is going to be buying Japanese going forward. Ford lost him for life.


UD

 

[OCMerrill]

My kids focus has the same judder problem and the same temporary amnesia problem every time he takes it in. Total POS trans.
His first new car just paid off in 4 of 5 years and he's got to go buy another one at 45K.
The only ford builds that gets any real loving is the f150.

He is going to be buying Japanese going forward. Ford lost him for life.


UD

I feel for your son. The Jap players would never let defect BS like this meander about.

We paid just at $20k for this car in March of 2015. It has 14k miles and KBB and Nada have the car at $8k trade in and $9.5 full retail, in perfect shape, with the $1200 sport package. Now that is an eye opener.

 

[Uncle Dave]

I feel for your son. The Jap players would never let defect BS like this meander about.

We paid just at $20k for this car in March of 2015. It has 14k miles and KBB and Nada have the car at $8k trade in and $9.5 full retail, in perfect shape, with the $1200 sport package. Now that is an eye opener.

Brutal OC.

In stark contrast - My Lexus dealer just replaced free of charge the dashboard/pad in my 11 year old car. Job is a total PIA and had to cost them at least a grand all in.

It was cracking and they decided that it should not have degraded like that and it was "unbecoming of the image of the company" not to take care of their customers.

People ask me why I go to the dealer for major service - this kind of relationship with real meaningful freebies has made me a client for life.

UD

 

[Old Texan]

Those Lexuits seem to last forever with proper maintenance.

As good as the GF's "camera"?

Poor ol' YB has such a time with car names.:skull

 

[lbhsbz]

It's really hard to believe that Ford acts as though there's nothing wrong with the car & its 'driving as designed' I take it in for service & they act as though I'm stupid. 'Oh we can have our trans specialist look at it & determine if there's any issues, but you'll have to leave it all day & no, we don't offer free loaner cars, but you can pay for a rental' LOL! What a joke, how many times do they need to look at this stupid car? I guess hesitation on acceleration & constant shuddering are normal characteristics?

I actually won't let anyone else drive my car because of the acceleration issues, for fear that it might cause an accident, if they're unfamiliar with how the car drives. Sure I could dump the car at CarMax & buy something else, but I would also loose my ass & I would only sell it to a private party if they're fully educated on the issues with the 2012-2014s.

This is another reason to buy old used cars....after 5 or 10 years, their true colors are exposed. Nissan CVT's turned out to nightmares, so did the GM small SUV CvT trans.. My SIL bought that focus...I pulled it outta the driveway to move to the street the other day and in less than 50 feet determined that the trans was a POS.

Too many new ideas lately...

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I've had my 2001 Silverado 1500 Z71 for about 8 years now. It has 192k on it and it needs a lot of work. It's really become the "Ranch truck" as it rarely ever leaves Heritage ranch. I'm pretty sure I'm going to offload it here pretty soon as it needs more work than I can afford to do at this point and being just an extra cab with 2 young girls, it doesn't work too well for us for longer trips or anything.

 

[DaveC]

I keep my diesel truck for a minimum of 10 years. Maybe longer. It depends. I am a sucker for new shiney things. I traded in my old one at 11 years with only 95,000. I should have kept it but couldn't resist the new one.

I have the consulting gig also so I lease a new car every three years. (tax reasons) There is no way I would own any of these pieces of shit that I lease. LOL

 

[pronstar]

Brutal OC.

In stark contrast - My Lexus dealer just replaced free of charge the dashboard/pad in my 11 year old car. Job is a total PIA and had to cost them at least a grand all in.

It was cracking and they decided that it should not have degraded like that and it was "unbecoming of the image of the company" not to take care of their customers.

People ask me why I go to the dealer for major service - this kind of relationship with real meaningful freebies has made me a client for life.

UD

Here's some early research that the brand is based upon:

The happiest, most loyal customers aren't the folks who haven't had any problems with their cars.

The happiest, most loyal customers are those who have had an issue that was successfully fixed in an over-the-top way.

 

[sirbob]

My daily driver was 1997 model I bought new. It started going up in value lately so I thought I would replace it with something that was not so valuable - I bought a 1995 model that is going up in value now and will be worth more next year than this year.

I'm lucky that I don't commute every day or have long daily drives - On average I put 5k a year on "my" car. so both my current cars I would consider APPRECIATING assets.

That said - My wifes daily driver is newer - its only a 2007 (doubles as our tow vehicle). That one is getting ready to be replaced with the new model when it comes out next year.

I like cars a lot but I find I'm just more careful when I buy one to be sure its something I can live with for a long time and won't look out of date or seem old by next year.

 

[B-RAD77]

Bout time you upgraded your wife's car.

Shit man I bought her a new Boat a couple of years ago. Its never enough for you is it.

 

[B-RAD77]

I want one of those TRD 4runners.. Probably just going to get an SR5 though and throw suspension and wheels on it.

we were back and forth about the TRD package as she isn't really going to wheel it but decided for resale value it might help. Plus as an avid off roader I think a factory locking diff is cool

 

[77charger]

I get a work truck so thats my main driver and will get driven into the ground.

My oersonal truck i bought in 04 chevy 2500hd 6.0 gasser.I had 80k on it by 07 since it was a daily then used for river or desert trip but now with a company truck i only use my personal for desert or river it has 175k on it now runs great just had trans rebuilt so i didnt have to worry about it on a trip.I dont want to get a new truck payment for a truck that sits most times and only gets about 8k miles a year so i will keep this for a long time.

 

[Ouderkirk]

I am just wondering, am I the only one that seems to do this? I was having a conversation with my gf this morning as she wants to trade in her 3 year old, 38k mile camera in on a newer model. the reason she was going to do it is " stuff is wearing out" She does need new tires, is due for a complete fulid change, but other then that the car is perfect. this seems to be the norm with people as most people I know keep a car 3-5 years and sell it/trade in with 30-60k miles.



Maybe its just my frugal nature, but I don't get it. So what am I missing here?

I buy a car and I run it into the ground. My preference is to buy the car at the tail end of life for cheap, throw a few dollars at it to keep the rolling stock in order. For the most part I drive one junk pile to the end, and move to the next junk pile. Rinse and repeat. On average I spend less than 3.5 cents per mile to own it. I can't help myself. I drove junk piles from my first car onward.

Here, where they spread salt on the roads by the metric ton, it makes no sense to spend $70K on a vehicle and have nothing left after 180K miles. I buy old high mileage cars (no more than $3000) in Virginia/North Carolina and drive them another 150k-180K miles.

I view a car as a consumable item, the commodity is transportation from point A, to point B. I try to limit my $$$ exposure on a money losing proposition. And it is a money loser no matter how you slice it.

 

[pronstar]

we were back and forth about the TRD package as she isn't really going to wheel it but decided for resale value it might help. Plus as an avid off roader I think a factory locking diff is cool

The TRD Bilsteins ride much better on-road (and off) than the regular trucks, so she'll benefit from the TRD Package regardless.

 

[E4L]

Coming from a guy that used to get a new one every 6 months to a year. I have owned my 01 excursion the longest 4 years 325k on her and I can't seem to part with her. Had new leather and heated and cooled seats like the new trucks have. No payment[emoji41]

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

The TRD Bilsteins ride much better on-road (and off) than the regular trucks, so she'll benefit from the TRD Package regardless.

Yes. When I get one Bilstein 5100s will be going on it in the first couple days.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

The TRD Bilsteins ride much better on-road (and off) than the regular trucks, so she'll benefit from the TRD Package regardless.

Yes. When I get one Bilstein 5100s will be going on it in the first couple days. That is what's is on my current one.

 

[Paul65k]

Man when I was in my 20's and 30's I spent so much money on cars it was just stupid!!! Buy a new car every 12-18 months and who cared I was rolling:rolleyes

After I started just paying cash for a car and keeping it 5+ years I realized just how much money I was saving

Now I look for that 3 year old car with even a little more mileage (like 50K) that someone is just tired of and as I don't put a lot of miles on a car I can keep it for a very long time. My current avalanche is a 2004 with 98K miles and I like it as much now as the day I brought it home.......yes I spend a little money on it and a few years ago when I looked at new ones it seemed like the only real difference was new electronics so............$1200 on a Kenwood with GPS and back-up camera and I was brand new again Only reason I will even think of selling now is that we would like to get a 5th wheel so a diesel is likely in my future..........buy a new one (not sdo sure but maybe) or better yet a well taken care of truck a few years old and then drive the wheels off it........Who knows as Diesel trucks have a whole unique eco-climate going on now don't they:hmm

Wife's driving a 10 year old Mini CooperS that has 65K miles on it and I'm driving a full sized caddy that I bought for .15 on the dollar 6 years old with a year left on the factory extended warranty......sure beats having a car payment

 

[BHC Vic]

Man when I was in my 20's and 30's I spent so much money on cars it was just stupid!!! Buy a new car every 12-18 months and who cared I was rolling:rolleyes

After I started just paying cash for a car and keeping it 5+ years I realized just how much money I was saving

Now I look for that 3 year old car with even a little more mileage (like 50K) that someone is just tired of and as I don't put a lot of miles on a car I can keep it for a very long time. My current avalanche is a 2004 with 98K miles and I like it as much now as the day I brought it home.......yes I spend a little money on it and a few years ago when I looked at new ones it seemed like the only real difference was new electronics so............$1200 on a Kenwood with GPS and back-up camera and I was brand new again Only reason I will even think of selling now is that we would like to get a 5th wheel so a diesel is likely in my future..........buy a new one (not sdo sure but maybe) or better yet a well taken care of truck a few years old and then drive the wheels off it........Who knows as Diesel trucks have a whole unique eco-climate going on now don't they:hmm

Wife's driving a 10 year old Mini CooperS that has 65K miles on it and I'm driving a full sized caddy that I bought for .15 on the dollar 6 years old with a year left on the factory extended warranty......sure beats having a car payment

Why stupid? From what I've read you've done very well in life. Why is it stupid to enjoy spending money and enjoy your hard work? You can't take it with you. I always tell my parents that. Spend your money. You can't take it with you and it's yours. Worked your whole life for it. I don't want it.i don't know, that's the way I look at it. I've been told I'm dumb and I'm doing things wrong but I don't care. I work hard and I have a damn good time enjoying what I work for. just my thoughts though, I wish I had more money but only so I could spend more [emoji4]

 

[Rvrluvr]

Those Lexuits seem to last forever with proper maintenance.

But they are a giant upgrade to the camera

 

[cnj]

We have:
2013 Honda Ridgeline w/16K on the clock. I'll have it for 10 more years. It replaced the 2006 Ridgeline I had for 10 years.
2012 Infiniti G37 w/27K on the clock. It'll hopefully be around for a while.
2002 Ford Ranger 4x4 w/96K on the clock. It is the vehicle I keep at the AZ house, and runs great.

 

[jetboatperformance]

I'm a veteran Master Technician and own both Marine and Auto mechanical interests and absolutely hate working on my own vehicles I have bought and will continue to buy Vehicles that have long comprehensive warranties , I have them maintained to "better than required standards" and keep them in very good condition but will trade them off prior to Warranty expirations and start over as they mature and begin to depreciate No Boats are a different story

 

[Paul65k]

Why stupid? From what I've read you've done very well in life. Why is it stupid to enjoy spending money and enjoy your hard work? You can't take it with you. I always tell my parents that. Spend your money. You can't take it with you and it's yours. Worked your whole life for it. I don't want it.i don't know, that's the way I look at it. I've been told I'm dumb and I'm doing things wrong but I don't care. I work hard and I have a damn good time enjoying what I work for. just my thoughts though, I wish I had more money but only so I could spend more [emoji4]

Oh Grasshopper....................You've come so far but you still have much to learn

 

[BHC Vic]

Oh Grasshopper....................You've come so far but you still have much to learn

That's why I ask [emoji4]I've been working so much lately I haven't had a chance to spend anything. I guess it's a good thing [emoji12]

 

[Willie B]

... I bought a $500 diesel Mercedes from my friends wife as a parts car for a pretty decent diesel Mercedes that I keep up at Lake Oroville... the odometer on the parts car reads 936,000 miles or something like that... the car is so much fun to drive I have never taken a part off of it... it refuses to die...I think I posted the story before about having to have it towed out of the lake ...I got a little too close to the water...:eek

 

[Kailuaboy89]

Gave my 92 Toyota 4x4 truck, 25 years old, to my oldest daughter, and it now has almost 400,000 miles, still runs great, and my 96' Dodge Ram 2500 at 21 years old has 333,000+ miles, and I dont plan on selling her anytime soon. I couldnt afford the cost, DMV fees, insurance or any of that, and still be able to recreate and enjoy the things I do if I bought a new vehicle. Thank goodness I am an ASE master technician...

 

[pronstar]

... I bought a $500 diesel Mercedes from my friends wife as a parts car for a pretty decent diesel Mercedes that I keep up at Lake Oroville... the odometer on the parts car reads 936,000 miles or something like that... the car is so much fun to drive I have never taken a part off of it... it refuses to die...I think I posted the story before about having to have it towed out of the lake ...I got a little too close to the water...:eek

240D / 300D non-turbo?
Or W124 E-Class?

 

[Willie B]

240D / 300D non-turbo?
Or W124 E-Class?

...Both are 5cyl turbo 300SD's... I keep the driver side window up on the $500 brown car with an ice cream stick ...lol...I have a regulator for it just haven't gotten around to putting it in...

 

[Boozer]

I agree that there are places money could be better spent than buying a new car every year. However, if you buy cars smart (shop around, find a good deal) that are only a couple years old you can avoid the new car depreciation hit and sell them before the next big depreciation curve hits you can roll a newer car and change cars often without spending a fortune in the process.

 

[4Waters]

...Both are 5cyl turbo 300SD's... I keep the driver side window up on the $500 brown car with an ice cream stick ...lol...I have a regulator for it just haven't gotten around to putting it in...

View attachment 538803

I've seen a couple of guys put those diesels into cj5's

 

[LB247XS]

I still drive my 1990 GMC 1500 excab longbed.bought it in 94 and its got just under 500k on it.I just use it for sidework and work commute of 6miles round trip.it used to be a badass truck with billet wheels lowered etc.it runs great on original motor and trans.just getting wore out on its appearance.hoping the truck gods answer my prayers this year

 

[Yellowboat]

speaking of this, my beater ranger that I have been driving into the ground needs tires... I am debating if I want to double the value of the truck or just find some decent used tires.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

...Both are 5cyl turbo 300SD's... I keep the driver side window up on the $500 brown car with an ice cream stick ...lol...I have a regulator for it just haven't gotten around to putting it in...

View attachment 538803

I wish we could get the "empire service" spec'd vehicles that Mercedes and Toyota make for the rest of the world.

 

[Ziggy]

The highest mileage car I've been around was a customers. He meticulously cared for it.
He had over 600k on the original turbo. We'd never done any internal engine work or driveline work either.
So it doesn't really qualify as "run into the ground"....but rather just run.
Somewhere around 700k he got a new car and gave the 3/4 million mile car to one of his kids.

 

[crzy2bealive]

I have a 07 tundra with 105k miles and my wife has a 99 4 runner with 120k.

We are going to run them into the ground before we get another vechile.