Dont forget in Virginia you are also paying a hefty tax each year based on the value of your car.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.

I don't get this at all. We have a 2008 Sienna and literally all we do is half-assed maintenance (oil changes, but not the recommended 75,000 mile servicing or whatever). It just keeps going.

Well, if you want, we can run the calculations. It's probably cheaper for you to buy a brand new Sienna and drive it for 3 years, than holding on to your 2008. Also, we don't use anecdotal evidence for expected maintenance, just because *YOU* half-ass your maintenance, doesn't mean that's the right thing to do.

I'm not a math person. But we paid cash for this car--used, around 25k, in 2011 (and even if we had financed it, it would be paid off by now). Why would it be cheaper to buy a brand new car? Why would I spend money on something when the car runs fine?

If you really want to go through the calculations, let me know the trim level and mileage you bought it and current mileage. I will show you how much money you have been wasting while driving a used car.

I'm not the prior poster, but I'll bite. We have a 2012 Sienna LE that we bought used in 2013 for $21K with 27K miles on it. It's at 95K now and paid off within the past year. We also own a 2006 Honda Accord LX purchased new for $21K, paid off over a decade ago, and currently with 75K miles on it. Maintenance for both has been regular oil changes at 3K miles, manufacturer-recommended mileage-based maintenance, one new ~$80 oxygen sensor for the Honda (self-installed), and one set of tires for each.

Was your 2012 Sienna a rental? The price you bought it at seems off. I see people discussing buying 2012 Sienna LE for $22,000-$23,00 in 2014, which is more reasonable. $21k for a 2012 Sienna LE in 2013 is not normal.

On the Accord, it has depreciated about 16,700 in the past 14 years, or about $1200 a year. You've also had to get new tires, brakes, and other maintenance as required beyond the first 3 years, but we'll just call that a wash with the taxes one would have to pay on a new car every 3 years. A 2017 Accord LX in good condition has a private party value of $15,460. The 2017 LX sold for about $19000 before taxes:

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/42361/honda/accord/2017-honda-accord-deals-and-prices/p23

So in 3 years and 36,000 miles, the car lost $3540 in value, or about $1200 a year. So for the same depreciation as you have been experiencing in your 2006 accord, you could have been driving a brand new Accord every 3 years, experiencing the latest technology, safety, and comforts, with full warranty, lower insurance rates, and while never having to worry about tires, brakes, batteries, spark plugs, light bulbs or any other maintenance item.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.

I don't get this at all. We have a 2008 Sienna and literally all we do is half-assed maintenance (oil changes, but not the recommended 75,000 mile servicing or whatever). It just keeps going.

Well, if you want, we can run the calculations. It's probably cheaper for you to buy a brand new Sienna and drive it for 3 years, than holding on to your 2008. Also, we don't use anecdotal evidence for expected maintenance, just because *YOU* half-ass your maintenance, doesn't mean that's the right thing to do.

I'm not a math person. But we paid cash for this car--used, around 25k, in 2011 (and even if we had financed it, it would be paid off by now). Why would it be cheaper to buy a brand new car? Why would I spend money on something when the car runs fine?

If you really want to go through the calculations, let me know the trim level and mileage you bought it and current mileage. I will show you how much money you have been wasting while driving a used car.

I'm not the prior poster, but I'll bite. We have a 2012 Sienna LE that we bought used in 2013 for $21K with 27K miles on it. It's at 95K now and paid off within the past year. We also own a 2006 Honda Accord LX purchased new for $21K, paid off over a decade ago, and currently with 75K miles on it. Maintenance for both has been regular oil changes at 3K miles, manufacturer-recommended mileage-based maintenance, one new ~$80 oxygen sensor for the Honda (self-installed), and one set of tires for each.

Anonymous wrote:My Prius is the coolest car I’ve ever owned. And I’ve had some cool ones. But this one costs $23 to fill the tank every two weeks.

I'm a car guy and also loved the Prius my wife had for a few years. She moved on to a MB after that, but while we had it, it was a great car to drive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP why do you care so much what strangers think of your car?

Because some of us are normal and are social animals so we care what others think of us to a healthy degree.

You sound very insecure and materialistic. The Q7 is a boring and rapidly-depreciating Volkswagen that is only status symbol if your social circle is made up entirely of middle-aged suburban soccer moms.

I should have clarified, I'm not the OP. I don't particularly like the Q7, it's too low-key for me. I like driving exciting cars that look great inside and out and the Q7 would not do it for me. My reply is to point out that normal people are social animals and therefore care about what others think of them. So long as this is at a healthy level, it is not a sign of insecurity or overly materialistic behavior. To the contrary, anyone who doesn't care what others think of them is abnormal on the spectrum of human behaviors, some are even autistic.

Buying an expensive status car just because you have this internal need to impress strangers is not a healthy behavior exhibited by people with normal levels of confidence and self-worth. A lot of people do it sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or healthy.

Strawman. No one recommended buying expensive cars *JUST* for the need to impress strangers. You are imagining things. Seek professional help.

I live a happy and fulfilled life without requiring validation from strangers on the road. I was going to suggest therapy to help with improving your sense of self-worth but after car payment/clothes/dinners out/minimum payments on consumer debt there’s probably not a lot left over.

Either you are truly anti-social, which I doubt, or you are simply not self aware enough to admit that you, too, care about what others think of you. Do you pick out flattering clothes? Wear make up? Style your hair? Behave politely in public? If so, then these are all ways in which you are seeking validation from strangers in public. It's perfectly natural and normal because humans are social animals.

My Prius is the coolest car I’ve ever owned. And I’ve had some cool ones. But this one costs $23 to fill the tank every two weeks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP why do you care so much what strangers think of your car?

Because some of us are normal and are social animals so we care what others think of us to a healthy degree.

You sound very insecure and materialistic. The Q7 is a boring and rapidly-depreciating Volkswagen that is only status symbol if your social circle is made up entirely of middle-aged suburban soccer moms.

I should have clarified, I'm not the OP. I don't particularly like the Q7, it's too low-key for me. I like driving exciting cars that look great inside and out and the Q7 would not do it for me. My reply is to point out that normal people are social animals and therefore care about what others think of them. So long as this is at a healthy level, it is not a sign of insecurity or overly materialistic behavior. To the contrary, anyone who doesn't care what others think of them is abnormal on the spectrum of human behaviors, some are even autistic.

Buying an expensive status car just because you have this internal need to impress strangers is not a healthy behavior exhibited by people with normal levels of confidence and self-worth. A lot of people do it sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or healthy.

Strawman. No one recommended buying expensive cars *JUST* for the need to impress strangers. You are imagining things. Seek professional help.

I live a happy and fulfilled life without requiring validation from strangers on the road. I was going to suggest therapy to help with improving your sense of self-worth but after car payment/clothes/dinners out/minimum payments on consumer debt there’s probably not a lot left over.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.

I don't get this at all. We have a 2008 Sienna and literally all we do is half-assed maintenance (oil changes, but not the recommended 75,000 mile servicing or whatever). It just keeps going.

Well, if you want, we can run the calculations. It's probably cheaper for you to buy a brand new Sienna and drive it for 3 years, than holding on to your 2008. Also, we don't use anecdotal evidence for expected maintenance, just because *YOU* half-ass your maintenance, doesn't mean that's the right thing to do.

I'm not a math person. But we paid cash for this car--used, around 25k, in 2011 (and even if we had financed it, it would be paid off by now). Why would it be cheaper to buy a brand new car? Why would I spend money on something when the car runs fine?

If you really want to go through the calculations, let me know the trim level and mileage you bought it and current mileage. I will show you how much money you have been wasting while driving a used car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.

I don't get this at all. We have a 2008 Sienna and literally all we do is half-assed maintenance (oil changes, but not the recommended 75,000 mile servicing or whatever). It just keeps going.

Well, if you want, we can run the calculations. It's probably cheaper for you to buy a brand new Sienna and drive it for 3 years, than holding on to your 2008. Also, we don't use anecdotal evidence for expected maintenance, just because *YOU* half-ass your maintenance, doesn't mean that's the right thing to do.

I'm not a math person. But we paid cash for this car--used, around 25k, in 2011 (and even if we had financed it, it would be paid off by now). Why would it be cheaper to buy a brand new car? Why would I spend money on something when the car runs fine?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it the Cube? Or the Honda Fit?

I love my Honda Fit! But it is definitely not cool!

Same! And I love not having a cool car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP why do you care so much what strangers think of your car?

Because some of us are normal and are social animals so we care what others think of us to a healthy degree.

You sound very insecure and materialistic. The Q7 is a boring and rapidly-depreciating Volkswagen that is only status symbol if your social circle is made up entirely of middle-aged suburban soccer moms.

I should have clarified, I'm not the OP. I don't particularly like the Q7, it's too low-key for me. I like driving exciting cars that look great inside and out and the Q7 would not do it for me. My reply is to point out that normal people are social animals and therefore care about what others think of them. So long as this is at a healthy level, it is not a sign of insecurity or overly materialistic behavior. To the contrary, anyone who doesn't care what others think of them is abnormal on the spectrum of human behaviors, some are even autistic.

Buying an expensive status car just because you have this internal need to impress strangers is not a healthy behavior exhibited by people with normal levels of confidence and self-worth. A lot of people do it sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or healthy.

Strawman. No one recommended buying expensive cars *JUST* for the need to impress strangers. You are imagining things. Seek professional help.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.

I don't get this at all. We have a 2008 Sienna and literally all we do is half-assed maintenance (oil changes, but not the recommended 75,000 mile servicing or whatever). It just keeps going.

Well, if you want, we can run the calculations. It's probably cheaper for you to buy a brand new Sienna and drive it for 3 years, than holding on to your 2008. Also, we don't use anecdotal evidence for expected maintenance, just because *YOU* half-ass your maintenance, doesn't mean that's the right thing to do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP why do you care so much what strangers think of your car?

Because some of us are normal and are social animals so we care what others think of us to a healthy degree.

You sound very insecure and materialistic. The Q7 is a boring and rapidly-depreciating Volkswagen that is only status symbol if your social circle is made up entirely of middle-aged suburban soccer moms.

I should have clarified, I'm not the OP. I don't particularly like the Q7, it's too low-key for me. I like driving exciting cars that look great inside and out and the Q7 would not do it for me. My reply is to point out that normal people are social animals and therefore care about what others think of them. So long as this is at a healthy level, it is not a sign of insecurity or overly materialistic behavior. To the contrary, anyone who doesn't care what others think of them is abnormal on the spectrum of human behaviors, some are even autistic.

Buying an expensive status car just because you have this internal need to impress strangers is not a healthy behavior exhibited by people with normal levels of confidence and self-worth. A lot of people do it sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal or healthy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.

I don't get this at all. We have a 2008 Sienna and literally all we do is half-assed maintenance (oil changes, but not the recommended 75,000 mile servicing or whatever). It just keeps going.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how all these people don’t care about what they drive. We are in our cars so often, every day, that it would be dispiriting to drive such a joyless car.

It gives me great joy to drive an affordable car w/o a huge car payment to pay for.

My first car was a reliable Toyota Tercel which I paid off and drove until the wheels nearly fell off. My next car was a Toyota Corolla which we drove into the ground.

Boo yah. 2005 Toyota Matrix here. 66000 miles on it. Still going. Just changed the oil myself last week.

1998 Corolla here

Still going, although needs about 1500 in repairs each year lol. Still cheaper than a new car

LMAO!!!

The last time I had a Corolla, I paid about $1000 a year to drive it for three years before selling it. I bought it new for about $16,300 inclusive of taxes and fees and sold it for $13,500 3 years later.

For Toyotas and Hondas, it is usually cheaper to buy a new one and sell it after 3 years, than to buy a used one, or to drive it for a very long time.