Turned 150,000 miles yesterday

[HousingCounselor]

DS, please understand it's only banter... But the same article also said that the average age has risen sharply in recent years, quite easily tied to the recent (and arguably temporary) slump in family finances. in '02, it was 9.0 years, right in my window. And your anecdotes, while valid, are not necessarily indicative. Just like some cars may be older, some will be newer. Add in the fact that classic cars (20+ years old, which are often significantly refurbished with new engines, transmissions, and other vital parts) would skew the average toward being older..... I would still submit that my preface is valid.

Although you make a good point about people holding back because of the economy, I wonder how many people have changed their old spending ways because of this economy?

My clients, some of whom have been out of work and are just getting back to employment aren't too anxious to make any purchases anytime soon. They're still in what I call "recovery mode." Even my clients who are making more money. They're applying that money to debt repayment and savings to keep them at bay if they find themselves in another lay-off, pay cut, or no-raise situation.

It'd be interesting to see how that trend pans out nationwide.

[disneysteve]

Although you make a good point about people holding back because of the economy, I wonder how many people have changed their old spending ways because of this economy?

My clients, some of whom have been out of work and are just getting back to employment aren't too anxious to make any purchases anytime soon. They're still in what I call "recovery mode." Even my clients who are making more money. They're applying that money to debt repayment and savings to keep them at bay if they find themselves in another lay-off, pay cut, or no-raise situation.

It'd be interesting to see how that trend pans out nationwide.

New car sales were up sharply in 2011 compared to 2010 when sales were almost non-existent so people are getting back into the market. As much as I'd love to see the country become more frugal, it ain't gonna happen. As soon as things improve, people go back to their old bad habits.

[maynard]

I just turned oner 120000 on my dodge truck. Bought it with 48 miles on it. No plans to replace it anytime soon. I enjoy not having a car payment.

[jadet]

My 98 Camry hit 150,000 miles yesterday. That is the most miles I've ever put on a car. My last car, a 91 Camry, had 127,000 when I replaced it.

Our van, a 2000 Sienna, is at about 142,000 so not far behind.

My 1st car a 1991 Toyota Corolla reached 346k miles (original engine/transmission). Toyota last forever!

[FrugalTexan75]

My 97 Honda Civic is just about to 140,000 miles. It looks its age unfortunately (due to my lack of spatial sense and a fender bender or two...) but it still runs great. The A/C and heat work, the electric windows still work ... what else do I really need?

Would I like a working radio with a place to plug my iphone into? Sure, someday. Would I like to have working electric locks (mine will unlock fine, but not lock)? Sure, someday. Would I like to have the luxury of cruise control again someday? Sure. Would I like to be able to go over speedbumps without my windshield wipers coming on someday? Sure. Would I like to be able to use my ciggerete lighter to charge my phone, or use my windshield wipers at the lowest speed? Sure, someday.

Do I like not having car payments? You betcha! Do I like having really low car insurance (think ... $125 every 6 months)? You better believe it!

My family has been after me for at least three years now (really 4 I think) to replace my car. (4 years ago is when most of the stuff that isn't working anymore stopped working.) It will be at least another 2 to 2 1/2 years before I'm ready to be in the market for a new car ... and even then I'll have to think long and hard about it. I have so many memories in this car, it'd be really hard to let go of it. I bought this right out of college, brand new (I think it had 45 miles on it.)

[mom-from-missouri]

we now have 2 vehicles at 150,000 or more, and a 3rd that will hit it shortly. All are Chevys.

[photo]

As soon as things improve, people go back to their old bad habits.

And they'll once again draw sympathy when something hits the fan, for which they didn't prepare. And if it's rampant enough, Uncle Sam will come to the rescue.

[disneysteve]

Would I like a working radio with a place to plug my iphone into?

In a great example of anachronism, I plug my iPhone into my cassette deck via an adaptor. Works great. Who needs Bluetooth?

[bjl584]

My family has been after me for at least three years now (really 4 I think) to replace my car. (4 years ago is when most of the stuff that isn't working anymore stopped working.) It will be at least another 2 to 2 1/2 years before I'm ready to be in the market for a new car ... and even then I'll have to think long and hard about it. I have so many memories in this car, it'd be really hard to let go of it. I bought this right out of college, brand new (I think it had 45 miles on it.)

It's amazing how other people know best when it comes to your finances. I hear it all the time from friends and family too. Everyone else knows what I should buy, when I should buy it, and so forth.

[disneysteve]

My family has been after me for at least three years now (really 4 I think) to replace my car.)

It's amazing how other people know best when it comes to your finances. I hear it all the time from friends and family too.

That would be my mother, usually invoking my late father in the conversation: "You know if your father were alive there's no way you'd still be driving those cars." She goes so far as to give us money to put toward a new car, apparently thinking it is all about the money. It isn't, of course. We can afford to replace our cars. We just choose not to at this point.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Don't think I have anything to add to this conversation. Just wanted to tell you all how much I've enjoyed reading it. Iphone plugged into cassette deck-- Beautiful.

[disneysteve]

Iphone plugged into cassette deck-- Beautiful.

Yep. People always get a chuckle out of that.

[bjl584]

Yep. People always get a chuckle out of that.

I don't think they make car stereos with cassette decks anymore.

[Naples09]

I don't think they make car stereos with cassette decks anymore.

Correct. 2009 or 2010 models were the last to include factory installed cassette decks. Lexus was the last manufacturer to still offer factory installed cassette decks in the SC and GS models.

[FrugalTexan75]

In a great example of anachronism, I plug my iPhone into my cassette deck via an adaptor. Works great. Who needs Bluetooth?

I don't have a radio at all. The space where a radio/cassette deck/cd player etc. is an empty void. 4 years ago when my car's computer went fritzo, my radio fried. (The radio that came with the car .... I'd replaced that one with a radio/cassette deck in 1999, but that got stolen in 2003 or 4?? so put back in the factory radio.)