What Does Your Car Say About You?

[m3racer]

I like luxury cars. I drive a 2004 Infiniti FX35, fully loaded, with premium sound, sport package, navigation, rear view camera and 20" chrome rims. It cost me $45K, and I don't regret getting it. It's not gas-efficient (~15 miles per gallon), but I live close to my work, so I only have 21K miles after 4 years. I fill it up just once a month.

Nice ride! I think $45k is very reasonable for a nice SUV.

[m3racer]

I guess it all boils down to what your disposable income is and if you view driving as merely getting from point A to point B.

[gekkoplus]

I have a 96 Honda Civic which I bought for $4K an year ago. It had 78K when I bought and now it shows almost 84K. It gives me above 25 mpg, is as reliable as a best friend, small and not too shabby.

The convenience go far beyond just saving on a cheap car - I pay less on insurance and I am less worried about unnoticed dents and scratches that pile on from parking lot. My wife had her driving lessons on this car and I didn't have to mind that at all. Other than that 96 Hondas come with a life long warranty on any emission related issues or replacements. I had a Check Engine Light issue once and it was taken care for free at a Honda service station.

I also see that the resale value of my car has not gone down by a penny. The fact that I got a good deal when I bought the car ensures me that I will get the same amount or even more back when I sell this car in near future.

What do I do with all the money (almost 40K after tax) I saved by not buying a luxury car? Saving for a future home, education, helping my needy friends and relatives, engaging into a little bit of charity and a little bit of self indulgence (just bought a wii)!

What does my car say about me from all this? I don't really care!

[InDebtInDC]

96 Hondas come with a life long warranty on any emission related issues or replacements. I had a Check Engine Light issue once and it was taken care for free at a Honda service station.

Are you absolutely sure about this part? Please check your warranty manual.

As far as I know, and I've had extensive experience repairing Hondas, esp. 96-00 Civics, the portion of the warranty that covers the emissions is only 3 years/36k miles.

The only thing on this vehicle, and any vehicle for that matters, that gets lifetime coverage are safety recalls.

Otherwise, I think you've made a good choice. I have a 98 as a grocery getter and it's very frugal to keep. Plus you don't care if an errant shopping cart happens to nick it once in a while. It's good for peace of mind.

[gekkoplus]

Are you absolutely sure about this part? Please check your warranty manual.

Check this out. Apparently, it's free for 96, 97, 98 models.

[InDebtInDC]

Check this out. Apparently, it's free for 96, 97, 98 models.

Ouch, that's punishment for messing up their OBD-II programming.

It's only 14 years for emissions, which is still a very a long time. Thanks for informing me.

I'm assuming you were affected? Not every vehicle is affected by this.

[PrincessPerky]

My car lies..we have a Pacifica..with fancy 'rich man' add ons..like foux wood paneling, and analog clock (who needs a second clock right next to the radio one?) Anyway around here the folks buying them are better off financially than we are...so they think we line up with their incomes...

It was used and the 'addons' aren't worth much used so we didn't pay that much..

Course seen from the inside it tells the true story of a family with three small kids (car seats full of crumbs)..not to mention a family that hates cleaning cars in the cold!

[Pitman]

For what it's worth, I like cars that are reliable, affordable, and have good gas mileage.

Me and you both. I drive a 02 Honda Civic EX.

[rizzmo]

CHEAP! I have a 06 Chevy Aveo. The least expensive car I could find brand new. Paid it off in less than a year, I really dislike debt. Would have waited to buy it in cash, but my 1996 buick died after only 244k miles on it.

[pfodyssey]

I drive a 10 year old foreign sedan. There is a difference between what I think people perceive it says and what I think it means about me:

What people may think:
* lower middle-income
* dude in the rat race
* he plans to drive it forever (because that's how long they seem to last)

What I think:
* I'm all about the millionaire-next-door thing
* Why would anyone spend any significant money on a depreciating asset?
* I will drive it forever (because they last and I like not having a car payment)

[Caoineag]

I use a city bus/light rail and the occasional rental car to get around.

It says, cheap, minimalistic, environmentally friendly and I am not afraid of walking two blocks. It also seems to tell people more than I originally realized that I have more disposable income than they do.

One day I plan on getting a gas powered scooter, but I just can't justify the expense yet. I think it will require a home that isn't as conveniently located as my current one. But then, why would I move somewhere less convenient?

[Beccagold]

2005 Acura TL. Its says salesperson with a car reimbursement who lives in her car and puts on 30K+/year.

For the frugal side: it's also paid off which means the reimbursement goes towards gas & then into the bank!

[momof1in150]

I have a 2005 VW Touareg. My DH bought it for me for Christmas several years ago. It is costly to maintain (oil change $75+, has to have Super Unleaded) but I am switching careers to Real Estate and it is super reliable and can get anywhere through anything. I was the only person who was able to make it up the church parking lot after a storm.

[InDebtInDC]

Stories like these are the reason why I drive a full-size pickup truck:

Wrong-Way Crash On 91 Freeway - Videos - KNBC
UCSD Guardian Online

I don't care how much it costs. I don't care how much gas it sucks, or how cumbersome it is to maneouvre. Until we can get all the idiot drivers off the road and start instituting better driver training laws, I'm not giving it up.

[Seeker]

Other than that 96 Hondas come with a life long warranty on any emission related issues or replacements. I had a Check Engine Light issue once and it was taken care for free at a Honda service station.

Gekko are you in California?

This may only be with Honda autos made in California or for California.

We, with our special pollution laws (higher pollution/emission restrictions) and special gas mixtures (hense the additional "cost" for our gasoline) might be the only people affected by the warranty you mention here.