Maybe with the recession people can finally realize they don't have to buy another

[RB TexLa]

car every three or five or even ten years. Wouldn't people keeping that money for themselves be a good thing? I haven't bought a car in fourteen years, I have one already. Wouldn't be nice if when people saw a car lot they thought "I have one already."

[sandnsea]

1. People are buying security

The ability to travel more than 20 miles from home without worrying that their car is going to break down. Or better gas mileage or alternative fuel or environmental technology.

Most people don't buy a new car just because they're tired of the old one. That would be that top 2% again, that everybody thinks they're a part of.

[natrat]

4. not so, with financing lots of people changed cars every 3 or 4 years

[qwlauren35]

2. Couple of Questions...

Do you put more than 10,000 miles on your car in a year?

Do you have a daily commute that takes you more than 30 miles from home?

Can you service your own car? Or do you have a friend or relative who can?

Is the cost of repairing your car over $2000/year?

These are all factors in why people buy brand new or re-owned "new" cars.

My car is now 11 years old. It has 240,000 miles on it. It's a Honda. Sadly, it's starting to cost over $2000/year to fix, so I'm starting to think about getting another one. It hurts like crazy - I'm very attached to my car. But I can guarantee that the first time my car actually breaks down on the road will be the day I seriously look for a new one. The idea of being stranded on the road doesn't thrill me.

Only serious grease monkeys will hold onto a car that needs a new engine. I hope you consider that a valid reason to get a new one.
Some people are forced to get a new car because it has been totalled in an accident.
Sometimes, car repairs exceed one's credit limit. No repair shop I know of offers financing.
Some people have the kind of job where they are chauffeuring clients - the car has to respect some basic level of prosperity.

I agree 100% that buying a new car for the sake of vanity is absurd. Buying a new car just because it has nifty new features seems ridiculous. However, if the MPG of the car can offset its cost, then I can understand it. I can respect someone who trades in a gas hog for a thrifty compact car.

Keep your mind open.

[RB TexLa]

3. The answer to those questions aren't of your concern.

[TommyO]

5. Given that attitude, what makes you think people should answer your question?

[RB TexLa]

6. I do not think they have to. You got the idea that I thought people should be forced to answer

me? I certainly think no such thing!

[donco6]

18. I'm kinda curious, too.

I mean, if you're going to judge people for buying cars in time periods less than you have bought cars, it only seems fair to point out that some people have legitimate reasons for doing so.

[RB TexLa]

20. I gave three different time periods. 3, 5, and 10 years.

If someone takes a car to an unsafe condition in three years that's some pretty tough miles.

I wasn't judging anyone, just saying it could be good if less money were given to them for new cars.

[dysfunctional press]

9. i don't really car why or when people replace their vehicles.

my next door neighbor gets a NEW car every year- sometimes he'll keep one 18 months, sometimes he'll only keep one 9 months.

afaic- a person can buy as often and as many cars as they can afford, and for whatever reasons they choose.

[AndyTiedye]

16. Your Neighbor's Cast-Offs Are Someone Else's Bargains

If we all drive 'em until they fall apart, what are people who can't afford a new car going to drive?

Even so, I wouldn't trade in THAT often — Way more interaction with car salesmen than I could handle.

[dysfunctional press]

21. he's become somewhat of an expert on buying cars, re: handling salespeople.

cars have never been that big a deal to me- right now i have a silver 2000 dodge caravan that i bought from my cousin when my uncle died(it was his) so that they could afford the funeral. i'll probably drive it until it dies, and then find some other used mini-van or such.

[IDemo]

7. I bought my truck new in '93 and it just crossed the 45k mark

Other than very minor cosmetic wear, it's like new. While a more energy efficient vehicle, particularly an electric, would be great, it's highly unlikely I will be purchasing another four wheeled vehicle in my lifetime. One or the other of the two-wheeled vehicles are what I rely on for commuting, even in freezing weather. Barring snow on the ground, that is .:-)

[dysfunctional press]

8. some people WANT to buy a new car every 5 or 3 or even every year...

to each their own, and more power to them.
i don't buy "new" cars, and usually keep mine until it drops. my wifegenerally keeps her cars about 4-5 years before replacing them. and i don't see any problem with either way of thinking.

[morillon]

10. I kept my last car for 7 years.

But it had always been a lemon, and when its warranty ran out AND some major stuff was going wrong, I traded it in. I've had my hybrid for three years, and I'm keeping it until we move to BC in 2010. At that point, I'll sell it in the U.S. and buy a new hybrid in Canada.

I've never been one of those "keep up with the Joneses" people. I always drive my cars until they're no longer safe/reliable to use.

[TripleKatPad]

11. I think like you

I purchased one new car in my life at the tender age of 21, sold it after one year (that's 30 years ago). I figured out that it wasn't important to me. Since then I've walked (when I lived in a big city) or only purchased a used car. My latest is one I purchased for cash in 1996, hoping to make it last until at least next summer. I've always been a saver, and "next car" is something I budget and save for every month. I don't begrudge those who choose a different path, but I am curious about other opinions.

[AndyTiedye]

12. When I Lived in New England, Cars RUSTED OUT in 10 Years or Less

One of the nice things about California is seeing cars that are older than I am and look like they just drove off the showroom floor.

How long a car lasts varies a lot depending on where you live.

[Tesha]

23. Now that most cars are built of fully-galvanized steel...

...even here in New England we can keep cars ten or more years. Right now,
our stable has a five year old, a twelve year old, and a fourteen year old and
only the twelve year old has any rust. (It's a Dodge, so one might expect that ;) ).

Tesha

[Mojambo]

13. What if they say "I have one already.."

"But I'd really rather not have it break down inside the tunnel (again) while I've got my 2 kids with me."

Most people don't just buy cars because they want something new.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. it's the story of stuff......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8

[MN Farmer]

15. What the heck am I gonna do now?

I've been driving the same "nice" truck for 15 years, and the same "farm truck" (AKA BEATER) for the same amount of time, and it's approaching 30 years old.

The key to long life is preventative maintenance, but yes, stuff still breaks-I put $2k into a transmission on the 94 PU just two weeks ago. Some say I should have got a new one, but $2k wouldn't even cover the tax, title and license fees, much less any of the actual cost of the truck.

That, and my insurance is MUCH cheaper, by at least half, because I'm driving an older truck.

When you tally up all the increased costs of a new vehicle (sales tax, title, increased insurance, increased license, payments, etc), it gets really hard to stomach looking at that number leaving your checkbook.

I could lose all sources of income tomorrow, and have no fear of my PU's being repo'ed.

My dad always used to say that a paid for vehicle rides better, drives better, the radio sounds nicer, and just all around feels like a better ride than one that the bank is letting you drive while you write them a check every month.

I'll keep driving my older vehicles and proudly wear the title "cheap".

[trayfoot]

17. I never could understand the thinking.........

that people have to have a new car every 3 or so years! I absolutely HATE car payments, so when my car is paid for I drive it till it's of little use to anyone!

[Juche]

19. The median car in America is about 9 years old

I drive a 1999 model. Half the country drives car 9 years or older. Most people don't buy new cars every year or two. If people do, that is their perogative though. But by and large half the cars on the road are 9 years or older.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_vehicles_in_the_United_States#Age_of_vehicles_in_operation

The median and mean age of automobiles has steadily increased since 1969. In 2005 the overall median age for automobiles was 8.9 years, a significant increase over 1990 when the median age of vehicles in operation in the US was 6.5 years and 1969 when the mean age for automobiles was 5.1 years.

[Le Taz Hot]

22. I buy a new vehicle every 23 years

whether I need it or not. That's how long my little VW bug lasted me. My current truck is on 10 years old so I still have another 13 to go. ;-)