Comments on: What I Drive Doesn’t Try To Define Me Or To Impress Others.

By: mckra1g

mckra1g — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:44:50 +0000

I sold cars for two years. It was appalling to see sales people putting (willing) customers into brand new vehicles they could barely afford and then, at the end of the day, getting into their 10 year old, fully paid for (and inexpensive to license/insure) cars of their own. The experience really opened my eyes to the obscene fascination most have with image as it relates to their cars. A car should be safe, efficient and get you from point A to point B. Yes, it’s also a fun boost if you like the car, but a car is a THING and not an extension of who you are, nor does it define you.

By: JamesR

JamesR — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:48:07 +0000

I never did give a hoot about what vehicle I drove. All I cared about was that it ran reliably and that it was paid for.

First car – a used 1976 Dodge Dart 4-door w/ 3 speed and a Slant-6 engine. No power anything, no A/C. I kept it for about a year or so until I saved up the money to get me a more fuel-efficient car.

#2 – a new 1981 Dodge Omni “Miser” hatchback. I doubled my gas mileage with that car. It also had 2 less cylinders to feed and an extra speed on the gearbox. No power, no A/C. It was a “poor-man’s VW Rabbit”.

#3 was a used 5-speed, 1986 Chevy Nova (Toyota Corolla), with A/C. It was a fun little “buzz-bomb” to drive. I guess I’m getting soft in my “old” age. I kept that car until we got…

#4 – a used 1991 Mazda MPV 4-wheel drive mini-van. We bought it from a missionary family that was leaving the country and had no need to take the vehicle with them. It gave them some spending money, and it gave me a more utilitarian vehicle, also one much more easy to get in & out of.

#5 – a used 2005 Subaru Forester. The mini-van repair costs were starting to eat me alive. We paid off the vehicle in about 1.5 years and the donation of the mini-van was a nice little tax write-off.

None of these would qualify as “cool” cars. That’s OK. Cars are transportation tools, and in that regard, I’m rich in the contentment factor. That, and “rich” in not having to spend bazillions of bucks on new car payments year in and year out.

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:11:14 +0000

You have to do what works for you. If you like more simple things, or less expensive clothes, that’s fine and no one should or will mention anything. Have to work within your budget.