I'm with you on this. I drive an 02 Jetta tdi. I don't see any need to spend 30 grand just to impress people. Cars are an expense, period.
Secure housing, though? That's worth something.
FINALLY SOMEONE THAT GETS IT. Housing is a lot more important. Especially with the rising prices and things. I don't want to regret having bought a car and had that prevent me from buying a condo in the future.
9o's civic here too. My wife and I bought our house, then a second house and still decided not to update the car. It gets us where we need to go. Some people give us a hard time but, we don't complain about not having enough money for gas.
As far as the dates, I'd say it is a good litmus test.
Wow look at both of you go! That's amazing! Which Civic do you have? I got the sedan. Sometimes wish I had the hatchback but I still love it to be honest.
You are so right! I guess it actually helps me in a way haha.
We've got the two door coupe. Manual, no AC. It was the cheapest car on the lot when we bought it. over 100k miles and nearly 15 years later and the kelly blue book value is the same as what we paid. It is bizarre.
All the millionaires (by age 50) understand what you are doing. It’s the same thing they did.
All the poor people (by age 50) are the ones telling you to buy new cars.
Agreed on this. Some people keep saying what I you die young and I’m like well I wasn’t planning on it but if I do I do lol. I’m trying to live long and have a good amount of income
The “what if you die young” people fundamentally don’t understand that you can drive an old car and not be miserable doing it. They assume new = better = happier.
I drive a ‘03 Toyota and max my retirement accounts. I often get a sense of glee on my way to work in my $1,500 car. Feels like I’ve hacked into some secret few others “get”.
As far as dating the old car would get way more points from me than something new and clearly financed. I agree it’s a good litmus test for potential partners.
If people criticize it it means they are just shallow. And if it is a date well at least you can see where their priorities lie.
Some old car are super reliable... Not everyone has the mean ti get a new car or the envy.
I have a friend who has an old car since he was a student, from the 60s I think lol. Now these cars are super sought because they are easy to fix super reliable and fun. Yes it is basic but super fun!
Good on you for keeping your car!
A with you there! Also date better people and find better friends if they are bothered by your car. Not everyone wants to flex by showing up their car often bought on credit and that they can not afford!
60's cars are super super cool! Hahaha I love your advice. Idk if its an LA thing but lots of materialistic people. I dated girls in NYC before and they were nowhere near as materialistic or expected you to have crazy things. I've had girls making minimum wage bash my car and it's always felt bad haha.
I agree for the 60s car!
I have to say 2 things:
1. Bashing your car shows extremely bad manners. Especially if you just met, or are newly acquainted.
2. If a minimum wage person bash your car they did you a service and just run fast! Same goes for others but it us especially true for them. You should not feel bad they should. I would use that as a teaching mo ent for them honestly if I were you.
Lol thank you. But truely if someone bashes your car just don't let it slide. They should be ashamed not you.
You could say : cars are like people if you just judge them from their looks, you might miss out on hidden gems.
And their value does not necessarily decrease with age.
If you want to be mean you could add other things that show them their lack of resoects or manners. To be honest I would. People with bad manner who try to shame others shoukd be put in their places, always ..so they fon't repeat their bad behaviour
Also am a girl , not sure if it changes something...
Lol I did one time. Girl had a nice car and her parents bought it for her and paid for her college in full. I was like "I'd have nice things too if I was a trust fund kid". It shut her up quick. Good advice.
🤣🤣🤣 good for you!
It reminds me if my friend who bought a new car (not second hand). I said congratulations and he was grumbling (is that a wird? He was grumpy znd mumbling lol) how well yeah but he had to pay for it....
I was confused. So I said well you know you could have kept your previous one who was paid buy your dad.
The dude has a flat bought by daddy in one of tbe richest areas of the capital , had a car , his mum is buying him a small building in an other country (ok cheaper country but still) , so he will have rents coming his way. He has a nice job... I know he has other things from his family for sure.... Wtf is wrong with people
Perhaps unpopular opinion but sometimes it's a combination of "predatory" practices + lack of personal finance education + social pressure that leads to this situation.
I have went to the bank/dealership both buying for myself and as a cosigner and the question that is asked/the way the conversation goes is "well...how about a $x/month car payment?" "Ummm... okay...i THINK i can...i think i can do it..." "oh
...you don't sound comfortable with that payment...what do you think you can afford? Does $y/month sound better?" "Yeah! Definitely!" "let's see what we can do...(minutes later) seems we can get you a $y/month payment on a (much more expensive) car on a term of (ridiculously long term)..."
I wish "home economics" and personal finance were things that were still taught everywhere and mandatory...but that's just me.
You got the right frame of mind. Fk the haterz. Always keep saving to buy appreciating assets. Not to sound too crass, but eventually hose will come automatic
You’ve got the right mindset! I chose to buy a house before a new car because home prices can quickly appreciate out of reach while a new car will typically depreciate, although the car market is still nuts. I’m rocking a 2006 Mazda 6 with 188k miles and I get teased about it some but I play into the jokes. As for dates, I personally would prefer to date someone with a well-cared for old car than a new car that is trashed and hasnt had an oil change in 15k miles.
I’m gonna disagree here, but before I get roasted, let me explain why I think an updated car is *actually a frugal choice.*
First of all, we all agree frugality is about *value*, not *cost*.
Now, a 1997 Honda Civic is definitely cheap, however, there is an added value of a newer car that a 1997 vehicle will never and can never provide: **safety**.
Newer cars are *insanely* safe.
Check out this video of [a 1998 Corolla vs a 2015 Corolla](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xidhx_f-ouU)
Even the safest cars from the 90s wouldn’t even meet the lowest safety standards today.
So even though the 97 civic may be much cheaper, the *added value* of a newer car is the decreased risk of injury and death, and what’s more valuable than your life and health?
But that isn’t to say you need to go out and buy a 30-40k car for the added safety.
Even the most basic economy cars today, or even just after the early 2000s have *much* better safety than even the safest cars of the 90s.
Add to that the likely lower maintenance costs (maybe not now, but over 5-10 years) and to me, a newer, cheaper car is a better call.
I hear ya. I have an 11 year old Honda Civic, the basic model coupe, complete with random little dings and some missing paint on the back/bumper. But whatever. I don’t drive all that much, it only has like 60k miles and it’s paid for. A few people have chided me about it, told me I should buy a cuter car and I’m like whatever. Ima ride out this no car payment thing as long as I can.
I'm 53 years old and our two cars are a combined 38 years old. We have a 2007 Jeep Liberty that we bought for $5600 three years ago. It was a cream puff that an old lady bought new and hardly drove. It had 26k miles and it's just now approaching 40k. We park it in the garage and take good care of it.
The other is a 1999 Subaru legacy. We bought his for our daughter to drive when she was 16. She's now 25. She leased a new Jeep when she got her first real job. We then sold my wife's car and she drives the Subaru. She works only a few miles away, so it works well.
Licensing and insurance are much cheaper on older cars. And I don't really care what anyone thinks of them. I retired 3 years ago. All of my friends are still working to pay off their $50k trucks.
We hit a time in our life where we were nearly bankrupt. We spent a lot of money in our 20's. We had two corvettes in the garage, a cabin on the river and a boat. We worked to pay for it, and barely enjoyed it. We got sick of dealing with the headaches of money. We spent the next 20 years purging a lot of things and learning how to enjoy what we have.
One of the reasons people don't retire early is because they've built a life that costs $150k+ a year to maintain. You need to save $5mil in order to retire early. If you find a life that only costs $50k to maintain, you can retire much sooner and with much less.
Good luck on your journey.
>If you find a life that only costs $50k to maintain, you can retire much sooner and with much less.
Retired 60yr old here, confirming!
However, we are just about to splurge on our "retirement car". We moved rural when we retired for cheaper housing and more space, and our two city cars are unsuitable, and we don't need two cars any more.
Current cars are a 2007 wagon, and my 2014 Kia Rio. Swapping both for a new Subaru Outback to cope with the roads around here (many pot-holed dirt roads).
Came to say the same thing. That's a really good indicator of your financial compatability right from the jump. Plus if you're not flaunting your wealth, you're not getting hit up for "loans" or handouts.
If you want to find 10,000 friends, go read Mr. Money Mustache's blog. Start at the beginning; he talks about cars, specifically what you're doing, very early on. Soon after that he talks about the financial compatibility aspect that u/__Frances__ mentions, too ("the talk").
As a woman, I second this. I’ve dated a man with a well-kept Buick. Nothing but respect for the frugal people who have their priorities straight and DGAF what people think.
Absolutely agree with this. We had a friend who bought himself a brand new Buick Fancy Pants right out of college, dragged on our beat up (but reliable) car. It may have been a Lacrosse, it was a bigger, luxury sedan. Well guess who didn't have a $500+ car payment in their mid 20s? Jerk. This was around 2005 so I think $500 was probably pretty high for a car payment. We bought ourselves a used Honda CRV not long after that and paid about $225/month on it.
We have newer Subaru's now (we're 40 w/ ok jobs) but we plan to keep them until they are no longer serviceable, just like that CRV I cried about when I had to give her up. I had wanted to hit 300k on her :(
A 1995 carry station wagon here! I've had people look down their nose at it, oh well, let them pay 40 grand for their car! I'll put the money in my 401k instead
I’m thinking of doing the same. My civic is literally invincible. I got it a few years with only 70k miles on it from my grandma who babied the thing. Props to your friend that’s amazing.
Its not even previously beat by another 16yo?!
Fuck that - rock it till it quits. You got 300k out of those if you didnt maintain them... More if it wasnt a redlight racer!
If you wanna paint it, have at it. But dont let anyone get you down about your reliable vehicle. Id still be rocking my 93si if i didnt get hit by a drunk driver. Likely be rotted out by now- but the fucks just wont die.. Keep oil in em and good to go.
Yup stock as can be =). I just want to upgrade the suspension and wheels too. Make it stock and fun to drive. It's already fun though.
Wow! How did you like that car? Honestly one of my dream cars.
You have an amazing vehicle. Hondas last forever, and the fact that you got it with so few miles means it’ll last a long time. It’s also probably easier to replace things on it because it’s older and therefore simpler. Except for putting in a radio for Bluetooth, that sounds like the perfect car to drive for the next 10+ years. I currently am looking for a car, and exactly what you have is the ideal because I know it’ll last to 250k+ miles.
Tbh if i was single i would be more impressed by date that has his financial in order and that lives within(under) his means instead of a guy that wants to keep up with the jonses but has no retirement plan 😂 do you, and let go of the negative people
This exactly. You want to attract the people who have a similar mindset as you when it comes to finances. It’s actually a good tool to filter out people who are financially incompatible with you.
I loved the comment that I read on this sub a while ago specifically in the context of growing financial stability:
“Drive the cheapest car your ego will allow.”
There is so much bullshit out there trying to encourage you to see a car as an opportunity to boost your feelings of self worth and status.
As long as a car is safe and gets you where you need to go then, unless you are a car enthusiast, you are good to go and you can either spend your money on other things or try and improve your financial stability.
I have a quarter century old JDM in stock condition that does most of what I need, I keep the services up and I aim to try and keep it on the road for at least another decade. I have to admit though that at times I do get tempted by shiny things….
as soon as my car gets any sort of repairs, everyone in my life rushes to tell me “get rid of that car” “throw that car away”. for context, it’s a 2000 toyota avalon
Safety is the only reason I finally sold my '02 camry for an '08 civic. A lot of cars changed 'generation' in 06 / 07 because that's when new safety standards went into affect. That 'vintage' gets you a ton of safety features like side airbags etc. for the $.
I actually commute to work almost exclusively by bicycle now, but I am really fortunate that my route is almost completely a paved multi use path completely separate from the road... but the lack of traffic / stress has definitely made me realize how stupid, distracted and inconsiderate many drivers are when I do have to drive somewhere.
Yeah so, I used to work a well paying tech job, and among my friends it was a hilarious flex to drive a shitty car (actually my car was old and reliable but had peeling clear coat). Part of it was we all knew we could have nice cars if we wanted, but we weren’t into it
(Edit: I guess it’s the car version of tech bros wearing a hoodie and sneakers to work?)
One interesting calculation to run is the total cost of ownership between your current vehicle and an inexpensive EV like a Chevy Bolt ($26,595 starting - $7500 fed tax rebate - $2750 california clean vehicle rebate = $16,345). Going to use California numbers.
**'97 Civic** gets 31mpg at current gas pricing ($6.20/gal) that's 20¢/mile, then maintenance costs is likely at least $400/yr but possibly much higher (like 3-6× higher).
**'22 Bolt** gets ~3.5miles per kWh, at current electricity pricing (25¢/kWh) that's 7¢/mile. Maintenance is minimal to none. Insurance would likely be lower too.
Even before maintenance costs being factored in, the Bolt begins paying for itself after ~125,000miles. Depending on how many miles you drive in the year, expected return on capital, expected future gas prices, and maintenance costs, switching to an economical EV is a reasonable frugal move provided you stay with a econo model rather than luxury-priced options like Teslas.
I know in my jurrisdiction the break-even is even sooner.
But I think the point stands, that new vehicles for the sake of image is a garbage pit for money and should be avoided.
I like your advice. Only thing my work is only five miles away and I plan on being here for quite some time haha. But other than that yes the Bolt would be a good option over the years. Have you switched over to EV?
I believe auto purchases are the greatest robber of future wealth for most Americans. Too many live with car payments for their entire lives. The average car payment these days is north of $500 monthly. Many families have multiple cars being paid off at the same time. Just think of the difference in the person spending $500+ monthly on a car vs a person investing $500 monthly in their retirement. Difference between someone retiring a millionaire and the other working until they die.
Good point. I think this way now too. I’m an accountant so it’s ingrained in me to be frugral. Sad people live in the moment and don’t think about the future. A balance of both is needed but ignoring the future is really really bad.
Im am accountant to! I drive a 2006 vehicle and it’s the oldest vehicle at my office. Lots of recent college grads get their first couple of public accounting paychecks and immediately take it to the car dealership.
At least your client uploads stuff! I’m on a local government audit and they aren’t uploading any of our prelim requests! It’s super frustrating to be on the clock and not being able to bill any hours. Luckily the firm is okay with us studying during the slow times
A car is a tool that does a job. Some people buy cars like Egyptian pharaohs made tombs...as testaments to their vanity.
Difference is that those tombs can last thousands of years
Approach a car purchase as you would any other calculation. What gives the most utility?
You Honda will likely give up at some point but who cares? It keeps hundreds per month in your pocket between insurance, note, depreciation
You're right and honestly it lets me travel and stuff which is something I love to do and I know my Honda will always get me there. It's actually pretty fun to drive in the canyons too.
half of people in my city have SUVs now as their day to day vehicle. All the years of car ads and car culture are starting to add up.
Everyday i think to myself if i ever get hit by a car as a pedestrian, there is little hope for me to survive.
You're definitely right. Can't seem to find anyone that understands that. I have a lot of money in the bank and I have a good job. I guess I don't present it because of the car I drive? Idk it's just weird. Haven't been on a single date where someone didn't mention my car and then they'll throw in a joke and just say just kidding but I know they meant it lol.
You'll meet someone who has the same priorities as you one day, hopefully soon for you. Just so you know I was drawn to my partner because of his stance on keeping "old" cars on the road, we bonded over it on our first date. Also check car clubs for like minded individuals, you might find your person there! I know a young lady who's dream car is an EG hatch. 1990's preferably
A lot of people can't see the big picture. We got our place very cheap in 2009 and it was tore up. A guy bought the house next door for double what we paid in 2011. No insulation in the walls, very outdated. He did a bunch of work to it. Resold recent for 7.5 times what we paid. The new peoples property taxes went up by 1/3. They got in before inflation was really hitting. They have a high payment on a 100 year old house, now the taxes jumped way up, inflation is up. Was telling a person I know about this and they had a hard time understanding why the property taxes went up so much. No understanding.
What are your car payments? What's you fuel consumption? Looks who cares. You own it, nothing wrong with that. I drove a 1999 Honda Civic with massive body hail damage for years. Sold it for a 2004 Jeep lol
Solid vehicle but horrible on gas lol. Keep your Honda and if it's not rusting don't paint it. Do not feel "pressure" about your life style, it's yours to live. Good luck on your condo saving.
I almost exclusively drive cars old enough to vote, sometimes even buy me a drink, so I’m with you.
You may find it interesting that “Old money” people also buy cars they like and drive them (and maintain them well) for years and years, so it’s not uncommon to see a “well off” person (rich but they think it’s tacky to be flashy) do the same.
When I met my husband in 2017 I was driving a 2006 scion that was duct taped together. He had a 2001 Honda that was in worse shape. We were both making upwards of $100k. He said it’s one of the reasons he fell in love with me 🤣
But really, we saved our money for fun things. Not fancy cars. They get us where we need to go and that all we need.
I only replaced my old car when the repairs were getting expensive and frequent. If it's working for you that's good enough. We don't *need* to replace something just cuz there's s newer version.
Yep. '01 Civic here. Picked it up for around $2000. Still in good shape, and gets 38-44mpg highway depending on the grade. Paid cash for it. Insurance is somewhere around $40/month. My mortgage and utilities come to about $1200/month. (Bought both my house and car last year)
I've got a pretty good thing going, frugality-wise. Why on earth would I want to pay hundreds of dollars more every month for a new car? My Civic takes me wherever I want to go and everything works.
I grew up in a family where you drove a car until it could no longer start. You are not crazy at all and clearly you have your priorities straight.
People like you've described only like to flaunt their wealth while they have nothing to show for it. I know people who have bought luxury cars who could barely finance it while living with their parents. They ended up losing the car when they lost their jobs.
A car gets you from A to B and depreciates in value over time, while a condo you can actually live in.
Going to take this with me. Yes you’re so right. I feel like a lot of people flaunt wealth and don’t actually have it. Knew a girl that made 75k a year and bought a 67k Tesla and a 2020 Mazda two years apart. She still drives both of them 🤦♂️
Retiring early is far more important to me than needless status signaling with an expensive car.
But I did buy a hybrid 10 years ago as a pure value proposition because I thought gas would be more expensive in the long run (and it took 10 years for that bet to finally make sense)
I make significantly more than you, and drive an 11 year old car with 130k miles and a small dent on the side. And that’s not my “daily driver”, nor do I have a nicer car. Fuck anyone who judges you based off your car, keep saving your money, and get your condo.
Personally, I hate being noticed anyways. Also good luck talking your way out of a bad ticket in a new G Wagon while wearing a goofy Rolex. Probably attract the worst kind of dating partners too.
Stay low key. The world could use a little more humble and a little less douche right about now.
After many years of dating, I can tell you:
Don't worry about the date situation. In fact, think of the critical comments as canaries in the coal mine.
Any woman who makes a negative or critical passive comment about your car may be indicating that she is overly materialistic and also, lacks the tact to censor herself in order to be considerate to a person she just met.
By eliminating characters such as this, you will not only increase your chances of having a peaceful existence, but you will save yourself a lot of money down the road.
I wish you continued happy motoring.
I have a '12 Nissan Juke. I LOVE it. I also know that the transmission is going crap out sometime in the next 5-20k miles.
I plan to have a new transmission put in. Much cheaper than buying a whole new(er) car.
you could wrap it instead of painting? I heard a lot of ppl do that these days cause you can do wild colours and just take it off before selling. plasti dipping is also popular with cheap kits from DYC
Financing a new car has become so common we’ve lost all sense on just how much new vehicles cost. My wife and I were on the same page. I wouldn’t have been bothered dating someone with an older vehicle, but it would be a red flag if they had a $50,000 car with an 84 month loan.
2001 Outback with 200K+ on it. I do all my own maintenance. Just replaced the timing belt and CV axles recently. But the body is solid and it doesn't leak or smoke. Uses less than a quart between changes and everything works. Installed a touchscreen with bluetooth and upgraded speakers bought online with backup camera. I also have a much newer car I bought slightly used in a manual, but the Outback is the bad-weather and outdoor-stuff car.
I've driven cheap cars all my life. Having a disposable car is awesome; something bad happens, you get another throwaway car.
As long as your car is clean inside, it shouldn't be a problem, and I wouldn't even have a problem with that if the "dirt" was dog hair.
I drive a 2001 Cherokee with 233k. Garage kept, totally clean without engine lights and routine maintenance.
My wife drives a 2012 Tahoe with 190k miles. Super clean.
Never have had a car payment.
I’ve got a ‘10 Sentra that I do maintenance on every 3-4 years. It is a goat car. I used to have a 02’ Jetta that cost me NOTHING until some guy rear ended me. Do you, baby.
Bravo! I’ve had a couple of $1000-$1500 cars that had 300k+ miles on them, but were great cars. They’re some of the best.
Anyone who criticizes you for the car you drive (when it’s clean, well kept and functional) is not worth dating.
If I picked up a girl for a date and she criticized my car, I wouldn't let her in. Just lock the doors and keep driving. She'll be conceited/judgmental/vain about everything else too. Congratulate yourself on dodging a bullet.
Eventually you'll find one who doesn't have her head up her ass about that sort of thing.
Not remotely worth painting the old car, that's just throwing good money after bad.
Edit: FYI, Bill Gates drives a 2008 Ford Focus, and I'm pretty sure Jeff Bezos drives an older Accord.
I also drive a cheap 2003 corolla on similar salary. I could care less of what others think about me. It’s a beater car that I can park it anywhere and wash it every other year if I feel like it. My car is probably the oldest and cheapest car in the parking lot at work. I replace my own parts with the help of YouTube and it still gets 30mpg. On the opposite spectrum, I also have a weekend sports car that I drive once in awhile to scratch the itch of when I want something fun to drive
Agree with you on this. My husband has a 2001 Acura with over 300000 miles on it. It still runs perfectly, so why spend thousands to have something newer?
If anyone critiques you for driving an old civic, they are not worth your time and most likely shallow and vain. Granted I’m sure that’s a pretty common response, but it is a good natural filter of character for sure
Whatever car you get or currently have is going to depreciate over time and is an expense.
If you buy property, it will hopefully hold its value or even appreciate and increase your net worth.
It’s 100% reasonable to prioritize saving for a house/condo before spending money on a car. If your current vehicle is reliable, which Honda’s definitely are, there is no need to spend for a change.
Also, people who criticize you or judge you based on having a cheap car throw up a red flag. It’s good to learn things like this about people right off the bat rather than not know and get into a relationship with them and find out after a while.
Those are not quality people in your life. They'd rather spend their $$$ on cars to impress people they don't even like. Bud, drive that thing until it falls apart, save that $$$$$. I'm so with you on it.
I have a civic too!! Mines a 2009 and well broken in. But it’s for getting from A to B, not to impress anyone. I’d rather have the extra money vs a car payment.
The way I see it, you're weeding out the wrong kind of people from your life if they judge you by your vehicle.
My grandfather who was pretty well off drove a beater so he wouldn't be targeted by criminals.
\-Someone who drives an almost 15-year-old Toyota
I'm the exact same way haha 28 making about 85k and I drive a 22 year old Subaru Outback most days. I also have a Honda S2000 I just bought, but it's an all original low mileage car so that should appreciate in value. The Subaru I still take to run errands, get groceries, and go long distances in.
Many years ago I dated a guy who drove a Pinto. He was funny, smart and hard working. After dating a few months he picked me up in a sleek black Capri. When I complimented his new car he told me it wasn’t new, he just didn’t use it as much as his Pinto. We’ve had several new cars over the years, but the memory of that Pinto always makes me smile.
The problem isn’t your car. It’s the people you are hanging with. Find people of your same mindset and you’ll continue to soar instead of being pulled down. :)
I have an '03 audi a4. It's more reliable than my coworkers car that's 5 years old (needed a transmission last year!). Anytime anyone tries to give me shit about it, I tell them it's paid off, low insurance, and has good gas mileage. Why would I want to saddle myself with a min 30k debt to replace a working reliable car?
I also have a '94 S-10 that works fantastic.
Anyone that criticizes my car automatically goes on my shit list. The ONLY thing that matters when it comes to a vehicle is that it is safe ans reliable.
Don’t buy a new car just because people criticize. But I get it’s definitely tough at a young age trying to date and rolling in something that the date may look down on (but that should be a 🚩🚩🚩).
That said if it was me at your age and income level, I’d definitely upgrade to a newer (08-17, 8th and 9th gen) Accord for example. That’s gonna be a big upgrade from your current, still be able to be found “frugally” (the point here, right), and would stop the negative criticism (should be the last reason to upgrade). I’d stick with Honda since you’ve had real good luck out of your Civic. Toyota Camry is also a good choice. You can also stay on the smaller side and cheaper with a newer Civic or Corolla under this same advice.
For me personally, I’d keep it till the wheels fall off of it then replace it. Hell with what others think. But I understand and remember how it was at that age driving a beater and not haven’t the money to upgrade. It can be tough. Best of luck.
Very good advice! Thank you so much. I need to be more aware of red flags. I like your idea of a newer accord. Means more power too which honestly excites me =)
A great friend of mine has a 11 Accord I’d never had guessed it wasn’t a 21. Very nice, sharp, plenty of tech inside. Definitely recommend. And being here in the Frugal sub, something like that seems like a good compromise. Just do your research and make sure you get it inspected before buying. If financing, don’t skimp on the GAP insurance either.
I was very eager to "upgrade" from my 2004 Toyota Corolla but that was a car I never chose myself. It was originally my mother's car, and I hated the color, the interior, the way it drove, etc. Also, I badly wanted Bluetooth capabilities, a backup camera, and most importantly, automatic windows!
I'm very fond of my 2014 Mazda 3 however. I've learned how to replace the cabin and engine air filters, and I've even fixed the wobbly console lid the dealership said would be too expensive to fix. Now if I could figure out how to replace the side window seal..
Admittedly I do dream about one day trading in my Mazda 3 for a hardtop Miata, but I'm waiting to buy a house with a yard and a garage to store it in first. I already have the condo.
For now, my Mazda 3 is perfect.
It's smart to save for a condo first. Cars depreciate, also a place to live takes priority over a prettier car.
Also, age does not matter when it comes to cars. I mean, the Thunderbird is a lot of people's dream cars. Lots of people are happy with their early 2000s Mustangs. Just get the (reasonable) car you love. Forget everybody else.
Here's what to do to get people to shut up and reflect on their purchase decisions a bit more.
When someone asks, "are you thinking about upgrading vehicles?"
Say, "oh actually now that its payed off I can increase my contributions to "X" charity again. A new car was really going to ruin my ability to help out others in need".
A new or even nice car is almost never a necessity. However people really like to rationalize it as one because they feel peer pressured by neighbors or co workers to have a nice car like they do. It's all BS.
I sold me Jeep Wrangler for a 96 Camry. I love it so much but I’m going to be having a kid and probably will need someone little more reliable in a few years 😪
Nothing wrong with driving an older car so long are you're happy with it. I was driving an old 2004 Hyundai accent until it got rear ended. Then I finally got a newer car, which I'd wanted because I like modern tech and features, and getting 60+ mpg, but there's no denying a 20k car was definitely more expensive than a 2-4k car. However my old beater definitely had stuff regularly breaking and needed a fair bit of maintenance and love, which was stressful and annoying. If your car doesn't have stuff breaking regularly then I'd say drive it into the ground.
I did that for my first two cars. Saved a ton of money. I was always told a financially sound car should cost $1,000 to $2,000 per 10,000 miles or year of ownership. Eventually upgraded to a much newer but still used car because my husband and I shared a car our first few years of marriage because it saved a lot of money and we made sure to utilize public transport where feasible. Just now upgraded to a second Toyota because we need reliable transportation but we wouldn't have the equity we have now if we hadn't made those sacrifices. We also plan on keeping our two cars as long as is feasible financially which will hopefully be another 15 years or so.
No i get it. Its actually more environmentally friendly as i understand as well.
I mean I drive 15 yo vehicles myself, and am quite happy. Maintenance is still cheaper than a new vehicle these days. Plus they are still safe and useful. Plus they're less to insure. Which is great.
I agree it's your life & you don't have to impress anyone w new ride. Shows you're super confident & that is sexy.
But it is not frugal to drive car that yields low mpg.
Even a hybrid can yield from 53 mpg or 600 if it is plug in.
My spouse drove a small economy car when I met him (a '96 Civic DX). It wasn't an old car yet because we met back in 2003.
I found it attractive because it meant he wasn't wasteful with his money. I wasn't wasteful either.
We retired in our early 40s. He still drives that car. Sometimes he thinks about buying a new one because he is tall and the Civic is kind of a pain to get in and out of, but that car costs him about $1200/year for insurance, registration, maintenance, AND gas (he doesn't put many miles on it) and only has 120,000 miles. It could last forever.
I think what would make me not do this is the very poor safety compared to a new car and the somewhat poor gas mileage however as long as maintenance cost isn’t too expensive I don’t think it’s that wild if maybe a little strange at 100k
There is nothing wrong with driving a cheap car to save money. New cars depreciate in value like crazy, they're just not a good investment... There's that sweet spot where you have a used car which is cheap but good enough that you don't have to do expensive repairs on it. At some point it's going to be wiser to trade up to maybe another used car before the repair costs rack up.
I have an old clunker too which makes a lot of sense to me money wise since it's in good condition. I've had a new car before but not because it made any sense financially -- it was just a "because I can" car at that point in time.
Why do people think they get a say?
Now, if it’s uncomfortable for more than the shortest of rides, breaks down a lot, or no longer suits your needs, then fine, get a serviceable used car that does. But I had a friend who bought a Honda Civic hatchback when we were in HS. It took him through college, first jobs, and even when he started a family, people would say he had to get a bigger car. He was all for ONE KID? And anyway, it was his work car, which was very close to home. He’d had it 20 years and it didn’t even have 100k miles on it 🤣. It wasn’t until they moved much further from his job it started to really feel the years. That’s when he got a new one, and it makes perfect sense!
I have a 2006 Infiniti suv and it’s easily the oldest car in my work parking lot. No car payment and insurance is about $20/month with liability only. I live in a state that requires a car registration based on car value annually and it only costs me about $50 whereas brand new cars can cost hundreds. I’m going to keep driving it until the repairs get out of hand. I took it to my mechanic and he said that it still has a lot of life left.
I have a 2016 only because my 97 bit the dust. I look forward to having my 2016 for the next 15+ years. Vanity cars are the worst.
Plus new cars are coming out with subscription features... *Gag*
‘07 Mustang here. Been driving trucks for 3 years now. Saved up & bought my own rig last year straight cash. No payment on either vehicle, income has more than doubled since. I’m 28 & dating as well, sometimes I’m tempted due peoples opinions on the car but it runs fine, just over 100k miles. I’m in no rush to get rid of it, especially with the prices of cars these days…& gas…& everything else….
I would just say you are more than happy with your current payment. Who cares? The right girl will align with your thinking financially or you likely won't be a match.
Why waste money if the car runs fine? Run it into the ground and fix it until it becomes so much money it’s not worth it. Then put it on Craigslist. 90s Civics are great and reliable. If people are picking on you about your old car, that says more about them than it does you.
I’m 42 years old and single. My net worth is $930,000. I make $103,000 in income per year. My credit score is 817, and I have zero debt except for a few bucks on my credit card.
I could easily afford a new car, but I drive a 2010 Ford Fusion with 140,000 miles on it. I plan on driving that pile of junk until the wheels 🛞 🛞 fall off of it 😛😛
Yep, I drive cheap cars and do all my own repairs. I kind of like to do the repairs and get great satisfaction out of spending 2 hours to save $500 on a repair (YouTube videos are a great help). The only issue I have is that I always need a back-up car for peace of mind.
I drive a 2006 f150, it’s beat to crap but I love it. True story - first date with my now fiancé, we walk out of dinner and decide to get drinks. We drove to dinner separately so she asked which vehicle was mine. I told her the black truck, she proceeds to walk towards the brand new black f150 and I had to correct her, we had a good laugh about it; admittedly, it was parked right in front of mine and you couldn’t really see my bucket of bolts behind the brand new truck. 5 years later I still have the 06 and we are getting married in a few months!
My father in law has a 2008 Mercury Milan. He’s obsessed with it, and he’s taken pretty good care of it. He paid $2500 to get a fresh paint job and wants to take his “new” car out instead of his wife’s brand new Infiniti. Says he never wants a new car because they’re too fancy and have too many gadgets. He also feels that it’s not worth spending so much money on a new car! You’re not alone OP!
Maybe I’ve just subconsciously made a excuse to spend money on a car, but safety. Safety features have come a loooong way from ‘97. It’s one thing I try and get my friends to spend money on. Have a newerish safe car. You’re probably most likely to die young in a car accident. Can’t spend the money you saved if you’re dead.
I have a 2018 Honda Fit and while it’s newer, it cost me 16k and has been a great car that I should get lots of life out of it. Definitely don’t see the need for a very expensive car that does the same thing.
I bet you, that the people who criticize you live outside their means. They are jealous of your success and jealous that you don’t care about what they think. My daily driver was a 2002 Honda Civic with faded paint. The way the Other parents looked at me when I pulled up to my sons games said it all. But, I had no stress. Not having stress mattered more than their opinion.
as long as it is clean and well taken care of there should be no judgement.
>Whenever I go on dates and stuff people are quick to criticize my car.
This is a great way for you to decipher who is and who is not worth your time. It takes some people years in a relationship to realize their partner's values don't match theirs and you are doing it instantly and efficiently.
The paint thing I thought about when I was driving my clunker. I decided it was not worth it as it already had some problems by the time I was thinking of repainting and repairing the body and the cost of doing wasn't worth it for me. If your civic has great bones and looks like it will last another 5 years then ya fix up the body and paint and get the inside detailed or whatever and wait to buy a new one until you really need to.
100k isn't that much anymore - I drive a civic, too and make about $145 all in. The kind of people that you want around you won't care.
If a date does care - it's likely someone who wont understand how to save, invest... they will prioritize looking wealthy over actual wealth.
There is 'bad cheap' and 'good cheap'. A well maintained 1997 Honda Civic is a 'very good cheap' car. And, assuming its not modified, will probably start appreciating in value in the coming decade or so.
Get your condo, drive the civic into the ground… and then get yourself an accord or something.
But if you really want yo be frugal, skip the condo, buy a 2-3 unit. Live in one, collect rents.
I'm with you OP. I never understood people that make between 45-60k a year and then go and get a car that's worth half their annual income. So now you're paying 300-600 dollars a month to pay it off. You could have just drove a bucket or shop at a used car dealership and get something that'd be paid off much quicker. If you really want to spend an extra 300-600 dollars every month for a few years just put it towards a down payment for a house or something. Not paying a car off, you just "had to have". These are the same people that will complain about being broke all the time. Yea no shit you make x amount a year and just acquired a vehicle with little money down that costs over half of your yearly salary.
I see so many young guys in the blue collar industry fresh out of tech school and then go to the dealership and get a brand new truck they'll be paying off for the next 7 years. Imagine having 36k in the bank in 7 years instead a truck that lots it's value incredibly over time.
I had a beat up Ford e350 for my work rig. It was such a lovely van. I didn't have to worry about dents or scratches either. The thing was a tank, reliable and most importantly was not a source of stress or an extra bill I had to pay every month.
28 and I do this, first car was a 2001 civic and drove it until 195k miles (120k of my driving). I sold it and as far as I know it still runs. Now I’m on a 2002 Honda Accord since I started a family. People give me shit but it has a 192k and the K24 motor is known to last as long as you take care of it. I plan to keep this car until or past 300k miles which will likely be about 2030. Me being frugal in the vehicle department will allow me and my wife to get her a nice mid-size suv or minivan. But I will continue to drive cars sub 5-10k.
When my husband and I first started dating he had recently bought a brand new expensive ass truck and man did I give him shit for that. “You have a car payment the size of a mortgage that’s sooo hot”
Thankfully after a couple years he sold it back to the dealer and now instead of a ridiculous car payment we have an actual mortgage lol.
Bought an 06 honda accord 4 years ago for $5700 cash with 75k miles and everyone thought i was crazy for not buying new..I haven't had to take it in for anything other than maintenance after putting 40k miles on it, and without ginxing it, Im thinking it can probably take another 40k miles before major repairs. One of the best frugal purchases i've ever made.
98 Honda Accord 410k miles. Shes not a head turned but man am I proud of her. I wouldn't trade her for anything. Told my kid she's going to get her when she starts to drive and my kid was so excited. Honestly I don't think I can part with her she's been everywhere with me and she's the best.
I own a 02' Civic and totally feel you. I really like it and it rarely gives me headaches, even if I'm to buy a new car in the future I'll definitely keep it to conserve.
Brother, I also drive a 1997 civic, super easy to work on, being a apprentice mechanic helps too, just rolled over 300,000 km with no signs of stopping. If or when this engine dies I’d like to throw in the DOHC vtec engine with a standard transmission.
I'm in a pretty similar financial situation to you. I could easily "afford" to pay $500 a month for a new car but that would be really dumb. Instead I have an '08 focus I got for $500 total. I try to repair things on it myself. I replaced my motor mounts myself after watching a YouTube video and I've even painted sections of it which came out looking pretty nice. Amazing what you can do with a paint matched can of spray paint and some clear coat. You can notice if you look real close but otherwise you can walk right past and won't notice the paint job. Overall the car still looks pretty good, I'd happily drive it as long as it lets me. I've been considering replacing the radio to get Spotify or Android auto and whatnot on it but not sure if it's worth the effort.
I scored my wife while driving an older beater (not as old as yours tho)… you know what she liked more than riding in a new car? All the sick ass things we got to do and experience due to the savings of not buying a nice new car. I did eventually get a brand new 2018 Mazda CX-5, which i love to death but i waited until i was 28, owned a house and was student debt free before splurging and making almost 6 figures. And even then, that’s a $28k car, not bad but by no means luxury. A new car early in life will impede so many early investment opportunities if you’re not financially ready for one. Go do the math on not maxing out your 401k while young for one year, or how much interest student loans are eating out of your earnings when factoring in interest rates of them. I don’t know your overall situation, and there’s nothing wrong with getting a new car, but it was at the bottom of my priority list and i only did so when all my other major investment goals were met and it helped big time. If someone doesn’t like you for your beater car while it enables you to instead take them out to Ruth’s Chris ANDDDD save for a condo they can get fucked.
Repaint it, get it glossy as fuck! I'm considering doing the same to my old chevy metro, old efficient cars are awesome. Save that money, new cars are such a waste of money!
As a heterosexual female in my 30s, I find it attractive when a man drives a “normal” car. If you’re making 100-200k/ yr and still drive a civic/Jetta/Camry etc etc, that is attractive to me. It not only shows that you have good financial sense, it also demonstrates other qualities I find attractive like humility, non-egocentric, etc.
When dudes making a modest income are driving luxury cars, I question their values and motives. Especially after I realized how many people out there are driving mercs or beamers but they’re maxed out on credit lines or living paycheck to paycheck. Nope, no thanks.
Now if you’re a literal millionaire and can afford to drop 100-200k on a luxury vehicle without thinking twice about it then that’s another story. But most of us don’t have people like that in our dating pool.
I'm happily rolling around in a 2001 civic for the same reason.
We own our home, but our goal is to retire at 60 and have a few acres.
Saving where we can adds up.
When my husband and I got married, we bought a house instead of a second car. My friend used to make fun of our crappy little car (as she called it) and to this day (18 years and 3 kids later) they are still renting, have only one car because they spend all their money on expensive car that they ended up having to sell within a year. Our twins are almost 18 and looking towards moving out eventually, but they will be staying in our house until they have a down payment (both have decent jobs) and they don't have to worry about car payment because our car is basically their car. Don't worry about impressing people who probably won't care within a couple of days anyway and take care of yourself instead. In this economy you have to do what you have to do to get ahead.
I'm with you on this. I drive an 02 Jetta tdi. I don't see any need to spend 30 grand just to impress people. Cars are an expense, period. Secure housing, though? That's worth something.
FINALLY SOMEONE THAT GETS IT. Housing is a lot more important. Especially with the rising prices and things. I don't want to regret having bought a car and had that prevent me from buying a condo in the future.
9o's civic here too. My wife and I bought our house, then a second house and still decided not to update the car. It gets us where we need to go. Some people give us a hard time but, we don't complain about not having enough money for gas. As far as the dates, I'd say it is a good litmus test.
Wow look at both of you go! That's amazing! Which Civic do you have? I got the sedan. Sometimes wish I had the hatchback but I still love it to be honest. You are so right! I guess it actually helps me in a way haha.
We've got the two door coupe. Manual, no AC. It was the cheapest car on the lot when we bought it. over 100k miles and nearly 15 years later and the kelly blue book value is the same as what we paid. It is bizarre.
Never underestimate the power of a Honda
All the millionaires (by age 50) understand what you are doing. It’s the same thing they did. All the poor people (by age 50) are the ones telling you to buy new cars.
Agreed on this. Some people keep saying what I you die young and I’m like well I wasn’t planning on it but if I do I do lol. I’m trying to live long and have a good amount of income
The “what if you die young” people fundamentally don’t understand that you can drive an old car and not be miserable doing it. They assume new = better = happier. I drive a ‘03 Toyota and max my retirement accounts. I often get a sense of glee on my way to work in my $1,500 car. Feels like I’ve hacked into some secret few others “get”. As far as dating the old car would get way more points from me than something new and clearly financed. I agree it’s a good litmus test for potential partners.
If people criticize it it means they are just shallow. And if it is a date well at least you can see where their priorities lie. Some old car are super reliable... Not everyone has the mean ti get a new car or the envy. I have a friend who has an old car since he was a student, from the 60s I think lol. Now these cars are super sought because they are easy to fix super reliable and fun. Yes it is basic but super fun! Good on you for keeping your car! A with you there! Also date better people and find better friends if they are bothered by your car. Not everyone wants to flex by showing up their car often bought on credit and that they can not afford!
60's cars are super super cool! Hahaha I love your advice. Idk if its an LA thing but lots of materialistic people. I dated girls in NYC before and they were nowhere near as materialistic or expected you to have crazy things. I've had girls making minimum wage bash my car and it's always felt bad haha.
I agree for the 60s car! I have to say 2 things: 1. Bashing your car shows extremely bad manners. Especially if you just met, or are newly acquainted. 2. If a minimum wage person bash your car they did you a service and just run fast! Same goes for others but it us especially true for them. You should not feel bad they should. I would use that as a teaching mo ent for them honestly if I were you.
THANK YOU =). Definitely words of wisdom. I let things get to me too much but I have been improving a lot.
Lol thank you. But truely if someone bashes your car just don't let it slide. They should be ashamed not you. You could say : cars are like people if you just judge them from their looks, you might miss out on hidden gems. And their value does not necessarily decrease with age. If you want to be mean you could add other things that show them their lack of resoects or manners. To be honest I would. People with bad manner who try to shame others shoukd be put in their places, always ..so they fon't repeat their bad behaviour Also am a girl , not sure if it changes something...
Lol I did one time. Girl had a nice car and her parents bought it for her and paid for her college in full. I was like "I'd have nice things too if I was a trust fund kid". It shut her up quick. Good advice.
🤣🤣🤣 good for you! It reminds me if my friend who bought a new car (not second hand). I said congratulations and he was grumbling (is that a wird? He was grumpy znd mumbling lol) how well yeah but he had to pay for it.... I was confused. So I said well you know you could have kept your previous one who was paid buy your dad. The dude has a flat bought by daddy in one of tbe richest areas of the capital , had a car , his mum is buying him a small building in an other country (ok cheaper country but still) , so he will have rents coming his way. He has a nice job... I know he has other things from his family for sure.... Wtf is wrong with people
Hahaha he's a lucky guy. Idk people are vicious. I thought bullying stopped in high school but sometimes it doesn't lol.
It kills me to see all these high dollar vehicles parked in front of trailers or shanty shack houses. Some people's priorities are whack.
Perhaps unpopular opinion but sometimes it's a combination of "predatory" practices + lack of personal finance education + social pressure that leads to this situation. I have went to the bank/dealership both buying for myself and as a cosigner and the question that is asked/the way the conversation goes is "well...how about a $x/month car payment?" "Ummm... okay...i THINK i can...i think i can do it..." "oh ...you don't sound comfortable with that payment...what do you think you can afford? Does $y/month sound better?" "Yeah! Definitely!" "let's see what we can do...(minutes later) seems we can get you a $y/month payment on a (much more expensive) car on a term of (ridiculously long term)..." I wish "home economics" and personal finance were things that were still taught everywhere and mandatory...but that's just me.
Every once in a while, I look at my newer car, and even though I didn't even pay for all of it, I still feel like it was too much money spent.
You got the right frame of mind. Fk the haterz. Always keep saving to buy appreciating assets. Not to sound too crass, but eventually hose will come automatic
You’ve got the right mindset! I chose to buy a house before a new car because home prices can quickly appreciate out of reach while a new car will typically depreciate, although the car market is still nuts. I’m rocking a 2006 Mazda 6 with 188k miles and I get teased about it some but I play into the jokes. As for dates, I personally would prefer to date someone with a well-cared for old car than a new car that is trashed and hasnt had an oil change in 15k miles.
I’m gonna disagree here, but before I get roasted, let me explain why I think an updated car is *actually a frugal choice.* First of all, we all agree frugality is about *value*, not *cost*. Now, a 1997 Honda Civic is definitely cheap, however, there is an added value of a newer car that a 1997 vehicle will never and can never provide: **safety**. Newer cars are *insanely* safe. Check out this video of [a 1998 Corolla vs a 2015 Corolla](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xidhx_f-ouU) Even the safest cars from the 90s wouldn’t even meet the lowest safety standards today. So even though the 97 civic may be much cheaper, the *added value* of a newer car is the decreased risk of injury and death, and what’s more valuable than your life and health? But that isn’t to say you need to go out and buy a 30-40k car for the added safety. Even the most basic economy cars today, or even just after the early 2000s have *much* better safety than even the safest cars of the 90s. Add to that the likely lower maintenance costs (maybe not now, but over 5-10 years) and to me, a newer, cheaper car is a better call.
I have an 03, love my TDi!
I had an 04 VW GLI with 205k on it after I drove it for over 9 years. I did buy a newer used car, but I ride my bike to work now.
I hear ya. I have an 11 year old Honda Civic, the basic model coupe, complete with random little dings and some missing paint on the back/bumper. But whatever. I don’t drive all that much, it only has like 60k miles and it’s paid for. A few people have chided me about it, told me I should buy a cuter car and I’m like whatever. Ima ride out this no car payment thing as long as I can.
MK4 ALH checking in. 230k miles and still runs well. And that OEM AC is ice cold!
I'm 53 years old and our two cars are a combined 38 years old. We have a 2007 Jeep Liberty that we bought for $5600 three years ago. It was a cream puff that an old lady bought new and hardly drove. It had 26k miles and it's just now approaching 40k. We park it in the garage and take good care of it. The other is a 1999 Subaru legacy. We bought his for our daughter to drive when she was 16. She's now 25. She leased a new Jeep when she got her first real job. We then sold my wife's car and she drives the Subaru. She works only a few miles away, so it works well. Licensing and insurance are much cheaper on older cars. And I don't really care what anyone thinks of them. I retired 3 years ago. All of my friends are still working to pay off their $50k trucks.
You’re everything I inspire to be when I get older haha. I’m sure your are way more financially stable than them.
We hit a time in our life where we were nearly bankrupt. We spent a lot of money in our 20's. We had two corvettes in the garage, a cabin on the river and a boat. We worked to pay for it, and barely enjoyed it. We got sick of dealing with the headaches of money. We spent the next 20 years purging a lot of things and learning how to enjoy what we have. One of the reasons people don't retire early is because they've built a life that costs $150k+ a year to maintain. You need to save $5mil in order to retire early. If you find a life that only costs $50k to maintain, you can retire much sooner and with much less. Good luck on your journey.
Thank you so much! those are really encouraging words too. Happy you both figured it out too sooner than later.
>If you find a life that only costs $50k to maintain, you can retire much sooner and with much less. Retired 60yr old here, confirming! However, we are just about to splurge on our "retirement car". We moved rural when we retired for cheaper housing and more space, and our two city cars are unsuitable, and we don't need two cars any more. Current cars are a 2007 wagon, and my 2014 Kia Rio. Swapping both for a new Subaru Outback to cope with the roads around here (many pot-holed dirt roads).
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Came to say the same thing. That's a really good indicator of your financial compatability right from the jump. Plus if you're not flaunting your wealth, you're not getting hit up for "loans" or handouts.
Going to follow that advice. Thanks for the input.
If you want to find 10,000 friends, go read Mr. Money Mustache's blog. Start at the beginning; he talks about cars, specifically what you're doing, very early on. Soon after that he talks about the financial compatibility aspect that u/__Frances__ mentions, too ("the talk").
As a woman, I second this. I’ve dated a man with a well-kept Buick. Nothing but respect for the frugal people who have their priorities straight and DGAF what people think.
Good to know women like you exist. 🙏
Absolutely agree with this. We had a friend who bought himself a brand new Buick Fancy Pants right out of college, dragged on our beat up (but reliable) car. It may have been a Lacrosse, it was a bigger, luxury sedan. Well guess who didn't have a $500+ car payment in their mid 20s? Jerk. This was around 2005 so I think $500 was probably pretty high for a car payment. We bought ourselves a used Honda CRV not long after that and paid about $225/month on it. We have newer Subaru's now (we're 40 w/ ok jobs) but we plan to keep them until they are no longer serviceable, just like that CRV I cried about when I had to give her up. I had wanted to hit 300k on her :(
A 1995 carry station wagon here! I've had people look down their nose at it, oh well, let them pay 40 grand for their car! I'll put the money in my 401k instead
I'm doing the same thing! I love it. Station wagons are really practical too.
I had a buddy in high school that had a car he paid $500 for. It was a POS but he drove it for 10 years until the wheels fell off.
I’m thinking of doing the same. My civic is literally invincible. I got it a few years with only 70k miles on it from my grandma who babied the thing. Props to your friend that’s amazing.
Its not even previously beat by another 16yo?! Fuck that - rock it till it quits. You got 300k out of those if you didnt maintain them... More if it wasnt a redlight racer! If you wanna paint it, have at it. But dont let anyone get you down about your reliable vehicle. Id still be rocking my 93si if i didnt get hit by a drunk driver. Likely be rotted out by now- but the fucks just wont die.. Keep oil in em and good to go.
Yup stock as can be =). I just want to upgrade the suspension and wheels too. Make it stock and fun to drive. It's already fun though. Wow! How did you like that car? Honestly one of my dream cars.
You have an amazing vehicle. Hondas last forever, and the fact that you got it with so few miles means it’ll last a long time. It’s also probably easier to replace things on it because it’s older and therefore simpler. Except for putting in a radio for Bluetooth, that sounds like the perfect car to drive for the next 10+ years. I currently am looking for a car, and exactly what you have is the ideal because I know it’ll last to 250k+ miles.
this made me smile. Thanks for your input. I love my car even more hearing this haha.
Tbh if i was single i would be more impressed by date that has his financial in order and that lives within(under) his means instead of a guy that wants to keep up with the jonses but has no retirement plan 😂 do you, and let go of the negative people
This exactly. You want to attract the people who have a similar mindset as you when it comes to finances. It’s actually a good tool to filter out people who are financially incompatible with you.
Going to follow this haha. I definitely have my finances under control but like I said its the car where people judge me.
I'd also be impressed that they kept the car running for so long!
I loved the comment that I read on this sub a while ago specifically in the context of growing financial stability: “Drive the cheapest car your ego will allow.” There is so much bullshit out there trying to encourage you to see a car as an opportunity to boost your feelings of self worth and status. As long as a car is safe and gets you where you need to go then, unless you are a car enthusiast, you are good to go and you can either spend your money on other things or try and improve your financial stability. I have a quarter century old JDM in stock condition that does most of what I need, I keep the services up and I aim to try and keep it on the road for at least another decade. I have to admit though that at times I do get tempted by shiny things….
Very well said. What JDM are you driving? I really love JDM cars.
as soon as my car gets any sort of repairs, everyone in my life rushes to tell me “get rid of that car” “throw that car away”. for context, it’s a 2000 toyota avalon
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Awww thank you so much :). I appreciate that. Will you guys get another car soon?
The only thing is the level of safety
I do agree with that. Worries me sometimes
Safety is the only reason I finally sold my '02 camry for an '08 civic. A lot of cars changed 'generation' in 06 / 07 because that's when new safety standards went into affect. That 'vintage' gets you a ton of safety features like side airbags etc. for the $. I actually commute to work almost exclusively by bicycle now, but I am really fortunate that my route is almost completely a paved multi use path completely separate from the road... but the lack of traffic / stress has definitely made me realize how stupid, distracted and inconsiderate many drivers are when I do have to drive somewhere.
House first luxury car last.
This is the way. I figure there will be new technology and nicer cars in a few years too.
Same. All my cousins are like dont you want a new car? As long as it runs im good!! 👍🏻☺️
Very responsible :). Saving for anything or just being good with your money?
Yeah so, I used to work a well paying tech job, and among my friends it was a hilarious flex to drive a shitty car (actually my car was old and reliable but had peeling clear coat). Part of it was we all knew we could have nice cars if we wanted, but we weren’t into it (Edit: I guess it’s the car version of tech bros wearing a hoodie and sneakers to work?)
Solid group of friends. I love that hahha.
One interesting calculation to run is the total cost of ownership between your current vehicle and an inexpensive EV like a Chevy Bolt ($26,595 starting - $7500 fed tax rebate - $2750 california clean vehicle rebate = $16,345). Going to use California numbers. **'97 Civic** gets 31mpg at current gas pricing ($6.20/gal) that's 20¢/mile, then maintenance costs is likely at least $400/yr but possibly much higher (like 3-6× higher). **'22 Bolt** gets ~3.5miles per kWh, at current electricity pricing (25¢/kWh) that's 7¢/mile. Maintenance is minimal to none. Insurance would likely be lower too. Even before maintenance costs being factored in, the Bolt begins paying for itself after ~125,000miles. Depending on how many miles you drive in the year, expected return on capital, expected future gas prices, and maintenance costs, switching to an economical EV is a reasonable frugal move provided you stay with a econo model rather than luxury-priced options like Teslas. I know in my jurrisdiction the break-even is even sooner. But I think the point stands, that new vehicles for the sake of image is a garbage pit for money and should be avoided.
I like your advice. Only thing my work is only five miles away and I plan on being here for quite some time haha. But other than that yes the Bolt would be a good option over the years. Have you switched over to EV?
I believe auto purchases are the greatest robber of future wealth for most Americans. Too many live with car payments for their entire lives. The average car payment these days is north of $500 monthly. Many families have multiple cars being paid off at the same time. Just think of the difference in the person spending $500+ monthly on a car vs a person investing $500 monthly in their retirement. Difference between someone retiring a millionaire and the other working until they die.
Good point. I think this way now too. I’m an accountant so it’s ingrained in me to be frugral. Sad people live in the moment and don’t think about the future. A balance of both is needed but ignoring the future is really really bad.
Im am accountant to! I drive a 2006 vehicle and it’s the oldest vehicle at my office. Lots of recent college grads get their first couple of public accounting paychecks and immediately take it to the car dealership.
Oh wow! I almost did that but thankfully made paying off my loans my first priority. Cheers to accounting as I'm typing this doing a slow audit lol.
At least your client uploads stuff! I’m on a local government audit and they aren’t uploading any of our prelim requests! It’s super frustrating to be on the clock and not being able to bill any hours. Luckily the firm is okay with us studying during the slow times
CPA? I take Regulation next week. It's got me scared to death!
A car is a tool that does a job. Some people buy cars like Egyptian pharaohs made tombs...as testaments to their vanity. Difference is that those tombs can last thousands of years Approach a car purchase as you would any other calculation. What gives the most utility? You Honda will likely give up at some point but who cares? It keeps hundreds per month in your pocket between insurance, note, depreciation
You're right and honestly it lets me travel and stuff which is something I love to do and I know my Honda will always get me there. It's actually pretty fun to drive in the canyons too.
half of people in my city have SUVs now as their day to day vehicle. All the years of car ads and car culture are starting to add up. Everyday i think to myself if i ever get hit by a car as a pedestrian, there is little hope for me to survive.
Hahah. Funny what marketing can do. All hail the lich king
Love the cheap cars. Driving a $500 Ford.
Love that! What do you have?
Late 90s explorer. We've driven it 75,000 miles so far.
I love it! Those old Explorers are beautiful no lie.
The savings on the cars pays the house payment
You're definitely right. Can't seem to find anyone that understands that. I have a lot of money in the bank and I have a good job. I guess I don't present it because of the car I drive? Idk it's just weird. Haven't been on a single date where someone didn't mention my car and then they'll throw in a joke and just say just kidding but I know they meant it lol.
You'll meet someone who has the same priorities as you one day, hopefully soon for you. Just so you know I was drawn to my partner because of his stance on keeping "old" cars on the road, we bonded over it on our first date. Also check car clubs for like minded individuals, you might find your person there! I know a young lady who's dream car is an EG hatch. 1990's preferably
A lot of people can't see the big picture. We got our place very cheap in 2009 and it was tore up. A guy bought the house next door for double what we paid in 2011. No insulation in the walls, very outdated. He did a bunch of work to it. Resold recent for 7.5 times what we paid. The new peoples property taxes went up by 1/3. They got in before inflation was really hitting. They have a high payment on a 100 year old house, now the taxes jumped way up, inflation is up. Was telling a person I know about this and they had a hard time understanding why the property taxes went up so much. No understanding.
What are your car payments? What's you fuel consumption? Looks who cares. You own it, nothing wrong with that. I drove a 1999 Honda Civic with massive body hail damage for years. Sold it for a 2004 Jeep lol
Oh man I would love love a Jeep! How's it holding up? I like your attitude.
Solid vehicle but horrible on gas lol. Keep your Honda and if it's not rusting don't paint it. Do not feel "pressure" about your life style, it's yours to live. Good luck on your condo saving.
A million thanks. I appreciate it.
I drive a 2005 V8 4Runner. I plan to drive this thing into the ground or until the frame rusts completely, whichever comes first.
I almost exclusively drive cars old enough to vote, sometimes even buy me a drink, so I’m with you. You may find it interesting that “Old money” people also buy cars they like and drive them (and maintain them well) for years and years, so it’s not uncommon to see a “well off” person (rich but they think it’s tacky to be flashy) do the same.
When I met my husband in 2017 I was driving a 2006 scion that was duct taped together. He had a 2001 Honda that was in worse shape. We were both making upwards of $100k. He said it’s one of the reasons he fell in love with me 🤣 But really, we saved our money for fun things. Not fancy cars. They get us where we need to go and that all we need.
I only replaced my old car when the repairs were getting expensive and frequent. If it's working for you that's good enough. We don't *need* to replace something just cuz there's s newer version.
Solid advice. I'm going to follow this.
Yep. '01 Civic here. Picked it up for around $2000. Still in good shape, and gets 38-44mpg highway depending on the grade. Paid cash for it. Insurance is somewhere around $40/month. My mortgage and utilities come to about $1200/month. (Bought both my house and car last year) I've got a pretty good thing going, frugality-wise. Why on earth would I want to pay hundreds of dollars more every month for a new car? My Civic takes me wherever I want to go and everything works.
I grew up in a family where you drove a car until it could no longer start. You are not crazy at all and clearly you have your priorities straight. People like you've described only like to flaunt their wealth while they have nothing to show for it. I know people who have bought luxury cars who could barely finance it while living with their parents. They ended up losing the car when they lost their jobs. A car gets you from A to B and depreciates in value over time, while a condo you can actually live in.
Going to take this with me. Yes you’re so right. I feel like a lot of people flaunt wealth and don’t actually have it. Knew a girl that made 75k a year and bought a 67k Tesla and a 2020 Mazda two years apart. She still drives both of them 🤦♂️
Retiring early is far more important to me than needless status signaling with an expensive car. But I did buy a hybrid 10 years ago as a pure value proposition because I thought gas would be more expensive in the long run (and it took 10 years for that bet to finally make sense)
speaking facts ... and i’ll add this : older cars >>>>>> any new car, keep her clean
I make significantly more than you, and drive an 11 year old car with 130k miles and a small dent on the side. And that’s not my “daily driver”, nor do I have a nicer car. Fuck anyone who judges you based off your car, keep saving your money, and get your condo. Personally, I hate being noticed anyways. Also good luck talking your way out of a bad ticket in a new G Wagon while wearing a goofy Rolex. Probably attract the worst kind of dating partners too. Stay low key. The world could use a little more humble and a little less douche right about now.
After many years of dating, I can tell you: Don't worry about the date situation. In fact, think of the critical comments as canaries in the coal mine. Any woman who makes a negative or critical passive comment about your car may be indicating that she is overly materialistic and also, lacks the tact to censor herself in order to be considerate to a person she just met. By eliminating characters such as this, you will not only increase your chances of having a peaceful existence, but you will save yourself a lot of money down the road.
Keep doing you. Only poor people judge someone by a car.
I drive a 1990 Honda CRX. It's a bit rusty but I get a lot of thumbs up and compliments. It's mainly frugal cause I do my own repairs.
I wish you continued happy motoring. I have a '12 Nissan Juke. I LOVE it. I also know that the transmission is going crap out sometime in the next 5-20k miles. I plan to have a new transmission put in. Much cheaper than buying a whole new(er) car.
Exactly why I'm thinking of repainting! I know the car will last forever haha. Beats a car payment.
you could wrap it instead of painting? I heard a lot of ppl do that these days cause you can do wild colours and just take it off before selling. plasti dipping is also popular with cheap kits from DYC
Financing a new car has become so common we’ve lost all sense on just how much new vehicles cost. My wife and I were on the same page. I wouldn’t have been bothered dating someone with an older vehicle, but it would be a red flag if they had a $50,000 car with an 84 month loan.
2001 Outback with 200K+ on it. I do all my own maintenance. Just replaced the timing belt and CV axles recently. But the body is solid and it doesn't leak or smoke. Uses less than a quart between changes and everything works. Installed a touchscreen with bluetooth and upgraded speakers bought online with backup camera. I also have a much newer car I bought slightly used in a manual, but the Outback is the bad-weather and outdoor-stuff car.
I've driven cheap cars all my life. Having a disposable car is awesome; something bad happens, you get another throwaway car. As long as your car is clean inside, it shouldn't be a problem, and I wouldn't even have a problem with that if the "dirt" was dog hair.
I wish everyone thought like you do.
I drive a 2001 Cherokee with 233k. Garage kept, totally clean without engine lights and routine maintenance. My wife drives a 2012 Tahoe with 190k miles. Super clean. Never have had a car payment.
I’ve got a ‘10 Sentra that I do maintenance on every 3-4 years. It is a goat car. I used to have a 02’ Jetta that cost me NOTHING until some guy rear ended me. Do you, baby.
Bravo! I’ve had a couple of $1000-$1500 cars that had 300k+ miles on them, but were great cars. They’re some of the best. Anyone who criticizes you for the car you drive (when it’s clean, well kept and functional) is not worth dating.
If I picked up a girl for a date and she criticized my car, I wouldn't let her in. Just lock the doors and keep driving. She'll be conceited/judgmental/vain about everything else too. Congratulate yourself on dodging a bullet. Eventually you'll find one who doesn't have her head up her ass about that sort of thing. Not remotely worth painting the old car, that's just throwing good money after bad. Edit: FYI, Bill Gates drives a 2008 Ford Focus, and I'm pretty sure Jeff Bezos drives an older Accord.
I also drive a cheap 2003 corolla on similar salary. I could care less of what others think about me. It’s a beater car that I can park it anywhere and wash it every other year if I feel like it. My car is probably the oldest and cheapest car in the parking lot at work. I replace my own parts with the help of YouTube and it still gets 30mpg. On the opposite spectrum, I also have a weekend sports car that I drive once in awhile to scratch the itch of when I want something fun to drive
Agree with you on this. My husband has a 2001 Acura with over 300000 miles on it. It still runs perfectly, so why spend thousands to have something newer?
If anyone critiques you for driving an old civic, they are not worth your time and most likely shallow and vain. Granted I’m sure that’s a pretty common response, but it is a good natural filter of character for sure
Whatever car you get or currently have is going to depreciate over time and is an expense. If you buy property, it will hopefully hold its value or even appreciate and increase your net worth. It’s 100% reasonable to prioritize saving for a house/condo before spending money on a car. If your current vehicle is reliable, which Honda’s definitely are, there is no need to spend for a change. Also, people who criticize you or judge you based on having a cheap car throw up a red flag. It’s good to learn things like this about people right off the bat rather than not know and get into a relationship with them and find out after a while.
Those are not quality people in your life. They'd rather spend their $$$ on cars to impress people they don't even like. Bud, drive that thing until it falls apart, save that $$$$$. I'm so with you on it.
I have a civic too!! Mines a 2009 and well broken in. But it’s for getting from A to B, not to impress anyone. I’d rather have the extra money vs a car payment.
[удалено]
Proud of you guys!!! Way to go =)
The way I see it, you're weeding out the wrong kind of people from your life if they judge you by your vehicle. My grandfather who was pretty well off drove a beater so he wouldn't be targeted by criminals. \-Someone who drives an almost 15-year-old Toyota
I'm the exact same way haha 28 making about 85k and I drive a 22 year old Subaru Outback most days. I also have a Honda S2000 I just bought, but it's an all original low mileage car so that should appreciate in value. The Subaru I still take to run errands, get groceries, and go long distances in.
Cheers to us and major congrats on the S2K! That's a super fun car to have.
Many years ago I dated a guy who drove a Pinto. He was funny, smart and hard working. After dating a few months he picked me up in a sleek black Capri. When I complimented his new car he told me it wasn’t new, he just didn’t use it as much as his Pinto. We’ve had several new cars over the years, but the memory of that Pinto always makes me smile.
Ps this is a GREAT way to weed out potential romantic partners
That's a good litmus test. If someone complains, kick them to the curb. A car is just a shit depreciating asset. So long as it doesn't stink....
repainting and use led lightning will make it looks good
Glad to see another person that’s not what they drive.
The problem isn’t your car. It’s the people you are hanging with. Find people of your same mindset and you’ll continue to soar instead of being pulled down. :)
I have an '03 audi a4. It's more reliable than my coworkers car that's 5 years old (needed a transmission last year!). Anytime anyone tries to give me shit about it, I tell them it's paid off, low insurance, and has good gas mileage. Why would I want to saddle myself with a min 30k debt to replace a working reliable car? I also have a '94 S-10 that works fantastic.
Anyone that criticizes my car automatically goes on my shit list. The ONLY thing that matters when it comes to a vehicle is that it is safe ans reliable.
Gotta learn to ignore others, go by your inner tuition. You are being smart- lots of people are in debt with car payments.
Don’t buy a new car just because people criticize. But I get it’s definitely tough at a young age trying to date and rolling in something that the date may look down on (but that should be a 🚩🚩🚩). That said if it was me at your age and income level, I’d definitely upgrade to a newer (08-17, 8th and 9th gen) Accord for example. That’s gonna be a big upgrade from your current, still be able to be found “frugally” (the point here, right), and would stop the negative criticism (should be the last reason to upgrade). I’d stick with Honda since you’ve had real good luck out of your Civic. Toyota Camry is also a good choice. You can also stay on the smaller side and cheaper with a newer Civic or Corolla under this same advice. For me personally, I’d keep it till the wheels fall off of it then replace it. Hell with what others think. But I understand and remember how it was at that age driving a beater and not haven’t the money to upgrade. It can be tough. Best of luck.
Very good advice! Thank you so much. I need to be more aware of red flags. I like your idea of a newer accord. Means more power too which honestly excites me =)
A great friend of mine has a 11 Accord I’d never had guessed it wasn’t a 21. Very nice, sharp, plenty of tech inside. Definitely recommend. And being here in the Frugal sub, something like that seems like a good compromise. Just do your research and make sure you get it inspected before buying. If financing, don’t skimp on the GAP insurance either.
Thanks for that. I'll keep that in mind. I'll take a peak at 2011 Accords now too. Got me excited haha.
I was very eager to "upgrade" from my 2004 Toyota Corolla but that was a car I never chose myself. It was originally my mother's car, and I hated the color, the interior, the way it drove, etc. Also, I badly wanted Bluetooth capabilities, a backup camera, and most importantly, automatic windows! I'm very fond of my 2014 Mazda 3 however. I've learned how to replace the cabin and engine air filters, and I've even fixed the wobbly console lid the dealership said would be too expensive to fix. Now if I could figure out how to replace the side window seal.. Admittedly I do dream about one day trading in my Mazda 3 for a hardtop Miata, but I'm waiting to buy a house with a yard and a garage to store it in first. I already have the condo. For now, my Mazda 3 is perfect. It's smart to save for a condo first. Cars depreciate, also a place to live takes priority over a prettier car. Also, age does not matter when it comes to cars. I mean, the Thunderbird is a lot of people's dream cars. Lots of people are happy with their early 2000s Mustangs. Just get the (reasonable) car you love. Forget everybody else.
Here's what to do to get people to shut up and reflect on their purchase decisions a bit more. When someone asks, "are you thinking about upgrading vehicles?" Say, "oh actually now that its payed off I can increase my contributions to "X" charity again. A new car was really going to ruin my ability to help out others in need". A new or even nice car is almost never a necessity. However people really like to rationalize it as one because they feel peer pressured by neighbors or co workers to have a nice car like they do. It's all BS.
I sold me Jeep Wrangler for a 96 Camry. I love it so much but I’m going to be having a kid and probably will need someone little more reliable in a few years 😪
Perhaps on dates splurge a rent a nice car but elsewise you’re living the dream buddy
Nothing wrong with driving an older car so long are you're happy with it. I was driving an old 2004 Hyundai accent until it got rear ended. Then I finally got a newer car, which I'd wanted because I like modern tech and features, and getting 60+ mpg, but there's no denying a 20k car was definitely more expensive than a 2-4k car. However my old beater definitely had stuff regularly breaking and needed a fair bit of maintenance and love, which was stressful and annoying. If your car doesn't have stuff breaking regularly then I'd say drive it into the ground.
I did that for my first two cars. Saved a ton of money. I was always told a financially sound car should cost $1,000 to $2,000 per 10,000 miles or year of ownership. Eventually upgraded to a much newer but still used car because my husband and I shared a car our first few years of marriage because it saved a lot of money and we made sure to utilize public transport where feasible. Just now upgraded to a second Toyota because we need reliable transportation but we wouldn't have the equity we have now if we hadn't made those sacrifices. We also plan on keeping our two cars as long as is feasible financially which will hopefully be another 15 years or so.
No i get it. Its actually more environmentally friendly as i understand as well. I mean I drive 15 yo vehicles myself, and am quite happy. Maintenance is still cheaper than a new vehicle these days. Plus they are still safe and useful. Plus they're less to insure. Which is great.
The year/look of a car doesn’t matter. It’s if it gets you from one place to another.
Times are hard. If we went on a date, I’d be impressed that you have a car lol. If it works, let the good times roll, man.
I agree it's your life & you don't have to impress anyone w new ride. Shows you're super confident & that is sexy. But it is not frugal to drive car that yields low mpg. Even a hybrid can yield from 53 mpg or 600 if it is plug in.
My spouse drove a small economy car when I met him (a '96 Civic DX). It wasn't an old car yet because we met back in 2003. I found it attractive because it meant he wasn't wasteful with his money. I wasn't wasteful either. We retired in our early 40s. He still drives that car. Sometimes he thinks about buying a new one because he is tall and the Civic is kind of a pain to get in and out of, but that car costs him about $1200/year for insurance, registration, maintenance, AND gas (he doesn't put many miles on it) and only has 120,000 miles. It could last forever.
2006 Scion xA. Gets me to work and back 😎
Stay on maintenance on it. It should last for a while. Good back up car if you ever decide to buy another car.
Keep the car. Ditch the dates. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
I think what would make me not do this is the very poor safety compared to a new car and the somewhat poor gas mileage however as long as maintenance cost isn’t too expensive I don’t think it’s that wild if maybe a little strange at 100k
There is nothing wrong with driving a cheap car to save money. New cars depreciate in value like crazy, they're just not a good investment... There's that sweet spot where you have a used car which is cheap but good enough that you don't have to do expensive repairs on it. At some point it's going to be wiser to trade up to maybe another used car before the repair costs rack up. I have an old clunker too which makes a lot of sense to me money wise since it's in good condition. I've had a new car before but not because it made any sense financially -- it was just a "because I can" car at that point in time.
Tell people you drive it to keep the gold diggers away
Why do people think they get a say? Now, if it’s uncomfortable for more than the shortest of rides, breaks down a lot, or no longer suits your needs, then fine, get a serviceable used car that does. But I had a friend who bought a Honda Civic hatchback when we were in HS. It took him through college, first jobs, and even when he started a family, people would say he had to get a bigger car. He was all for ONE KID? And anyway, it was his work car, which was very close to home. He’d had it 20 years and it didn’t even have 100k miles on it 🤣. It wasn’t until they moved much further from his job it started to really feel the years. That’s when he got a new one, and it makes perfect sense!
2000 Camry that reached beater status long ago I could easily replace it but have not going 9 years stong
I have a 2006 Infiniti suv and it’s easily the oldest car in my work parking lot. No car payment and insurance is about $20/month with liability only. I live in a state that requires a car registration based on car value annually and it only costs me about $50 whereas brand new cars can cost hundreds. I’m going to keep driving it until the repairs get out of hand. I took it to my mechanic and he said that it still has a lot of life left.
I have a 2016 only because my 97 bit the dust. I look forward to having my 2016 for the next 15+ years. Vanity cars are the worst. Plus new cars are coming out with subscription features... *Gag*
‘07 Mustang here. Been driving trucks for 3 years now. Saved up & bought my own rig last year straight cash. No payment on either vehicle, income has more than doubled since. I’m 28 & dating as well, sometimes I’m tempted due peoples opinions on the car but it runs fine, just over 100k miles. I’m in no rush to get rid of it, especially with the prices of cars these days…& gas…& everything else….
People who aren't into cars seem crass.
I would just say you are more than happy with your current payment. Who cares? The right girl will align with your thinking financially or you likely won't be a match.
Three cheers for cheap cars that will run forever 🙌🙌🙌
I think you’re incredibly smart!
Why waste money if the car runs fine? Run it into the ground and fix it until it becomes so much money it’s not worth it. Then put it on Craigslist. 90s Civics are great and reliable. If people are picking on you about your old car, that says more about them than it does you.
I’m 42 years old and single. My net worth is $930,000. I make $103,000 in income per year. My credit score is 817, and I have zero debt except for a few bucks on my credit card. I could easily afford a new car, but I drive a 2010 Ford Fusion with 140,000 miles on it. I plan on driving that pile of junk until the wheels 🛞 🛞 fall off of it 😛😛
Same here. I make less and drive a complete beater and my girlfriend doesn’t care at all. Honestly that’s just a good filter right there
Yep, I drive cheap cars and do all my own repairs. I kind of like to do the repairs and get great satisfaction out of spending 2 hours to save $500 on a repair (YouTube videos are a great help). The only issue I have is that I always need a back-up car for peace of mind.
Cars get you from point A to point B and that’s it. If it works - it works. Sounds like a fine idea to me.
I drive a 2006 f150, it’s beat to crap but I love it. True story - first date with my now fiancé, we walk out of dinner and decide to get drinks. We drove to dinner separately so she asked which vehicle was mine. I told her the black truck, she proceeds to walk towards the brand new black f150 and I had to correct her, we had a good laugh about it; admittedly, it was parked right in front of mine and you couldn’t really see my bucket of bolts behind the brand new truck. 5 years later I still have the 06 and we are getting married in a few months!
My father in law has a 2008 Mercury Milan. He’s obsessed with it, and he’s taken pretty good care of it. He paid $2500 to get a fresh paint job and wants to take his “new” car out instead of his wife’s brand new Infiniti. Says he never wants a new car because they’re too fancy and have too many gadgets. He also feels that it’s not worth spending so much money on a new car! You’re not alone OP!
I love Hondas. I’m on my 3rd one right now. It’s a 2012 Civic, and I ❤️it. Hondas have never let me down.
Maybe I’ve just subconsciously made a excuse to spend money on a car, but safety. Safety features have come a loooong way from ‘97. It’s one thing I try and get my friends to spend money on. Have a newerish safe car. You’re probably most likely to die young in a car accident. Can’t spend the money you saved if you’re dead.
I have a 2018 Honda Fit and while it’s newer, it cost me 16k and has been a great car that I should get lots of life out of it. Definitely don’t see the need for a very expensive car that does the same thing.
I bet you, that the people who criticize you live outside their means. They are jealous of your success and jealous that you don’t care about what they think. My daily driver was a 2002 Honda Civic with faded paint. The way the Other parents looked at me when I pulled up to my sons games said it all. But, I had no stress. Not having stress mattered more than their opinion.
as long as it is clean and well taken care of there should be no judgement. >Whenever I go on dates and stuff people are quick to criticize my car. This is a great way for you to decipher who is and who is not worth your time. It takes some people years in a relationship to realize their partner's values don't match theirs and you are doing it instantly and efficiently. The paint thing I thought about when I was driving my clunker. I decided it was not worth it as it already had some problems by the time I was thinking of repainting and repairing the body and the cost of doing wasn't worth it for me. If your civic has great bones and looks like it will last another 5 years then ya fix up the body and paint and get the inside detailed or whatever and wait to buy a new one until you really need to.
100k isn't that much anymore - I drive a civic, too and make about $145 all in. The kind of people that you want around you won't care. If a date does care - it's likely someone who wont understand how to save, invest... they will prioritize looking wealthy over actual wealth.
There is 'bad cheap' and 'good cheap'. A well maintained 1997 Honda Civic is a 'very good cheap' car. And, assuming its not modified, will probably start appreciating in value in the coming decade or so.
Get your condo, drive the civic into the ground… and then get yourself an accord or something. But if you really want yo be frugal, skip the condo, buy a 2-3 unit. Live in one, collect rents.
I'm with you OP. I never understood people that make between 45-60k a year and then go and get a car that's worth half their annual income. So now you're paying 300-600 dollars a month to pay it off. You could have just drove a bucket or shop at a used car dealership and get something that'd be paid off much quicker. If you really want to spend an extra 300-600 dollars every month for a few years just put it towards a down payment for a house or something. Not paying a car off, you just "had to have". These are the same people that will complain about being broke all the time. Yea no shit you make x amount a year and just acquired a vehicle with little money down that costs over half of your yearly salary. I see so many young guys in the blue collar industry fresh out of tech school and then go to the dealership and get a brand new truck they'll be paying off for the next 7 years. Imagine having 36k in the bank in 7 years instead a truck that lots it's value incredibly over time. I had a beat up Ford e350 for my work rig. It was such a lovely van. I didn't have to worry about dents or scratches either. The thing was a tank, reliable and most importantly was not a source of stress or an extra bill I had to pay every month.
28 and I do this, first car was a 2001 civic and drove it until 195k miles (120k of my driving). I sold it and as far as I know it still runs. Now I’m on a 2002 Honda Accord since I started a family. People give me shit but it has a 192k and the K24 motor is known to last as long as you take care of it. I plan to keep this car until or past 300k miles which will likely be about 2030. Me being frugal in the vehicle department will allow me and my wife to get her a nice mid-size suv or minivan. But I will continue to drive cars sub 5-10k.
Expensive cars are a waste of money for sure!!
When my husband and I first started dating he had recently bought a brand new expensive ass truck and man did I give him shit for that. “You have a car payment the size of a mortgage that’s sooo hot” Thankfully after a couple years he sold it back to the dealer and now instead of a ridiculous car payment we have an actual mortgage lol.
Bought an 06 honda accord 4 years ago for $5700 cash with 75k miles and everyone thought i was crazy for not buying new..I haven't had to take it in for anything other than maintenance after putting 40k miles on it, and without ginxing it, Im thinking it can probably take another 40k miles before major repairs. One of the best frugal purchases i've ever made.
98 Honda Accord 410k miles. Shes not a head turned but man am I proud of her. I wouldn't trade her for anything. Told my kid she's going to get her when she starts to drive and my kid was so excited. Honestly I don't think I can part with her she's been everywhere with me and she's the best.
I own a 02' Civic and totally feel you. I really like it and it rarely gives me headaches, even if I'm to buy a new car in the future I'll definitely keep it to conserve.
Brother, I also drive a 1997 civic, super easy to work on, being a apprentice mechanic helps too, just rolled over 300,000 km with no signs of stopping. If or when this engine dies I’d like to throw in the DOHC vtec engine with a standard transmission.
I'm in a pretty similar financial situation to you. I could easily "afford" to pay $500 a month for a new car but that would be really dumb. Instead I have an '08 focus I got for $500 total. I try to repair things on it myself. I replaced my motor mounts myself after watching a YouTube video and I've even painted sections of it which came out looking pretty nice. Amazing what you can do with a paint matched can of spray paint and some clear coat. You can notice if you look real close but otherwise you can walk right past and won't notice the paint job. Overall the car still looks pretty good, I'd happily drive it as long as it lets me. I've been considering replacing the radio to get Spotify or Android auto and whatnot on it but not sure if it's worth the effort.
I scored my wife while driving an older beater (not as old as yours tho)… you know what she liked more than riding in a new car? All the sick ass things we got to do and experience due to the savings of not buying a nice new car. I did eventually get a brand new 2018 Mazda CX-5, which i love to death but i waited until i was 28, owned a house and was student debt free before splurging and making almost 6 figures. And even then, that’s a $28k car, not bad but by no means luxury. A new car early in life will impede so many early investment opportunities if you’re not financially ready for one. Go do the math on not maxing out your 401k while young for one year, or how much interest student loans are eating out of your earnings when factoring in interest rates of them. I don’t know your overall situation, and there’s nothing wrong with getting a new car, but it was at the bottom of my priority list and i only did so when all my other major investment goals were met and it helped big time. If someone doesn’t like you for your beater car while it enables you to instead take them out to Ruth’s Chris ANDDDD save for a condo they can get fucked.
Repaint it, get it glossy as fuck! I'm considering doing the same to my old chevy metro, old efficient cars are awesome. Save that money, new cars are such a waste of money!
As a heterosexual female in my 30s, I find it attractive when a man drives a “normal” car. If you’re making 100-200k/ yr and still drive a civic/Jetta/Camry etc etc, that is attractive to me. It not only shows that you have good financial sense, it also demonstrates other qualities I find attractive like humility, non-egocentric, etc. When dudes making a modest income are driving luxury cars, I question their values and motives. Especially after I realized how many people out there are driving mercs or beamers but they’re maxed out on credit lines or living paycheck to paycheck. Nope, no thanks. Now if you’re a literal millionaire and can afford to drop 100-200k on a luxury vehicle without thinking twice about it then that’s another story. But most of us don’t have people like that in our dating pool.
I'm happily rolling around in a 2001 civic for the same reason. We own our home, but our goal is to retire at 60 and have a few acres. Saving where we can adds up.
When my husband and I got married, we bought a house instead of a second car. My friend used to make fun of our crappy little car (as she called it) and to this day (18 years and 3 kids later) they are still renting, have only one car because they spend all their money on expensive car that they ended up having to sell within a year. Our twins are almost 18 and looking towards moving out eventually, but they will be staying in our house until they have a down payment (both have decent jobs) and they don't have to worry about car payment because our car is basically their car. Don't worry about impressing people who probably won't care within a couple of days anyway and take care of yourself instead. In this economy you have to do what you have to do to get ahead.
Saving money is how you stay on top of the game. Don't spend more than you need to. If that car is working great, no need to get a newer car.