When do you decide to get a new car?

[Butterscotch]

So you average about 4 miles a day? Lucky you. If I were you I wouldn’t even buy new cars. I’d get a decent beater for $2500 and call it a day. Or a bike.

[Nutria]

So you average about 4 miles a day? Lucky you. If I were you I wouldn’t even buy new cars. I’d get a decent beater for $2500 and call it a day. Or a bike.

• Cars are so much more practical for staying dry and carrying groceries.
• "Average" is a horrible statistical function. Better to use "median".

[Butterscotch]

• Cars are so much more practical for staying dry and carrying groceries.
• "Average" is a horrible statistical function. Better to use "median".

Agreed. I’d go for the beater over the bike.

[frugal saver]

She's the little old lady from Pasadena...

I may be old, but I'm still feisty!

[Gailete]

51,500 miles isn't even broken in yet. Your current paid for car has at least another 100k miles in it if properly maintained.

I think that was the mileage on our last 'new' car odometer the day we bought it! I've driven one new car in my life. a Horizon with 4 miles on it. It was a lemon from day one. Got rid of it about 4 years later. Years later I bought an Omni (same as the Horizon) and that car never gave me any problems and it thought it was a jeep!

Anyhow, we also only drive around 5000 miles plus or minus a year and most of those miles are to the doctor, the pharmacy and to get groceries. The car got paid off several months early this year. We have had to dump some money into it, but still cheaper than making payments. We have had it for 5 years now, and our mileage is only up to 76000+. I would like to keep driving it for another 5-10 years. And be able to save up to pay cash for our next one. My concern with getting a 'new' car is how long Chrysler will be making mini-vans as they are the only car I can get in and out of comfortably with my titanium knees.

[Nutria]

My concern with getting a 'new' car is how long Chrysler will be making mini-vans as they are the only car I can get in and out of comfortably with my titanium knees.

My mother loves her Crossover.

[greenskeeper]

our last two used vehicle purchases have had 6 figures on the odometer when bought. I don't plan on replacing them anytime soon (199k and 248k at the moment)

Never financed or leased, always cash for less than $10k

Vehicle finance/lease have to rank in the top 3 as to why the average person will never become "rich"

[Gailete]

My mother loves her Crossover.

What kind of car is that? Never heard of it. But then cars unless they won't go, I don't pay too much attention to them.

[Nutria]

What kind of car is that? Never heard of it. But then cars unless they won't go, I don't pay too much attention to them.

I'll take the peace of mind of a well functioning vehicle, thank you very much.

[Gailete]

I'll take the peace of mind of a well functioning vehicle, thank you very much.

Well I too like a well funtioning vehicle, that is a given. I leave the car and it's upkeep to hubby. I know for some, their self-worth is completely tied up in the kind of car their drive, not me. I just want it got get me where I want to go without bumping my head getting in and easy for my to get my knees and big feet in without getting stuck - and that HAS happened. I literally couldn't get my legs in some cars.

One day a woman and her young daughter were visiting at our house and as often as she could this little girl kept telling me that they had a Thunderbird as if her family drove a Rolls Royce made out of solid gold. Obviously somebody in the family was too tied up in their car that a young daughter who probably couldn't read the word thunderbird, was so in awe of what they drove.

[Nutria]

I know for some, their self-worth is completely tied up in the kind of car their drive

And some buy a new Dodge Grand Caravan with cloth seats.

[Gailete]

And some buy a new Dodge Grand Caravan with cloth seats.

Sorry, but I don't get your point about the seats.

[Nutria]

Sorry, but I don't get your point about the seats.

Cheap (EDIT: yet very durable) cloth, as opposed to fancy leather.

[Gailete]

Cheap (EDIT: yet very durable) cloth, as opposed to fancy leather.

I would go with the cloth seats as I hate sitting and sticking to cow hide and Nauga Hyde! Everyone has their preferences. In hot and humid weather you would want a seat that helps absorb the sweat.

[Nutria]

I would go with the cloth seats as I hate sitting and sticking to cow hide and Nauga Hyde! Everyone has their preferences. In hot and humid weather you would want a seat that helps absorb the sweat.

You'd be surprised (or maybe not) how many people in hot climates go for black cars and leather seats.