So I drive a 12 year old car and when it's time to replace something, I tend to spend the extra money on the higher-end products. It is getting to a point where the parts are worth more than the car itself. I am starting to wonder how wise it is to keep doing that instead of just getting cheap parts that work. For example, I replaced my headlights with Ford OEM headlights, when I could have spent half the money and gotten some cool looking ebay specials. I have this "only the best for my car" attitude, but it's starting to get expensive as the car ages. Even worse, if the car were to get hit, I know the incurance company will total it. The thought of parting out/selling a totalled car is almost as ugly as getting $4k for a car that won't be able to buy again. Has anyone turned the corner on that? What I mean is that they have decided to simply keep the car running on the cheap rather than put the best parts on.
It really depends how sentimental the car is to you. I know that after the blood, sweat, and tears I have put in my car I don't want to start half ass'in it now. It also depends on what you want from the car...do you just wast a dd that just runs and looks crappy or do you want a car that you are proud of and love to show off and drive? I know for me that my car is an extention of me, in a sense, and I want it to look and perform as good as possible.
this is exactly the question i am pondering! i have a really great opportunity to buy a newer car (99+ gt or better via dealer auction, friend's dad's hooking me up) for the same amount of money and i'm def going to take advantage of it. i really am in no position to be fixing an older car up, especially with my poor-college-boy budget.
I always use the best parts I can afford when I need/want to replace or modify something. Even on my Civic. I figure that the money I save on insurance and taxes by driving older cars and the fun I have working on my cars outweighs the idea of getting a new car. Don't get me wrong though, it crosses my mind a lot. Quite a few times I've thought about selling my '93 Civic for a new '06 Si. A car is just a car. Buying a new car just means that in 5 years you're either going to have to start replacing stuff, or get another new one (payments). Getting a new car is probably only a good idea if you're not addicted to modifications and can leave it alone. Regardless, even a new car will have consumables. Then you'll be presented with the quality/upgrade question again when it comes time for things like brakes, tires, fluids, etc. I could go on and on.......
I do understand You can't replace our Stangs with new since the motor is not around anymore .. That is if, you wanna have the same kind of motor. Consider the fact that the Stangs after ours have a motor/computer way more complicated than ours. We can take our cars and make them Crazy Quick for not a lot of cash. I guess I could go on and on why I will continue to pamper mine a bit and don't drive it all that much to keep it around longer. For those reasons and more ... I'll be KIND to Ole Red Grady
I use my car as often as I can for my current 90 mile commute. Soon to be 100 miles a day. I have put about $4400ish in work to my car since I bought it and only done about 18k miles so far. I know where does it stop? I don't think it does...
I heard a quote a good bit ago that seems to sum it up for me..."we dont REALY own any of these, we just are the ones who are taking care of them for the next owner". Like said there are always going to be things on both sides of the fence, at best you can have both a new-er car with a payment that is JUST a daily driver and the "toy" that gets the realy good stuff. You just need to pick what one plays what role and not end up with several projects at one time. The hobby is an addiction pure and simple only cured by death.
I think 99.9% of us have all come across that road at least once in our lives. I've come to the conclusion that moderation is the only way to do it. So, spend what you can, but realize the dollars you are spending on that car isn't coming back. You spend $80K to make the car go 9 seconds... you'll be able to sell it for $20K (if you're lucky) it sucks, and it bites. especially when you buy a car stock, and think it's cheaper to mod it yourself. Not always the case
Yeah also being a college student i have definitly felt the pinch. I just look at it like "hey, the car isnt worth jack BUT i have not car payments" so the littlt things i have to fix arent that bad. Plus i KNOW that the money i put into this car is not going to come back to me, it is spent for my pride and my enjoyment. And i just love wiping the floor with newer cars, it doesnt get more fun than that.
Hey guys I appreciate the replies. I guess I wasn't being clear in my post. It's not a matter of buying a new car - that isn't even an option for me. It's a matter of buying the GOOD stuff over the CHEAP stuff. If the U-joint went bad on your stock driveshaft, would you replace the u-joint or get a whole new aluminum driveshaft?
$$ to the car gods I've had lots done to mine this winter, but I decided last summer to go this route instead selling and buying another already set up. main reason is I get it the way I want it the first time. It wasn't the cheapest way to go (middle of teh road parts not top line but not Walmart specials either), and I've worked a lot of OT to cover the costs, but the light is at the end of the tunnel and I know where it ends for me. Next winter the car goes for body & paint and new top, the following year I plan to add a little more HP. As for my DD Honda's as both cars are still under factory coverage, they go only to dealership and get OEM parts, knock on wood, neither has needed a whole lot other then routine stuff. Hate to say it but I don't that we'll ever buy another new car from "big 3" (have had two) and the difference is night & day.
