What makes more sense...driving a long paid for old truck, or making huge payments??

[bcp]

We need more self-driving cars because we don't have enough self-driving drivers.

Bruce

 

[Deere Dude]

Quote Originally Posted by Haoleguy View Post
The other thing I find is that in the last few years car manufacturers have added terrific safety features that can help them. One thing that goes against newer cars for elderly folks is that the electronics can be very confusing.

I looked at new Impalas 2 years ago and the dealer was showing me all the electronics in the dash and all it could do for you. Plug in the computer, run electricity, pop up gadgets in the dash and it was all very colorful screens. I walked out with an Impala with key start, AC and electric window and seats w/o all that other stuff. I would never have used it anyway and I don't imagine it was cheap. About all I like electric is windows and mirrors.

 

[aczlan]

Even here in rust country cars are lasting a lot longer. The newest vehicle we own is an '02 (wife's Taurus), and while it's had some rust it was repairable. Other than that, car is still going strong with almost 200k on it. She likes it and plans to hold on to it as long as it's still running well.
40, even 30 years ago 10 year old cars were a lot less common...on average you'd get maybe 8-10 from an American or European car, a couple less on something Japanese before you had to junk it for structural rust.

Unless its a Chrysler/Dodge... I have looked at trucks that were 5-7 years old and had rust holes in fender wells or cab corners big enough to put a tennis ball through.
And the minivans are worse, we had a 2003 Caravan that had a row of quarter sized holes in the rocker panel at 90k miles (10 years) and my sister in law's Grand Caravan (bought new by my MIL, the sold to my SIL at 6 years old) had rust circles along the bottom edges of the doors that are almost 6" in diameter.

Aaron Z

 

[MossRoad]

Quote Originally Posted by Haoleguy View Post
The other thing I find is that in the last few years car manufacturers have added terrific safety features that can help them. One thing that goes against newer cars for elderly folks is that the electronics can be very confusing.

I looked at new Impalas 2 years ago and the dealer was showing me all the electronics in the dash and all it could do for you. Plug in the computer, run electricity, pop up gadgets in the dash and it was all very colorful screens. I walked out with an Impala with key start, AC and electric window and seats w/o all that other stuff. I would never have used it anyway and I don't imagine it was cheap. About all I like electric is windows and mirrors.

2011, 2012 or 2013 Impala is still the simplest controls of any vehicle I've ever owned. Very sparse. Very few buttons. User friendly. It still has blue-tooth for hands-free calling/listening to music from your portable device over the car sound system, and it has a jack to plug in any audio device. But still, very, very simple controls. 2014 is the year Impalas changed from fleet/rental type cars to what most folks would consider a very nice car now. But to me, I agree, too many bells and whistles now.

Anyhow, the 2011-2013 Impalas have one other thing going for them besides simple controls.... 300hp and a ridiculous power to weight ratio! Stupid fast for a cheap car. :thumbsup:

 

[Haoleguy]

I looked at new Impalas 2 years ago and the dealer was showing me all the electronics in the dash and all it could do for you. Plug in the computer, run electricity, pop up gadgets in the dash and it was all very colorful screens. I walked out with an Impala with key start, AC and electric window and seats w/o all that other stuff. I would never have used it anyway and I don't imagine it was cheap. About all I like electric is windows and mirrors.

I hear you. For my sister and BIL I would like to find a comfortable stripped car that had rear camera and blind side warning as adds to the package you mention.

 

[Looking4new]

OP...As long as the old truck isn't 'nickle and dimeing' you to death, drive 'er.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I'd love to be nickle and dimed by my truck! It's the repairs that are typically into the thousands that bother me.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

We need more self-driving cars because we don't have enough self-driving drivers.

Bruce

Ha!!! You nailed that one. :thumbsup:

 

[fidowanttobe]

If I owned ANY Government Motors vehicle.. I would immediately trade it in and upgrade to ANY other vehicle made.

I think hating an entire corporation because of the CEOs is like hating an entire country because of the politicians.

 

[aczlan]

Retiredguy2;
What is the error code? There were issues with the 4wd pushbuttons on some of the 2004-2006ish vehicles.

Aaron Z