Old Common, Day to Day Technology. Waht do you hang onto?

[4570Man]

We do have 1 decent car for weddings and funerals.

I’ll drive my ton dump truck or my suburban to a wedding or a funeral. If they don’t like my vehicle choice enough to actually care then I don’t like them enough to go.

 

[Jstpssng]

I budget $1000 per year per car for repairs. If I don't use it, it rolls over. I've been lucky (knock on simulated walnut grain plastic trim) with the Suburban.

Again; I don't know how you do it. The front end work alone this year is going to be $850; and I've only run it for 3 weeks since last Nov. I park it in winter so that the rust doesn't get any worse.

 

[oosik]

When I bought the "Taco Wagon" ( Ram Power Wagon ) I also had to upgrade my cell phone. My old Samsung flip phone would not "pair up" with the new technology onboard the Power Wagon. I know that the new iPhone XR will do a lot more than just make phone calls.

HOWEVER - this new cell phone is just a phone for me - nothing more.

If I need a camera I have either - Canon EOS 5D Mk 11 or Canon Power Shot G7X.

If I wish to go on the internet - I have my Apple computer here.

It's not that old habits die hard - thankfully, old habits DO NOT DIE.

Old technology is proven and works almost every time. New technology - not so much.

 

[3930dave]

My 80 year old mother in law still has a high school friend that is a Dr. in Chicago. She has never owned a car since moving to Chicago after college. She rides the trains, takes cabs, or rents a car when she wants to visit someone out of town, like coming to town every year for their old timers' annual high school reunion. You have to be out of their high school for at least 50 years before you are invited..... last year they had 600 people attend! One guy was 104!

I'd like to hang onto my body (OK, mind too), as well as those Chicago folk are doing :drink:

Fundamental, but not stated in my last post...... CASH...... as related to thread....... even b4 CV19 nonsense, out of fashion with many, at least up here.....

I like having vehicles around, but for the cost of what you'd spend to Get a Parking Spot with Your New Condo in many urban centres, you could invest the same amount and fund your Car Rental - Needed Trip events for at least your lifetime, and probably have money leftover.....

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

So I guess that's an older technology that I keep around, the twin I beam suspension, and twin traction beam like I'm planning on putting in the '00 Explorer.

Luck of draw with vehicles at times, but luck can increase with old RWD designs....... parts were amortized a long time ago, and often still widely available at decent $.

I've seen a high mileage commuter at my buddy's shop switch from minivans to a Crown Vic. Gas mileage was at least the same, and repair costs went way down. Buying something designed for police duty, towards the end of the production cycle helps there.....

The Blues Brothers - The Pickup - YouTube

For "The Specs", jump to the 3:00 minute mark, if you don't want to wait.....

Rgds, D.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Luck of draw with vehicles at times, but luck can increase with old RWD designs....... parts were amortized a long time ago, and often still widely available at decent $.

I've seen a high mileage commuter at my buddy's shop switch from minivans to a Crown Vic. Gas mileage was at least the same, and repair costs went way down. Buying something designed for police duty, towards the end of the production cycle helps there.....

The Blues Brothers - The Pickup - YouTube

For "The Specs", jump to the 3:00 minute mark, if you don't want to wait.....

Rgds, D.

Fix the cigarette lighter

 

[California]

I budget $1000 per year per car for repairs. If I don't use it, it rolls over. I've been lucky (knock on simulated walnut grain plastic trim) with the Suburban.

Wow. The 2005 Ford Focus Wagon is still under $1,000 total repairs since I bought it new. An alternator, and taking apart the steering column to fix the turn signal switch. Oh and for some reason it has fried a turn signal socket, twice. 10~12k mile oil changes, oil is near the top of the stick and still almost clean at the oil change. 140k miles so far. California car so no rust anywhere, wash it and it could pass for 3 years old.

This is by far the cheapest car to operate that I've ever owned.

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^^
I've been thinking about a used Taurus for daily use. They don't hold their value well so I'd benefit from somebody else's loss, and drive it until it rusts out underneath me.
Usually vehicles last about 15 years before the rust gets them.

 

[3930dave]

Fix the cigarette lighter

On a Mission from God........ classic

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Wow. The 2005 Ford Focus Wagon is still under $1,000 total repairs since I bought it new. An alternator, and taking apart the steering column to fix the turn signal switch. Oh and for some reason it has fried a turn signal socket, twice. 10~12k mile oil changes, oil is near the top of the stick and still almost clean at the oil change. 140k miles so far. California car so no rust anywhere, wash it and it could pass for 3 years old.

This is by far the cheapest car to operate that I've ever owned.

Check the rear-end suspension if you haven't lately. Doing a Baja pre-run can look better than our roads up here @ Winter's end, so many of those wagons would need rear end parts by now on our roads.

I envy your smooth Cali roads.... you may have no issues at all yet...... nice size of wagon, and getting v. difficult to find up here anymore.

Rgds, D.