Sticker shock....!!!

[ultrarunner]

We had a 70, 72 and 74 Chevy 1/2 pickups at different times, all with a 350 and Auto.

The only reason we liked the 74 was because it had A/C

The 70 had coil rear springs which greatly limited it's usefulnes.

If I could choose one today... it would be a 72 with A/C.

Great Truck... Dad sold it to a family that moved to Washington State and they had it another 15 years one only sold when they could no longer drive... it could still be out there... rust is seldom a problem in California.

 

[ultrarunner]

On a separate note...

My one and only new car was bought in 2002 in Germany... I was working there at the time.

It has been a great vehicle... BMW 325it sport wagon.

Plan was to sell Stateside and liked it so much decided to keep it.

Anyway, driving home Wednesday night, it lit up like a Christmas tree... car went into limp mode and every sensor was illuminated...

Panicked and called the Dealer and was told it would be a week before they could diagnose... said a $1000 would be a minor problem.

Decided to get my old multimeter out and do some detective work... long story short I'm back on the road.

The integral voltage regulator crapped out and voltage was off the scale.. at least my battery voltmeter tops at 16.5V

Was able to source one in LA and they delivered the next day and total cost $42.

The high voltage caused everything to shut down and blew several light bulbs too...

I've got 70k miles on mine and it shows like new... prices have not quite doubled in 12 years... talk about sticker shock!

 

[nc redneck]

For old guys like me ( 57 ) if you cant pay cash you probably don't need it. IMO.

 

[ultrarunner]

For old guys like me ( 57 ) if you cant pay cash you probably don't need it. IMO.

This was always my Grandparents point of view... especially Grandmother.

She said she knew too many that got over their head in debt and lost it all... speaking of the Depression.


The only thing they ever had a note was on a first Deed of Trust for their home and put down 25% and had it paid off in 10 years...

 

[KenB2920]

Just curious but here is a thought.


In 1999 at 17 years old I made $5.15 per hour minimum wage a couple days a week ( more less to have fun with friends). I also worked another job once a week for 3.50 an hour CASH lol (also to work with friends) and my main job was about $7.50 an hour until I graduate HS when I received a nice raise and had this as a full time job until I started my current profession at age 19. (Same profession but I have since changed locations). At that time (1999) I purchased a used 1990 Lincoln Mark VII for $9,000. (Great car, I still have it with 63,000 miles and its now garage kept and covered.). I had plenty of money to afford the car and then some.

Fast forward to today. If I made 5 times my minimum wage ($25.75) shouldn't I be able to buy a $45,000 car? Or if I made 4 times my $7.50 ($30) would I be safe to get a $36,000 car? Now with that said, if I only have 1 car payment and two incomes (wife / husband) and we buy one car at a time, would it be ok to double that?

Just picking brains as things cost more today but salaries have also risen quite a bit too since the 70s 80s... So purchasing a brand new 1970 fully loaded ( meaning it came with a locking trunk, an extra ignition key and a "clear coat" finish) does that compare to a car of today's technology


When I was growing up, there was a such think as winter snow tires, tell that to a kid today. Technology consisted of an analogue trip reset on the dash and possibly "stereo".

Are cars overpriced today? Sure they are. But they ARE safer. Do they crumple and blow Into a million pieces? Sure they do. That's what they are designed for. Cars back in the day were tanks. They could hit a building and be fine. Granted the occupants had be tossed around inside like ping pong balls but the car is fine. Next time your at a car store, price out a new front clip, head lights, radiator or the parts to complete a car. Then price out someone left hand or leg. I'd rather be safe than my car intact. Our new car now has inflatable rear seatbelts. Crazy! But anything for my kids safety.

Our car talks to a satellite and tells me where I am located!!! Yeah, GPS is yesterday's news but its overall impressive. Our car has some pretty sweet options.

I am not justifying it, but my car doesn't need a tune up every 10,000 Miles's. it won't rust out after 15,000 miles.

 

[ultrarunner]

Guess I'm missing a lot since my "New" car is 12 years old and my work truck is 29 years old.

All I can say is new cars are great when they work... a real nightmare when they don't.

More and more people I know will simply not own a high end car withour a warranty... just won't do it.

Never bought anything on time except property...

I do think it is easy to buy on time... the receptionist at work is 23 and so is her boyfriend... she drives a 50k truck and he drives a Charger RT... both bought new... so yes, a person making $12 and hour can buy a 50k truck.

 

[fordmantpw]

Just curious but here is a thought.


In 1999 at 17 years old I made $5.15 per hour minimum wage a couple days a week ( more less to have fun with friends). I also worked another job once a week for 3.50 an hour CASH lol (also to work with friends) and my main job was about $7.50 an hour until I graduate HS when I received a nice raise and had this as a full time job until I started my current profession at age 19. (Same profession but I have since changed locations). At that time (1999) I purchased a used 1990 Lincoln Mark VII for $9,000. (Great car, I still have it with 63,000 miles and its now garage kept and covered.). I had plenty of money to afford the car and then some.

Fast forward to today. If I made 5 times my minimum wage ($25.75) shouldn't I be able to buy a $45,000 car? Or if I made 4 times my $7.50 ($30) would I be safe to get a $36,000 car? Now with that said, if I only have 1 car payment and two incomes (wife / husband) and we buy one car at a time, would it be ok to double that?

Just picking brains as things cost more today but salaries have also risen quite a bit too since the 70s 80s... So purchasing a brand new 1970 fully loaded ( meaning it came with a locking trunk, an extra ignition key and a "clear coat" finish) does that compare to a car of today's technology


When I was growing up, there was a such think as winter snow tires, tell that to a kid today. Technology consisted of an analogue trip reset on the dash and possibly "stereo".

Are cars overpriced today? Sure they are. But they ARE safer. Do they crumple and blow Into a million pieces? Sure they do. That's what they are designed for. Cars back in the day were tanks. They could hit a building and be fine. Granted the occupants had be tossed around inside like ping pong balls but the car is fine. Next time your at a car store, price out a new front clip, head lights, radiator or the parts to complete a car. Then price out someone left hand or leg. I'd rather be safe than my car intact. Our new car now has inflatable rear seatbelts. Crazy! But anything for my kids safety.

Our car talks to a satellite and tells me where I am located!!! Yeah, GPS is yesterday's news but its overall impressive. Our car has some pretty sweet options.

I am not justifying it, but my car doesn't need a tune up every 10,000 Miles's. it won't rust out after 15,000 miles.

Very well said!

 

[fordmantpw]

Just curious but here is a thought.


In 1999 at 17 years old I made $5.15 per hour minimum wage a couple days a week ( more less to have fun with friends). I also worked another job once a week for 3.50 an hour CASH lol (also to work with friends) and my main job was about $7.50 an hour until I graduate HS when I received a nice raise and had this as a full time job until I started my current profession at age 19. (Same profession but I have since changed locations). At that time (1999) I purchased a used 1990 Lincoln Mark VII for $9,000. (Great car, I still have it with 63,000 miles and its now garage kept and covered.). I had plenty of money to afford the car and then some.

Fast forward to today. If I made 5 times my minimum wage ($25.75) shouldn't I be able to buy a $45,000 car? Or if I made 4 times my $7.50 ($30) would I be safe to get a $36,000 car? Now with that said, if I only have 1 car payment and two incomes (wife / husband) and we buy one car at a time, would it be ok to double that?

Just picking brains as things cost more today but salaries have also risen quite a bit too since the 70s 80s... So purchasing a brand new 1970 fully loaded ( meaning it came with a locking trunk, an extra ignition key and a "clear coat" finish) does that compare to a car of today's technology


When I was growing up, there was a such think as winter snow tires, tell that to a kid today. Technology consisted of an analogue trip reset on the dash and possibly "stereo".

Are cars overpriced today? Sure they are. But they ARE safer. Do they crumple and blow Into a million pieces? Sure they do. That's what they are designed for. Cars back in the day were tanks. They could hit a building and be fine. Granted the occupants had be tossed around inside like ping pong balls but the car is fine. Next time your at a car store, price out a new front clip, head lights, radiator or the parts to complete a car. Then price out someone left hand or leg. I'd rather be safe than my car intact. Our new car now has inflatable rear seatbelts. Crazy! But anything for my kids safety.

Our car talks to a satellite and tells me where I am located!!! Yeah, GPS is yesterday's news but its overall impressive. Our car has some pretty sweet options.

I am not justifying it, but my car doesn't need a tune up every 10,000 Miles's. it won't rust out after 15,000 miles.

Very well said!

 

[satellite]

Just wait until your "new technology" is a few years old and it starts to break down. That technology will be outdated and no longer able to be fixed.
At least you can troubleshoot and work on older cars and trucks. Not so lucky with the new ones. I'll keep my old ones thanks. My old trucks aren't rusty either.

 

[fordmantpw]

Just wait until your "new technology" is a few years old and it starts to break down. That technology will be outdated and no longer able to be fixed.
At least you can troubleshoot and work on older cars and trucks. Not so lucky with the new ones. I'll keep my old ones thanks. My old trucks aren't rusty either.

The 'new technology' typically lasts the life of the vehicle. If an electronic part breaks, it's normally within the first 6 months. Or, if it breaks later, it's as easy as pulling the old part out and replacing it. You don't even have to get your hands greasy!

Over the life of the vehicle, I'd bet lunch that you spend much less money on electronics than you do the other stuff to keep a car running.