I just hit 210,000 miles on my 2000 Volvo. I probably spent around $1,800 on maintenance this year, but I’ve spent close to nothing in previous years, and the car is now back in perfect mechanical condition. I don’t understand how people can want the new shiny over the big, safe bank account. OR, the new shiny with NO payments.

To each his/her own.
Casey Friday´s last blog ..What’s Your Dream Get Off Your Ass And Go Get It

Dave

Glad you like the picture, I enjoyed that one myself.

I love cars but I’ve really learned to enjoy paying cash for them. Anytime you finance something, you are essentially giving away money. I enjoy my current cars even more today as they are all paid for and I owe nothing on them. I even think they drive better that way.

You also make good points on people voting with their dollars. If everyone stopped eating at McDonalds until they started to offer healthier foods then they’d become the heathiest restuarant in town very quickly. If we want change, then we need to act like it and not spend our money on the same things we complain about.

Finally, hey… I love hearing opinions and and perceptions from my readers. I think the comment section is the perfect place for that kind of feedback and discussion. I’m surprised you’d ask that question as you’ve been so free with your opinions and I’ve tried to answer each one.

Thanks for writing Cindy. I hope you’ll continue to share your thoughts with me and I invite you to share my site with others with whom you engage. If we all work together, perhaps we can bring about some positive changes.

Thanks.
Dave

Thanks for commenting!
Dave

Buy used or go in debt and pay it off and keep up the repairs. I enjoy the travel of an automobile and open highway. Most of my vehicles are not the prettiest to look at it but they are mine just the same.

We all choose different lifestyles and “eye candy” to look at no matter the price tag. But how many people really look in depth to what they “waste” in income when they finance, when they rent, when they merely just toss their funds and materials to the wind?

I see all lifestyles who do it all, from rent, to lease, to purchasing the paid for? But if someone enjoys it and maintains their income lifestyle does it really impact others?

I believe so and that is the bigger question, you might want to consider is for input from others regarding their takes on car leases or owning older vehicles. I don’t think your article fully captured that. It’s more of facts, stats and figures, not the reality of your readers. You do a great job of offering facts and such but do you really want to know people’s input and perceptions? What about taking it a step further to get feedback and help correct a problem or even change the financial perception of things now and help others finances? The good and bad of leasing???

Personally, I think more American’s should consider what their lifestyle is, live within the financial cash means afforded to them and see how fast our government would progress in securing new changes of financial matters to us. Especially the auto industry, consider what vehicles cost 10 years ago to now and the bells and whistles added to them to make them nice…now consider the escalated prices?

Don’t you think if more people quit buying sub-standard items with their money, then the retail industry may consider really giving back with new inventions that we all could benefit from? I mean come on, most vehicles now a days don’t even get as many miles to the gallon as they did 10 years ago and what about the price of heating, electricity and not including internet and phone services? Does anyone really stop and think before they sign or purchase?

I didn’t, but I learned the hard way and it will carry in my financial future. Used is better, especially when it is paid for. We have the internet to teach us how to be our own repair person, so what excuse does anyone have not to try it? Just my thoughts of rambling on your blogs. It’s interesting dialogue! lol

I don’t mind you printing a copy of the article to share with others. In fact, I’d appreciate the publicity!

Thanks!
Dave