Is it even worth having a nice car?

[KrillBee]

Is it even worth having a nice car? Considering how fast they depreciate in value, and considering that it will begin to rust eventually?
I mean sure, you can wash it, undercoat it, wax it, do whatever you can to it, but all in all that thing is eventually going to rust, and then no one will want to pay more than a couple grand for it tops.

Seriously, for my next car, I'm considering getting some cheap, 4 cylinder, cloth interior, non-fancy car that gets good gas mileage. And hopefully one that is rust free and safe.

Unfortunately cars are a representation of class in our society. As a man its hard not to be self conscious about what you drive, since women tend to like men who have nice cars.
But unfortunately its hard to make them last long without investing thousands into bodywork or hard to find parts.


The reason I started this thread is because I bought a 1996 Nissan Maxima 4 years ago, for $7800, and while the engine and interior are pretty sound, the exterior is rusting, and that rust has eaten into the frame/unibody. Its not structurally sound so I have to sell it for whatever I can get, and buy another car 🙁

 

[ballmode]

up to the owner and his/her perception in life at the time

 

[LordMorpheus]

It's worth having a nice car - an expensive car is a different issue. I consider my car to be a nice car ('97 LTC Cartier), but it definately isn't an expensive car.

 

[Mo0o]

If you can afford it, why not. You dont buy a car as a financial investment, you buy it because you enjoy driving it and appreciate the ameneties it provides (assuming you purchase a luxury vehicle)

 

[Cobalt]

Sure, if it brings you satisfaction or fulfills it's needs to you. You only live once, you don't have to be cheap your whole life. Some people enjoy these things.

 

[KrillBee]

I just think that a car that I paid 7800 for should have lasted more than 4 years before the frame started to rust 🙁

 

[Lonyo]

One that's nice to drive is obviously going to enhance tihngs if you commute or drive regularly.
I can't image travelling say 100 mils/day in a POS when a nicer car (to drive) would make that time soooo much better.
(I don't drive 100m/day, but it's an example where a nice car would be worth it personally.
If you don't mind driving a crap car every day then obviously it wouldn't be so much of an issue.

 

[Goosemaster]

fvk yeah it is...

 

[Fritzo]

If you make enough money, the value of a car means squat to you. You just buy what you like.

Personally, I'm at a point in life where my wife and I are pretty well off, so when we buy a new vehicle, we just go out to a lot and pick out what we like (within reason) and drive home in it. We're fortunate to be able to do that. Someone with the OP's way of thinking is probably on a limited income (student? Just starting out?), so you're going to run into those "is it worth it" decisions.

I would recommend a car no more than 2-3 years old for the sake of reliability and saftey. If you want cheap but good, get something like a used Chevy Aveo or a Scion Xa. Inexpensive, reliable, and great of gas.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I just think that a car that I paid 7800 for should have lasted more than 4 years before the frame started to rust 🙁

The car is ten years old. That's what happens. Buy a new car and you'll get more than 4 years before it rusts

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
One that's nice to drive is obviously going to enhance tihngs if you commute or drive regularly.
I can't image travelling say 100 mils/day in a POS when a nicer car (to drive) would make that time soooo much better.
(I don't drive 100m/day, but it's an example where a nice car would be worth it personally.
If you don't mind driving a crap car every day then obviously it wouldn't be so much of an issue.

I drive about 10,000 miles a year. Before this car i had was a 90 galant. the biggest thing i noticed was the cruise control difference. other than that, both ran pretty well.

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: KrillBee
I just think that a car that I paid 7800 for should have lasted more than 4 years before the frame started to rust 🙁

The car is ten years old. That's what happens. Buy a new car and you'll get more than 4 years before it rusts

if i ever buy an older car again (like if its 6 years old when i buy it) im going to get one that is feature barren, so it costs less than 7800. Because the leather and the nice stereo, and the sound engine, dont mean crap once the body rusts 🙁

 

[her209]

Take out a $100,000 loan and buy a nice car if you want nice looking girls.

 

[astrocase]

It's funny that you guys all mention rust. I didn't even know rust was an issue until I was in Canada.

Nice car worth it? Definitely. You don't have to spend a lot of money though. Just find a good deal on a used car with low mileage.

 

[Pepsi90919]

i drive 100,000+ km a year. yes it's worth it.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: astrocase
It's funny that you guys all mention rust. I didn't even know rust was an issue until I was in Canada.

Nice car worth it? Definitely. You don't have to spend a lot of money though. Just find a good deal on a used car with low mileage.

It depends on how they treat the roads during the winter (salt or sand).

 

[TheCrackedJack]

Originally posted by: ballmode
up to the owner and his/her perception in life at the time

:thumbsup: that's my answer right there. Depends on the person. Not worth it for me though, as long as the thing runs. I plan on spending my extra cash on traveling, could care less about the car.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Someone with the OP's way of thinking is probably on a limited income (student? Just starting out?), so you're going to run into those "is it worth it" decisions.

I would recommend a car no more than 2-3 years old for the sake of reliability and saftey. If you want cheap but good, get something like a used Chevy Aveo or a Scion Xa. Inexpensive, reliable, and great of gas.

true, i am a college student graduating in a week. I am probably just going to end up selling this car, and using the money i get and plus a little more, to buy a cheap feature-barren car, that doesnt have rust.

2-3 years, hmm.. well any car only 2-3 years probably isnt cheap either heh. I just wish i could find a used car (like 5-6) years old, that was less prone to rusting.

chevy aveo? havent heard of that one, ill have to check it out.

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: astrocase
It's funny that you guys all mention rust. I didn't even know rust was an issue until I was in Canada.

Nice car worth it? Definitely. You don't have to spend a lot of money though. Just find a good deal on a used car with low mileage.

It depends on how they treat the roads during the winter (salt or sand).

I live in a snow/salt state 🙁

 

[astrocase]

Live a little. There's nothing like a car fully loaded that doesn't have to go to the shop every 3 months and that actually looks good.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: her209
Take out a $100,000 loan and buy a nice car if you want nice looking girls.

lol, well you dont have to spend that much to impress someone. a new mustang would do the job, or an older one in good shape.

It just frustrates me though, that women car about things like how nice a car a man drives. that shouldnt be an issue, as long as the car is safe.

Originally posted by: astrocase
Live a little. There's nothing like a car fully loaded that doesn't have to go to the shop every 3 months and that actually looks good.

true. its great having a car that looks good, and one that doesnt need work.
The problem is, it take money to buy a car like that! I dont believe in taking out loans and going into debt. I'm not into leasing cars either. I like to just buy things upfront.

 

[astrocase]

Mustangs have bad track records. The new ones might not (I haven't checked) but the older ones were a pain if you were looking for a headache free car.

 

[radioouman]

It is never worth having a "nice" car.

But fortunately, the sheep in this world buy the best car that they can't afford, and they keep me employed. Thanks sheeple!

 

[Sheepathon]

Time to read the Millionaire Next Door, sir.

 

[robphelan]

i've learned the hard way about cars.

the expensive ones depreciate so fast and you almost NEVER come out even when selling it.

when i was single and making alot of money, i didn't care at all. i traded in and bought another car every 12-14 months. i just got tired of one, so i got another.

this all changed when I got married and we had our first daughter. at the time, i owned a BMW 540 - i loved this car... it was soooo nice. but, the repair bills stacked up. each trip to the shop was >1k.

i wound up trading it in for a Chevy pickup because: 1. because when you own a house, you need a truck 2. our company has a discount plan with Chevy.

repair bills will be cut by 2/3 and there's a lot less to go wrong compared to the BMW.

i look back and really miss that 540, but i don't miss all the wasted money i threw everytime something went wrong.

 

[KrillBee]

Originally posted by: astrocase
Mustangs have bad track records. The new ones might not (I haven't checked) but the older ones were a pain if you were looking for a headache free car.

as long as rust isnt involved its not as big of a deal! plus mustangs are pretty sweet cars. but they are expensive too, because anyone who sells one knows that its a wanted car.
and i'd probably want to get a separate winter vehicle too, if i were to go the mustang route. But all of that would involve money, so it probably wont be happening for awhile!

Originally posted by: Sheepathon
Time to read the Millionaire Next Door, sir.

?

Originally posted by: radioouman
It is never worth having a "nice" car.

But fortunately, the sheep in this world buy the best car that they can't afford, and they keep me employed. Thanks sheeple!

lol, what are you, a car dealer?

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: KrillBee

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Someone with the OP's way of thinking is probably on a limited income (student? Just starting out?), so you're going to run into those "is it worth it" decisions.

I would recommend a car no more than 2-3 years old for the sake of reliability and saftey. If you want cheap but good, get something like a used Chevy Aveo or a Scion Xa. Inexpensive, reliable, and great of gas.

true, i am a college student graduating in a week. I am probably just going to end up selling this car, and using the money i get and plus a little more, to buy a cheap feature-barren car, that doesnt have rust.

2-3 years, hmm.. well any car only 2-3 years probably isnt cheap either heh. I just wish i could find a used car (like 5-6) years old, that was less prone to rusting.

chevy aveo? havent heard of that one, ill have to check it out.

Originally posted by: Strk

Originally posted by: astrocase
It's funny that you guys all mention rust. I didn't even know rust was an issue until I was in Canada.

Nice car worth it? Definitely. You don't have to spend a lot of money though. Just find a good deal on a used car with low mileage.

It depends on how they treat the roads during the winter (salt or sand).

I live in a snow/salt state 🙁

That sucks 🙁 We use sand around here, so it's not so bad. It kills off the shine, but at least it doesn't do the damage salt does.

As for a car, I'd say it depends. Right now, a new Ford Focus is a great deal. You can get nearly $3500 in incentives on one (I.e. brand new SES for around 13k).