"Never take a loan on a depreciating asset" is fail

[StageLeft]

Unless you've replaced a whole bunch of stuff, a 100K car will drive like a 100K car. Basically, not even close to new.

A "bunch of stuff" may be the suspension but that's it. My 134k Maxima, other than its suspension (I simply never bothered to replace ANY suspension parts whatsoever), drove similar to how it was when I got it at 37k. I suppose the tranny felt a little looser but the engine was perfect as was the steering.

My MPV RE at 92.5k honestly drives as well as it did at 15k, or accurately no worse. It did get new struts and sway bar links a while back, though, cost around $600 in parts and most labor myself.

 

[MJinZ]

Wrong about many newer cars in general and my car in particular.

I've replaced nothing aside from brake pads and tires, and neither did the one previous owner; the Acura dealer. I bought it with 25K miles.

Um, yea... that's what you THINK.

Your spark plugs need to be replaced, your engine power is down from new. Likely, you'll need a new waterpump soon and if you have a timingbelt instead of chain, a new one as well.

Your suspension is weakened significantly after 100K (unless you drove 100K in a one or two years over highways).

Plenty of items start wearing and loosening, from joints, arms, links etc. Throttle body is dirty, Engine mounts weaken, transmission wears and stops being as tight.

You also never mentioned changing engine and cabin air filters, which I would you do every 15K miles or so.

Etc

 

[Gibson486]

Um, yea... that's what you THINK.

Your spark plugs need to be replaced, your engine power is down from new. Likely, you'll need a new waterpump soon and if you have a timingbelt instead of chain, a new one as well.

Your suspension is weakened significantly after 100K (unless you drove 100K in a one or two years over highways).

Plenty of items start wearing and loosening, from joints, arms, links etc. Throttle body is dirty, Engine mounts weaken, transmission wears and stops being as tight.

You also never mentioned changing engine and cabin air filters, which I would you do every 15K miles or so.

Etc

he has an acura, not a mazda

 

[StageLeft]

Um, yea... that's what you THINK.

Your spark plugs need to be replaced, your engine power is down from new. Likely, you'll need a new waterpump soon and if you have a timingbelt instead of chain, a new one as well.

Your suspension is weakened significantly after 100K (unless you drove 100K in a one or two years over highways).

Plenty of items start wearing and loosening, from joints, arms, links etc. Throttle body is dirty, Engine mounts weaken, transmission wears and stops being as tight.

You also never mentioned changing engine and cabin air filters, which I would you do every 15K miles or so.

Etc

Congratulations, you just described basic maintenance on a car. He said "Mine runs and drives like new.. at 100K miles." He never said it was new or the parts did not have 100k wear on them or require maintenance.

Why don't you tell us how much slower a car will be after 100k from new?

 

[zsdersw]

Um, yea... that's what you THINK.

Your spark plugs need to be replaced, your engine power is down from new. Likely, you'll need a new waterpump soon and if you have a timingbelt instead of chain, a new one as well.

Your suspension is weakened significantly after 100K (unless you drove 100K in a one or two years over highways).

Plenty of items start wearing and loosening, from joints, arms, links etc. Throttle body is dirty, Engine mounts weaken, transmission wears and stops being as tight.

You also never mentioned changing engine and cabin air filters, which I would you do every 15K miles or so.

Etc

I really like how you think you know my car when you don't. By all means, keep making an idiot out of yourself.

Everything you mentioned, aside from the bolded paragraph, is part of what's considered "standard maintenance", and not things that invalidate my original assertion that my car drives like new. Believe me, when I drive a loaner TL from the dealer.. one that's of the same generation as mine and has a lot less miles.. I don't notice any difference in power, braking, handling, or equipment functionality from my car. If that's not "like new", nothing is.

The engine and cabin air filters have been changed as well.

At every oil change I can remember in the past couple years the dealer did not recommend replacement of anything or any other "standard maintenance".

Shortly after I bought the car I made the decision to switch to full synthetic oil, with changes every 5K miles or so.. and haven't regretted it one bit.

 

[speedy2]

Another thing people fail to consider is what do you get out of the car? I know it's not an investment per se, but think about what you get out of it.

- It gets you to work....The place where you make your living.
- It gets you to recreational places/activities outside of home.
- It gets you to places that provide things you need, groceries, clothing, etc.
- It does it all in a pretty safe manner. Safety standards, protection from elements, etc.
- It entertains you as you do all this. Radio, DVD's, etc
- It can help you get where you're going in various ways. GPS, Onstar, offroad capablities, etc

So....what if you could place a value on all that? Does the automobile really seem like such a BAD DEPRECIATING ITEM? Yes it depreciates, but there's a lot of use to get out of it as well. I know people who are mileage phobs or the like. Yet they are really worse off than the people they make fun of, because they are not getting the same amount of use out of it.

 

[PricklyPete]

Another thing people fail to consider is what do you get out of the car? I know it's not an investment per se, but think about what you get out of it.

- It gets you to work....The place where you make your living.
- It gets you to recreational places/activities outside of home.
- It gets you to places that provide things you need, groceries, clothing, etc.
- It does it all in a pretty safe manner. Safety standards, protection from elements, etc.
- It entertains you as you do all this. Radio, DVD's, etc
- It can help you get where you're going in various ways. GPS, Onstar, offroad capablities, etc

So....what if you could place a value on all that? Does the automobile really seem like such a BAD DEPRECIATING ITEM? Yes it depreciates, but there's a lot of use to get out of it as well. I know people who are mileage phobs or the like. Yet they are really worse off than the people they make fun of, because they are not getting the same amount of use out of it.

I'll add to your list:

- It puts a huge fvck'n smile on my face every time I push the gas pedal

 

[speedy2]

I'll add to your list:

- It puts a huge fvck'n smile on my face every time I push the gas pedal

Heck yeah. most of my cars have filled that role.

Sorry, but I will consider a cell phone more of a depreciating Item than my cars. With 2 phones we almost pay what our car payment is. And I get nowhere near the amount of use, enjoyment, etc from the phone. Yet, I doubt anyone has ever thought of labeling their fancy cell phone as such.

 

[MJinZ]

Congratulations, you just described basic maintenance on a car. He said "Mine runs and drives like new.. at 100K miles." He never said it was new or the parts did not have 100k wear on them or require maintenance.

Why don't you tell us how much slower a car will be after 100k from new?

So do you want me to spell it out or can you put 2 and 2 together?

Conclusion: 100K mile cars with 100k wear on them do not drive like new (and definitely does not run like new).

What he means is that he THINKS it drives like new, because wear items often imperceptibly (because it is a gradual process) degrade the ride and drive.

 

[MJinZ]

Heck yeah. most of my cars have filled that role.

Sorry, but I will consider a cell phone more of a depreciating Item than my cars. With 2 phones we almost pay what our car payment is. And I get nowhere near the amount of use, enjoyment, etc from the phone. Yet, I doubt anyone has ever thought of labeling their fancy cell phone as such.

I don't see how that's possible. Even if you pay $1000/year for service on a cellphone, the phone itself costs like $200-$300, and you don't pay "maintenance" except for small amounts of electricity used.

Car payments are like a few hundred dollars a month.

 

[MJinZ]

I really like how you think you know my car when you don't. By all means, keep making an idiot out of yourself.

Everything you mentioned, aside from the bolded paragraph, is part of what's considered "standard maintenance", and not things that invalidate my original assertion that my car drives like new. Believe me, when I drive a loaner TL from the dealer.. one that's of the same generation as mine and has a lot less miles.. I don't notice any difference in power, braking, handling, or equipment functionality from my car. If that's not "like new", nothing is.

The engine and cabin air filters have been changed as well.

At every oil change I can remember in the past couple years the dealer did not recommend replacement of anything or any other "standard maintenance".

Shortly after I bought the car I made the decision to switch to full synthetic oil, with changes every 5K miles or so.. and haven't regretted it one bit.

If a loaner car drives much better than your car, then your car has serious, serious problems.


A loaner car with equivalent miles are most often worn to what would be a much higher relative rate.

 

[StageLeft]

If a loaner car drives much better than your car, then your car has serious, serious problems.

I think you're arguing with yourself now.

 

[MJinZ]

I think you're arguing with yourself now.

prob

 

[zsdersw]

If a loaner car drives much better than your car, then your car has serious, serious problems.


A loaner car with equivalent miles are most often worn to what would be a much higher relative rate.

I said a loaner car with far fewer miles than my car... like under 30K.

 

[zsdersw]

Conclusion: 100K mile cars with 100k wear on them do not drive like new (and definitely does not run like new).

Not necessarily.

What he means is that he THINKS it drives like new, because wear items often imperceptibly (because it is a gradual process) degrade the ride and drive.

I notice every little idiosyncrasy my car has. I'm far from the average point-A-to-point-B driver who views driving as a chore or only a necessity. I love to drive, and I take it very seriously. I also take good care of my car.

"Like new" doesn't mean "new".

You don't know shit about my car.. but please continue to believe you do. It's quite entertaining.

 

[pcguru78]

IMHO, if you can't pay cash for a brand new car without it making a significant dent in your cash reserves then you shouldn't buy a new car. You are much better off buying the car that is 2 to 3 years old, whether you finance it or pay cash. Or you can start off with the $1000 beater and work your way up, much wiser financially.

 

[MJinZ]

Not necessarily.



I notice every little idiosyncrasy my car has. I'm far from the average point-A-to-point-B driver who views driving as a chore or only a necessity. I love to drive, and I take it very seriously. I also take good care of my car.

"Like new" doesn't mean "new".

You don't know shit about my car.. but please continue to believe you do. It's quite entertaining.

Your car is the same mass produced Acura (Honda) TL (Accord) that's no more or less special than any other of the same car.

 

[zsdersw]

Your car is the same mass produced Acura (Honda) TL (Accord) that's no more or less special than any other of the same car.

As a former owner of a 2004 Accord, I can tell you that though the Accord and TL are on very similar platforms, they're far from twins. My TL is a 2005.

You don't know how my car drives, as you've never been in it. I, on the other hand, have been in my TL, newer TLs of the same generation (3rd), and driven new ones too.

 

[MJinZ]

As a former owner of a 2004 Accord, I can tell you that though the Accord and TL are on very similar platforms, they're far from twins. My TL is a 2005.

You don't know how my car drives, as you've never been in it. I, on the other hand, have been in my TL, newer TLs of the same generation (3rd), and driven new ones too.

I didn't comment on how your car drives, I'm just telling you how all cars wear down.

 

[StageLeft]

I didn't comment on how your car drives, I'm just telling you how all cars wear down.

I still want you to quantify how much slower a 100k car is than a new one.

 

[MJinZ]

I still want you to quantify how much slower a 100k car is than a new one.

Depends on your car and the buildup of crap that gets on the various drivetrain components.

Probably a good 5-10%. Serious issues like transmission issues may be worse.

 

[speedy2]

LOL. There's plenty of time slips of bone stock cars to crush your crazy theory. LOL

 

[MJinZ]

LOL. There's plenty of time slips of bone stock cars to crush your crazy theory. LOL

Theory? LOL fucking common fact/sense.

 

[zsdersw]

I didn't comment on how your car drives, I'm just telling you how all cars wear down.

And nowhere was that in dispute. What I'm telling you, though, is that some wear down slower than others, and that largely depends how they're driven and how they're taken care of.. but manufacturer-specific and drivetrain-specific issues play a role too.

My car is not as "worn down" as the average 100k car that you're making it out to be.

 

[StageLeft]

Theory? LOL fucking common fact/sense.

I can't find much online about it. I know that in Car and Driver's long term test cars after 20-30k their cars are generally faster than when they first tested.