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svelteParticipant[quote=Coronita]Oh wait scardey… If you like Honda’s, you can always go retro and get the 2023 Acura Integra.
I miss my old integra from high school days.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a41788950/2024-acura-integra-type-s-confirmed/
And it comes with a manual gearbox![/quote]
A friend just got one! He is so excited, sent me about 10 photos of it. I haven’t had a chance to ride in it yet.
svelteParticipant[quote=sdrealtor]Minivan is what works best and why most parents of young kids get them[/quote]
Scaredy has young kids? I must have missed that part.
I though his children were grown.
svelteParticipantYes when she told me about it I asked how often he gets out and about…she said he still goes to the head office of his business (10 miles or so) to work most days, driving himself there and back.
That confused me! I asked then why does he need a permanent caregiver onsite and she said he has health issues at unpredictable times. Due to confidentiality laws she didn’t say what but indications are he has many years ahead of him still. It just makes him and his family more comfortable knowing that should something happen she is just a few hundred feet away and could render aid almost immediately.
What makes it even odder is that they are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. He is very hard right and she is very hard left. Yet they have come to respect each other and get along. I think it is a great thing. They have given each other insight into how they got to their perspectives through the paths they’ve traveled.
svelteParticipantI’m afraid I’m going to have to disagree with the general consensus here. Unless you necessarily want one, I’m not going to recommend a minivan.
Here’s why:
1. Third Row: I don’t care if the third row is in a SUV or a minivan, it is awkward to get in and out of. We had our minivan for 6 years and I can probably count on my fingers the number of times we had people use the third row. In most situations people preferred to take two cars rather than stuff a few individuals in that third row. And getting seniors back there? Ain’t gonna happen. Their bodies don’t bend in the ways necessary for getting in and out of that row anymore.
2. Ease of entry: Take a look around – do you see old folks buying minivans or mid-sized SUVs? Answer: mid-sized SUVs! The reason is that in most they can just slide right into the seat…they don’t have to lower themselves down like a sedan or raise themselves up like a full-size SUV. In a mid-sized SUV, the ride height is often similar to a standing height.
3. View: I’m very perplexed by stating the view out of a minivan is better. What type of SUV are people driving that doesn’t have a large window adjacent to each seat?
4. Hauling: well this may be the one category where a minivan wins. Since you can remove the 3rd AND 2nd rows, you do end up with a huge space for bikes, lumber, whatever. We always have a pickup in our stable so this really wasn’t a feature we used often in our minivan. We removed the seats exactly ONCE – that was when two of my kids and I drove to nor cal to bring back a bed and other assorted furniture. We took out the 3rd row and one captain’s chair to make room. Worked out fine but I wouldn’t say one trip of that sort justified us owning a vehicle that could do that. We could have rented something for the weekend. If you WOULD use that feature more often, well maybe a minivan is for you.
5. Cleanability: Yes if you have folks leaving food wrappers and other trash in your car, then a minivan can be easier to clean, especially in the third row area. However, we don’t have that problem. The only “food” allowed in any of my vehicles is bottled water, period. If you’re gonna eat, you’re gonna take someone else’s car, not mine. Really the only cleaning I have to do is wiping down surfaces with a wet towel to get the dust and vacuum the carpet once or twice a year. That’s it.
6. Size. I found a minivan to drive like a large vehicle, especially when backing up. I was well aware I had a long, large mass behind me when I backed up. The same would be true with a large SUV for sure, but we own a mid-sized SUV right now (wife insisted on it) and it really doesn’t feel that big. It feels light, maneuverable, and easy to park. That’s why we just bought out the lease…as anti-SUV as I am, I found I enjoy this one so we are keeping it.
Bottom line: unless you would be needing to haul a massive amount of cargo inside and out of the elements on a semi-regular basis, I think a mid-sized SUV is a better choice. I would venture to guess that is why SUVs are so popular now while minivan sales have tapered off to a trickle.
Which mid-sized SUV is a matter of preference, you know what you like.
svelteParticipantGreat story EP, thanks for sharing.
Yes there are many wonderful and ethical people who don’t make much money for one reason or another. Thank you for helping one out!
I’m still in contact with a number of people in a few of the places I’ve lived in this country from several hundred to several thousand miles away. We visit them when we can.
Probably well over half of them make probably $30-45K a year in a good year and live paycheck to paycheck. One of them is continually in hot water with the IRS for nonpayment. But they are genuinely good people – just poor at managing money. And these are smart people…when we visit they can go toe to toe with me in virtually any conversation except my profession. I’ve had many an epiphany just talking with them.
I’ve often talked with my wife about this. These people could do my job with the right training, but they chose not to apply themselves. Some graduated college, one was my college buddy, some went to high school with us, some were our neighbors. But they chose to live a simpler life and are unconcerned with money or status.
They have not been intimidated when we visit though we are at a way different income level now because they don’t care about money or status. They care about people and have centered their life around that. But as we approach retirement age, I have noticed a change in at least two of them. It has dawned on them they may never be able to retire, while we’ve stashed enough back that we are discussing when we are going to do just that. That, I think, bothers two of them. They are starting to regret their choice, I think.
One of them has found an interesting solution. She became a caregiver to a relatively famous person (people in San Diego have never heard of him but you say his name in the state he lives and everyone will know the name). She’s been doing it for about two years now and this man has come to make her almost a part of his family. He invited her to live on his large estate, bought her a very nice car, and has her kids, grandkids, and friends come over for parties using his large pool, manicured lawns, patios, etc. Recently he has signed a document stating how much a bonus she’ll get for every year she stays – and it is considerable. If he happens to die early, she also gets another considerable sum. It’s really an interesting and inventive situation that solves problems for both of them. He even solicits business advice from her sometimes. I’m very happy for her. And him, because she is a wonderful person who deserves to make a difference in someone’s life. I’m glad someone besides just me and my wife recognizes that. 🙂
svelteParticipant[quote=sdrealtor]Where did you find this? He has 21 followers[/quote]
Perhaps Josh=Alex 🙂
svelteParticipantWe drive nice cars. Always have.
When we couldn’t afford a new nice car, we bought a used nice car. We kind of live by the adage buy the best you can afford and take care of it so it lasts forever.
Right now we have four vehicles may be up to five in late 2023 or early 2024 (an EV).
We have a 2004 that I ordered new from the factory and took delivery Oct 2003. I searched all of California inventory and there wasn’t a single one like I wanted so I ordered, invoice price + $200. Vehicle now has 135K miles and looks new. I still get compliments on it. American made.
A 2006 we bought new off the lot after it had sat there almost a year. It now has 135K on it and now is a “leisure” vehicle…doesn’t get driven to work often, just take it out for fun once in a while. Looks new except where the leather is cracking on the driver’s seat, wife is after me to get new leather in it. American made.
A 2019 we bought new after it sat on the lot for a year – got it 25% off. Was new on the showroom floor when we bought it, now has only 3500 miles on it. Made in Italy.
A 2019 we leased new after it sat on dealer’s lot in Santa Monica for a year. We just bought out the lease on Friday…I totaled up all lease payments and the buy-out…total we paid is over 20% off MSRP sticker, approaching 25%. Made in Italy, has 28K miles on it right now.
We will probably own those four for a long, long time. Probably the last ICE vehicles we ever buy.
Next year’s EV will be a lease. I figure we’ll lease EVs until my wife retires, then turn the EV in and live the rest of our lives with the four ICE vehicles. The EV will keep the miles off the ICEs and once we retire we won’t drive much anyway.
svelteParticipant[quote=scaredyclassic]I got this sticker for my rear window. Maybe I can make others smile, if not me.
I Hope Something Good Happens to You Today – 8.75″ x 2.25″ – Vinyl Die Cut Decal https://a.co/d/bwCnbDH%5B/quote%5D
A very nice sentiment.
The last bumper sticker I had on my car was as a teenager. I had “avoid hangovers stay drunk”. Yeah that was smart. Just an invitation to get pulled over.
In my thirties I bought the bumper sticker “Happiness is coming”. Never worked up the courage to put it on my car. It is probably still in the garage somewhere.
svelteParticipantA less expensive option: rent your dream car for the weekend.
https://sandiegoprestige.com/all-cars/
https://turo.com/us/en/sports-rental/united-states/san-diego-ca
But if you ask me, that’s not what you dream is about.
I think you feel like you are losing control of your life. Your kids are leaving the nest and making decisions not involving you that you may not even like. Maybe your wife is making decisions without your input. And perhaps its slowly dawning on you that at this point your life’s trajectory is pretty well set. Sure you could move, buy a different car, etc but for the most part the amount of $$ you have to adjust course is fixed.
And perhaps your driving skills are starting to degrade just a bit.
Why do I say this? I’m pretty much in the same spot. Slowly it has been dawning on me that my choices are pretty limited. Even at work.
The ink isn’t dry yet, but the chapters of my life are at least penciled in at this point. I’m not sure how I feel about all of this. Not sure at all.
svelteParticipant[quote=Coronita]
Or if you really want to take gamble, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. It’s a plugin hybrid.
https://www.chrysler.com/pacifica/hybrid.html%5B/quote%5D
My son has a Pacifica hybrid. He loves it! I’ve been spending a lot of time in it – great leather!
His is about 2 years old now, no issues with it.
He picked ceramic gray with black wheels because he got a fantastic deal on it…I’d probably pick another color. 🙂 Or actually, just switching to polished rims works too.
We had a Dodge Grand Caravan we kept over 100K miles, did just fine. And a Dodge Dakota to over 250K miles before we sold it and it was doing great also…still original alternator and water pump!
svelteParticipantA big consideration for me will be getting an EV that can be used as battery backup for the house, so I don’t have to buy a power wall or equivalent.
I’ve heard that Tesla voids your warranty if you use it in that manner.
svelteParticipant[quote=Coronita]I think the other thing about leases versus buying is that if you buy a $90k car, you’re going to owe sales tax on $90k.
I believe if you lease the car, you’re going to be paying sales tax on your down payment and each monthly payment you make on the lease… I think…[/quote]
I believe that is correct.
It is a plus in the leasing column.
svelteParticipant[quote=scaredyclassic]
I guess I can wait a year. But I was thinking, if I lease, maybe it’d be good to keep my old car as backup, to keep total mileage down if necessary on the leased car, also just to have an extra car for visitors, breakdowns.[/quote]
Absolutely! We do that quite often – keep the old car until we are absolutely convinced we won’t need it.
I just went into the Mach E configurator. To get one like we’d like (glass roof, bigger battery) I’m looking at over $60K, not the entry level $45K. Maybe I can do without the bigger battery, have to think about that.
Then I went to see what is in stock. Dealers are wanting $10K over MSRP! Yes I think I will wait a year…
svelteParticipant[quote=scaredyclassic]It’s all so complex, maybe I should just drive my old car.
I’ve never negotiated a lease. Are advertised lease deals negotiable in reality[/quote]
People get deep down in the formulas and all that.
I don’t bother. I go dealer to dealer and let them quote me their best deal on the car I want. Then I go home. Within a week they are calling to see if I’ve decided and I stay noncommittal and ask for a better price.
Sooner or later it becomes clear which car I want and which price I can live with so I go with it.
We’ve only started leasing in the past 6 years. One lease we turned back in and we are getting ready to buy the car on the current lease. After 3 years with the car we’ve decided we want to keep it.
Our next car will be electric and we’ll no doubt lease that one. I’m not going to buy right now as prices are dropping and we are in no hurry. We’ll wait until unemployment rises and car lots are brimming with unsold cars. Then we will be in the best negotiating position. I figure that is about a year off.
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