BrokenYugo wrote:
Crew cab/short box plays into my theory, the 4x4 is just because people like the false sense of security they get by having it and/or the bulk of the decently optioned trucks on the lot are probably 4x4 (do normal people ever order cars?).
The reason for the 4x4 is because in winter, a 7000lb truck with 85% of the weight on the front wheels will not go anywhere unless those wheels are capable of propelling it. The short bed is for people who pull 10k plus loads of campers, boats and race cars along with their family but do not ever need to fit 30 sheets of 4x8 plywood and/or a skid of shingles in the back. They put an ATV and a cooler in there; maybe bicycles or skis. Sometimes a spare motor or three.
Why do I (er... ahem.... heh, cough) they buy them at all? Because you cannot get a Suburban with a Duramax and if you could it would be $100k.
In reply to Huckleberry:
Ta da, and not 100K.
First 4x4 Diesel Limo I've ever wanted...
I love when people argue about a person's needs vs what their car is capable of. Last I checked, nobody needs a 400hp RWD sedan to get to work. But some people like driving a Mustang GT. Miatas are terribly impractical as an only car, but we seem to love them around here as well.
So, as much as I don't like trucks/SUVs, if someone just wants one, I guess they are welcome to drive one.
Yes a lot of people overpay for their cars. It stresses me out just seeing it, but their finances are entirely in their hands. When I bought my car, it was worth nearly 5% of my yearly income. 5 years later, its now around 1%. When I get finally get bored of it and replace it, I'll likely buy something worth no more than 3% of my income. But, I want to be retired a lot earlier than most people.
wvumtnbkr wrote:
I never understand the small SUV craze. Can somebody tell me what the small SUVs offer that you cant get in either a sedan or a minivan?
My wife drives a VUE. I'm not a huge fan and will soon replace it with a Mazda 5. That said, it
A) Has much more cargo capacity than any sedan in that price range
B) Was cheaper than any minivan with similar miles/condition
C) Gets better mileage than most minivans (aside from a 5)
D) Is shorter than any medium/large wagon with similar capacity
The one vehicle I think falls into the, I just like it and want it category, rather than any other is a Jeep Wrangler. At least until recently it was just not good at anything, except off-roading, but we've acknowledged already the slim chance of people taking any SUV off road. As for the rest, it's not particularly big either in terms of cargo capacity or people capacity, it doesn't tow a lot, it's not very comfortable, doesn't get good gas mileage, doesn't really drive all that well and as a convertible it's difficult to take the top off.
If you never off-road your Wrangler you basically have no reason for buying it that is actually practical IMO, it's all purely based on looks or the marketing of it.
Harvey wrote:
The one vehicle I think falls into the, I just like it and want it category, rather than any other is a Jeep Wrangler. At least until recently it was just not good at anything, except off-roading, but we've acknowledged already the slim chance of people taking any SUV off road. As for the rest, it's not particularly big either in terms of cargo capacity or people capacity, it doesn't tow a lot, it's not very comfortable, doesn't get good gas mileage, doesn't really drive all that well and as a convertible it's difficult to take the top off.
If you never off-road your Wrangler you basically have no reason for buying it that is actually practical IMO, it's all purely based on looks or the marketing of it.
Being able to take the roof & doors off isn't a feature? Last I checked you can enjoy this feature both on the road, and off of it.
Devilsolsi wrote:
Harvey wrote:
The one vehicle I think falls into the, I just like it and want it category, rather than any other is a Jeep Wrangler. At least until recently it was just not good at anything, except off-roading, but we've acknowledged already the slim chance of people taking any SUV off road. As for the rest, it's not particularly big either in terms of cargo capacity or people capacity, it doesn't tow a lot, it's not very comfortable, doesn't get good gas mileage, doesn't really drive all that well and as a convertible it's difficult to take the top off.
If you never off-road your Wrangler you basically have no reason for buying it that is actually practical IMO, it's all purely based on looks or the marketing of it.
Being able to take the roof & doors off isn't a feature? Last I checked you can enjoy this feature both on the road, and off of it.
Taking the roof and doors off negates all the other negatives I mentioned? I mean, it isn't particularly great for that either, it's not like it's a convertible where you can just flip some latches and throw the top back.
I can carry more bags of grocery's in my corolla than in the H2.
ProDarwin wrote:
Yes a lot of people overpay for their cars. It stresses me out just seeing it, but their finances are entirely in their hands. When I bought my car, it was worth nearly 5% of my yearly income. 5 years later, its now around 1%. When I get finally get bored of it and replace it, I'll likely buy something worth no more than 3% of my income. But, I want to be retired a lot earlier than most people.
I hope you have a long and enjoyable retirement!
My mom was a super frugal person always talking about her early retirement plans...
Then she died early (before retirement).
After that experience I try to strike a balance between now and the uncertain future.
wvumtnbkr wrote:
I never understand the small SUV craze. Can somebody tell me what the small SUVs offer that you cant get in either a sedan or a minivan?
In my case mechanical AWD, a manual transmission, and a turbocharged 4 cylinder engine and the ability to barrel down a gravel road while hauling a dryer in the box, all while being legal for rallycross and autocross. There are sedans that can do some of that, and minivans that can do some of that, but I'm happy with my purchase.
I'm not a financial expert, but I find it astonishing what people will pay and roll over into car loans to get into something a bit newer.
One of SWMBO's friends claimed that she and her husband pay nearly 1500 dollars a month on car loans, and that she's paying about 600 a month for 72 months to DD a plain-jane '15 Focus. 
In reply to Tactical Penguin:
Good grief
Yeepers a 42k focus. Can you ever get out from under a car like that?
dean1484 wrote:
Yeepers a 42k focus. Can you ever get out from under a car like that?
Yikes indeed.
When I went to try and get financing for my RS, the bank kicked it back because I was asking for too much and needed a copy of the invoice.
Another reason to NOT go through the dealer for your financing.
jv8 wrote:
My mom was a super frugal person always talking about her early retirement plans...
Then she died early (before retirement).
After that experience I try to strike a balance between now and the uncertain future.
My mom died way too young with a lot of money saved (Bohemian)- my dad spent what he could and passed it to us. I think my bro is putting in the largest brick party patio right now.
I agree with the balance - how to enjoy it and be careful with it.
Go to a dealership to buy a car, don't negotiate, pay for it,and say yes to every added thing they suggest.
I knew someone who did this when they were 20. They never had anyone tell them how to buy a vehicle unfortunately.
I didn't realize that this thread went so off the rails right out of the gate.
I fix.
