Thoughts on Cars

[Tobin S.]

My wife and I have two cars. One is a 2010 Honda Civic with about 72,000 miles. The other is a 2003 Chevy Tracker with about 85,000 miles. They are both paid for and we don't intend on buying anything newer anytime soon. So we take good care of them. We change all of the fluids at the recommended intervals and do the recommended services, and if anything breaks we get it fixed as soon as possible. Speaking of breaking, both of these cars have been very good to us. We have had no major breakdowns and very little to fix beyond ordinary stuff that wears out over time- tires, brakes, batteries, belts. The Tracker had a electric window motor go bad and the Civic and a couple of tire pressure sensors go out before their time. That's about it as far as I can recall.

I'm hoping to get 200,000 miles out of the Honda, possibly more. I didn't put a whole lot of miles on it the first seven years I had it. But starting last August I have a 94 mile round trip commute to work and back. I've put 14,000 miles on it since then. The Tracker has low mileage for its age, but that's going to change, too. My wife now has a 35 mile round trip to work and back. I'd very much like to buy a newer car for my wife, but we just can't afford it right now. If the Tracker can hang on for another year, we might be able to do it then.

I wish we could find good jobs closer to home, but it just isn't happening, and it's not for lack of trying. That's one of the bad things about living in a small town. There's just not much in the way of good job opportunities locally, and for the opportunities that are here, there is heavy competition. A lot of people here commute long distances for work. That's one of the reasons why we will always have fuel efficient cars.

I doubt we will buy cars new when the time comes to replace ours. I bought the Honda new before I met my wife, and while it has been a very good car for me, I don't see the necessity now of buying a car brand new.

[CentralMass]

1. If they ever hit production, I'd like to get one of these.

https://www.eliomotors.com

[Tobin S.]

2. I'd like to get that kind of fuel mileage.

But most of my driving is on the interstate. A car that light probably wouldn't be very safe at 70 mph, if it goes that fast. The size and maneuverability as well as the low emissions and fuel mileage would make that car ideal for city driving.

I've looked at Smart cars. They get over 60 mpg on the highway and I'd feel a little safer in one of those.

[bluecollar2]

3. you're a pro driver

So I think you understand the reality.

I'm a mechanic...have been for over thirty years.

TRuth in advertising, I'm an aircraft mechanic rather than an automobile mechanic but the basic principals are the same.

Prevenative maintenance is the key...

I drive a 1998 Jeep Cherokee...

I've replaced tires, batteries, headlights, and one a/c compressor.

My view....

The cost of preventing repairs is far lower than accomplishing them.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

[Tobin S.]

5. 10-4, bluecollar2.

That's my view as well. I think you can get 200,000 miles out of just about any modern car without much trouble as long as you do the preventative stuff.

[bluecollar2]

4. it's less expensive to do the maintenance

Than it is to deal with the consequences..