Parking in a used car lot.

[madamesilverspurs]

That's what it feels like when I go to the grocery store. My old, beat up car kind of stands out among all the newer, shinier vehicles parked there. Mine is all dented and has a cracked windshield, theirs are all polished and spiffy looking. I have old fishing permits stuck on the window, they have 'for sale' signs. It's hard to look at all those cars, knowing that they belong to people whose livelihoods have gone down the toilet through no fault of their own. I'm used to doing without, many of them are just learning how to do that and they're scared. It's lousy to be scared, and I feel for them. Except for the owner of the snazzy car with the custom paint job and the 'Palin for President' bumper sticker...

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

1. Self-enforced austerity

has been the rule in our house since 2000 when I lost a job and my finances crumbled. It's been a royal pain in the ass, but I'm trying to look on the bright side: my gal and I are on decent financial footing these days, and if the last 9 years have done anything, they've gotten us ready for harder times to come. You're right, though: the people who have been riding the consumerist spend-til-ya-drop wave are all about to get their mouths filled with sand and ashes.

[AndyA]

2. Personally, I like old cars better than the new ones.

The new ones all look the same to me. And you can choose between black, white, red, or 5 shades of gray-beige. Yuck. The new cars all look cheap and plasticy, and none of them have any character.

I know a guy who is very, very wealthy, and he drives a mid-eighties Cadillac. He bought it new, but no one knows that unless they know him. The paint is a bit faded, it has a couple of scrapes on it, and he had to replace a cracked windshield last year, but he still loves it. Most people would look at him and think he's a bum, but I'll bet he has more money in the bank than they've ever dreamed of having.

I don't look down at people driving older cars, unless they smoke or something, and only then because it's bad for the environment.

[onethatcares]

3. compared to all those new cars, mine has the best option available

it's paid for. And yes, that feels good. :toast:

[4_TN_TITANS]

4. Paid for is a big plus in my book.

I drive em until the wheels fall off. With the way the car companies are looking, the older cars might be the only ones you can find repair parts for before long.