Why do I drive old POS vehicles?

[Sevensecondsuv]

So yesterday I spent the day with my fiance at her school (Wheaton College) and we also drove into Chicago for a few hours. I live about 80 miles west of Wheaton. I drove my explorer because I wanted A/C.

Anyways, I was driving home at about 1:00 am this morning when I took off from a stop light. I hit about 3000 in first (I was in a bit of hurry) when I heard a splash sound and smelled antifreeze. At this point I was still 60 miles from home. So I started watch the temp gauge and sure enough two blocks later it was to 215. I pulled into a McDonald's parking lot and popped the hood to find that my water pump had exploded.

Luckily one of my roommates has an 87 F-350 with a 521 Stroker and a car hauler trailer. Being the great friend that he is, he drove 60 miles to pick me up at 1:00 in the morning. We finally got home at about 4:00 AM.

Now I get to spend Sunday jacking around with a water pump. I really need to get something newer

 

[compleckz]

props to your friend

yea its nice to have a newer reliable vehicle for a daily, and then have your toy(s)..

my daily is a 98 subaru impreza, got it for $300--it has rust and 180k--but its reliable as hell, and my newest/cheapest vehicle ever! then i have my 97 ranger.. and then i have my 91 gti... lol and no job!

anyways, good luck on the waterpump today!


go take the ranger for a rip

 

[dusto2]

i drive 1 cause they actually are pretty reliable so long as you do regular service to it, and wait for its a big one, NO CAR PAYMENT and low insurance rates, plus most parts are fairly cheap and easy to find.

 

[Jspafford]

i drive 1 cause they actually are pretty reliable so long as you do regular service to it, and wait for its a big one, NO CAR PAYMENT and low insurance rates, plus most parts are fairly cheap and easy to find.

Ditto, I had a 2002 F-250, yeah it was nice saying, "I have a newer truck" but the massive payment that went along with it was stupid. I look back on it now and realise it. The insurance was also through the roof.

Now I am back to Daily Driving my 1989 Bronco II, and knock on wood, it's not let me down for a couple years now.

So yeah, I hear where your at, but belive me, new cars break just as much and they will also leave you on the same road as a well cared for old POS when they break.

 

[MrE_Powers]

well consider a new or newer used car payment is 2-300$ a month and insurance for the said vehicle has to be full coverage and the lot so insurance will range 75-300$ a month. that is 275-600$ a month to drive a car not including gas and minor maintenance.
\

a used car bought for 3-2000$ or less divided over a year 240-180$ month to drive with liability only insurance and if you do not have any major repairs you wont go over the newer car per month cost. once you actually pay for the used car though use. then after a year if you need a major repair like transmission or engine replacement. then it is cheaper to get a well used car.

but with older cars you do get more maintenance time for it.

so to me it is just cheaper to drive older used cars. finding the one that was not misstreated is another story though. i looked for 3 months for the car i bought for my wife.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Thanks for reminding me of all the positives guys...

 

[ak96]

i dont drive old POS's, but my truck is a '96 infact we dont have anything newer then '99 in the driveway. but they all look and run like brand new and in some cases better.

i had a family friend call me the other day, her new '08 VW toruage(sp) was spitting fuel all over her driveway and wouldnt run(which i told her if you smell fuel dont try to start it). anyway this is only 2 weeks after it left her stranded when the coilpack died and it wouldnt run enough to make it home.

my '96 has only let me down once, when the tranny blew which is to be expected with those shitbox trannys. otherwise i've put 60k miles on it without issue and will be dropping in a 5.0 here soon and not worrying about needing a new truck for a very long time.

 

[swamprat]

We drive old POS because we are cheap bastards. I like driving older trucks because I can fix them myself. Parts are cheap and can find them everywhere. Plus I have been driving Fords for 20 plus years and know what to expect. I have lost count how many starters that I have replaced. Good luck on your water pump, replaced a few of them as well. You owe your buddy for picking you up. You did say he drove a Ford also so you might have had to help him also or will soon.

 

[metalmacguyver]

You drive a POS vehicle so you can pocket the insurance check when you get hit.....

 

[AllanD]

You drive a POS vehicle so you can pocket the insurance check when you get hit.....

Rather than making three years worth of payments on a five year loan then getting hit and STILL wind up making payments on a car you don't have because the insurance settlement didn't cover the remainder on the note.

The total investment I have in my truck is less than I'd pay just
for a years worth of collicion insurance as would be required by
any finance company in North america.

AD

 

[Maverick]

I found myself asking that question just over three years ago and ended up buying a brand new truck. I have since sold the truck but have not had a DD older than 01 since then. I must say it is very nice owning a new (newer) rig, they definately have their benefits. Like others have mentioned though the insurance and payments can really add up. You just have to figure out if it's worth it to you. It is for me. I like the peace of mind (for the most part) of owning a newer rig. That being said, I still own/drive older rigs. Beater rigs are fun to drive. Not really having to worry about getting in your rig muddy/greasy or getting upset at parking lot dings is great.

 

[Maverick]

Rather than making three years worth of payments on a five year loan then getting hit and STILL wind up making payments on a car you don't have because the insurance settlement didn't cover the remainder on the note.

That's all about making smart puchases. If my Superduty was totaled, I would recieve enough to pay for the entire loan and then some.

 

[Mac]

I really don't want to drive a POS up here in the Winter (central Wisconsin), who knows where you'll end up or when they will find you. My normal drive to work was 40 miles each way, gets nasty out here in the country. Was just down to Rockford yesterday for a meeting with the Mustang Club and a bunch from the Hub City Crusiers, over in Alpine park. Be down again in two week for the Chilli Cook-off at the speedway. It's always to have good friends that will come and bail you out at that time of the night!
Mac

 

[shizzy]

I hate doing repair work. I love modding or doing projects when I want to and at my pace, but changing waterpumps and replacing clutches just so I can make it to work tomorrow just pisses me off. the way I look at it, I buy new with a warranty and its fixed for free or I buy a POS and stash my money till it breaks and I Junk it. either way Im not fixing it.

 

[ZMan]

i drive 1 cause they actually are pretty reliable so long as you do regular service to it, and wait for its a big one, NO CAR PAYMENT and low insurance rates, plus most parts are fairly cheap and easy to find.

ehh insurance isn't always better on older vehicles. My Buick is 7 years newer and is worth triple what my rangers worth (blue book), and it costs only $10 more to insure it every 6 months.

I would rather have a payment than to be fixing it once a month or more...guess thats just me!

Hell I remember when I tried to insure my '87 STX Hi-rider..they wanted more to insure it on liability than what I was paying for my '92 x-cab for full coverage.