Why did you buy the car that you drive?
By newtalent
@newtalent (1112)
United States
March 19, 2010 1:17pm CST
I was asked this because I hate my car. I bought it new after the hurricane. The only time we had no power during the storms. It was hot , humid, my daughter was uncomfortable. The A/C of course had to die in the work truck. So no refuge there. I impulsed bought it thinking I was going to get rid of it soon after. I bought it new. Well lets just say new means nothing, its been to the dealership more times than i want to recall. It was top the point where the dealership did not want to service the car anymore(yes they can refuse to service your car even though you purchased it from them - long story). This is why I hate my car. Anyway This is why I am asking why did you buy the car that you are driving. Convenience, economical, price, only option, Last resort? It represents you?
1 person likes this
13 responses
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
19 Mar 10
I bought my current car 5 months ago as my old one was on it's last legs. I decided to buy a station wagon as it is handy for transporting things that will not fit into a sedan. We were also planning a long interstate driving trip and having a wagon meant that we could take a few more camping items and camp in comfort along the way instead of having to pay for higher priced accommodation.
This trip turned out well and the car was perfect for it, we even managed to sleep in it one night on the road at a lookout. I bought the car second hand. I would never buy a new one as they depreciate in value too quickly. You can save thousands by waiting a few years or by buying the same model a few years older.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
21 Mar 10
This car is over 10 years old, so it has no warranty on it, but our other car, A Toyota Corolla, we bought in 2004 when it was less the two years old. It still had a few years warranty which was great, but Toyota's are built pretty well and never had any problems with it.
My wagon is dual fuel too, so it runs cheaper than most similar cars and was really great for our trip. Not only was it cheaper to run, but the added advantage on long trips is that you can switch over to petrol and keep driving if the gas runs out and you do not feel like stopping at that time.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
21 Mar 10
Wow you had a good investment there. That was one of the reason why we bought the SUV. So we could stay in it comfortably until the power was fixed from the hurricane that we had. I should have gone to a hotel with all the headaches I have been having with these new so called cars.. Its true you can save a bundles on waiting a year or two. Now they those extended warranties that cover the cars too 125, 000 miles that you could only buy when you bought new. I need a vacation.
@jugsjugs (12967)
•
19 Mar 10
I have got a Nissan Serena which is a people carrier,i got that as i have 6 children and it is a eight seater.It was quite cheap when i got it and it was good for fuel.I still use it even though some of the children are staying at home rather than being with us when we have to go out.I like it as it is high up and it is very easy to drive about where i live.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
Hi jugsjugs, Its nice to hear when people enjoy their cars. I impulsed bought because I was uncomfortable. Looking at the baby sweating and crying did not make me anymore comfortable. I don't know how people do it sometimes when they have nothing. My dad has a nissan. Not a bit of trouble whatsoever and he is nearing 60,000 miles. Has not seen the dealership for nothing after purchase. Oil changes, filter he does himself. Me I have half of those miles and have a practically all new parts every so often, lol. At least it feels like it. The funny part was I had theory, I have to buy extended warranty , walk away , lol. I only felt like I had to buy on two cars. One caught on fire leaving the dealership after a repair of complaining there was something that smelt like it was burning-how ironic, the other is this nightmare, lol. Thanks for sharing.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
Hi Vonmac, My friend had a Peugot, They are sturdy cars. They do make a roaring noise. That was nice of him. So does he take your car now? It is a head turner. I think I am going to have to look into buying foreign cars. I never had any problems in the past. I did not want to pay a lot for parts when they were going to need to be replaced at some point. They are dependable cars.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Mar 10
First off, I have to start by saying that I've driven the car that I have right now for the past seven years. The reason that I chose the car that I chose is mainly that I needed a four door car instead of the two door that I had prior. My daughter was just a few months old and I was using the infant carrier and having her in the backseat of the two door car was very inconvenient. We ended up choosing a Honda Civic because it had a consumer reports review that was really good. Even now, seven years later, with the car paid off, I still love my car.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
29 Mar 10
Yeah Honda's are great cars. I had a Toyota that never let me down. I had better luck with imports than I ever had with domestic. Somehow I end up buying domestic lately. Now I swore I would go back and buy imports. My last vehicle just spent almost a month in the dealership for something that should of taken 4.5 hours to fix. Sloppy workmanship. I mean bolts and seals are there for a reason. Honestly how many people crawl underneath their car and check it before they leave the dealership?
WE do that now every freakin' time. I mean a car that is two years old should not leak, this started from day or two after er purchased the vehicle new. Buying new means nothing anymore. Thanks for your input.
@umit_umit (1984)
• India
20 Mar 10
well freind this is that because,according to the need,we have to do away with this,with respect to our financial condition!estteem is the car i drive maruti
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
21 Mar 10
Well, we all have to do the best that we can do with the resources that we have available to us.I wanted to conserve my finances becuase of economic reasons and found I bought something I thought I would never buy. How Ironic. Take care.
@amorlife1 (370)
• South Africa
19 Mar 10
My car was a necessity purchase. I had just finished university and had gotten my first job. In my part of the world, public transportation is no so well developed so it it a mission to get from one place to another. I didn't want to be reliant on public transportation on my first job, so I purchased my car. I still love my car!
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
Yes, first jobs or any job is a good reason to purchase a car. making a good impression, stability, reliable transportation, is a necessity in these trying times. I have been fortunate enough to not have to rely on public transportation. But I have been left stranded by my car. When it breaks down, lol. Glad to hear that you appreciate what you have very much. Congratulations on finishing at the university. you must be proud!
@amorlife1 (370)
• South Africa
20 Mar 10
Thank you. I am indeed grateful for the opportunity to complete university. That was over five years ago. I bought another car with the intention of selling it for a profit. But I have begun to like it and now I don't want to sell it anymore!
I wonder if there are things that people buy unintentionally at first, but later become grateful that they bought it...?
@jcburrou (59)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I own a Ford Escape. I personally love Fords, I think they're great cars. I've never had a problem with my car and I've had it now for several years. SUV's, to me, are safer. They're larger than a regular car and to be higher up when driving just makes me feel more secure. I also have pretty good gas mileage and my car makes a noice if someone isn't wearing their seatbelt, which just adds to the many safety features the car has
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
21 Mar 10
Safety is always a must in any vehicle purchase. Sometime I just cannot believe some of the cars that are on the road. The seat belt is a good feature but I unfortunately had to cut mine out of one of the cars when the car caught on fire right after leaving the dealership from it being repaired because it smelt like something was burning when I took it in. That was a moment I swore off that brand. No responsibility of what just occurred from manufacturer, repair, etc... I was naive and left it alone after that. I was just happy to of gotten my little one out safe. I can always buy another car. Thanks for sharing.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
19 Mar 10
Well my car certainly doesn't represent me. lol. I drive a minivan. We got it because we got pregnant with our third child. So all 3 would be under 8 years old, which means they all would have to be in car seats. We had a jeep grand cherokee and I absolutely loved it, but there is no way 3 car seats would fit across the back seat. I was pretty against a minivan but there aren't a whole lot of 7 passenger vehicles that are good for little kids. Now they are 7,5 and 2 and I'm hoping in the next few years to get something different. I have no faith in dealerships anymore. They are heartless people who just want to make money. That guy sold us this "practically new" van. I was 6 weeks away from having my son. Huge and pregnant and being a young couple with 3 kids he sold us that van without batting an eye. We later found out that half of the van had been replaced. One of the doors, the front passenger panel and the one rear panel and the bumper. And we think maybe the gas tank too because it holds more gas than it says in the book. I know we should have asked about stuff like that but we were inexperienced and young.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
Hey I had a minivan to use once. My friends laughed at me because if the car was not fast I was not in it. I had to fit 2 car seats and one that did not need a car seat in the back of my sports car. They fit , lol. I swore I would never purchase a four door car. Yeah I lied. I have an SUV now, with issues. The minivan was my fiance's. Yes, distress sales are the worst. There is no recourse after you buy which I think is wrong. They should be held accountable. Carfax reports is good now. Take care..
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
19 Mar 10
I've been driving a Toyota since 2000, and I've always had good luck, and liked the cars. Last October I bought a 2009 Prius. I drove it from Ontario to Texas, a 2000 mile trip on $120.00 worth of Gas. Its the most fun car I've ever driven. I just love it, and in spite of all the adverse publicity, I wouldn't trade it on any other make of car. I've not had any trouble with it, and its a head-turner too.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
21 Mar 10
I think they are just too cute! Unfortunately they would not work for me. I need more room for everyone. YOu cannot beat the gas price for that long of a trip. i wish I my car would do that. Thanks for your input.
@carmenzhj (120)
• New Zealand
20 Mar 10
I buy a car that is stable, take it instead of walking, and price suited me.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I do not mind walking. I just would like a car that is dependable when I first buy it. I wanted another vehicle but settled for this one because it was $20,000.00 cheaper if we gave it to one of the kids. I would not do that now, lol. I just want it fixed and traded. I cannot even trust it on going on a trip. I still rent cars, if you can believe that. Thanks for responding.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I bought my SUV so we can stay in it with air on while we waited for the downed wire to be repaired. I tried to get a hotel--booked out or they were outrageous in price. So the joke I would buy a car before I'd spend $200-$300 a night. So we did. Lucky me. The air was good and cool and comfortable to sleep in. All was going until the nightmare warranty repairs kicked in. I literally had 34 pages of repairs in under 2 years. I quit driving it for a year. It stayed parked. I was a paying for a parked car, lol. Fast forward, I had to drive it again (I bought another in the meantime-same manufacturer- different model). The a/c had to be redone, dash peeled off, master cylinder and whole bunch of other crap had to be fixed on it. This was suppose to be the reason why I bought new - to not have to deal with crap. My nightmare car. Of course the lemon could not happen because it was all different things that went wrong with it. My convenient car was convenient for 5 days lol. After that it was not worth the purchase. Should of paid the hotel instead lol.
@Fastlane1 (77)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I bought a used 05 BMW 3 series in excellent conditions, the reason why I bought it is quite simple. I consider myself a car enthusiast. So everything time I talk about cars, performance is the number one factor in my books. I've got a new performance exhaust system on it, cold air intake systmem and some other things that improve performance. Driving experience is another thing that I consider important, such as steering feedback, suspension compliance and all that. Performance cars are my passion.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I had Bmw 325 i convertible way back when and I loved that car. I miss that car . It only lasted 6 months or so before it was wiped out. My husband to be bought me a camaro after that. So I understand speed , style, performance and the insurance cost killed me. I was paying more for insurance than I was for the car. they had to go, lol. Glad to hear that you bought what you wanted and not settled for something else.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
20 Mar 10
Hey, being useful is a good thing. If your paying for something you would like to use it longer than the dealership having at at time or end up using it as a storage unit, lol.
@writecheck (40)
• United States
20 Mar 10
I bought my car mainly for economical reasons. It is a hybrid and gets great gas mileage. I do love the car though, and would have bought it even if gas prices weren't so high. It looks good, and serves my transportation needs.
@newtalent (1112)
• United States
21 Mar 10
I heard hybrids are pretty good now. I needed an SUV to tote everyone around so I was not keen on what was available at the time. I want to get rid of these two and just go purchase import rather than domestic any more. I had a toyota that just would not die so I could justify buying a new one, lol. But the price was much higher than i wanted to spend on something that I was only going to keep a couple of years at the most. Leasing was not an option since I usually will put mega miles on a car, lol. Any way thank for your contribution in my discussion.