NO, I Do NOT Want a New Car!
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (68000)
United States
May 11, 2024 8:42pm CST
The photo attached is the end of my vacation. When I got home last week I took that shot of my tripometer.
I keep getting e-mails and snail mail from the dealership, asking if I’d like to go back into debt…I mean, buy a new car. HA!
As you can see by that photo, for the 2,100 miles I drove while on vacation, I averaged 36.1 miles per gallon. To put that in perspective, the highway fuel economy rating for a HYBRID CR-V is 36 MPH on the highway. (The “standard” CR-V, which is what I own, is rated at 28 city/32 highway.) My car is coming up on its 4th birthday next week, and it’s running like a charm.
I told them the last time I was in there that my car has something that NO car on their lot has: a free & clear title. That’s one point they cannot bargain against…unless they want to give me a car for free. 
So, NO, I do NOT want a new car!! I’ll have to get a new one eventually (because they all wear out), but now is not that time.
So, NO, I do NOT want a new car!! I’ll have to get a new one eventually (because they all wear out), but now is not that time.19 people like this
18 responses
@kaylachan (69670)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
If we go to the dealership for any reason, I get a text message the next day. Asking me to sell the van and they'll upgrade me. George might not be driving, but we're not ready to let it go, yet.
4 people like this
@kaylachan (69670)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
@FourWalls Shoot, if they were that inssistant I'd charge them 2 dollars a mile to get there.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
I had my first oil change while I was on a long road trip. I didn’t want to put it off, so I went to a Honda dealer in Oklahoma City. Would you believe that last week, I got a “snail mail” letter from them wanting me to buy a car from them? Yeah, I’ll do that, just pay me 53c a mile to drive to your dealership! 
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (8927)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
13 May
I'm hoping that this is our LAST auto, cause husband is the 1 that drives
& when he goes that's IT I'm SURE not getting another 1 to go in debt.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222989)
• Chile
12 May
That´s what I asked someone who insisted on "giving me" a credit card. I have one card and that is exactly the amount I need.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
Correct! I have two, and I keep them in separate places. One is a backup in case something happens to the “main” one. In the past three years I’ve gone from six credit cards to two.
2 people like this
@marguicha (222989)
• Chile
12 May
@FourWalls I have seen people with several credit cards. Usually it is a good way to get into debt.
2 people like this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
12 May
It's understandable that the dealership would want to entice you with offers for a new car, but it's clear that your current vehicle is serving you well and meeting your needs perfectly. Plus, with its reliability and efficiency, there's no immediate need for an upgrade.
Enjoy the continued smooth rides with your trusty car, and when the time eventually comes for a new one, you'll know it's on your own terms. Until then, happy driving!
1 person likes this
@annierose (21583)
• Philippines
13 May
@FourWalls Japan's system is especially impressive. It's awesome you've found a show that lets you vicariously enjoy those journeys! Meanwhile, it's great that you have a reliable car to keep you moving. Safe travels on all your roads and maybe someday those train adventures too!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
13 May
@annierose — what we have in America that is horribly mislabeled “train service” is a joke. We have one company, Amtrak, that’s government-operated. It is woeful. We are a nation of cars, so it’s either that or airplanes…and I don’t like to fly.
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
Thank you! Sometimes I wish we had train service like they do elsewhere in the world (I love watching “Solo Solo Traveler” on You Tube taking trips on trains throughout Japan), but since we don’t I’ll keep my very reliable car.
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
There are people who want to play that “keeping up with the Joneses” game. I’m not one of them. Heck, next Saturday is the 35th anniversary of my closing on buying my first house…the one I still live in!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
@LadyDuck — as someone who’s been out of debt for five years (save for buying the car, which I paid off in 18 months), I cannot recommend living debt-free highly enough. Talk about freedom!??!!!???
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471500)
• Switzerland
12 May
@FourWalls We do not like to be in debt. We bought this house 25 years ago and I hope that this will be my forever house.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
25 May
Guess they can't sell all those EV's inundating their lot. I mean it's not like it's a Volkswagen of the past, an affordable car for the middle and lower class.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
25 May
We had to drive a VW Beetle in driver’s ed class to have a basic working knowledge of standard transmissions. (Kids today go, “What’s driver’s ed?” )
I did a cost comparison of driving from Jacksonville in a Tesla versus my car. It was $20 more expensive, and two more “fuel” stops. When they’re cheaper, have longer ranges (the “longest” EV is, what 400 miles, and my car can show 450 miles on the tripometer range) ,and when EV charging is as ubiquitous as gas stations, and it takes the same amount of time (what’s it take to fill a car up, five minutes?), then they can sell EVs.
)
I did a cost comparison of driving from Jacksonville in a Tesla versus my car. It was $20 more expensive, and two more “fuel” stops. When they’re cheaper, have longer ranges (the “longest” EV is, what 400 miles, and my car can show 450 miles on the tripometer range) ,and when EV charging is as ubiquitous as gas stations, and it takes the same amount of time (what’s it take to fill a car up, five minutes?), then they can sell EVs.1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35608)
•
26 May
@FourWalls Yes, all valid points! Even about the driver's ed ,lol.
1 person likes this
@marymary621 (150)
• Ogden, Utah
12 May
I hear you. Times are tough enough without adding car payments to your bills. My car is very old, it's a 99 Nissan Altima but it gets me from point A to point B with no issues. Until it starts giving me issues I'm going to be debt free of car payments.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
13 May
My first Nissan Sentra was great. The second one was a nightmare, but that first one was amazing.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
13 May
@marymary621 — I understand that some people feel they “have” to change cars every 3-5 years. I’m not one of those individuals…especially considering how expensive they are!
1 person likes this
@marymary621 (150)
• Ogden, Utah
13 May
@FourWalls I've had this one since it was fairly new (3 or 4 years old). And it has almost a half million miles on it. I know one of these days I won't be able to count on her getting me back and forwards, but while I can I will sing her praises and hope for another day.
1 person likes this
@kareng (59115)
• United States
12 May
I really dislike car salesmen!! Last time I bought a new car in 2021, the dealer kept saying, "Oh we can get you approved faster than anyone else in town." And I'm thinking no thanks, I'll do my own financing deals. However, I already had pre-approval for a certain amount from my credit union, so I was ready to ride once I found the car I wanted.
It sounds like you have a great car! Mine will get 32mpg, but that is about the best it does.
1 person likes this
@kareng (59115)
• United States
13 May
@FourWalls Exactly!! You can add in timeshare salesmen to that list also.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
Car salesmen and politicians vie with each other for biggest bull$#!+ artists in America. Sometimes I think that car salesmen are just politicians in training. 
I don’t just up and buy a new refrigerator every four years, and that’s nowhere near the cost of a new car. So why should I buy a new car for the heck of it?
I don’t just up and buy a new refrigerator every four years, and that’s nowhere near the cost of a new car. So why should I buy a new car for the heck of it?1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180674)
• United States
12 May
Car payments Ugh! I have enough bills to pay.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (180674)
• United States
12 May
@FourWalls I haven't had a car payment for many years. I am not about to break the trend.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
Tell me about it. I don’t have any bills (except the regular monthly utilities), and I want to keep it that way! It’s nice to go on vacation and not have to stay at a fleabag motel because it’s all I can afford after a $700 car payment.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
I think the car is from 2008 and you’re from 1958.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218803)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 May
@FourWalls Horse Jr. is from 2008.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3239)
•
12 May
I'm with you! My car is 24 years old with almost 225,000 miles on her, and she runs like a dream. I paid her off 20 years ago and have been cruising around debt-free ever since! First car I ever bought new, and I've babied her all these years.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
It got to the point where my brother’s car was starting to cost a LOT to repair, and repairs were coming frequently. So he bought a “certified used” HR-V. It’ll probably last him the rest of his life, given that he traded a ‘98 RAV-4 on it.
1 person likes this
@AliCanary (3239)
•
12 May
@FourWalls I have repairs, of course, but not frequently enough to make me feel like it's a losing battle. It's got little things wrong with it that don't affect the operation, so I was considering getting a new one, but I just don't like the new models. My husband replaced his 2001 Tundra after an accident (hit and run- luckily he was uninjured, but the truck was totaled) with a 2023 RAV4, and it's okay, but I'm not super impressed. He likes it, though, and that's the main thing.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
12 May
We get emails all the time about selling our car and buying a new one. They have had a shortage of vehicles on the lots. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
Yeah, I’ve heard that since covid, “car shortage.” No, it’s an artificial “shortage” so they can charge more for cars. At one point a couple of years ago some car companies were charging as much as $10,000 OVER MSRP for a dealer markup.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
13 May
@FourWalls Yeah, and people were probably paying it. Highway robbery.
1 person likes this
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
12 May
That's some impressive mileage on your trip! It's always satisfying when your car performs beyond expectations, especially when it comes to fuel efficiency. And kudos on owning your car outright – there's real freedom in that. Sounds like you've got a solid relationship with your current ride, and there's no need to jump back into debt for a new one just yet. Enjoy the reliability of your trusty vehicle for now!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
13 May
Hopefully I’ll pay cash for the next one, if this one lasts long enough.
1 person likes this
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
13 May
@FourWalls Believe me, in Pakistan, we've got cars that are over 30 years old and still running smoothly, even in areas with extreme weather conditions. These cars are built to last. However, car companies try to persuade us to buy new ones, offering bank loans to increase their sales, profits, and portfolios. We shouldn't fall into these traps. Enjoy your vehicle for as long as possible.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (8927)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
12 May
I'm with you on that, cause the 1 husband got while I was
in rehab was a must do thing cause the 1 we HAD B-4
I crashed went on the blink when I crashed a mon later.
Husband got a GOOD deal on the 1 he has now & it will
be our LAST 1 as long as it is maintained, it's a Nessun
2019 & was well taken care of & he got some GOOD
benefits with it as long as he owns it.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
Good cars last. Period. There’s no need to trade one in every 3-4 years to make your neighbors think you’re well-to-do. (You should see my neighborhood, that wouldn’t work anyway. )
I like not having payments. And yes, between what they’re claiming (which will always change once they have you in the office 
) they’d give me for my car and what I have in savings, I wouldn’t have a payment. But why? New cars break down, too.
)
I like not having payments. And yes, between what they’re claiming (which will always change once they have you in the office ) they’d give me for my car and what I have in savings, I wouldn’t have a payment. But why? New cars break down, too.1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
15 May
Oh, they keep trying. Got another email from them today. Hitting the delete button isn’t as satisfying as running the letter through the shredder, though.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
If it gets up to $20 a gallon, I might have to consider a hybrid.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (106226)
• Marion, Ohio
12 May
I keep them as long as I can. My poor truck is over 20
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
You have to get a course in computers with all these newest ones.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 May
Well, I sure hope you can get some more mileage out of your car,
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
13 May
It’s only got about 90k miles. It’s not even warmed up yet for a Honda.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68000)
• United States
12 May
I’m thrilled with it. It’s much better than the EPA estimates.
1 person likes this
