Why do I love this old car?

[Zoe Girl]

I wonder why i like this car so much, It is an old car, 95 Subaru, and needs work. I have had it parked for over 6 months because my girls could not afford insurance on it, and I could not on my own. So now my middle kid has a job and will need to drive and can pay for part of the insurance. i need to get it fixed up, I will bring it to the Subaru specialists that work on my other car this week to get a full diagnostic.

Today just checking the fluids, putting in some gas, driving around the block and putting air in the tires felt good. It has chunks of seat missing from the previous owners dog that had a bite. It has 272,000 miles on it and cost me $2K cash. I guess I feel like I won something when I bought this car. I taught my girls to drive on it, I paid cash, both my girls can drive a manual car in downtown, navigate one-way streets, drive on the highway. Plus it is better in serious snow than my newer subaru and today the AC was amazing.

It just feels weird, other people are paying car loans and suggesting that repair bills are high but I still feel good and want to see if I can get another 200, 000 miles on it.

[lizii]

I wonder why i like this car so much, It is an old car, 95 Subaru, and needs work. I have had it parked for over 6 months because my girls could not afford insurance on it, and I could not on my own. So now my middle kid has a job and will need to drive and can pay for part of the insurance. i need to get it fixed up, I will bring it to the Subaru specialists that work on my other car this week to get a full diagnostic.

Today just checking the fluids, putting in some gas, driving around the block and putting air in the tires felt good. It has chunks of seat missing from the previous owners dog that had a bite. It has 272,000 miles on it and cost me $2K cash. I guess I feel like I won something when I bought this car. I taught my girls to drive on it, I paid cash, both my girls can drive a manual car in downtown, navigate one-way streets, drive on the highway. Plus it is better in serious snow than my newer subaru and today the AC was amazing.

It just feels weird, other people are paying car loans and suggesting that repair bills are high but I still feel good and want to see if I can get another 200, 000 miles on it.

I know exactly how you feel, Zoe Girl.

I paid cash for a new Mercury Tracer (Ford) in 1988 and drove that car around for the next 20 years. It had all its' orginal parts except for brakes, one set of new tires, new pistons when needed, and several exhaust systems during those years. I would fill it up with regular gas once a month because it was so easy on gas. I had the oil changed once a month because I think clean oil helps to keep the engine going well.

This car was a plain Jane, no bells and whistles to break down, no computer driven anything in it. It was a simple but reliable little car to drive around without costing much.

After my accident I could no longer drive a car, so my son gave it to a young, single woman in his church to use to take her child to his activities and buy their groceries, etc. As far as I know, she is still driving it around today, and I only hope she is getting the same enjoyment I had for all those years.

It makes me feel good to know that someone who deserves a break is getting it.

[ToomuchStuff]

How long have you had it? That plays a part. Overall cost, verse time and all the use and you get to a point of if it dies it owes me nothing, and you achieve that feeling. (it is easier to do on a less expensive car, IMHO)
My old truck was bought dead, and I brought it back to life (bad motor I replaced). I then did total about $800 more into it and I could sell it today for more then it cost me (minus fuel, tires, insurance, expendables). I know the feeling.

lizii, your 88 Tracer was fuel injected. (Ford switched in 86 on cars) It had a computer although a simpler one then today's.

[sweetana3]

I love my 1998 Honda Civic. My plan is to make it to 250000 miles (it now has 190000). A little rust, a few dings, but a very lovable and easy to drive car. I "know" in my mind where the corners of the car are when I am parking and such so it is very comfortable. It was stolen once but apparently just for a joy ride since it was abandoned just north of us in town with a couple more little dings.

[Lainey]

A friend recently donated her car to a veterans organization. It had over 290,000 miles on it and wasn't running, but the charities are still glad to get them. When the tow truck driver arrived she was taking photos of the car. She asked the guy whether that was weird, and he said No, you'd be surprised at how many car owners cry when their donated car is going away!

[Tussiemussies]

I too just love my car so you are not the only one who loves their old car. How about all those car shows with really old cars that have been fixed up! My car is 21 years old and in good shape an has 120,000 miles on it. I have had about 4 people who have approached me by leaving a note and their phone number on it! As far as the seats go they are old looking so I just put nice seat covers on. My husband once mentioned that we might be able to find replacement seats. You may want to ask the people who work on your car if the know how you can go about it.

[sweetana3]

I figure too that the old car has gotten us safely from point A to B for many many years so I want it to go to a good home. Last early
90s Honda we gave to a friend and they used it for their family and then the kids got it. It had a good life.

[pinkytoe]

I love my 17 yo Volvo even though it is usually the oldest car in the parking lot at work. I don't have to worry about anyone wanting to steal it and if I have a minor fender bender, I won't get upset. I think it is nuts that people spend $30K plus on cars unless they are in them constantly. My goal is to see it to 225K miles which should be another fiive years.

[SteveinMN]

Add me to the list! 2003 Volkswagen diesel. Only 90,000 miles on it now; it should be good for another 200,000. At this rate, that's another 20 years.

This car and I have been on some great trips and it's my workhorse. It's hauled sofas, bookcases, futons, NordicTraks, junk, and a deck's worth of wood and hardware. Short of heated seats, it's got every feature I could want. And I still love climbing behind the wheel and driving it, just as much today as I did nine years ago when it was brand new.

[lizii]

How long have you had it? That plays a part. Overall cost, verse time and all the use and you get to a point of if it dies it owes me nothing, and you achieve that feeling. (it is easier to do on a less expensive car, IMHO)
My old truck was bought dead, and I brought it back to life (bad motor I replaced). I then did total about $800 more into it and I could sell it today for more then it cost me (minus fuel, tires, insurance, expendables). I know the feeling.

lizii, your 88 Tracer was fuel injected. (Ford switched in 86 on cars) It had a computer although a simpler one then today's.

Thanks, TMS, for the information about my Tracer.