I saw this article mentioned in a NYT article and searched and found it. Great story and message. When it comes to spending, we have choices. The cost of cars has become so expensive. Has made it hard to make a person’s budget work. But must figure a way to make it work and not get sucked into worrying about what everyone else has. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thanks for finding the article and for your comments. I totally agree! Each person has to decide for themselves where to spend or not to spend. Some people love nice cars.
Great story. We should normalize and even celebrate driving older used cars instead of being caught up in “keeping up with the Joneses.” We bought a Honda in 2008 when I was pregnant with my first child. That child is now 17 and we have given it to her for her first car. It’s still going strong!
In March 2016, I sold my 18 year old Honda Civic (for parts) and bought a 2004 Accord with cash that only had 35K miles on it. That car was a lot like yours but it had a 6 cd changer. I kept it for 8 years then upgraded to a brand new Lexus. I miss that Accord sometimes especially with gas prices these days. LOL
Thank you for your articles. Fascinating to read. I in sharp contrast in a car aficionado and find it so alien to read your perspective on this car. I two at one point had a Honda Accord and enjoy going through your questions about what’s important. They probably answered each to the antithesis as you did however, once again, it was interesting to read a different perspective. Thank you.
I love old cars. They're much easier to work on, most mechanics dread working on a lot of late model cars. In 2003 I purchased a 1999 Camry and drove it until 2018, when I sold it there were 425,000 on the odometer. I purchased a 2000 Toyota Avalon with 52,000 miles on it and plan to drive it as long as possible. The last time I had a car payment was in 1997. Newer is not always better :)
When you say "The Honda has zero bells and whistles that have become common in modern cars", I hear "The Honda has way less stuff that can go wrong and cost money."
Many years ago, I drove a 1992 Honda Civic for 13 years and then sold it to a friend who kept it another five years. That car didn't even have air conditioning or power windows. But it rarely saw the mechanic and did nothing but get me from point A to B without worry.
A family member drove a Honda Prelude for over 22 years.
And for your 2024 Four Runner, my buddy drove an old Four Runner for close to 20 years and had zero problems.
I loved hearing about your car experience. I am a car aficionado however I find it ridiculous to spend $50k+ on a new vehicle. My favorite car of all time was a 1983 Mazda 626. I drove that until 1999 and passed it along. He drove it for a few more years and then passed it down to his daughter. The next car was a new (made my husband happy) Chrysler 300M. It had its problems but we drove it for 17 years before gifting it to Habitat for Humanity. You can tell I get attached to my car. I was finally coerced (ahem, convinced) I needed a car with all the new safety features. It’s now going strong at 10 years. I expect it to last another 10. Probably longer than me. 😉And you are so right, mechanics hate working on the new cars. So enjoy your “new” old car.
As the current & proud owner of a 2015 Honda Accord, we solute you! 🫡
I saw this article mentioned in a NYT article and searched and found it. Great story and message. When it comes to spending, we have choices. The cost of cars has become so expensive. Has made it hard to make a person’s budget work. But must figure a way to make it work and not get sucked into worrying about what everyone else has. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thanks for finding the article and for your comments. I totally agree! Each person has to decide for themselves where to spend or not to spend. Some people love nice cars.
This is fantastic!
Great story. We should normalize and even celebrate driving older used cars instead of being caught up in “keeping up with the Joneses.” We bought a Honda in 2008 when I was pregnant with my first child. That child is now 17 and we have given it to her for her first car. It’s still going strong!
In March 2016, I sold my 18 year old Honda Civic (for parts) and bought a 2004 Accord with cash that only had 35K miles on it. That car was a lot like yours but it had a 6 cd changer. I kept it for 8 years then upgraded to a brand new Lexus. I miss that Accord sometimes especially with gas prices these days. LOL
We gifted my wife's baby sister my 2010 Subaru Outback last year.
Like yours, it didn't have any bells and whistles, and I thought I would keep it until it hit 200K.
I hated to let it go.
Every other vehicle I drove was a hand-me-down from my wife.
I even drove a Ford Minivan. The first editions were built on a truck chassis; I once drove one across a plowed field on the way to my deer stand.
A good reliable car is a treasure! So hard to let them go. I love these stories. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your articles. Fascinating to read. I in sharp contrast in a car aficionado and find it so alien to read your perspective on this car. I two at one point had a Honda Accord and enjoy going through your questions about what’s important. They probably answered each to the antithesis as you did however, once again, it was interesting to read a different perspective. Thank you.
Spending is personal and different for each person. Here is the proof! Thanks for reading.
I love old cars. They're much easier to work on, most mechanics dread working on a lot of late model cars. In 2003 I purchased a 1999 Camry and drove it until 2018, when I sold it there were 425,000 on the odometer. I purchased a 2000 Toyota Avalon with 52,000 miles on it and plan to drive it as long as possible. The last time I had a car payment was in 1997. Newer is not always better :)
Wow! 425,000 miles is impressive. I agree and worry about driving a new “computer part” car.
When you say "The Honda has zero bells and whistles that have become common in modern cars", I hear "The Honda has way less stuff that can go wrong and cost money."
Many years ago, I drove a 1992 Honda Civic for 13 years and then sold it to a friend who kept it another five years. That car didn't even have air conditioning or power windows. But it rarely saw the mechanic and did nothing but get me from point A to B without worry.
A family member drove a Honda Prelude for over 22 years.
And for your 2024 Four Runner, my buddy drove an old Four Runner for close to 20 years and had zero problems.
Amazing! I love hearing these stories. Now I am excited to see how far the Four Runner takes me.
I loved hearing about your car experience. I am a car aficionado however I find it ridiculous to spend $50k+ on a new vehicle. My favorite car of all time was a 1983 Mazda 626. I drove that until 1999 and passed it along. He drove it for a few more years and then passed it down to his daughter. The next car was a new (made my husband happy) Chrysler 300M. It had its problems but we drove it for 17 years before gifting it to Habitat for Humanity. You can tell I get attached to my car. I was finally coerced (ahem, convinced) I needed a car with all the new safety features. It’s now going strong at 10 years. I expect it to last another 10. Probably longer than me. 😉And you are so right, mechanics hate working on the new cars. So enjoy your “new” old car.
Thank you so much for sharing these car stories. They made me smile.