I had a rather tongue-in-cheek conversation yesterday with an elderly relative. We got on the topic of cars, as you do, and I was lamenting about my upcoming labor requirement for my truck. A clutch job and full suspension rebuild.
"You should buy a better truck, you wouldn't have to worry about all that." It was said in jest, and I took no offense, but it did get me thinking.
My example here is my 93 s10, 2wd, 2.5 manual. It isn't the best example, but to fix it up like I want it'll be well under $3k including purchase. So what would constitute "buy a better..."? My desires are light truck duty, junkyard runs, household appliances, motorbikes, etc. I honestly don't think any definition of "better" is achievable anywhere near the same $$.
The same sentiment applies all over. My accord could be described the same way, as could my rifle, or any of my guitars.
I suppose I'm just rambling a bit, and this probably falls under "buy the best one you can afford" but I don't even think it's a money situation all the time. I don't know what "better" means for my example. It fills my needs perfectly, and my budget, and my personal tastes (though I prefer the ford 2.3 sohc over the Iron Duke, but it is what it is)
Thoughts?
With $3k on the line, it really comes down to buying the least of the basketcases available that should be most reliable once repaired. There won't be an option under $5k that won't have thousand dollar jobs looking down the barrel at you.
Their definition of "better" is "one you don't need to work on all the time". You WERE complaining about having to work on it, remember? They weren't doing a deep evaluation of your needs and the availability of options at your chosen price point. It was a one dimensional response to a one dimensional problem.
Don't want to have to work on it? Buy one that doesn't need to be worked on! Or don't complain about it :)
"Better" in your case would just be a less neglected example. But even saying that, stuff wears out period and requires replacing.
I have the feeling that the elderly gentleman relative has forgotten what it's like and just doesn't fix anything anymore. It's easy to just have someone else do it.
Given that they do not make trucks of that type anymore, you probably have the best example available to you.
My thoughts on things like that generally are, "I would if I could, but they don't make them that small anymore."
Pete. (l33t FS) said:
Given that they do not make trucks of that type anymore, you probably have the best example available to you.
1000x This^
The closest thing to a replacement for that will cost you AT LEAST 20K plus that 3K if you can even find one (Ford Maverick).
Opti
SuperDork
5/8/23 7:31 p.m.
They werent telling you to buy a better one for the same price, they were making the standard recommendation to buy newer, spend more. Most people think thats better.
In reply to Opti :
Robert Pirsig wrote a long rambling book about the concept of "better", or "quality"...
Assuming that you're not buying new, the devil you know is almost always better than the devil you don't know.
I'll be the devils advocate here...
Yeah, $3k can fix it up, but plus how much labor?
At least for me right now, full time job, two kids under 5, house to upkeep... Yeah, I have a Maverick on order. My fun with cars time can then be devoted to fun cars.
If you always expect to dump at least $1000 into every used car you buy, you'll never be disappointed.
I buy better or even the best if I am going to use it a lot. I buy good enough if I will use it occasionally.
There is nothing worse than under buying. It happens. You get something you think you are only going to use a couple times and you end up using it every week.
Opti
SuperDork
5/8/23 9:16 p.m.
In reply to Apexcarver :
At this point an old s10 with a manual is a fun car.
I feel you on the time but with a Full time job and side gig consulting, a new born, a couple of hundred year old houses to repair/renovate and I still prefer to do my own work to save the money and spend the money on dumb stuff. I'll gladly trade a couple hours for a grand, and spend it on completely frivolous things like a stroker for the camaro
I know that my situation isn't unique, especially among this crowd. I'm not even trying to justify the purchase with "it's all I could afford" or "I have the skills and knowledge to make this purchase really good"
Just reflecting on things that are desirable to different folks. Idle musing. For me, the truck serves a real purpose: it's a very useful vehicle. It's also cheap to run and insure, cheap to repair, and I'm very familiar with the platform. Aside from that, probably my favorite subset of vehicle is the mini truck. So that's already three very big "better" ticks on my list. Cheap, cool, useful. Combine those features with the shrinking number of available/serviceable/maintainable compact trucks, and I honestly don't think I could have bought a better truck. These are very personal things though. This is my list of desirable traits.
I suppose maybe a similar vintage ranger would be an acceptable alternative, but not better as a whole. Better (personal preference) power train, less better suspension (cost/potential).
ProDarwin said:
Keith Tanner said:
Their definition of "better" is "one you don't need to work on all the time". You WERE complaining about having to work on it, remember? They weren't doing a deep evaluation of your needs and the availability of options at your chosen price point. It was a one dimensional response to a one dimensional problem.
Don't want to have to work on it? Buy one that doesn't need to be worked on! Or don't complain about it :)
He'srightyouknow.jpg
I know. But then I'd miss all the fun of the project, and also all the fun of complaining. I am a millennial after all.
I have gotten to where I simply don't care about anyone else's opinion of my choices. We all have to walk our own path, and no two are the same.
