Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[float_6969]

MOD is right. You'd have to go to a REALLY cheap, REALLY fuel efficient vehicle to warrant the gas savings. And even then, it's going to take YEARS before you even break even, much less start saving anything.

[TurboSauce]

So basically what you're saying is, I'm the third image on this list.
and i should just keep the ls.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Water basket WTF?!

Yes. That's pretty much what I'm saying.

[WDRacing]

Buying an efficient car to replace an inefficient car (magnitudinally moreso if the car's paid off already) with the goal of saving money is broken logic.

TRUTH!

My 540i gets awful mileage. This part of Ohio is nothing but hills. There is nothing flat...nothing. Which makes for some awesome back road driving! But it's anathema to any sort of gas mileage. I get like...22 mpg hwy. In town I get about 4 or 5, but that's because I drive exactly the opposite way you're supposed to if one is striving for more mileage.

My thoughts...

If you down grade your car to a Civic from the LS...I dunno man...just hearing that makes my soul hurt. Drive her until she dies and then part her out so she can help other old LS's keep up the good fight!

[Kompresshun]

Article written by yours truly a couple of years ago about the same fuel mileage comparison: http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/fuel-e ... unked.html

MoD said it best - You'll never see that fuel savings in your pocket with a car payment, because even with a Civic it won't be a large enough difference to make up for the car payment you'll be toting.

Plus you likely will be completely bored with a Civic or something along those lines far before it's paid off. So then you start the vicious cycle of trading in a vehicle you owe on to try to get something better, which almost always puts you in the red. Unless you're paying cash for it, then of course you could see some savings but are you really going to save enough cash to really make a difference?

That's exactly why when I buy a car I don't even factor in fuel mileage anymore. It's worth it to pay the "Happiness Tax" as Brian likes to say and be able to have a grin on your face knowing you're driving something awesome, than to be bored out of your mind trying to save a few bucks on fuel.

[Bubba1]

If you're planning to keep the car a long time, I think reliability is a bigger factor than it appears to have been given credit thus far. But as reliable as your lexus may or may not have been since you've owned it, at some point, you'll need to decide whether you feel, after almost quarter million miles and a few decades of use, if it's worth to keep putting money into it. Problem is, everyone has a different opinion as when it's time to replace instead of repair. IMHO I'd consider selling it while its still running/looking good but that's me. At at the end of the day, it's your choice.

[Kompresshun]

^Good point from Joel there too.

As much as I preach holding onto stuff, I honestly don't hold onto a daily driver past 200k miles. Honestly I don't usually push them past 175k at most. In terms of reliability, I can see replacing something if you can't feasibly afford to keep the current one as a project.

The biggest question you have to ask yourself even in that situation though is will it cost you more to keep it on the road for another year than to replace it with something else? The next question would be do you just simply want something else and are tired of driving it?

I think all cars are worth keeping on the road if they're not full of rust and don't require thousands of dollars to keep road worthy, regardless of the mileage if you like the vehicle. Again though, it's your choice at the end of the day and it's whatever works best for you.

[TurboSauce]

To be honest the fuel isn't really that much of an issue. the fun factor is.

it's difficult for me to decide between keeping it and investing in making it an manual ( but it would still at the end of the day be a very large 4 door) vs something that comes manual from the factory and is significantly smaller.

the only reason i considered a civic is that i'm sure it's much more fun to be driving a 5 speed gutted (maybe gutless) civic than a large luxury sedan that's auto tragic.

Sure the appeal of others is vastly different between the two, for example everyone that rides in my lexus is confused as to why i'd even consider selling it with the current condition it is in.
its quite probably to get another 100k out of the motor no problem. its very comfortable and it handles beautifully for it's size.

But to me driving this land yacht every day is taxing, I simply don't enjoy driving it as much as I used to.

don't get me wrong it has a fun factor, that would be greatly multiplied by a manual trans, but
is it really justifiable to invest money into it that i will definitely not see a return on, when i can simply trade for something that should already have a higher fun factor.

[Bubba1]

To be honest the fuel isn't really that much of an issue. the fun factor is.

it's difficult for me to decide between keeping it and investing in making it an manual ( but it would still at the end of the day be a very large 4 door) vs something that comes manual from the factory and is significantly smaller.

the only reason i considered a civic is that i'm sure it's much more fun to be driving a 5 speed gutted (maybe gutless) civic than a large luxury sedan that's auto tragic.

Sure the appeal of others is vastly different between the two, for example everyone that rides in my lexus is confused as to why i'd even consider selling it with the current condition it is in.
its quite probably to get another 100k out of the motor no problem. its very comfortable and it handles beautifully for it's size.

But to me driving this land yacht every day is taxing, I simply don't enjoy driving it as much as I used to.

don't get me wrong it has a fun factor, that would be greatly multiplied by a manual trans, but
is it really justifiable to invest money into it that i will definitely not see a return on, when i can simply trade for something that should already have a higher fun factor.

Sounds like you're simply bored with what you have now and are seeking a replacement. Nothing wrong with that, and you certainly don't need justification from us whether or not to pull the trigger. What I'm wondering why you'd want a Civic as a fun to drive replacement. If you're seeking more driver involvement with a man-pedal for your next car, I think there are better choices out there than a Civic. I'm not suggesting they suck, and it's obvious Civics are more nimble than the landbarge you drive now. Heck, a 50' Hatteras will feel more sporty than your car. But I'm confident if you test drive some other cars, you won't find a modern civic as much fun.

[TurboSauce]

i was thinking ek eg hatch :p

If only it were as easy as trading keys.

[numbnuts240]

it could be. people around here change hondas like they change underwear. it has to cost them a fortune in dmv fees. wait, what am i saying, they probably just swap plates over without actually registering the new to them cars.

[Bubba1]

i was thinking ek eg hatch :p

If only it were as easy as trading keys.

I suppose, but don't discount the fun of test thrashing....I mean test driving cars.

[WDRacing]

One thing people can do is bring their car in to a trusty mechanic and have them do a solid ppi. Even if you own the car, it doesn't hurt to have another set of eyes insp the vehicle. Sometimes they can provide some pretty critical data where the cars health is concerned.

That way if you've kept the fluids changed and the basic maintenance has been done you know the old girl is still ready for a fight.

Wanting something funner changes the whole dynamic of decision making. Because in my book, fun trumps a lot, if not all, other categories.

[TurboSauce]

/i got an offer on an is300 sportcross or i can trade it for an sc300 2jzgte plus cash on my end.

[Dattebayo]

Here's a cartoon that made me lol today...

[float_6969]

link doesn't work

[Dattebayo]

Yeah, nico's word filter getting in the way again... Why is it that bomb is filtered again?

[TurboSauce]

Edit I declined the trade.

[Beancooker]

MoD, you live in Idaho now? Where at in Idaho?

Hi Brian (WD).

Hi Tita. Daisy has been worried that you're drinking too much. She's feeling much better now. I consoled her.

[MinisterofDOOM]

MoD, you live in Idaho now? Where at in Idaho?

About half an hour north of Idaho Falls, in a tiny little black hole called Rexburg.

[WDRacing]

Sup Noah!

[frapjap]

Morning fellas. Thanks for the article, Brian.

I added a form letter after a quick scan of the bill- pass that bad boy along!

Pretty d!ck move for the legislation to push that through without any sort of heads up or political etiquette- that really pisses me off. We the people is really starting to look like 'we the few and far between who this won't apply to.'

[WDRacing]

Mass is awful. I'll visit, but that's it.

[frapjap]

Morning Fellas. New Orleans tomorrow through the weekend!
Looking forwards to some bbq, oysters, and gumbo!

[numbnuts240]

Hi Tita. Daisy has been worried that you're drinking too much. She's feeling much better now. I consoled her.

[Razi]

[ADDirishboy]

Hi everybody!

(Hi Dr. Nick!)

[nissangirl74]

[frapjap]

Morning fellas.
What've you all been up to?

I'm back from NOLA. Loads of oysters, beers, music, and classes to expand the mind. I'm burnt out, glad to be home in my own bed.

The Subaru is getting its head gaskets replaced. Before I left, I tore down the engine bay and found 180psi across 3 cylinders, but 210 on one. Weird, right?
So, its all coming out.

[Kompresshun]

Mornin' Ray!

I've been slammed lately. Work has been rather busy, then trying to keep up with stuff around here and help with some projects and events. I've been trying to catch up around the house too and fix stuff that i've been putting off for weeks.

The Five Hundred has been acting up lately too. The A/C is weak on it again and something doesn't seem happy in the drivetrain either. It seems like it's down on power a little. I guess it's time to give it some lovin' again. I need to get it to last for another year anyways before I can replace it.

I actually just drove the Miata on Monday evening for the first time in about 3 weeks. I took the kid for a ride around the neighborhood in it. I'm planning on ordering the parts for it this week and hopefully going to get the new rear main seal and clutch slapped in it within the next couple of weeks.

That still sucks that you've got to do head gaskets on the Subie. I wouldn't want any part in that.

That's why i'm not buying anything else FWD or AWD with the engine mounted the wrong way for myself. Whatever a buy next will have the engine mounted the proper way and will send it's power to the rear wheels, unless it's 4x4 and even then I can choose when I want power to the front wheels.