Vehicle payment

[txab]

2 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I understand the rules. Let’s face it people don’t have to click on a thread if they don’t like. There’s really only a handful of people who make this interesting. We’re colorful and opinionated. Sometimes we need a nudge. Are there really people who get upset when we get sideways? That’s interesting. There’s another GM site the language is offensive. Us getting colorful is mild in comparison. It just makes me wonder. I’m use to being around people state their opinions. It can get tough. This is mild in comparison. I’ll do my best. 

But they click on a thread about one subject "Vehicle Payment", and get 2 weeks worth of political stuff. After that they won't come back to that thread, but maybe not the site, in some cases. I saw a facebook post about that referenced this site saying it was for "old people",  and they discuss their aches and pains, politics. There haven't been a lot of great truck topics happening. Winter is coming more people may post here than are currently. One thing, people are shifting to Facebook which is a mistake as far as getting help or discuss truck mods or issues.

 

Really pretty simple, QUIT HIJACKING THREADS.

Edited October 22, 2025 by txab

[customboss]

 

[BrianFerguson]

On 8/9/2024 at 6:32 PM, KARNUT said:

What is your comfort zone in regards to your vehicle payment? How often do you trade in? If you’re upside down do you roll that in? And how does that compare to your spouse? … I never put any money down. I buy only when there’s a discount. For 40 years my business paid for my vehicles because I drove many miles for the business. I bought only year end or discounted trucks so I had different brands. That allowed me to have collector cars as my personal vehicles. My wife drove performance or sport cars usually for 5-7 years. The last is a 2011 Genesis. She still has her last sports car an Acura Intagra Type R. My retirement truck a 2014 Texas Edition GMC cost me 27K. It was discounted from the mid 40K. A big sale on 12/31/13. The dealer called me at my office needing one more sale. My ex son in law worked there at the time. All the stars aligned. It was our personal highest payment for a vehicle to date at 400$. Several years later and several more vehicles later my last new vehicle came in at 500$ per month. I’m in a different situation now being retired. I don’t see buying another new vehicle. I turned a different leaf. It happens when you get older. I’m going to run them longer. My wife still drives her 2011 it looks good. I just put 20K miles on my Avalanche in four years. That model will go 300K easy. The trip vehicle the Odyssey is just barely at 150K. I’m going with longevity. As far as payments. Unless it’s a screaming deal at 0 percent it’s cash here on out. There’s only a few brands I’ll buy going forward. We’ll just leave it at that. It's a similar mindset to comparing UK payment gateway options—the lowest upfront cost isn't always the best long-term value. Looking at the total cost over time, reliability, and overall flexibility usually leads to a better financial decision than focusing on the monthly payment alone.

Interesting perspective, especially looking back over that many years. My approach is pretty similar now—I'd rather keep a reliable vehicle longer than chase a new one every few years. Depreciation hits hardest at the beginning, so if the vehicle is dependable and still meets your needs, it's usually the cheaper option.

I also try to avoid rolling negative equity into the next loan. It can make upgrading feel easier in the short term, but it often means paying for a vehicle you no longer own. If financing makes sense because of a genuinely low interest rate, that's one thing, but otherwise I'd rather put money toward maintenance and drive the current vehicle longer. It tends to work out better financially over time.

[KARNUT]

37 minutes ago, BrianFerguson said:

Interesting perspective, especially looking back over that many years. My approach is pretty similar now—I'd rather keep a reliable vehicle longer than chase a new one every few years. Depreciation hits hardest at the beginning, so if the vehicle is dependable and still meets your needs, it's usually the cheaper option.

I also try to avoid rolling negative equity into the next loan. It can make upgrading feel easier in the short term, but it often means paying for a vehicle you no longer own. If financing makes sense because of a genuinely low interest rate, that's one thing, but otherwise I'd rather put money toward maintenance and drive the current vehicle longer. It tends to work out better financially over time.

Updating. My Avalanche went to my grandson because I got a smoking deal on a Ridgeline. The Genesis is over 150K and the Odyssey is going over 170K. Both needing nothing but maintenance so far. Don’t tell anyone I wouldn’t mind if the Odyssey will fail. I want a newer one. I’m stupid that way. I’m performance oriented. The odyssey is surprising. The Genesis is quick. The Ridgeline not so much with a 5 speed automatic and AWD. With heavy duty maintenance coming up I may move it along. Usually I let one of the kids have them. The fuel mileage and maintenance coming up. I’ll sell or trade it unless I just do the maintenance. I always had a Chevy of some kind in my yard. I’m not feeling it with the Ridgeline. My brother in law has a Yukon with a 4.8 and no cylinder deactivation. It’s a pretty clean high mileage example. He living in Oklahoma now needs an AWD for emergency’s. His driveway is very sloped. I may suggest a swap. I’m chewing on it while looking around. 

Edited 1 hour ago by KARNUT