Vehicle Ownership

[KARNUT]

How long do you keep your daily driver? How do you make your purchase? Do you order, buy CPO, used, or left over?                                        I usually change every two years. When I buy new more often than not it’s leftover. I wanted equity to roll into the next one. Then it’s CPO. For the same reason. I’ve only ordered once, paid sticker once. Special cars. Made money on those. Lately it’s been used. It worked out that way. My mother in law quit driving her CRV. I gave my daughter the latest new one a Camry. It was 2 years old. Two years later my daughters Odyssey needed 100K miles maintenance. I traded her the low mileage CRV. Two years later the Ridgeline became available. I knew the man from church. Ten years ago I said to him, nice truck. If you ever want to sell it let me know. He did. I’m a man of my word. It was a good deal. I think the gods are keeping me from a new vehicle. 

Edited December 1, 2025 by KARNUT

[garagerog]

My first car was a used '64 Impala 2 dr. hardtop, w/o going into details I've preferred to buy new since then. First year depreciation doesn't enter the equation as I tend to keep vehicles for a very long time. Of the 7 new vehicles, 4 off the lot, 3 ordered. I prefer to order as you can get the options you want including the color. Last car ordered was a '24 3LT Blazer for the wife, never owned a red car, always wanted one so got the Midnight Edition in Red Hot. As far as options, the 3.6 V-6 and towing package that I wanted for the H/D cooling was less than a sunroof which I didn't want.

[KARNUT]

It’s kind of an addiction for me. Two-three years max for daily drivers. I’ve had over 150. I managed to get good at negotiating I’m always looking for deals. New, used no difference. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter if it’s a very desirable vehicle or a mundane vehicle. I need to change. It does help if I have multiple used vehicles so I can switch up. One so called desirable vehicle new wouldn’t change a thing. My wife is the opposite, thank goodness. I had a trailblazer ss the ultimate utility vehicle. Al boxes checked. Three years later. I traded it in for a stripped reg cab Ram. It had a V-8 but not the hemi. Can’t explain it. 

[diyer2]

My dad told me when I got my driver's license a vehicle is a big money pit. That will not change.

[KARNUT]

12 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

My dad told me when I got my driver's license a vehicle is a big money pit. That will not change.

Not a car guy. What was his passion?

[RyanbabZ71]

2000, 2010, 2019 chevy trucks special ordered.  

2008 Tahoe ordered

2012 and 2018 Camaro bought off lot

2021 ZL1 bought used since they are no longer made and harder to come by.  I would have ordered the exact car but a different color (do not dislike this one but not my first choice).  

 

I like my 2019 has 81K miles and I plan to keep it for some time.  

[RyanbabZ71]

21 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

My dad told me when I got my driver's license a vehicle is a big money pit. That will not change.

 

I sold my 2018 Camaro in 2025 for $500 less than I paid for it new.  Definitely held its value.

[garagerog]

20 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

My dad told me when I got my driver's license a vehicle is a big money pit. That will not change.

So is a house, but bundles of $100 bills are not a flying carpet that will get you where you need to go or provide shelter.

[Z45]

I buy a new truck every 3 yrs and always a Sierra Denali since circa 2000. Never finance.  Not model years but ownership years. Basically when the 36 month bumper to bumper expires I look for a replacement. Last 4 trucks I was able to find in dealer inventory and when there were great incentives.  My trade is always in demand. 

 

I own (since the 1970's)  my house and live in a low property taxes area.

Edited December 1, 2025 by Z45

[Atlas]

I've owned a lot of different cars. I tend to turn them over every 2-3 years. I've kept a vehicle for 10 years and there's no trophy at the end. Just an old vehicle.

 

Turning vehicles frequently isn't the financial disaster that some imagine. Sure, it's an expensive way to own a vehicle but what is life if you're not having fun and doing the things you want to do? Some people spend $20k to travel across the world to look at pictures on a wall, or rocks. Can't trade that in, all you get in return is a memory. Those are great, too, I'm not saying experiences aren't important, but the financial judgement of some just doesn't hold up.

 

I've taken a different approach to new vehicle ownership which is I try to find the 1@, the aged inventory, cars a dealer wants to get rid of to make room for a more profitable unit or one that attracts more traffic. Something I'm happy with but isn't loaded to the hilt. It might already be aged a model year and has incentives and cash piled on the hood which typically wipes out a good chunk of years 1-3 depreciation.

 

When it's time for something different, I generally trade. Most people say this is horrible practice, but actually, trading works well with newer, higher value vehicles that can still qualify for "new car" bank loans (1-5 years old) versus old stuff. Doing it in a state where a tax credit is applied to the trade value is also a good way to stay almost tax-neutral in a transaction, only paying tax on the difference.

 

In the end, I compare my expense to turn a vehicle to what a comparable lease rate would be on that same vehicle. In most cases I beat the best lease deals and what I'm doing is essentially leasing and providing my own capital to do it. The interest or money factor is the opportunity cost to me, which, if I were to invest that money instead, it's actually not cheap.

 

At the end of the day, I spend money to keep newer vehicles around and myself entertained with such, and I do so shamelessly because it's my money. And I recommend others spend (or save) theirs as they see fit!

[PunchT37]

My last 2 cars were 23 and 26 years old when I bought a new one. The 26 year old one is still here. Runs fine. Drive it anywhere. I buy new so I can break em in my way.

 

I do have a 54 year old car but it`s not a daily driver. I spent most of my life as a mechanic so, I keep em running a long time. It`s also why I like the 5.3/6.2 engines. MUCH less complex to work on than the DOHC turbo stuff out there.