Aircraft owners, beater cars

Uhhh...... '89 Toyota 2 wheel drive, 187,000 miles.
Just broken in...

"Ben Smith" <ben-smith@REMOVE.charter.IT.net> wrote in message
news:1012maap9hv4t2c@corp.supernews.com...
> Anyone else in this group find that you tend to keep cars longer, after
> experiencing aircraft ownership?
>
> My primary vehicle just turned 15 this month, an 89 Toyota 4x4, with 173k.
> The way I see it, if my compression is still good, oil analysis is OK,
rust
> is under control, etc, I'll hang on to it as long as I can. (Even if a
> $1k-$2k major repair comes along occasionally.) I see so many cars
'thrown
> away' because they don't want to spend $1500 fixing a $2000 vehicle. But
> when you figure the cost of a new truck, (A new Tacoma with the same
options
> as mine are about $20k.), it's more efficient to keep the older truck
> running. Insurance costs are lower, since you likely don't need to bother
> carrying 'hull' coverage.
>
> After spending lots of money keeping our 30 year old plane good as new,
this
> all came to mind... :)
>
> --
> Ben
> C-172 - N13258 @ 87Y
>
>

Great observation. In my case, cars have always just been transportation to
the airport. When I moved to Manhatten I sold my car because I couldn't
afford it and a roof over my head at the same time. It quickly became
apparent that taking the train on weekends to the glider field wasn't worth
it. I bought my car back and moved to NJ. Train to Manhatten, drive to
airport.

I think of a guy like Lutz who loves fast cars, fast aircraft and fast
whatever. One can imagine the type of person who wants all of their toys to
be new and hot.

Personally, cars don't excite me much. Aircraft do. My Maule is newer than
my cars and will stay that way as long as I can pull it off.

I'm done buying new cars but hope to be able to buy a new aircraft (but
never will unless I build it)

"Ben Smith" <ben-smith@REMOVE.charter.IT.net> wrote in message
news:1012maap9hv4t2c@corp.supernews.com...
> Anyone else in this group find that you tend to keep cars longer, after
> experiencing aircraft ownership?
>
> My primary vehicle just turned 15 this month, an 89 Toyota 4x4, with 173k.
> The way I see it, if my compression is still good, oil analysis is OK,
rust
> is under control, etc, I'll hang on to it as long as I can. (Even if a
> $1k-$2k major repair comes along occasionally.) I see so many cars
'thrown
> away' because they don't want to spend $1500 fixing a $2000 vehicle. But
> when you figure the cost of a new truck, (A new Tacoma with the same
options
> as mine are about $20k.), it's more efficient to keep the older truck
> running. Insurance costs are lower, since you likely don't need to bother
> carrying 'hull' coverage.
>
> After spending lots of money keeping our 30 year old plane good as new,
this
> all came to mind... :)
>
> --
> Ben
> C-172 - N13258 @ 87Y
>
>

"Ben Smith" <ben-smith@REMOVE.charter.IT.net> wrote in message news:1012maap9hv4t2c@corp.supernews.com...
> Anyone else in this group find that you tend to keep cars longer, after
> experiencing aircraft ownership?
I pointed out to someone that Margy and I were driving 12 year old cars so
we could afford a 50 year old airplane.

"Ron Natalie" <ron@sensor.com> wrote in message
news:40117745$0$182$9a6e19ea@news.newshosting.com. ..
>
> "Ben Smith" <ben-smith@REMOVE.charter.IT.net> wrote in message
news:1012maap9hv4t2c@corp.supernews.com...
> > Anyone else in this group find that you tend to keep cars longer, after
> > experiencing aircraft ownership?
> I pointed out to someone that Margy and I were driving 12 year old cars so
> we could afford a 50 year old airplane.

I have a lead on a 1957 Olsmobile I can put you in touch with.

Plane is 2001, truck is 97.

Used to have to have the latest thing, now I don't seem to get excited by
cars anymore. My gotstohavitz complex has refocused on aviation.

Good thing too, less real depreciation, and more tax depreciation - WooHoo

OUT


"Ben Smith" <ben-smith@REMOVE.charter.IT.net> wrote in message
news:1012maap9hv4t2c@corp.supernews.com...
> Anyone else in this group find that you tend to keep cars longer, after
> experiencing aircraft ownership?
>
> My primary vehicle just turned 15 this month, an 89 Toyota 4x4, with 173k.
> The way I see it, if my compression is still good, oil analysis is OK,
rust
> is under control, etc, I'll hang on to it as long as I can. (Even if a
> $1k-$2k major repair comes along occasionally.) I see so many cars
'thrown
> away' because they don't want to spend $1500 fixing a $2000 vehicle. But
> when you figure the cost of a new truck, (A new Tacoma with the same
options
> as mine are about $20k.), it's more efficient to keep the older truck
> running. Insurance costs are lower, since you likely don't need to bother
> carrying 'hull' coverage.
>
> After spending lots of money keeping our 30 year old plane good as new,
this
> all came to mind... :)
>
> --
> Ben
> C-172 - N13258 @ 87Y
>
>

Although I have bought both new and used cars, I tend toward the
latter. I've had generally good luck with used, and tend to drive
them until the wheels fall off, doing most of the repairs myself.
I avoid dealers like the plague, preferring to buy from the previous
owner. Best I ever did was a $500 special (50K miles)in amazing shape
from a mechanic (taught auto shop at the local high school). I put
another 100K of nearly trouble free miles on it. Why he let it go so
cheap I have no idea.

Having said that, my current daily driver was bought new. I thought
it was a great car for the money (and had the money, so paid cash).
12 years and 135K later I still love it. Virtually no problems and
no regrets. I'd do it again if a similar deal came along - but
wouldn't bet on that happening. So my next will probably be used.

David Johnson