We had one of these on BNA. It tended to keep the site ticking over a bit.
I’ll start with the topic with a video on keeping older cars and which ones to get or keep. It’s very U.S. centric, but you’ll get an idea.
It’s very likely by now that some have heard some horror stories of the problems with modern cars and how they are quickly becoming problematic not long after purchase. One guy at work broke a light on his leased Ranger. I heard the repair took 4 months because they were having trouble getting the light module to communicate on the CAN bus. He ended up getting a new lease in the end.
Forgot to mention, I’ve got a 2004 manual Corolla with ~210,000 km. The clutch was changed recently. I don’t drive it much as I mainly ride a Honda CB500F to get around when it’s too far for my commuter bike. So the car spends most of it’s time under a cover. As it doesn’t do many kms per year, there is no pressing need to replace it. It might be my last car.
2007 Ford Mondeo TDCi Hatch with 150,000 km which will probably be my forever car as I am not sure how many years I have left and it just works for us.
Being a hatchback the bike fits in the back with wheels on and I much prefer it to a SUV which seems to be the vehicles of choice by most these days.
My Little 2014 model Toyota Corolla Hatch (one with the little dickie antenna) is coming up to 12 years old soon and only has 87,600kms on it, I bought it as a Demonstrator in 2014 and it only had 300kms on the clock, and it’s been a good little car and economical on a trip albeit with a fair bit of road noise but at 6.2L/100kms average, I’m not complaining.
Just like the two Mitsubishi Magnas I had prior to the Corolla, they gave me well over 13 years of reliable motoring with hardly a thing needing repair or replacement although the last Magna AWD sedan needed a new console window controller that i had to find at a wreckers as Mitsubishi couldn’t get a genuine part. Worked out well and easy to install. Thirsty as heck though!!
I’m not convinced about the latest model cars, there’s been so many things go wrong with them especially the CVT Transmissions, you blow one and you’ll be looking at least $7K for repair and maybe more for a new one.
Just about every car that Toyota sells now are Hybrids, no other option so Toyota might be out next car but whatever I get next, It’ll be a trip car only and the little Corolla will still do shopping duties, the smaller the car in those shopping centre carparks, the better.
Nah, it’s still completely stock standard, and I am always amazed at how capable it is in its original state. Far more capable than me, and I don’t think I have enough interest in going actual 4WD’ing to start modifying it. I’m happy it can take me to some remote enough spots to camp or whatever, and that suits me fine
The time has come (earlier than planned but it was being accounted for). It’s up on the hoist with the engine in several pieces as it gets a refresh. Pistons, rings, crank bearing, cam chain and belt and a few oil system components being replaced. Bringing it up to fresh reliability and should get another 100k km from her, which is about 15 years at my rate of use.
I used to be a petrol head, but motorcycles primarily, cheaper, faster, more fun, but also more dangerous.
I have a couple of cars now. The youngest is 20 years old. A Suzuki Swift. I bought it as a drone around everyday commuter that is cheaper to run than my other car, a '00 Nissan Patrol. I have had it 23 years. It is tough, reliable and simple. It likes fuel though and not quiet inside. We use it to tow our camper trailer and I grab firewood with another trailer in it. Planning to move it on in the not distant future. A Dmax twincab also second hand will do.
Cars now shit me tbh. I don’t enjoy working on them and they are a large drain on finance. Cannot do without them unfortunately, however.
Outside of rock climbing, it’s my favourite topic…
Can’t say anything new interests me. With 7 cars, my newest vehicle both in age and most recent purchase is a 2010 VW LWB Transporter 4Motion Trakka camper van. Fully set up including off road pack (lifted with off road tyres and snorkel) has been perfect for driving the 4WD roads in the Grampians… Purchased as I’m getting too old to crawl into the back of my 04 Subaru Forester XT to sleep when out bush.
I would have my Ford Anglia back in an instant! It had a 1500 Cortina motor in with twin 1.5" SU carbies on it along with the head being shaved by 80though, a mild cam grind and over sized pistons n rings but ran the standard Anglia gearbox.
I’m a bit the same now, used to be a petrol head but now I just can’t be bothered with them and not only that, just with a Corolla and a 650cc Suzuki mc, just those 2 alone cost me close to 2K per annum for rego and CTP (NSW) plus full comprehensive insurance, especially with the vehicle theft that goes on around the NSW/Vic Border.
We all pay whether or not affected directly or not.
I may sell the Motorcycle next year and buy a 4x4 + c’van and do the grey nomad thing…don’t know yet!!
I’m buying a caravan before the end of the year for trippin and weekend getaways. I already have a MR Triton that I’m setting up for it. It won’t be a new van because be stuffed if I will pay the bend over and insert huge numbers of pineapples for something that depreciates like cars!
Most would agree that cars are large financial burdens. I try to minimise by driving/riding old and small.
I used to enjoy the achievement of servicing and working on my own vehicles. But I must admit the novelty has worn off over the decades.
I recon that most could do without them. Plenty of people do in other countries. But agree that far less convenient to do so.
Yep, immediate efficiency trumped the full-cost accounting of the process. And one of the reasons I’m getting the R specced with ever-so-slightly bigger rings.
It had a 1500 Cortina motor in with twin 1.5" SU carbies on it along with the head being shaved by 80though, a mild cam grind and over sized pistons n rings but ran the standard Anglia gearbox. 
