Comment Re:Japan and Europe is where the industry is (Score 1) 599
No, I did not mistype. I bought it as-is, and all of those things were long past proper end-of-life. I tapped the air filter and large chunks of gunk fell out. The tires were bald, and one of them had a slow leak. The battery was so old (from 2003, I believe) that I had to jump it to drive it home from where I bought it. At less than $20, an oil change was a no-brainer since it was jet black when I checked it.
You assume I buy new. I always buy used to avoid the several thousand dollars a year that comprehensive insurance (mandated if you buy a car on a loan) would cost me. I suppose if you buy new and treat a vehicle as disposable after say, 250,000 miles, American cars are a good fit. That's how my father does it.
I'm no speed demon, nor have I ever been. I learned to drive in a Ford Escort, and that paltry 88hp was never too sluggish for me. I have an old diesel Mercedes now (which I absolutely love to death) and it's got a glacial 0-20 time (don't even ask about 0-60) and I don't try to rush it. I plan on getting 500k to a million miles out of that car, because I personally know at least three people that've done it.
You assume I buy new. I always buy used to avoid the several thousand dollars a year that comprehensive insurance (mandated if you buy a car on a loan) would cost me. I suppose if you buy new and treat a vehicle as disposable after say, 250,000 miles, American cars are a good fit. That's how my father does it.
I'm no speed demon, nor have I ever been. I learned to drive in a Ford Escort, and that paltry 88hp was never too sluggish for me. I have an old diesel Mercedes now (which I absolutely love to death) and it's got a glacial 0-20 time (don't even ask about 0-60) and I don't try to rush it. I plan on getting 500k to a million miles out of that car, because I personally know at least three people that've done it.