What vehicle do you drive?

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What vehicle do you drive?

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2022 May 17, 6:47pm 5,913 views 90 comments

I ask because I’ve thrown around the idea of buying an electric vehicle but just not totally sold for the following reasons:

- large buy in price commit
- road-trip charging anxiety
- battery losing efficiency over time (and with weather)

I currently drive a 21yr old Lexus sedan - 2001 GS430
This was a $55k luxury car when new and I picked it up for $12,500 back in 2011 with 90k miles in a condition that looked like it had just rolled off the showroom floor. It has 165k miles today and is worth about $6-7k if I had to guess based on condition/mileage. I can probably drive the car another 5yrs and I estimate it will be worth the same amount given that it’s fully depreciated.

The car still looks sharp, gets about 20mpg, and still keeps me happy.

My friends think I’m batshit insane to make as much money as I do and drive a car this old but I have strong convictions about not buying shiny depreciating assets to impress other people. Additionally I prefer to put my money into investments, travel, family than things like cars or jewelry.

I estimate that I drive about 150 miles per week for work which translates to about $200 of gas per month.

I may not drive quite enough for the economics to make sense to go electric given my current reference point. I guess I need to also consider that a 21yr old car won’t run forever although I’ve seen these cars go well over 200k miles, even over 300k in some cases.

It’s remarkable how reliable this luxury Toyota has been. It’s never left me stranded, never had any high dollar repair - only brakes, tires, and some suspension bushings. Also had a check engine light once during the 10yrs I owned it… turned out to be a $80 oxygen sensor that was replaced this year (labor included). Not a drop of oil in my driveway and AC still blows ice cold. I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t experience it.

In a strange way, I’m almost eager to keep driving it just so I can see how long I can stretch this out…

What car do you drive and where do you stand on the gas vs electric topic?

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zzyzzx 2022 May 20, 8:10am

Bd6r says

Ceffer says
brand new Subaru Forester LImited

We also drive Subaru Forester, and also have heard jokes about "car driven by angry lesbians'". It is manual so less chance of being stolen by diverse populations who don't know how to drive stickshift.

Nice car, but I liked our 2003 Forester better.

Bd6r 2022 May 20, 9:05am

Never had any gaskets go out on us. 2003 Forester was totaled in a crash a couple years ago and had nearly 200K miles on it. Before that, only repairs were battery changes and windshield repair.

Having said that, I am not buying Subaru's any more. Our last Forester feels underpowered relative to 2003 version. I suppose it is because of mpg mandates, or because they are trying to be like every other car manufacturer.

Ceffer 2022 May 20, 10:14am

Yes, I had to replace head gasket on Subaru WRX turbo at 60,000 miles. Only major repair item. I guess that is pretty standard, but I haven't heard of it in the non-turbo, and I think a lot of turbos have head gasket issues in general.

However, being a lesbian makes up for all of that.

FortWayneAsNancyPelosiHaircut 2022 May 20, 10:21am

Bd6r says

Never had any gaskets go out on us. 2003 Forester was totaled in a crash a couple years ago and had nearly 200K miles on it. Before that, only repairs were battery changes and windshield repair.

Having said that, I am not buying Subaru's any more. Our last Forester feels underpowered relative to 2003 version. I suppose it is because of mpg mandates, or because they are trying to be like every other car manufacturer.

Ours had a leaky gasket too, common problem apparently. I like it as an AWD, I do offroad a lot with it, there are no roads where I go. But yeah not sure if I'd get one again. Trucks are much more useful with a crew cab especially, just hate that most aren't 4WD.

Bd6r 2022 May 20, 10:28am

Ceffer says

However, being a lesbian makes up for all of that.

Apparently lots of us Subaru owners around here

Ceffer 2022 May 20, 10:42am

This is the worst case of lesbian envy I have ever experienced on Patnet.

HeadSet 2022 May 20, 11:35am

Ceffer says

However, being a lesbian makes up for all of that.

Yes, I hear that lesbians with an actual penis are in high demand.

Bd6r 2022 May 20, 12:03pm

FortWayneAsNancyPelosiHaircut says

I do offroad a lot with it, there are no roads where I go. But yeah not sure if I'd get one again. Trucks are much more useful with a crew cab especially, just hate that most aren't 4WD.

We drive on roads in W. Texas that are not maintained. WRT to trucks, very few are with manual transmission. I might buy one in few months as I am afraid that they will get rid of manuals totally.

BayArea 2022 May 20, 1:33pm

Having to replace a HG at 60k and referring to it as standard is mind boggling

43 EBGuy 2022 May 20, 1:35pm

Interesting, I bought a vehicle several years ago with a similar price and mileage to what Bayarea's vehicle had. Is that some sort of sweet spot? First time buying from a dealership (was a trade in with complete service history). That said, there is usually a timing belt change (which can be expensive depending upon the vehicle) in the 80-100k mile range. I finally completed the last two major service items: spark plugs and inverter fluid change, so (in theory) am good for another 100K (?) -- as long as the hybrid battery doesn't go boat anchor on me (16 years old).
Anyone have thoughts on how long a oil drain plug should last? Vehicle was always dealer serviced. At around 100k they informed my wife that drain plug was leaking (she asked about replacement), and was told an oil pan replacement would be needed next time around. This was in the middle of the pandemic and I was a bit suspicious. At any rate, I thought it absurd and bought a Fumoto valve for the oil pan. I hadn't been under a vehicle in a while but drained the oil. It was clear the the drain plug had been cross threaded a bit at one point (perhaps do to negligence from "dealer service professional"). I crossed my fingers, screwed in the Fumoto valve and hoped the oil pan threads would hold. Oil was leaking a bit, but I continued to give it a quarter turn until the dripping stopped. So far it's been holding, and even survived a subsequent dealer oil change.

Eric Holder 2022 May 20, 1:43pm

BayArea says

Having to replace a HG at 60k and referring to it as standard is mind boggling

Yep, my relatively ancient vehicles don't even require fucking spark plugs replaced until 105K miles. Subaru has screwed the pooch on this one. Same goes for Nissan and their fucking CVT disaster.

BayArea 2022 May 20, 1:53pm

Drain plug is not a wear item.

It needs to be replaced when there is user error from over-tightening.

Keep in mind that the threads on the plug are softer than the threads in the oil pan. It’s that way by design so that the plug fails before the oil pan fails.

Eric Holder 2022 May 20, 2:02pm

BayArea says

Drain plug is not a wear item.

It needs to be replaced when there is user error over over-tightening.

Keep in mind that the threads on the plug are softer than the threads in the oil pan. It’s that way by design so that the plug fails before the oil pan fails.

There are now such things as aluminum and even plastic oil pans. >8-[~]

If the dealearship is the only one who touched that plug they are responsible for fucking it up, period. Unless, of course, some kind of quickie-lube place was involved at a certain point - these are famous for cross-threading oil plugs every fucking time.

Ceffer 2022 May 20, 3:19pm

Eric Holder says

Whaaaat? Facial recognition in a car? What for?

Supposedly a convenience feature. Some Euro cars also have facial recognition. You can make the car only recognize you to start, or your authorized family members (anti-theft?). The powered cars will also adjust the seats for you when it recognizes you and adjust for different family members. It will speed limit the sibs and rugrats, too, if they take your car and track them for you. It bleeps you when you take your eyes off the road too much, or engage in unsafe diddling around. However, it is capable of bringing the car to a stop if it decides the driver has passed out or become somehow disabled. It does some other things, but I got tired of reading them.

These cars are Starlink connected. Also internet connected when they are close to your home hub. They are kind of like big cell phones on wheels. Mine gives me a monthly check up report. All eerily Big Brother, but the facial recognition feature just smacks of NSA keeping track of you wherever you go and deciding whether to run you off the road, electrocute you, lock the doors and gas you, or drive you over a cliff. They could probably do that, anyway, but it feels icky invasive to have face recognition in your personal vehicle.

BayArea 2022 May 20, 3:25pm

Aluminum oil pans typically have a steel threaded insert for where the plug threads into it. Again it has to be that way or there would be far too many costly disasters

I’ve never heard of a plastic oil pan

49 EBGuy 2022 May 20, 4:01pm

Eric Holder says

If the dealearship is the only one who touched that plug they are responsible for fucking it up, period.

I probably pissed them off by using one too many $40 oil change coupons (which the dealership sends out after about nine months). Normal oil change is $80.
That said, all service was done by dealer, and 100k miles still seems premature to me for normal wear and tear on an oil pan and plug.
And I didn't even get to the best part. One week after the dealer oil change, the radiator dumped on my driveway. Again, highly suspicious. If the radiator was leaking at the time of oil change, I would have thought they would have caught something during 10 point inspection which they claim to do. At that point I had Stockholm Syndrome. You can live with an oil drip, but obviously a new radiator was needed so back to the dealership it went. I had them change out the water pump when they did the timing belt a couple of years back.,so, hopefully, coolant system is good for another 100k...

Booger 2022 May 20, 5:03pm

BayArea says

I’ve never heard of a plastic oil pan

Lots of vehicles have them now. It cheaper to manufacture, and reduces reliability. That's a win for the manufacturer.

Booger 2022 May 20, 5:04pm

BayArea says

Drain plug is not a wear item.

On some vehicles with plastic oil pans, it's a wear item.

HeadSet 2022 May 20, 7:09pm

BayArea says

Keep in mind that the threads on the plug are softer than the threads in the oil pan. It’s that way by design so that the plug fails before the oil pan fails.

At the cab company we use slightly oversize drain plugs on drain pans with worn threads. Works fine.

BayArea 2022 May 20, 11:45pm

They can’t really create a failure that only shows up in a week… sounds coincidental more so that fraudulent

gabbar 2022 May 24, 9:00am

I am in the market for a new vehicle. My first choice make is Toyota Rav4. But Toyota dealer is quoting a Toyota Rav4 at MSRP plus 3000 in accessories that I don't want.

What do you think about this Mazda CX-5. This is the first offer that I got from a local dealer

Bd6r 2022 May 24, 9:16am

gabbar says

My first choice make is Toyota Rav4.

try costco auto program: https://www.costcoauto.com/enterzipcode.aspx?gotourl=%2F

During more normal times (few yrs ago), you could customize car there.

zzyzzx 2022 May 24, 9:34am

gabbar says

I am in the market for a new vehicle. My first choice make is Toyota Rav4. But Toyota dealer is quoting a Toyota Rav4 at MSRP plus 3000 in accessories that I don't want.

What do you think about this Mazda CX-5. This is the first offer that I got from a local dealer

I think that you should wait at least a year. Two years would be better.

57 clambo 2022 May 24, 9:53am

Toyota Rav4 are cool cars.

I will take Toyota over Mazda any time.

Maybe you can find one with 10,000 miles (used).

People get all of the kinks fixed under warranty so you’re getting a good deal and a good car.

zzyzzx 2022 May 24, 9:57am

clambo says

Maybe you can find one with 10,000 miles (used).

If you can find it, it will be more expensive than a new one.

fdhfoiehfeoi 2022 May 24, 12:06pm

If you're thinking long term, I wouldn't recommend buying any new cars. Chips have replaced most of the parts, and those chips are made mostly overseas, and in short supply. At minimum a new car will give up your GPS location all the time. At worst it may come with a shut off switch that can be remote activated.

Buy a used Toyota or Honda that uses mostly real parts.

WookieMan 2022 May 24, 1:48pm

gabbar says

I am in the market for a new vehicle. My first choice make is Toyota Rav4. But Toyota dealer is quoting a Toyota Rav4 at MSRP plus 3000 in accessories that I don't want.

What do you think about this Mazda CX-5. This is the first offer that I got from a local dealer

I'm of the opinion if you like the car just get it. Most people just drive them until they stop working. And most cars have minimal issues before 200k miles. I've never driven a Mazda, so can't come at you with an opinion on it. Rav4 will do you good for sure as I'm in the Toyota family and know a Toyota engineer. Mazda is probably fine if you take care of the vehicle. Same with any make. Obviously some makes/models cost more if there's a major issue. I think you'd be fine with a Mazda I guess is my long winded point.

WookieMan 2022 May 24, 2:06pm

NuttBoxer says

At minimum a new car will give up your GPS location all the time. At worst it may come with a shut off switch that can be remote activated.

Dude, anyone can throw a tracking device on your vehicle. Don't think all your peers are pure and don't have ill intentions. I think we agree on this point, don't trust anyone. I can track anyone I want for $8/mo if they leave their door unlocked.

I'd go for the modern car. Due to unforeseen circumstances and my Toyota guy, you'd be silly not to buy a more modern car. Could be slightly used. I'd go 2015 or newer for sure. Go older if one wants to, but I think longevity is a better value. Not new car, but slightly used to escape that off the lot depreciation. I wouldn't worry about the tech. I'm biased as I have a "guy" so take any of this with a grain of salt.

My Nissan (both) have 210k miles. Two major repairs between the two after they were paid off. Starter and AC. Otherwise normal maintenance. The Versa did chew through 2 mufflers, but I just paid for the first one and repair shop covered the next one. Wasn't a big expense for me anyway. Starter on the Armada was a bitch though. I've swapped them before, but that car you gotta open the fucking engine up.

TL:DR - I have two cars paid off because I bought slightly used. Maybe $3k total in non-regular maintenance over a decade. $25/mo. That's how much I spend on beer per month.

BayArea 2022 May 24, 2:42pm

It’s true that cars can be tracked extremely easily.

Tracking devices are cheap and can be taped to the undercarriage of a car, aren’t noticeable, make no noise, and have low power consumption so battery last quite long.

Not only can someone track where you are, but can take all kinds of fun data on your driving habits, times, speeds, etc

63 EBGuy 2022 May 24, 2:48pm

Here's what I ended up with as a drain plug replacement. Screwing it in, it was clear that there was some cross threading issues on the pan (and visible on removed plug) . Thankfully, only needs to go in once...
The Mighty Fumoto Valve: Oil Changes Made Easy

BayArea 2022 May 24, 2:51pm

Nice, looks convenient

Another convenient one… my Wife’s 4Runner has the oil filter at the top of the engine. The SUV has a small lift so no jacking up of the vehicle needed to get to the drain plug. I can change oil in less than 10min.

Very easy to replace compared to my Lexus sedan that requires you to get the car in the air and remove the lower engine cover. Takes me closer to an hour to change the oil on that one, hassle. It’s almost not worth doing if my confidence wasn’t so low in the oil changer guys who are totally sloppy and irresponsible.

65 EBGuy 2022 May 24, 3:31pm

DooDahMan says

If that sticks down too far or just enough, it also looks like to would very convenient to get broken off as well

You can get it without the hose nipple attachment as well. That said, I wouldn't recommend it for your off road vehicle.

Eric Holder 2022 May 24, 3:52pm

EBGuy says

DooDahMan says
If that sticks down too far or just enough, it also looks like to would very convenient to get broken off as well

You can get it without the hose nipple attachment as well. That said, I wouldn't recommend it for your off road vehicle.

Off-road vehicle would have that thing hidden behind a skid plate anyway.

PS. If Fumoto sticks too much try Fram SureDrain - it has lower profile and a solid bronze dust cover.

67 krc 2022 May 24, 5:15pm

Subaru owner here too. Do enough off road and mountain snow driving (tahoe) to justify the extra cost. Just fan of Japanese engineering.
I would not say as reliable as toyota/honda, as I had a previous subaru that suffered the dreaded head gasket failure. I do have a 1996 honda
odyssey that starts up every day at 240k - I drive it a couple of times a week. A real beater it has a dent on every side of it. A truck for hauling/towing.
Honda Fit - good commute car but don't drive it on long trips.

Other cars I have had that I think are fairly reliable: lexus es300 late 90s, honda pilot mid 2000s (some known tranny issues).
All of these old cars still have value - and are actually getting more expensive to buy with all the general inflation and lack of auto supply.
I am surprised at what folks on craigslist are asking for mid 2000s cars...

RWSGFY 2022 May 24, 5:17pm

DooDahMan says

Eric Holder says
Off-road vehicle would have that thing hidden behind a skid plate anyway.

What to you think the odds are that someplace in the country one or more people are driving around with the skid plates just because....

Odds are 100%: there are literally millions of trucks and SUV with skid plates driving around just because.

BayArea 2022 May 28, 6:47am

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I’m going to go take a spin in my classic Lexus with cold AC blowing.

WookieMan 2022 May 28, 7:01am

BayArea says

Tracking devices are cheap and can be taped to the undercarriage of a car, aren’t noticeable, make no noise, and have low power consumption so battery last quite long.

The ones attached to the diagnostic testing port are unknown to most outside of mechanics. The spot is usually hard to see in most cars. I'd guess 98% of women wouldn't notice is. And probably 70% of men wouldn't notice it either. A mechanic probably just assumes it might be a work vehicle and who they work for requested it be attached. Or some people use them for a couple months for a reduction in insurance, so mechanic aren't gonna be all paranoid and say someone is tracking you if they see it.

Not a joke, but I do peak at it maybe once a week to make sure nothing is plugged in. Takes two seconds. We don't lock our cars where I live. I also don't have anything of value in my car either. I also have multiple cameras on my cars (we have a carport). And I also have no reason to be tracked by anyone. But I still take a peak.

I don't sneak around with other women, I don't go to bars solo and I do nothing illegal beside maybe speeding (I'm a geezer driver) which whatever. The only person that would care about speeding is my wife and she speeds. I cannot think of a reason to track me outside of being a data resource for marketing or travel patterns.

GNL 2022 Jun 8, 3:59pm

I just scored a pretty good deal on a pretty good car. A 2013 Toyota Camry XLE with 49,000 miles on it. Owned by a little old lady and hasn't been driven in about 2 years. $11,800. 4 cylinder gets 25/35 mpg.

gabbar 2022 Jun 8, 4:06pm

WineHorror1 says

I just scored a pretty good deal on a pretty good car. A 2013 Toyota Camry XLE with 49,000 miles on it. Owned by a little old lady and hasn't been driven in about 2 years. $11,800. 4cylinder gets 25/35 mpg.

Do you want to sell it for a profit?

Tenpoundbass 2022 Jun 8, 4:13pm

$11 Thousand dollars for a 9 year old Toyota, is only a great deal in LaLa Land, and Joe Biden is the Mayor.

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