- First Name
- George
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2025
- Threads
- 16
- Messages
- 687
- Reaction score
- 1,014
- Location
- Metro Detroit
- Vehicle(s)
- Bronco Wildtrak, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Roush Stage 3 Mustang convertible
- Your Bronco Model
- Wildtrak
Agree with all your points. I too like the features and gadgets. I'm a bit older than you (62), on the back end of the Boomer generation. My parents were immigrants who came here with literally $5 in their pockets. They worked factory jobs, my dad would work day shift at one place, go home and sleep and then work the midnight shift at another factory. On weekends he would deliver pizzas. The result of all that hard work, they bought a house and sent 4 kids to private school because of the Chicago Public schools.
We didn't have luxuries, we had what we needed. Clothes, food and a roof over our heads. They never bought any luxuries for themselves.
In the early 80s was when I went to college. The computer boom was just getting started, so I thought, maybe I should give that a try. My parents couldn't afford to send four kids to college. So, I started working for a company that provided tuition reimbursement, but you had to work full-time, so I worked full-time AND I went to school full-time and was still able to have a girlfriend and go out occasionally (sleep was what was sacrificed) and I drove crappy cars that brought no satisfaction, but I cared for them nonetheless. I did OK in my life and was finally able to buy the things, especially cars that I wanted and didn't have to compromise on too much. Like what was said before, I buy what I like and not to compete with what others have.
The cars my parents drove were second and third hand cars that my mechanic uncle bought off of his customers. Their one and only new car they bought was a '91 Cadillac and then they were afraid to drive it because something might happen to it.
Then, when the four kids were well on their way in their lives, my dad in his mid-fifties when he should just start to take his foot off the gas, was diagnosed with Stage-4 cancer and passed away at 60.
So... what is the point of my diatribe?
I told myself right then when my dad passed that I am going to get and do what I want, however, responsibly and not at the expense of my family or future. I was able to save for retirement and put my kids through college. Sadly though, seven years ago, my wife of 24 years who without her support, I couldn't have accomplished what I did, passed away at 55 years of age after an 8-year cancer battle.
Life is short.
Lastly, as far as reliability and the fact that "cars don't last as long", I disagree. Remember that cars used to have 5-digit odometers. Tune-ups every year. Back in the day you would feel fortunate if your car's odometer rolled over to zeros at 100K miles. Now we expect them to go well over that milestone.
Like I said earlier, I like my creature comforts and will pay for what I want, but I won't be doing it with $1,500 monthly payments.
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