Topic: Upside Down Major

[johngenx]

they hear about a 300 dollar payment bmw's

As you noted, yeah, huge down payment, 8000km/year or other ridiculous mileage cap, etc, etc.

My friends are all cheap-ass climbers and skiers and own used cars they bought outright - but my wife's friends are all "new car every 3-4 years" people, and so they buy based solely on payment.  I bet most of them have no idea of the true cost of the car.

[carcrazed]

they hear about a 300 dollar payment bmw's

As you noted, yeah, huge down payment, 8000km/year or other ridiculous mileage cap, etc, etc.

My friends are all cheap-ass climbers and skiers and own used cars they bought outright - but my wife's friends are all "new car every 3-4 years" people, and so they buy based solely on payment.  I bet most of them have no idea of the true cost of the car.

8000km/yr? Do caps like that even exist?

[OliverD]

they hear about a 300 dollar payment bmw's

As you noted, yeah, huge down payment, 8000km/year or other ridiculous mileage cap, etc, etc.

My friends are all cheap-ass climbers and skiers and own used cars they bought outright - but my wife's friends are all "new car every 3-4 years" people, and so they buy based solely on payment.  I bet most of them have no idea of the true cost of the car.

8000km/yr? Do caps like that even exist?

For exotics, yes. For mainstream cars? I've never seen it.

[tpl]

I remember seeing that 8000 km leasing. On a Ferrari  before 2008.  It was a 2 years lease IIRC and still big payments.  Just aimed at someone who wanted one just once in their life  I guess.



With winter occurring every year 8000 kms would be reasonable for an exotic I think.

[johngenx]

Yes, I was exaggerating a tad.  I think the lowest I've seen in the fine print for any non-exotic was a 12K cap.

[mmret]

Yes, I was exaggerating a tad.  I think the lowest I've seen in the fine print for any non-exotic was a 12K cap.

This can make sense for urbanites. I'm sure there are some folks esp in GTA/GVA who commute via transit and just need a weekend showoff car (invariably its a white BMW).

[OliverD]

I just can't fathom buying/leasing something and not driving it.

Reminds me of my buddy's wife, they've got a 10 year old XC70 that they want to replace but they live downtown and she walks to work. They've also got a new F-150 that has become the family vehicle so they barely drive the Volvo. My buddy suggested to his wife that they just lease a base Civic but she wants something like a (used) Q5. Tough to justify a $30k second car when you drive < 5k a year though.

[tpl]

I understand this.   I drive everywhere but rarely do over 1000 kms in a month. Mrs tpl much less since her leg and foot problem.   If we were still in TO we'd only have one car.

[quadzilla]

I just can't fathom buying/leasing something and not driving it.

When we lived in TO our car would sit M-F as we walked, biked or took transit everywhere. On the weekend we would mostly use our car to leave the city but there many where is also just sat.

[OliverD]

I just can't fathom buying/leasing something and not driving it.

When we lived in TO our car would sit M-F as we walked, biked or took transit everywhere. On the weekend we would mostly use our car to leave the city but there many where is also just sat.

And I get that, I guess my point is more about buying/leasing an expensive car and not driving it.

[dkaz]

You'd have to wonder if car sharing would be a better option for that kind of person? Unless said person wanted a special car.

What bugs me more are the motorcycle owners, who put less than 500km a year on bikes. I was looking at an 07 that only has 1400 km on it. Why??

[rrocket]

. I was looking at an 07 that only has 1400 km on it. Why??

I'd say a great many riders use it as a "toy" and only ride a bit when they have the time. 

Very few of us commute to work or ride in poor weather with our bikes IMO.  Hence it's a fair weather/weekend toy so KMs are usually low.

[johngenx]

I drive the Miata about 10-12K a year. When I had the 911 I actually drove it a lot more considering it was a "summer only toy" car. I put close to 25K a summer on it.  We took it on some really long driving vacations as the kid hadn't come along yet. The two subsequent owners have also been driving owners. Given the newest owner paid a LOT of the car, I'll be interested to see if it continues to see so much use.


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[neil]

What bugs me more are the motorcycle owners, who put less than 500km a year on bikes. I was looking at an 07 that only has 1400 km on it. Why??

I know some people who think they want to be a biker, then they scare themselves and don't touch it again. 

I've probably put on less than 500km total in the past three years, just don't have the time.  My bike is Vintage though so it costs me next to nothing for insurance to keep the plates on.

[micha]

What bugs me more are the motorcycle owners, who put less than 500km a year on bikes. I was looking at an 07 that only has 1400 km on it. Why??

I know some people who think they want to be a biker, then they scare themselves and don't touch it again. 

I've probably put on less than 500km total in the past three years, just don't have the time.  My bike is Vintage though so it costs me next to nothing for insurance to keep the plates on.

I think I would sell my bike and put the money into something else, if I would ride that little... at least you don't have to deal with depreciation with a Vintage bike

[safristi]

You think expensive toy ,unused cars R Expensive.... ..I always comment to friends on holiday as to  all THE BIG ASSS YACHTS sitting idle in Marinas while owners toil away to pay all the associated fees for a few hours of Breezy times................100:1 ratio i suspect................Pay Vs Fun......




We have too many vehicles also............a 1987 Transalp bike...used less and less (should go soon)..a1967 Lotus Elan ,,refurbished and used 5K a year my dream car...not transferable to son..too big...what to do
sell for a new Miata    ....2016 Subie Forr XT lease wifeys fave...she pays she has first call  90% of the time..and I bought a 2008 VW Passat Wagon this Dec for my run around and golf and trip vehicle...pretty darn excessive..............what to do..............A McLarenéPorsche duo....

[dkaz]

. I was looking at an 07 that only has 1400 km on it. Why??

I'd say a great many riders use it as a "toy" and only ride a bit when they have the time. 

Very few of us commute to work or ride in poor weather with our bikes IMO.  Hence it's a fair weather/weekend toy so KMs are usually low.

Yea, especially Harley and sport bike riders. But this was a Honda Reflex 250cc maxi-scooter so it's not really what I would consider toy territory.

[Firm]

I really love seeing people put use to either expensive or cool old cars, especially the old stuff - a car that's 30+ years old and still serving a practical purpose is pretty damn cool in my eyes.

That said, if you're going to evaluate what you should own by how much use it gets; then I should probably sell all but two of our fleet. It's not that I don't want to, I'd love to spend all my time driving and enjoying my toy cars, but that's just not feasible. With work, writing, the house, project cars and making time to spend with the wife it's extremely tough to find time to do anything with the toys. Sonoma and SLK probably have logged 500-700kms each this season. The Camaro and MGB haven't been touched since this time last year, and all I will do before the fall is run them around the block a few times.

Access to the toys is the biggest deterrent for me...At minimum driving one requires moving other cars around in the driveway and/or operating the lift in the garage and/or going to my grandmothers place....It's all just wasted time. I hope that someday I can have a proper setup (like a nice big Quonset hut) to keep them all with easy access. Then I imagine they'd get more use.

[blur911]

I've probably put on less than 500km total in the past three years, just don't have the time.  My bike is Vintage though so it costs me next to nothing for insurance to keep the plates on.

I'm in the same boat with my '85 GPZ900R, except that my previous insurers priced themselves out of range or just wouldn't insure a bike that old.  So, if you're in Ontario, who is your insurer that has cheap vintage bike rates?

[rrocket]

a 1987 Transalp bike..

That's a cool bike.  Is it in good shape?  You have pics??