Has your car entered "heapdom?"

[shereads]

According to Tom and Ray of NPR's car talk,

"heapdom is defined as that period of time when your car is inexorably sliding toward the junk heap. Heapdom begins when you can no longer simply toss your keys to someone. Once the toss of the keys must be accompanied by special instructions (i.e., "don't forget to check the oil every time you get gas," or "you have to bang twice on the hood and jiggle the shifter before turning the key"), you have entered heapdom."

My 1990 Honda CRX has entered heapdom. I am now desperately trying to justify the purchase of the car I want: brand new, with that special smell that says "the virgin plastic in the dashboard is off-gassing toxins."

This, despite the fact that new cars lose thousands of dollars in value as soon as you drive them off the lot, and that the new one recommended in my price range by the Car Talk brothers is made in (gulp) Korea.

I swear, they are recommending a Hyundai as the car of choice for someone on a limited budget. They both prefer Subaru, "but only because Hyundai hasn't sent us a check yet."

Naturally, neither of the Car Talk brothers drives a Hyundai or a Subaru. They don't have to. They can afford vintage Thunderbirds and old pick-up trucks with character, and they like to work on cars.

What should I do?

Please keep in mind when dispensing car advice that I haven't had a new, exciting car since November 1989! Plus, this next vehicle will be my midlife crisis car. The female equivalent of a man's classic, bright-red Corvette Stingray.

 

[Mysteryjj]

According to Tom and Ray of NPR's car talk,

"heapdom is defined as that period of time when your car is inexorably sliding toward the junk heap. Heapdom begins when you can no longer simply toss your keys to someone. Once the toss of the keys must be accompanied by special instructions (i.e., "don't forget to check the oil every time you get gas," or "you have to bang twice on the hood and jiggle the shifter before turning the key"), you have entered heapdom."

My 1990 Honda CRX has entered heapdom. I am now desperately trying to justify the purchase of the car I want: brand new, with that special smell that says "the virgin plastic in the dashboard is off-gassing toxins."

This, despite the fact that new cars lose thousands of dollars in value as soon as you drive them off the lot, and that the new one recommended in my price range by the Car Talk brothers is made in (gulp) Korea.

I swear, they are recommending a Hyundai as the car of choice for someone on a limited budget. They both prefer Subaru, "but only because Hyundai hasn't sent us a check yet."

Naturally, neither of the Car Talk brothers drives a Hyundai or a Subaru. They don't have to. They can afford vintage Thunderbirds and old pick-up trucks with character, and they like to work on cars.

What should I do?

Please keep in mind when dispensing car advice that I haven't had a new, exciting car since November 1989! Plus, this next vehicle will be my midlife crisis car. The female equivalent of a man's classic, bright-red Corvette Stingray.

My old Mini is certainly on the way to heapdom, but I think she'll go for a while longer. 1986 Model and still going strong on the original everything.

 

[Colleen Thomas]

It is true a new car depreciates 2K or more the minute you drive it off the lot, but so what? A car is not an investment, they will never grow in value, unless you plan on hanging on to it for 40 or 50 years. A new car gives you the best reliability, the fewest things to worry about and for at least five years a warranty on it. While used is more economical, it isn't going to make it depreciate any slower and you will probably not have the same kind of warranty or service.

I say go for it and get something you really want and like. Five years from now you are going to be stuck with a car you don't like, might as well enjoy having it for the first two or three

-Colly

 

[Guest]

I agree with Colly. When my sons were toddlers I had a very old Mazda and my constant fear was it breaking down on the freeway or bay bridge. It was only luck that it broke down near home or work a few times. When the boys were a bit older and I had to get another car (living in L.A. then) I went with a new Honda because feeling as secure as possible while driving was a necessity (though it felt like a luxury).

Get a new car, ella; be good to yourself.

Perdita

 

[shereads]

I admire the oldness of the classic mini, but Colly and Perdita are saying what I want to hear.

Thank you!

The Car Talk boys also recommend Toyota, but not for cheapness. A line I like from one episode of their radio show:

"The only reason Toyota dealerships have a repairs department is to take care of the owner's Lexus."

 

[minsue]

I also agree with Colly and Perdita, but how could I not? I finally got a new car, my first new car, this summer after suffering through 2 blistering desert summers without A/C. I looked at practical cars. I looked at environmentally friendly cars. I bought a steel blue PT Cruiser. I lost my high ground in my constant arguement with my parents about why SUVs are wrong, since I bought a car that gets approx 10 per gallon less than my last one, but I don't care. It's pretty.

 

[Guest]

It's pretty.

You are such a gurl, Min., and I love that.

Perdita

 

[shereads]

I also agree with Colly and Perdita, but how could I not? I finally got a new car, my first new car, this summer after suffering through 2 blistering desert summers without A/C. I looked at practical cars. I looked at environmentally friendly cars. I bought a steel blue PT Cruiser. I lost my high ground in my constant arguement with my parents about why SUVs are wrong, since I bought a car that gets approx 10 per gallon less than my last one, but I don't care. It's pretty.

Well, you needed a larger car if that dog in your AV is going with you. I have a bumper sticker - the first and only one that I've ever wanted - that says "Dog is my copilot." You need one, as a warning that you car carrying a dread beast like that one in your vehicle.

 

[Guest]

"Dog is my copilot."

Way LOL. I want one. P.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Go for it! My 'new' car is two years old and I still get a thrill when I roll out of the driveway or wash it and it sparkles like day one. Only thing I've had to do is put new tires on her (largely because I drive like the devil) and the rest is gravy. Gas and the occasional oil change are awesome and it being a VW all the oil changes were free for the first two years. All I've had to do is drive it in, wait and drive out with it all fixed up.

For me, driving is love. Good luck and get something that makes you want to go out for ice cream in the middle of the night whether you're craving the sweets or not.

~lucky

 

[shereads]

Way LOL. I want one. P.

Purchase online from The Bark literary magazine - which is actually kind of literary, believe it or not, in addition to having the bumper sticker:

http://www.thebark.com/shop/products/products.html

 

[minsue]

Well, you needed a larger car if that dog in your AV is going with you. I have a bumper sticker - the first and only one that I've ever wanted - that says "Dog is my copilot." You need one, as a warning that you car carrying a dread beast like that one in your vehicle.

I can't figure out if I'm laughing harder at the bumper sticker or the 'dread beast' reference. Calling a chihuahua in drag a dread beast is too much for me, my sweet lil 'puppy' being a pit bull who, before the cancer, weighed in at 80 lbs.

Perdita, I'm glad you like the gurliness. You've no idea how many rolled eyes I've elicited telling people how pretty my new car is.

Lucky, you rock, but you knew that already.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

I can't figure out if I'm laughing harder at the bumper sticker or the 'dread beast' reference. Calling a chihuahua in drag a dread beast is too much for me, my sweet lil 'puppy' being a pit bull who, before the cancer, weighed in at 80 lbs.

Perdita, I'm glad you like the gurliness. You've no idea how many rolled eyes I've elicited telling people how pretty my new car is.

Lucky, you rock, but you knew that already.

Min, you rock and everyone but you knows it! Makes you that much sexier.

And I must say, that is the best damn drag dog I have ever seen.

~lucky (cruisin')

 

[minsue]

Min, you rock and everyone but you knows it! Makes you that much sexier.

And I must say, that is the best damn drag dog I have ever seen.

~lucky (cruisin')

 

[shereads]

Go for it! My 'new' car is two years old and I still get a thrill when I roll out of the driveway or wash it and it sparkles like day one. Only thing I've had to do is put new tires on her (largely because I drive like the devil) and the rest is gravy. Gas and the occasional oil change are awesome and it being a VW all the oil changes were free for the first two years. All I've had to do is drive it in, wait and drive out with it all fixed up.

For me, driving is love. Good luck and get something that makes you want to go out for ice cream in the middle of the night whether you're craving the sweets or not.

~lucky

Oh, yes. I remember that pride. It does come with one downside: dreading that first door-ding. I've never done that bit of parking at an angle across two spaces; it seems as if it would invite vandalism. But it's tempting when your car is brand new and virginal, isn't it?

Maybe new cars should come with one scratch on each door, to end the suspense.

 

[lucky-E-leven]

Oh, yes. I remember that pride. It does come with one downside: dreading that first door-ding. I've never done that bit of parking at an angle across two spaces; it seems as if it would invite vandalism. But it's tempting when your car is brand new and virginal, isn't it?

Maybe new cars should come with one scratch on each door, to end the suspense.

Well I was lucky (er...I am lucky) anyway, I put the first scratch on her by stumbling into the car, keys in hand, and put a tiny scratch beside door handle. Not a good moment for looking like a dumbass and falling and then scratching my shiny red jetta but it was me and not someone else and for some reason made all the difference.

I don't believe in parking across two spaces (I'll do that when I get my porsche) but I do park in the most secluded parking space around and receive the added benefit of a little exercise. This is largely more for the protection of the vehicles and owners of anyone who may park near me, as if I receive a scratch or paint from another vehicle I am likely to become enraged and do unspeakable things to their vehicle in return. I know this makes me a bad person, but it is me and I own my faults.

The first scratch on my motorcycle, however, was almost a case of murder and I'm seeking therapy for this ridiculously intense love of motor vehicles.

Scratches can be buffed out or repainted...the tremendous feeling of pride and exhileration of driving a new car cannot be matched by anything less than a brand new car. And if you can't do it for you, do it for the dog.

~lucky

 

[SlickTony]

I've never done that bit of parking at an angle across two spaces; it seems as if it would invite vandalism.

And mind you don't, Shereads; if I ever come to hear that you have, I shall be dreadfully disappointed in you. People who pull that trick are assholes by definition.

I would dearly love someday to get a newer car--I mean, one that's only a couple of years old or so.

I replaced my 1990 Nissan Sentra, which I had driven to death, with another 1990 Nissan, a 240SX, but it had spent much of its life in New York City so I figured that it was only about five years old in car years. I've put the miles on it since, however, since I live in one of the geographically sprawling places in the world. When I first drove from Lake Charles, LA to Jacksonville, it was about 900 miles or so; then in the next two or three days, I put another 900 miles just driving around exploring the city and looking for a place to live.

I love Car Talk. I wish I got to listen to it more often. Tom and Ray are two of the funniest men on the planet.

 

[Wildcard Ky]

My "car" is what most people would expect a guy from Ky to be driving, a v-8 4wd truck. It's not headed for the heap, it's just getting good and broke in. It's gotten enough scratches that I don't mind going into the woods with it. It ALWAYS has a fair amount of mud on it. When it's not going through a field or the woods, it is towing my boat to the lake.

I guess I'm not doing much to dissuade the Kentucky stereo type, eh?

 

[minsue]

I love Car Talk. I wish I got to listen to it more often. Tom and Ray are two of the funniest men on the planet.

Ask and ye shall receive.

Listen whenever you want

 

[SeaCat]

Loving it.

My car entered Heapdom long ago, but it is still running and still giving me good service. Maybe it's because I'm lucky enough to have been raised with a backyard mechanic as a father. (I'm driving a 1998 Dodge Cravan with well over 200,00 miles on the clock and rust holes where there used to be rust holes.) This vehicle has served us well amd will only be retired after I finish rebuilding a relic I pulled from the junkyard. (1978 Enonline Van with the monster big block engine in it.)
While I love the lines of some of the new cars, I can't stand their engines. I want a vehicle I can fix on the side of the road and don't need to hook a computer to to adjust it.
The perfect car for me would be something like a PT Cruiser with an engine from the early 1970's. Too bad they don't allow us to modify them that way.

Cat

 

[shereads]

And mind you don't, Shereads; if I ever come to hear that you have, I shall be dreadfully disappointed in you. People who pull that trick are assholes by definition.

I would dearly love someday to get a newer car--I mean, one that's only a couple of years old or so.

I replaced my 1990 Nissan Sentra, which I had driven to death, with another 1990 Nissan, a 240SX, but it had spent much of its life in New York City so I figured that it was only about five years old in car years. I've put the miles on it since, however, since I live in one of the geographically sprawling places in the world. When I first drove from Lake Charles, LA to Jacksonville, it was about 900 miles or so; then in the next two or three days, I put another 900 miles just driving around exploring the city and looking for a place to live.

I love Car Talk. I wish I got to listen to it more often. Tom and Ray are two of the funniest men on the planet.

They are happy, aren't they? I wonder if those two ever take a month off to be sullen and introspective?

If you have Windows Media Player (not for us Mac folk) you can hear their programs at cartalk.com

 

[Madame Manga]

First ding? The first ding on my first new car occurred when some joker ran into the back of it at fifty miles per hour when I was stopped in traffic. Luckily he pulled left at the last moment, or he would have ended up in my passenger seat. As it was, he only snapped the axle, tore off my left rear wheel, crumpled the trunk and jammed my driver's door shut. The insurance company totaled it on the spot and cut me a check the next day.

Oh well, I didn't like the color of that car anyway.

MM

 

[shereads]

A bit extreme, but that's certainly one way of changing your mind on the color of the car without worsening the stereotype.

First ding? The first ding on my first new car occurred when some joker ran into the back of it at fifty miles per hour when I was stopped in traffic. Luckily he pulled left at the last moment, or he would have ended up in my passenger seat. As it was, he only snapped the axle, tore off my left rear wheel, crumpled the trunk and jammed my driver's door shut. The insurance company totaled it on the spot and cut me a check the next day.

Oh well, I didn't like the color of that car anyway.

MM

 

[Weird Harold]

I swear, they are recommending a Hyundai as the car of choice for someone on a limited budget. They both prefer Subaru, "but only because Hyundai hasn't sent us a check yet."
...
What should I do?

Please keep in mind when dispensing car advice that I haven't had a new, exciting car since November 1989! Plus, this next vehicle will be my midlife crisis car. The female equivalent of a man's classic, bright-red Corvette Stingray.

Get more opinions that just the "tappet brothers" -- check their opinons against consumer reports and the most recent crash tests you can find.

FWIW, my daughter lusted after the Dodge Durango, but wound up buying a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta wagon. I'm seriously impressed by her Volkswagen's safety features and warranty.

However, the most important thing about any car is how YOU fit in it and how it suits your needs and personality. Spend a weekend or two just wandering dealerships and looking at cars before you seriously start shopping -- drool on a few 'Vettes and Porsches before yousettle for what you can afford. (the dealers don't mind the drool, really they don't.)

 

[KenJames]

According to Tom and Ray of NPR's car talk,

"heapdom is defined as that period of time when your car is inexorably sliding toward the junk heap. Heapdom begins when you can no longer simply toss your keys to someone. Once the toss of the keys must be accompanied by special instructions (i.e., "don't forget to check the oil every time you get gas," or "you have to bang twice on the hood and jiggle the shifter before turning the key"), you have entered heapdom."

My 1990 Honda CRX has entered heapdom. I am now desperately trying to justify the purchase of the car I want: brand new, with that special smell that says "the virgin plastic in the dashboard is off-gassing toxins."

This, despite the fact that new cars lose thousands of dollars in value as soon as you drive them off the lot, and that the new one recommended in my price range by the Car Talk brothers is made in (gulp) Korea.

I swear, they are recommending a Hyundai as the car of choice for someone on a limited budget. They both prefer Subaru, "but only because Hyundai hasn't sent us a check yet."

Naturally, neither of the Car Talk brothers drives a Hyundai or a Subaru. They don't have to. They can afford vintage Thunderbirds and old pick-up trucks with character, and they like to work on cars.

What should I do?

Please keep in mind when dispensing car advice that I haven't had a new, exciting car since November 1989! Plus, this next vehicle will be my midlife crisis car. The female equivalent of a man's classic, bright-red Corvette Stingray.

If you keep a car long enough, depreciation is irrelevent, as I keep telling a co-worker who only buys used Volvos.

My 1992 Nissan 240SX is still passing younger cars. I'm hoping it will hold out several more years, so I can get the house paid off and proceed to my midlife crisis 350Z.