A question for all car entusiasts

"xtheunknown" (chrisamaru)
10/13/2015 at 10:55 • Filed to: None

I’ve had a lot of cars. My list of cars, in the recent past, goes like this:

2009 Dodge Caliber
2010 Dodge Challenger SE V6
2011 VW Jetta TDI
2012 Cadillac ATS 2.5L
2014 M-B CLA250
2015 M-B GLA250

That’s 6 cars in 6 years. Recently I had a conversation with my new girlfriend that went something this:

Her: “Wow, you’ve had a lot of cars. Why is that? It doesn’t really matter, I’m just concerned that if you’ve traded in cars on a such a frequent basis, will it be the same with me? Will you get tired of me after a year and trade me in for a newer model?”

Me: “No, honey, it’s just that I’m always looking for the right car and when I find it, I’ll keep it longer.”

Her: “Oh, ok, I just wondered.”

So my question is: Does my constant trading of cars say something about me in general, or have I just not found the right car for me?

Incidentally, I really like my GLA250 Edition 1, and I think I might keep it (for a while.) Of course, my friends say I have no credibility whatsoever when making a statement like this, but I do really like the GLA (and the girlfriend.)

DISCUSSION (13)

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 11:02

Cars are different from people, but also very similar. They’re different in that, well they aren’t actually people. So trading one out doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings, except perhaps your own. They’re similar in that cars can have personalities, and you can grow attached to them. But having many different cars is just like meeting a lot of different people. Each is a new experience and a new friend.

It could say several things about you. Maybe you just think the grass is always greener. Or you truly are just looking for the right car. Perhaps you just want to have as much fun in as many cars as possible.

Btw, looks like you’re about due for a Japanese car. ;)

64Mali > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 11:05

I think I have you beat for number of cars don’t worry. Finding the balance between what you like, what you need, what you can afford makes it a bit difficult.

TractorPillow > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 11:06

Do you think it says something about you?

I’ve had 5 cars in the last 2 years (Viper, Elise, Classic Mini, 80’s MB SEC, Mazdaspeed3) and, for me, it says that I like to own different cars because there are so many to experience. My wife has been cool with it (largely because I have yet to sell for less than I bought, other than the MS3) and it has never translated to me wanting to go out and find something new in other aspects of my life. I’m not looking for the right car, though, because I believe there is no such thing.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 11:09

I’ve had 3 cars in 5 years. I plan to pay my TL off a year ahead of schedule and move onto something new. I’m walking down the same path as you.

I think it means you’re just looking for what fits you best or that you’re a crazy car guy like us and like to try new things.

PS. Why needs more imports

Future next gen S2000 owner > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 11:14

Does my constant trading of cars say something about me in general, or have I just not found the right car for me?

No. I could go on about the financial impacts, but it is your money so do whatever you want with it.

Anymore questions?

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 11:17

I imagine that cars work the same as Thermodynamic processes LOL (Just had a test.) Like, every time you trade up to something else, you can’t get 100% of its used value back, you lose a little bit every time. So my parents have a rule that we keep every car for at least 10 years, so when my parents asked me what car I’d be interested in, the 19 year old in me wanted an FR-S, but the 29 year old me plans to need a car seat, so I asked for a Sienna instead that I’ll be hand-me-downed in 4-5 years. (I’m only 20 now fyi.)

I think it’s great you constantly trade cars, it keeps the mystery in life, waking up every morning knowing that there’s a chance that day is the last day you’ll own that car (and it’s not when it’ll be 15 years old.) If I could, I’d trade cars like I get iPhones and iPads, about once every two years.

Also, just googled what a GLA250 Edition 1 was, since I thought Edition 1s were for AMG cars, I love that Brown interior you have.

Autofixation > xtheunknown
10/13/2015 at 20:57

Is the GLA250 FWD?

xtheunknown > Autofixation
10/14/2015 at 08:15

Yes, but mine is 4matic All-wheel drive.

xtheunknown > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
10/14/2015 at 08:16

It’s a good combination the brown interior with black accents.

xtheunknown > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
10/14/2015 at 08:17

I’ve only had one, a 1990 Mazda MX-6. If I were going to go for one now I think it would be an Infinti QX30, which is basically just my current car with different styling. If the Subaru XV Crosstrek didn’t have that stupid CVT tranny, I could go for that.

xtheunknown > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/14/2015 at 08:21

You rightly point out the biggest problem with what I’ve done. I’m getting killed on two things. 1) Depreciation and 2) Excise Tax. The excise tax is the real killer because it is high at first and goes down over time. I’m always paying the maximum and it sucks.

xtheunknown > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
10/14/2015 at 08:26

The complete list being:

1986 Ford Escort EXP
1990 Mazda MX-6
1994 BMW 325is
2000 BMW 325i
1988 Jeep Cherokee
2000 Jeep Cherokee
Then the cars in my original post.

I used to keep cars 3-5 years, then a reached a certain point in my life and it went to every 12-18 months. I don’t know what happened.

xtheunknown > xtheunknown
01/04/2019 at 10:46

So it’s happened twice since I originally wrote this post. I traded the GLA250 for a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Limited and then the Jeep for a 2015 E400 Coupe.

I was without the E400 for two months due to a deer strike.

Kinja'd!!!

I really like it and will probably keep it bu t, as I said before, I have no credibility when it comes to statements like this.