Almost-personalopnik: Is this what advanced "adulting" is like? I never thought I'd see the day...

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/03/2019 at 00:02 • Filed to: wait but who will buy all the shitty tercels now?!

After countless financial forecasts, number-crunching, and some third thing that refers to financial analysis, the message is clear: 2019 will be my 2nd consecutive calendar year with no vehicle transactions.

Every year since 2011, I had either bought or sold a car. That was, until 2018, where among other reasons, but primarily the house stuff, no vehicle was bought or sold.

In 2018, we sold our first home, bought ou r second, and paid of f a fat — FAT BOI, BBW, ALL THE GENDERS — chunk of student loans as well.

I recall posting about 50,000 times about trying to buy a camping rig for 2019. I shared everything from an S-10 Blazer to a Double Cab Taco. But alas, it was all fantasy... T he option was never truly on the table — without sacrifice.

And that’s the other major sticking point. I inexplicably have a good and reliable fleet, and it’s one I enjoy.

My wife’s car is functioning exactly as intended: change the oil and check the fluids.

My longbed... You’ll pry that from my cold, dead hands. It’s has been showing its age the last few years. So you’d think I would run it into the ground and accelerate the wear in order to justify purchasing a replacement. However, I’ve done the opposite: I barely use it and now it’s garaged . Why am I garaging it?! Have you seen it? It’s 39 years old!

The Paseo? The only thing worth a penny that would easily financially subsidize a quality Zoidberg SUV/camping thingie/and-or truck? I like that thing. I also have have this sinking fear that I will definitely regret letting it go right now.

I’ve also entered this weird phase where I basically barely drive at all. I like being home. I drive countless miles in the Taco, but that’s not my problem as I don’t own it, and it’s all work and no play . I’ll be lucky if I drive even 3,000 miles this year outside of work. Why push the budget for something I scarcely do anymore?

So there you have it. If I had the money, I’d pay off the rest of the student loans. If I had more money, I’d fix up the house. If I had even more money, I’d travel. I don’t even know who I am anymore.

Happy, to be honest.

DISCUSSION (22)

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:08

It's weird to look back at who you are and compare it to where you are, and then realize how quickly life can change. Cheers to adulting.

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:09

We can still post on Oppo about all the Toyotas we would buy, right? Right?

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:11

Driving for work takes all the joy out of cars. That’s what it is.

It’s one of the reasons I insist on remote these days, or at least 99% WFH. New job is fully remote (don’t even have an official desk) and so I can work from anywhere. Has me giving serious consideration to moving a bit south.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:11

Agreed, n o new cars, hopefully I’ll finish licensure and be a full fledged Architect. 2019 is gonna be my “ year of financial and professional responsibility”

(because I definitely didn’t just buy $200 worth of m odel cars I don’t have room for ...)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
02/03/2019 at 00:15

Further, I live in an area where traffic is bonkers. Even on weekends, it’s dreadful. So dreadful I considered buying an automatic for a personal vehicle -- which I ultimately did.

atfsgeoff > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:17

You haven’t reached master level adulting until you look at things you think you want, then question whether ownership of such things will actually improve your life in a measurable and lasting way.

Then you begin questioning how new “things” can make you happy if the things you already have, don’t. And then you contemplate the fact that nothing goes with you when you die, so what’s the point of any of it?

Fuck it, gonna go for a drive.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > atfsgeoff
02/03/2019 at 00:21

Hah! Those are some of the darkest recesses of my brainsphere that are NSFOppo.

vicali > atfsgeoff
02/03/2019 at 00:22

Or you realize exactly how fast kiddos grow up and spending that extra hour at work to afford some kind of Oppo toy works out to 5hours a week away from said kiddos, who grow an inch taller in that time, and have lost another tooth, and are onto the next phase on their life that you just missed.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:24

My car is fully paid off and has retained at least 75% of the value I paid for it 8 years ago. And I take public transportation to work.

My wife, on the other hand, has 2 vehicle payments that make me turn red when I think about them.

atfsgeoff > vicali
02/03/2019 at 00:26

Kiddos are the Bonus Dungeon level of Adulting that is crazy hard, and technically isn’t required , but it’s where all the best rewards can be found if you take the time to look.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
02/03/2019 at 00:31

That’s the other thing. We own all our vehicles and have never financed one. To me, it would be another monthly bill and a burden right now. Costs of living here a quite high. As such, you’ll often see very nice vehicles at very undesirable apartment complexes.

BeaterGT > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:40

I'm still on beginner adulting, will probably move later in the year and may sell a car.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 00:42

Same. This year will be dedicated to retiring debt which then will provide budget space for a car purchase next year. I do plan, however, to be driving the Camaro more this year which is basically getting a new car since it has seen precious few miles previously.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 01:08

I’ve been driving my Mazda for ten god damn years now and have managed to only put 52,000 miles on it! The darn car is going to rust away before the drivetrain had any issues. Plus I spend most of my money on fixing up the house and feeding my kids. I highly doubt I’ll be getting anything fir a few more years.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/03/2019 at 01:10

I thought about calling you out the other day. There was an oppo posting about making a car purchase, and you replied that something along the lines of, “When you’re dead, you can’t take it with you.” And I was like, wait a sec: Doesn’t that bastard drive an old Mazda3 sedan?!?

jminer > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 01:12

Yep, I’ve made the same shift over the last couple years. Growing up is a strange thing, pausing to make practical decisions instead of just fun ones.

Even been thinking about getting rid of a few long term projects to free up some cash and make investments in the house...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jminer
02/03/2019 at 01:16

I have actually offered to sell my car to help with some home upgrades, and it’s been my own wife who has charged in with, “Nonono! Don’t sell that car, you love it!” I personally think she’s scared I’ll buy another Tercel, but it was a sweet gesture nonetheless.

Sovande > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 07:26

I’m thinking I may be in the same boat. I went and checked out an old Chevy Caprice Wagon yesterday and it was wonderful. An off white color with brown velour interior, surprisingly straight body, most of the doors worked and then he fired it up and it was dictionary definition of the words "rod knock" and I was sad. I bet I could have it for $500 but then I would need to find an engine. Decisions are hard.

f86sabre > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 08:29

You’ve purchased cars you enjoy and that get the job done. You are maintaining them. You now own a house and the first decade of ownership will see many expensive home projects. You only have so much to play with, so enjoy what you have. That’s how it has worked with us.

What free money we have we use on travel. My wife and I made the choice to forgo a super trendy house and swank furniture so that we can travel and save a bit. When we have needed a specialty vehicle or piece of equipment we have rented or borrowed. $1000 for an RV for a few days is still WAY better math than owning one. Adult choices.

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 08:56

Yeah, that is what advanced adulting is like. I'm coming to terms with the fact that it is very unlikely that I will be replacing the RallyMetro this year. It's weird only having one vehicle to call me own (I mean, except the scooters, but those don't count, right?).

shop-teacher > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 08:57

She's right, for both reasons.

random001 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/03/2019 at 11:15

Zoidberg crushes my minivan dreams in one post....