Are movies and TV shows really accurate when it comes to American attitudes towards cars? I remember watching something where a character lamented how old their 5-year-old car was. This simply does not compute to me. My mortgage is less than the equivalent of $1000 USD a month - I’d much rather have an “old” car.
Very much depends on the location, the individual, and their social circle. My parents were kind of like this - they always wanted to “upgrade” their car every 10 years to something bigger or more luxurious.
My friends and I, however, really do not care at all. We’re more proud of how hard and long we can drive a car and still keep it running. I’m shooting for 1,000,000 miles on my Corolla.
Ten years though … that’s getting to the point of needing extensive maintenance.
This is similar to what I do: I keep my cars until they need too much attention. One of my criteria in a vehicle is long term reliability, but it’s worked out to 10-14 years(in my parents generation, this was 6-10 years). I’m most frustrated by my Civic, after only 11 years couldn’t pass inspection without thousands in repairs. Meanwhile I was an idiot with my Pontiac, keeping it 14 years by spending way too much on unending repairs. My Subaru is at nine and counting, so we’ll see
If you can do some of your own car work that can make a huge difference, but I no longer have time, tools, or opportunity
Are movies and TV shows really accurate when it comes to American attitudes towards cars? I remember watching something where a character lamented how old their 5-year-old car was. This simply does not compute to me. My mortgage is less than the equivalent of $1000 USD a month - I’d much rather have an “old” car.
Very much depends on the location, the individual, and their social circle. My parents were kind of like this - they always wanted to “upgrade” their car every 10 years to something bigger or more luxurious.
My friends and I, however, really do not care at all. We’re more proud of how hard and long we can drive a car and still keep it running. I’m shooting for 1,000,000 miles on my Corolla.
Ten years though … that’s getting to the point of needing extensive maintenance.
This is similar to what I do: I keep my cars until they need too much attention. One of my criteria in a vehicle is long term reliability, but it’s worked out to 10-14 years(in my parents generation, this was 6-10 years). I’m most frustrated by my Civic, after only 11 years couldn’t pass inspection without thousands in repairs. Meanwhile I was an idiot with my Pontiac, keeping it 14 years by spending way too much on unending repairs. My Subaru is at nine and counting, so we’ll see
If you can do some of your own car work that can make a huge difference, but I no longer have time, tools, or opportunity
The auto industry spends $30+ billion per year on advertising. Some of that takes the form of product-placement in TV/movies.
Americans do love their cars, yes.
Car, guns, and
cocainerock’n’roll.