Why don't people drive old cars anymore?

Question

Everyone wants NEW NEW NEW !
This is why this country is in so much debt

Answer 1

Because they're egotistical and have to try to keep up with the Joneses. I've been rather happy myself with old cars. I sure haven't had car payments in over a decade, and hopefully never will again! These people can talk about how great their financing is, but personally I don't care what kind of "deal" they get, no payments at all work better for me! My newest car is 23 years old. I drive it daily, and it's held up for many years. It isn't showing signs of dying any time soon, so why in the world would I want to go buy another newer car? Neither my pocketbook nor my ego are big enough to go buy a new car every couple years. Nothing wrong with driving old cars if you're not concerned about impressing anyone (and I'm certainly not). It's just a car, who cares about having all the fancy new gadgets that break and cost hundreds to fix? As far as the safety issue brought up, my old cars are built with metal, not fiberglass and plastic. I'd much rather be in an accident with one of them than in one of these new "throwaway" cars. I do agree, people buying new cars that they can't afford is one of the reasons there is so much debt in this country. The finance companies sure aren't getting any money out of me!

Answer 2

0% financing!!!! If you get a used one, you'll pay 8+% interest. If you have good credit, dealer give cars away with the low financing and thousands of dollars off sticker. I bought a new Corvette back in March for $5k off sticker. The big three are suffering, and 0% financing is the only thing keeping them above ground. Even VW,Mitsubishi, Kia, Hyundai offer 0% financing. Toyota and Honda have gone as low as 0.9%. With all that said, my next car will probably be 20 yrs old or more, sometimes simple is better. The cars I have now will nickel and dime you to death with all these sensors and warning lights.

Answer 3

Where I live (MA) it is difficult to drive a new car. They dump inches of salt all over the roads every time we get any precipitation between November and March, but then will fail you at inspection for any rust. Also, any exhaust problems or emission problems will cause you to fail. I think this is one reason people get new cars. Anything over 10 yrs old is going to be really rusty and ugly if it wan't washed weekly or more. People would rather spend the money on a new car than spend the money to get an old one fixed.

Answer 4

this is such a general question, I suppose it deserves a general answer.

Old cars are just that. Old. The technology isn't there, the reliability isn't there, and no matter how much preventative maintenance you do to an old car, it will still wear out and need to be junked. Most junked cars are still recycled.

New cars have better safety options, cleaner emissions, better on fuel mileage, and much more technology to help improve all those things, along with comfort, and other luxuries.

People want the best they can have, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Answer 5

Because new cars are better (and more affordable then ever).

The only reason I can see for driving an older car is because you don't have the money to buy what you need new.

There are a few people like gravytrain who don't realise the benefits of new cars (which they think are throwaway despite being more strongly built) and continue to drive old deathtraps that sacrifice the occupants of the car to prevent the front of it from crumpling.

Answer 6

I agree! Back in the sixties you would have seen loads of cars that are ten to twenty years old. But now - everyone wants new ones.

Answer 7

Generalization should be avoided.
I do drive older cars, and to a point the older the better.

Answer 8

They arent as safe.. there arent as many perks ... the are gas suckers .... and they arent good for the air!