One thing I love about The Autopian is how everyone on staff is allowed to write about their own cars. It’s a fun way to let readers into our world and show off our tastes (or lack thereof). Editor-in-chief David Tracy recently wrote about the saga of his Jeep J10, specifically, the conclusion in which he finally sold it after a long country-wide back-and-forth, and some drama involving a tree branch. Despite all that, he made out pretty well, breaking even in the end. You lot were quick to call him out on that. StillNotATony:
Well, well, well.
If it ain’t Mr “I made a HUUUIUGE mistake shipping my J10 across country to sell it” coming in here to tell us how he basically broke even.
Well, lah-dee-fricken-dah.
Don’t you know cars are a terrible investment?!? Next thing you know, Mercedes is gonna buy some fancy VW and not lose her shirt on it!
What has this site become? You guys used to be cool…
Sure, new cars are a terrible investment, but old cars are another story. Even a vintage automobile can get you to work and back (and act as a home if times are especially tough), and because they’re already depreciated, it’s actually pretty tough to lose your ass on them, so long as they’re still running when you go to sell. Horizontally Opposed:
This neatly colors in one of my favorites points about owning an average old car: they don’t really depreciate. Looks like it was pretty hard for you to get upside down on this truck, although not for lack of trying: you shipped it cross-country twice and when that didn’t work, you dropped a tree on it. Still, car gods said “nah you’re good, here’s your money back”
Thomas wrote about how the ID. Buzz is back for the 2027 model year, now with a camper van trim that comes with its own bed (but no extra range). TheDrunkenWrench:
This is gonna become the “Teenage Fuckmobile”, cause given the range, it’s never getting “slept in” any meaningful distance from home.
Honda debuted two new hybrid prototypes today that look awfully production-ready. Thomas wrote about them, and many of you pointed out that the smaller of the two cars looks sort of like the dearly departed Honda Crosstour. Otto Bianchi:
Sweet day in the morning! Could the Crosstour make a comeback?!
Angrycat Meowmeow:
I gotta say I’m kinda digging the new Crosstour
Lbibass:
Oh my god it is a new Crosstour. That’s exactly what it looks like, only a little less bloated in the front.
Arch Duke Maxyenko:
Worst Espada tribute, ever.
Have a great evening, everyone!
Top graphic image: David Tracy
Do yourself a favor and buy an old classic. The experience is so wildly different than a modern car. And don’t go for one you can barely afford either. Pick something that has some flaws which you can work on, but isn’t so nice that you’re afraid to park it anywhere. And while millennials seem to all be fixated by JDM this and JDM that from the 80s and 90s, take a serious look at older cars that aren’t Japanese. You’ll find incredible deals.
Everyone should drive an old car at least once, it’s like wiping your butt with a dry corn cob compared to modern vehicles. Makes you appreciate how far we’ve come, even at the bottom of the modern barrel.
Reminds me how I drove my old van onto the dealer lot, smoking, CEL flashing as coolant went everywhere it wasn’t supposed to, dirty as hell, clearly past its last legs. And I proudly traded it in for a $1500 manufacturer trade-in rebate, which I reckon was about $1000 more than any living, breathing person would give me for it.
My Ford vanmongering has been broadly profitable, actually. A running, driving Econoline van is always worth $3-5K to SOMEBODY. Random tradesman, future vanlifer, tow pig needer… I’ve resold three junkers bought for < $1000, put maybe 200-300 bucks of parts at most (there’s not that many things to break on the IDI chassis) and then the only one I sold for under 3K was under duress because I had to move soon.
It helps to be into old cars literally nobody else wants. Keeps my prices low!
YESSSS!!! COTD! My proudest accomplishment today, and I made pizza for dinner!
Speaking from experience, nothing ever drove home the point that I’m an idiot quite like losing my ass on selling 3 of my personal vehicles in a row……while working as an actual car salesman.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Losses?
Why is it always my most juvenile comments that make the cut?
Thanks Brian!
Because we are an immature and frivolous bunch here.
“We’re all mad here.”
“On second thought, let’s not go to Autopia.
“‘Tis a silly place.”