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More Than 80 Percent Of Americans Can’t Afford New Cars (jalopnik.com)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
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[–] 55 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Just bought an 11 year old car for 12k. Because a new one would've wiped out my savings and then some after saving for 5 years to replace my 20 year old car. Nobody can afford shit.

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  • [–] 29 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    People need to stop "pretending" they can afford all this shit, it's not needed and noone cares, who are people showing off too?

    New iphone? Don't need it

    Maybe if we stop buying shit these companies will actually try

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  • [+] -26 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

    I bought a boat last year and now I want a bigger one. I've got lots of disposable income because I don't live beyond my means. Lots of people carry credit card debt and spend stupidly. Don't do that and you'll likely be ahead of most people.

    The boats are around 2k. Not huge rich guy money.

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  • [–] 21 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    The cost of a boat is primarily in upkeep, not price. You’ll see.

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  • [+] -13 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    You say primarily. Only really on the long term. It's mid 20 foot sail boats. I can learn to do fiberglass/painting, etc myself. Paying tradesmen is where the cost is.

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  • [–] 15 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    Fiberglass ain't cheap either brother. You need to fix a water tank? Just looking at fiberglass makes your wallet lighter $500, and costs rise exponentially.

    Problem with your inverter? Batteries? Generator? 3k a piece, and that's if you're shopping around.

    Don't get me wrong, I live off-grid and after doing it for a few years we decided a while back that if it's not rated marine we just aren't interested in it. Everything rusts. Every bullshit thing in the market is designed to fail after 200 cycles, just past the 180day warranty. But marine ratings are actually enforced. So everything we own has steadily become aluminum or stainless steel. Redoing finishes and waterproofing, oiling. Protecting shit from the weather is almost a full time job.

    And then the canvas. And the rigging. And the ropes. Rope is without question my favorite tool. I know a solid 50+ knots I can do blindfolded, upside down and behind my back hanging in a tree. Bro, I love sailing, and rigging for that matter, and I won't even do what your doing and I'm in my early 40s, childless, no debt, own two businesses, have no rent or mortgage payment - and I can't afford a boat.

    Godspeed my man.

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  • [–] 8 points 2 years ago

    I just love him arguing with you when you clearly were speaking from wisdom gained by experience (even if it's experience of others, idk)

    There's a reason there is a famous joke about the happiest days of a boat owners life are the day he bought it and the day he sold it.

    sorry for new Yorker paywall

    But if anyone knows a work around I'd say this OP is a bit down that list already lol

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  • [–] -1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 child)

    I'm not rebuilding a boat. I'm finding a boat in good condition with space to basically camp for a week. Inverter? Generator? Bro I'm not buying a yacht. I'm looking at 50 year old boats built like tanks with matching accomodations. Just want to get out there and have some fun. Lines can get rough and ugly but still have years in them when it's double braid. Also it's going to be in fresh water for most of its life. Merely interested in patching any bad looking stuff with fairing compound, hit it with some bottom paint every now and then. I already passed on a 1972(?) Pearson 26 (soft spots in the deck), now looking at an Ericson 27 instead.

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  • [–] 4 points 2 years ago

    Forget this guy. Just go enjoy your boat if its within your means. Not everybody wants to or is psychologically able to sit around and do nothing in the name of saving money. Maybe boats are depreciating assets, but so too are our lives.

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  • [–] 9 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    I bought a boat last year and now I want a bigger one....I don't live beyond my means....spend stupidly....

    🤯🤯🤯

    Homie. You just bought the largest money sink there is. You can drop 20k into your 2k boat and when you turn around and sell it you'll get your 2k back, that's it, maybe. All the amenities are nice, but no one cares if the all the outlets match the drapes - that's why buying either is stupid, financially.

    Fences are another good example. They can cost tens of thousands...EASY. In fact if I heard a neighbor fenced even one side of their yard for under 5k id be in shock. They make a place more livable, more comfortable. They increase the likelihood of a sale but they don't increase property value so you're never getting a return on that money.

    Be it fences, boats, outlet covers or drapes, those are all emotional purchases. Their value is subjective, so most find when it's time to move on from them theyre the only ones who see that value.

    Like go spend 5k on a couch. How much you think your gonna get for that? Or your mattress?

    Better live on your next boat if you like life on the water. It's literally the only way I've ever seen anyone who works for a paycheck hold onto a boat. A real boat. The kind that you have to moar and drydock once every few years. Only way.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago

    Dude not everything has to turn a profit, people are familiar with depreciating assets, they are allowed enjoy things though.

    Honestly I thought fences was a euphemism because there's no way you think people invest in fences for financial reasons. It's for aesthetics and privacy.

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  • [–] -3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    It's a hobby. I'm doing a proper checking to make sure everything is sound and not putting money in for it to look pretty, just to sail around and camp on the water on the weekend. Like I said I'm far from broke.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago* (1 child)

    To be clear, you can have any hobby you want my man, that's cool. You do you. I'm not taking umbrage due to your taste or aesthetics. The part that offends is your condescending attitude towards other peoples spending, while you do one of the most expensive "hobbies" there are. If the contrast isn't striking to you or you think you've earned some next level respect, having risen above the mere mortals and all, well then you just come off quite Antoinette, and as a quick reminder, that's not a good look either.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that's what this is or putting you on blast, I'm just saying it's bringing these vibes to me and putting that on the table. You do with it what you will. If there's something I can tell ya that's universal across cultures, it's lend a hand to help, bring people up with you, and attack up, not down, especially with jokes, opinions and attitudes.

    Otherwise you're just a kiss ass for people with more money/power than you. And idk man, some people are comfortable licking boots and kneeling, I don't get it but it is what it is, it's just not something I can quantifying into a price. The rest of us just have to cope, I guess, with owning our dignity, integrity and spines. For some people everything is for sale.

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  • [–] 0 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    I was merely offhanded mentioning what I was planning on spending the money I've saved by not owing high interest credit card debt. Partly as a way to share my excitement on a minor thing.

    I've passed on the boat I looked at today as it's a bit too much work and money to bring up. I try to make sound financial decisions.

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  • [–] 1 point 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

    Bro Im not trying to add to a chorus of people who're gonna tell you not to have your hobby. I adore everything about sailboats, that being said, the only way I've seen anyone stay on top of the things is by living in it, which maybe you should consider. Mooring costs aren't as high as rent payments are, at least, not yet. Fuck if my wife would agree, that's exactly what I'd do in a heartbeat. Then I'd get the boat ready over a year or two and sail down to Patagonia and try to win over an adventurous penguin.

    In a heartbeat.

    And props on not carrying debt. Debt is just slavery with more steps. Jesus lost his shit one time in the bible. He even forgave his killers. But the fucking money lenders, the bankers, he fucked their shit up. Based Jesus. If he were around today, after a couple months he'd put down the internet porn, look around and say 'i fucking told you guys 2000 years ago, for fucks sake'.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago (2 children)

    I'm curious. What car did you buy? I hate how everything is so inflated. I bought a mint civic si for 8 grand like 6 years ago. I kinda want insight/realize everything is fucked.

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  • [–] 6 points 2 years ago

    We picked up a 12 year old civic hatchback before Covid for 5k and it was in immaculate like-new condition, low miles. It got totaled right after our other car’s engine finally wore out. I then found a 10 year old Toyota for 16k. It was the lowest price in a 200-mile radius for cars/small trucks with under 150k miles on them that weren’t limping/totaled/savaged.

    It was fucking flabbergasting.

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  • [–] 5 points 2 years ago*

    You got yours 6 years ago. 8k was about average for a decent used car then. Now you're paying almost full price for a 5 year old car or if you're okay with a shit box that may or may not last then you can drop 5k. I got a 2012 GTI.

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