Cars play such an integral part in our lives that one cannot go on living without having some sort of them in our daily life. In todays world we mostly buy things on impulse or because somebody else bought it. Rarely trying to figure out why we need it in the first place. The reason we need to look at this situation like this, is to ease the burden of un-associated (because he bought it we need to buy it or he looks good in it so will we too etc) costs on our wallets and our lives.
When buying a vehicle we need to look at;
- How much mileage it will provide.
- What are its various maintenance costs as compared to other vehicles in its segment or price range.
- At what rpm do the horsepower and torque kick in. If they come at a higher rpm, chances are fuel efficiency will be low as compared to an engine that is providing both at lower rpms.*
- What sort of horsepower and torque numbers are good for the type of terrain one is living in? This can only be judged by yourself as these numbers will be differ for everyone depending upon their environment, current mental climate (three year user, ten year user, bring to the grave kind of user) usage and many other factors that one can make up as one opens their eyes to their surroundings, kind of terrain, passion etc.
The terrain travelled matters a lot over here but not as much as family requirements. Is heavy shopping involved where the trunk and the hack seats of the 'car' are full to the brim? Is the 'family car' used for long trips, and if so by how many adults or minors. *Because greater the amount of weight, greater should be the need for higher torque numbers.
- Timely maintenance not only keeps your vehicle running smoothly but also increases the life span of its various mechanical bits, thus decreasing replacement costs over time.
- With smaller kids one does not require a bigger vehicle but after a while a time comes when the need for a bigger, more robust (looking and) performing vehicle is felt. It is then one must make a careful decision as to the future generation of vehicle to be included into the family. Because when one is young and earning buying or looking to buy a new vehicle in the next five to ten years does not seem like an impossibility, but more like an enthusiasm. But after retirement from working full time it doesn't make sense to keep on buying a new car every ten or so more years. Therefore at this critical juncture a carefully planned purchase (which can last for the next thirty years or so with or without little maintenance, given the fact that it will only be used on the weekends or when the grandkids arrive) makes a lot of sense and smart investment.
Conclusion
Buy a bullet proof engine with a bullet proof body. Or in other words, buy a vehicle which can be serviced, repaired in any part of the country, but for this to happen it should also be able to travel anywhere in the country.
As they say, 'all work and no play makes jack a dull boy.' Especially holds true if you're going to be a grandfather. Your grandchildren would like going to see new places than just sitting at home watching t.v, cartoons or playing video games. And what better way to entertain them then to get them out of their daily school grind by taking them on some much needed, long road trips to some far off beautiful, serene quiet places. Not only would this exercise keep them mentally stimulated and prepped for the daily mundane life they have to return to (school) but it would also give them an edge over other students with the ability to understand, comprehend many key factors of human life without needing much explaining.
Such an engaging atmosphere will not only keep you happy and prevent any deteriorating effects from occuring in your system but also raise the general IQ level of your lineage.*
There are many other reasons for having one versatile vehicle in your garage. Like when you needed to haul something heavy but did not have the means to, so you paid for it to be dropped over at the house. Sure it was cheaper then and doesn't make sense to get an expensive vehicle for a chore that comes along only once in a while but it would have made things much easier to just put it in the back space, go to some restaurant, have a hearty meal of prawns or steaks and then come back home, unload the new pride and joy into the family home.
If we live for others, we enrich their lives.
If we live for our self we enrich our life.
Random thoughts: Car