I've only leased one car in my life ('99 Dodge Durango) and only because I can write it off as a business expense. However, I noticed a disturbing pattern with my owned cars. It seems that I baby them so much that I can't enjoy them anymore. I previously owned a '97 Trans Am for 3 years with a total of only 13,000 miles when I sold it. I would never park it anywhere and payed $100 / month to garage it about 1/2 hour away from my apt complex.

When I was looking to get a new car, I didn't want to be trapped into a lease because of the poor economy nowadays so I decided to buy my Max (2k3 SE TE) thinking that I would treat it like a "normal" car and be able to drive it all the time. Well, unfortunatly it seems that I'm doing the same thing again. I do have a house now so I'm not paying for the garage (well, I am ) but I seem to drive it less requently. I will never park it anywhere for more than say 15 minutes, and I seem to wax it more than I drive it! I've put on 2300 miles since I got it in September 02. The HID thefts have only made me even more paranoid than I already am.

Now with my previous leased car, I would drive it anywhere, park it anywhere and if I got a scratch I was all "Oh well, it's going back in 3 years". Over all the Durango looked great when I turned it in, but not "Showroom" as the buyer of my T/A put it.

What the hell is wrong with me? I spend all this money on a car only to have it sit in the garage? I'm thinking of my next car already (duh) and a leased M3 is really sounding good (but expensive). I like to have new cars ever 3 to 4 years or so and since I can actually enjoy a leased car perhaps that is the way I should go from now on?

I appreciate any input but I already understand I'm a super-**** lunatic. Does anyone else suffer my pain?



ps: I always have a "beater" car that I drive everwhere I won't drive my primary car to. That's how I get away with never driving it - but it feels like I only have a POS.

 

Russ knows exactly how you feel.

 

Doesn't Russ just buy new cars every week?

 

Seems like it....and the funny thing is EACH one is THE BEST car in the world (at least for as long as he owns it).

 

I gotta find out what Russ does for a living!

 

HID related??

 

j/k

 

Buy assets that appreciate in price.

Rent (or lease) assets that depreciate in price.

 

Where do you live?

 

this is not always the best choice. So I should lease my car and pay 2/3 of the 'new' payment but have no equity when I'm done? Doesn't make sense.

Anyway, try driving your car and enjoying it. Or (and please don't take this wrong, but) get help. Talk to someone... you should be able to enjoy your stuff.

 

Rest assured... you are not alone. I too suffer from this syndrome. For me, I think it has alot to do with my upbringing. I grew up in a house that had 3 formal rooms that were NEVER used by the family... only when guests were over.

It wasn't until my dad was prepared to retire early that the rooms finally got some use. Since my parents knew the house would be sold in 2 years, all of a sudden all family gatherings were taking place in the "forbidden rooms". They were now using all the fancy stuff!

The thinking was: This is NUTS! The subsequent new owners of the house will be the ones to enjoy these rooms before we ever will? Now it took 20 years for this to happen, but wow, was the wait ever worth it (actually it was quite anti-climactic). My kids thought being in Grandma's special rooms was cool, though.

Lots of sufferers out there. Want proof? Think of all the people with fancy silverware or china that never gets used... it sits in a china cabinet all it's life because it's too nice... only to have Mom or Grandma die after only using said "good stuff" for special occasions. What a waste.

Something tells me you get some kind of enjoyment out of seeing your Maxima so perfect, and it must comfort you or feel good in some way (otherwise you wouldn't be doing it). Stress reliever, maybe? Only when you step back and analyze what you're doing, do you realize how silly it is.

You have the mindset that the "nice car" is basically there for special occasions. You have to keep telling yourself that EVERY DAY is a special occasion. Only then will you be able to enjoy your car to it's fullest!

The cure? Force yourself to enjoy it more... cold turkey, and once THAT becomes habit, you're home free!