I agree. Cars that are driven are not investments. They will lose value
every minute that ticks by. Not to say that folks can't find arbitrage
opportunities now and then.

My van is a practical piece of machinery that requires an investment of time
and money to remain a useful machine. If I had to scrutinize every dollar I
spent doing so it would start to sound like work and not fun. Everyone has a
slightly different idea of fun. I enjoy my old 84 with manual windows and
metal bumpers. Yet I can appreciate someone hotrodding an 86 too.

When I compare what I have spent on my vanagon on acquisition and
maintenance vs a new car I am way ahead. An added bonus is the fact that I
enjoy driving and working on the vehicle.

I would rather optimize my ability to make money, invest it where it makes
sense, and leave the vehicles as a hobby that I usually enjoy. Just my $.02

Owen

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Brodbeck" <gull@GULL.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2003 9:08 PM
Subject: Re: weld-in roll cage?

> On Sun, 6 Jul 2003, Ben T wrote:
>
> > face it, there a quite a few people on this list who have invested more
money
> > than their vehicles are worth.
>
> Everyone who buys a new car immediately invests more money than the car is
> worth.  If you don't believe me, try buying the car and then turning
> around and trading it in again.
>
> David Brodbeck, N8SRE
> '82 Diesel Westfalia
> '94 Honda Civic Si
>