33, self-employed (Real Estate), pay for it and everything else, my wife has a great job as a homemaker (yes, that's a HUGE job) for my 2 little kids. IOW, considered one income (but worth it!).

I'm with Bill Murray. He is right on the money with his assessment.

The FACT is that it is much easier for people (primarily young people, who more than likely have less debt at this point in their lives, no spouse, no kids, if their living at home--no house payment) to afford a $30k vehicle today than it was even 10-15 years ago.

I remember when I graduated from college back in '90. $22k a year job. Nowdays, you can do a lot better than that with just an associates degree or tech-school training (and I'm considering cost of living increases in there).

I won't give any credit to the "commies" who invaded the White House in '92, but the facts are that the economy is better, and a lot of it has to do with the explosion in the IT type fields. I think that's great. Hopefully it will continue.

Another thing is that banks today are much more willing to loan money than back in the mid-80s when I was a teenager (remember the S&L problems?). So basically, its a win-win right now for everyone. It's easier to make more money, and easier to get more money via a financial institution. All of a sudden, you have a lot of buying power. This isn't taking anything away from the younger group...not at all. But, the fact remains that what is available to them was not available 10-15-20+ years ago. The challenge for them (and those my age as well) will be to maintain or improve on this phenomena. Me thinks that its pretty cyclical and we'll see a downturn at some point (a small sign in the stock market recently, in fact).

If there's a serious recession, we'll see who all actually holds on to their L's (I might get rid of mine if gas prices were to get too high...its the worst gas hog of my fleet).

As far as being "envious" of younger people who own a vehicle like this...I think that would be foolish. IMHO, envy is one of the biggest reasons there are people getting shot over a pair of tennis shoes or a set of hubcaps. People in this world need to be happy with their provision. Jealousy and envy only create a frustrated emotional state...which in the best case will leave you feeling empty, and in the worst case can lead people do to things to others they shouldn't do.

Great to see someone like EvilGuy getting a truck by cutting grass. I did this throughout my Jr. High and Sr. High days. Figure $25/yard x 20 yards/week x 30 weeks = $15k. Expenses might run $3k a year. Not a bad spring/summer job...obviously, not feasible for someone who lives up north.

------------------
Wes Tarbox
90 LX 5.0 (10.69 @ 134.7)--597rwhp/590rwtq
96 Cobra (12.34 @ 115.8)--392rwhp/433rwtq
99 Lightning (13.20 @ 103.8)--364rwhp/447rwtq
00 Expedition XLT 5.4
http://hometown.aol.com/wa2fst/home.htm

 

Age: 36
Occupation: Canine handler w/ Federal law enforcement agency. Specializing in narcotics detection.
Bank owns the truck. I make the payments.

------------------
Silver 2000 Built 5/26/00
#3299 of 4966
Bone Stock
SnugTop Tonneau Cover

 

Not to seem to self absorbed, but I'm the man!!! Ok maybe not the man, but it is good to see ALL these responses. I never thought it would go this far. It's also cool to see what kind of people use this sight. I guess we are a pretty well rounded group of individuals. I'm also glad to see that the name calling was held to a minimum. If anything I hope that Steve sees this, maybe as free research. Thanks, Jeff

 

49; logistics administrator for a major middle american marijuana smuggling cartel; all my buds in Detroit, SF, LA, Cleve-town and Big Apple pay for my ride, and I go in style (including fuzzy dice).
Oh...WAIT....Wrong forum!!
Sorry, guys!

 

You mean the Steve at Ford Customer Research & Human Services right?

There was a HUGE discussion a long time ago in the general discussion area.

 

I am 37, a logistics/materials manager, born and raised Florida cracker, 3rd generation NOLE alumini, class of 85...
My wife is a highschool teacher...
Just traded my 93 F-150 for an 01 XLT 4.6 Black with silver trim This is my 3rd F-150 and had two rangers prior to that.....Pay for everything my self...
Other than my Wife and kids my two biggest loves are my truck and HDTV....

[This message has been edited by Mike I (edited 03-21-2001).]

 

30 year old civil engineer (I design the roads that we drive on). Bank owns truck until I sell it to buy a SuperCrew or until it is paid off in two years. I pay for insurance. Wife of 4 years, 2 incomes (wife is part time), 8 month old daughter, new house, two student loans.

I have paid for my own car and insurance since I was 16 and take care of my vehicles and possessions like they are always new. People ride in my truck and think that I just bought it. I work hard for what I have...just like my parents did and my kids will!

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'98 F-150 XLT SuperCab Flareside, Auto, 4.6L, 4X2, 3.55 LS, 6-CD changer, Moonlight Blue with tan interior, Captains Chairs

Mods:Window tint, Extang Classic Platinum Tonno, Lund Interceptor bug deflector, Wizard Superwhite Bulbs, Pendaliner bedliner, Expedition center console
My F-150 Page
Expedition Console How-to

 

26 years old. Warehouse Manager.
00' L...Ford Motor Credit owns it
95' L...I own it!
91' 5.0...I own it
88' Ranger tube chassis drag truck...I own it

I was in a really bad accident 5 years ago which resulted in me losing my leg. Most people think I have all my toys due to some huge settlement or something. Truth be told, I didn't get a stinking dime. Still in the Colorado Supreme Court. I've earned and paid for everything I've ever had.

 

33 years old. Chief pilot for a car dealership and a NASCAR Busch team. I pay for everything, but looking for a sugar momma.
If interested, please send a resume.

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97 Pacific Green Cobra #5538

84 Mustang GT
2000 White Lightning #1531
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

 

I'm 26, a UPS Driver and pay for everything myself. Every vehicle I have ever owned I paid for myself, starting at age 15. Here is a brief list from 1st to last.
1977 F150 ( 460 big block )
1992 Chevorlet 1 ton 6.5 diesel 4x4 dually (bought brand new, biggest lemon ever!!)
1990 F-150 (302,stick,exhaust,EFI 350 killer! )
1988 Mustang GT (completely reworked the car and sold it, stupid me )
1995 Mustang GT (last 5.0 year)
1994 Toyota 4X4 (fun in the mud)
1994 Nissan Altama (temporary fix)
1999 Lightning ( yeah baby )

------------------
99 White
JDM chip
JDM 90mm MAF
JDM 5' drive shaft
JL loop
JL Air kit
BaBolt single bore TB
Full Bassani
13.13@104.55


tcaka@austin.rr.com

 

I'm 21. I sell computer components on eBay and attend college. I paid for my Lightning and all of its mods myself. My mustang was purchased for me by my father as a graduation present. However I have spent all 20k+ on the mods done to it. I also pay for all of the gas and insurance for my vehicles.

 

"I are a high school graduat". Am 61 yrs. old. Married--for 36 yrs. to the same easygoing woman. Our 24 yr. old son graduated from Ga. Tech with a computer science degee---he should do much better than his old man! Have owned a custom 1937 Ford business coupe (sr. in high school), 1955 Thunderbird...why did I trade it in on a 1957(?) MGA coupe?, 1957 Jaguar sedan, 1964 Corvair Spyder(turbo-charged from the factory and my first NEW vehicle), 1965 Corvair Sprint convertible, 1971 Fiat coupe, blazer, cherokee chief, 1974 Volvo, 1997 Grand Prix, 1991 Camaro Z281LE(6 point roll cage, balanced & bluepinted 305-0.30 over and many mods--no a/c but drove it to work daily and drove it at driver's schools at real road courses). Got into bass fishing and needed a truck---bot my current 1997 F-150 XLT 4.6 4x2 to get to hidden ponds. Man! I didn't mean to go on so much but---I'm a stock broker/financial consultant--"I feel your(and my) pain" and have paid and paid for all of these vehicles over the years. I lust after a Lightening! my mortgage will be paid off in June--maybe the $784 per month can be used to buy my L?

 

37, career,union firefighter, also own a car wash, make payments in quarters to the bank. Wife makes double what i do, doesnt bother me a bit. she makes it, I spend it.

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2001 Supercrew, white/silver Lariat,

• gray leather capt. chairs,
• 5.4L,
• Expedition console,
• Truck Master Designs front air dam w/lights
• window tint
• wood dash,
• cobra hood,
• billet grill,
• Ford chrome tube steps,
• Line-X liner,
• Magnaflow cat-back dual exhaust w/stainless tips,
• k/n filter,
• Audiovox flip down TV
• V-Tech tail light covers and front marker covers
• Ventvisors
• Astro fiberglass tonneau

http://hometown.aol.com/washyourcar/supercrew.html one50npump@aol.com

 

25, Married, wife in school. Structural Engineer. 2001 F-150 4x4. I pay for everything. One of these days I'll have extra money to spend on mods. Until then, I wash the truck a lot and wish for that winning ticket.

-SB

 

25 years old Tech in the abs/pvc plastics mold injection business.
Always payed for my own cars,insurance,etc since i was 16.
Only one that isnt payed off yet is the 99L.
I am lucky in that i was basicly given my home when my parents remodeled my late grandmothers house and moved out.

Billy

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90 LX coupe 393ci 10.51@130.02 nat asp on 15" Nittos
93 LX hatch 357ci 11.56@120.60 nat asp on 17" Nittos
99 Red Lightning #389
94 Vorteched Lightning 12.86@105.88