My first car was a '67 327 Chevell I bought for $200. The body was straight but there was a lot of rust. I rebuilt the engine but never got around to doing the bodywork. It was still a goin' sob. Took the motor out and put it in my dad's '69 Chev PU. Drove that for 5years and had two motorcylces I rode in the summer.

Next was a 1988 Suzuki Samurai- fun, great gas milage (29-33) but got tired of the rough ride and noise of a ragtop. Bought with 63,000 miles for $4000 and sold with 162,000 miles for $1500.

The way I figure it, the car more than paid for itself. Since it wasn't financed, I bought only liability and uninsured motorist insurance, saving over $400 a year and I had it for almost 8 years. Buying collision insurance is a bet against yourself- that you will cause an accident.

Never had a new car, don't like making payments and taking it in the shorts when you drive it off the lot. In 2001 I bought a '96 4wheel drive Chevy S-10 with the V-6 Vortek engine with only 38,000 miles. It was like new- a cream puff driven by an old man. It's got 112,000 miles on it now and no major repairs, just some u-joints, tune-ups, brakes and a cam position sensor. I plan on driving for another 50,000 miles.