Why are we indoctrinated into buying a new car every 40k or so miles?

[lionkang]

I mean, even with the new X5, all theyre basically doing is changing out some sheet metal and everyone feels that they have to own this new X5. This is a serious question, so please be honest. Do some of the members feel that they can buy happiness? If a tv came out that was no different than the previous model, but they changed the cabinet to make it look sleeker would you buy it? Can anyone explain to me why engines cost so much? Steel is roughly $550 a metric ton and the combustion engine was mastered 50 or so years ago. The 3.0 thats in my X5 is basically the 2.8 thats been used forever. I'd love to hear some genuine my X5 until the combustion engine goes the way of the dinosaur.

[SANguru]

because we get bored.

Originally Posted by lionkang

I mean, even with the new X5, all theyre basically doing is changing out some sheet metal and everyone feels that they have to own this new X5. This is a serious question, so please be honest. Do some of the members feel that they can buy happiness? If a tv came out that was no different than the previous model, but they changed the cabinet to make it look sleeker would you buy it? Can anyone explain to me why engines cost so much? Steel is roughly $550 a metric ton and the combustion engine was mastered 50 or so years ago. The 3.0 thats in my X5 is basically the 2.8 thats been used forever. I'd love to hear some genuine my X5 until the combustion engine goes the way of the dinosaur.

[fln8tive]

I think it goes back to the time we graduated from walking upright to figuring out how to domesticate horses. Horse better than own feet. Old car = old horse. New car = strong horse. Mastery of our environment is a way of sublimating our mortality. The rumble of a V-8 is like the hoofbeats of a strong horse. It's a pretty basic thing--

[carlos3679]

Would you prefer a plasma over a standard tv? all that has changed is the cabinet...

[ESS4.6is]

I enjoy getting the new features that come with newer models. Also new designs that are for the most part more appealing than the older models. Although the basic block of the motor may stay the same, the little tweaks that they do to get more displacement, or the upgrade of some engine components that provide more power is what really gets me. Although I'm still not to keen on the looks of the new X5 yet, but the prospects of the 5.4is motor keeps me looking to get another x5. Hopefully there is a 5.4is and Dinan or ESS can get a supercharger kit to work with it.

[Quicksilver]

I guess I am the only one so far that did not do that. I usually keep cars for a long time but at my age i may be changing up also just for the thrill of it.

[PAPI]

Originally Posted by SANguru

because we get bored.

I think is because you have great financing....

I do not want to bore you guys but:

In Most countries, like here in MX, a brand new 2006 X5 3.0 Formula 1 at the BMW Dealer:
List price is $61,500 usd
Lets say 36 months finance:
Down payment is $4,400 usd cash,
Amount to be financed is: $57,100,
gives you $2,117 usd Monthly for 3 years....
Plus $12,000 yearly insurance,
And $10,000 yearly for "Pago por Uso y Tenencia de Automoviles"
adding those $4,400 for down payment

So in case you want to happily walk out of the dealer with one sweet new X5, first get $26,400 usd in green Cash and live happily ever married paying monthly $2,107.... by the way, the average clerk earns $300 usd a month.

So there goes your 40k mile renewal...

[xx3]

Its our society that demands it.

Sure nothing is wrong with a 3 year old X. But being in the western capitalist society have been programmed shortly from birth to buy more, faster, newer !!!

Even more prevalent in America then other western countries. Here in the U.S. we buy bigger, larger, more, more more ! Just look at the U.S. lifestyle - our energy consumption, our sprawled out living style, etc... We are wasteful but at the same time our society encourages it...

Now I'm not saying that I have a problem with it! (I like new shiny things !) But its just the way we are raised in our society and the culture we live in - its time to embrace it... or move somewhere else where your beliefs might fit in with those around you...

[crosvs]

I would change more frequently than I have done -- every 100K miles which comes in a staggeringly quick 4-5 yrs lol -- but being a student kinda precludes such high frequency of new car purchases

Why? I just like what's newer ... USUALLY. Unfortunately, I have yet to see a new BMW that really strikes me like our X5 did when it first came out or like the previous generation M5 did (E39?).

That said, if you live anywhere in West LA, of course you *MUST* upgrade every year or so lol ... otherwise you're just driving an "old rusty car" hahaha gotta love LA That reminds me, shortly after I acquired my X5 (a 2001 model) in Aug 2004, my buddy down in LA was like "The 4.4, huh? Let's see ... that was a 2001 model right? And the 4.6 didn't come out until a year or two later? Oh you're straight then, cuz the 4.4 was the best you could get in 2001!! That's great!!" gotta love the logic lol

[bozo]

For the same reason most of us bought the X5 in the first place....If its to get from point A to point B, whats wrong with a Santa Fe, Forrester or Trailblazer? They can all get us to where we need to be, and surely a lot more economically.. And with cheaper repair costs too!....

The point is we all want bigger, better, and newer...There's absolutely nothing wrong with my '04, but Ill be the first one in line when the e70 makes its debut - provided it doesnt look like crap, which I dont think it will...