Should I put money into an older vehicle?

I second this sentiment -
In the USA it is hard to find MT auto's and I hate manuals so older vehicles it is for me. .

AND I hate the nanny shit in new cars, pisses me off - I know how to take care of it, I don't want or need that crap..
Nor do I want to the vehicle to tell me the speed limit [and therefore know I am speeding] etc. . . .

An older vehicle that is well maintained is better than a newer one that has been abused..

There are so many reasons that a car is not a $$ liability -

In fact I have a two in the garage that have gone way the F*** up in the past 2yr..

 

@MadRussian, I respect you opinion and your sacrifice for our country. My guess is you have done a good deal of travelling in you military career as I and many others who frequent this site. I understand and see your logic. I also respectfully disagree because I see an America that grown, for a lot of reasons, but one of those reasons is because of our way of life which includes our "vehicles" as an integral part of the American life.

In my ignorance but also as my opinion, there are few countries I've been to that rely on owning and using the automobile as much of a way of life as us Americans. Our vehicles are still an important cornerstone to so many families, but this is also a changing, way of life. I hope I'm wrong but it sure looks this way.

I for one have grown up with the luxury and blessing of the automobile. To those young enough to be raising a family today and who, like our parents before us, want a better world for their children than what we've had, I wonder how much of what we have our children will miss. A vehicle is clearly a depreciating asset and just as clear is that fact that it is not a great investment. But it is and remains by definition an asset.

Where a vehicle is clearly a liability is to a green world. But those that knew of this liability didn't speak up; or, they were told to shut up. Unfortunately, whether it be a gasoline or electric powered vechicle they are both liabilities. I say this realizing the jury is not out on this topic.

Sorry for temporarily redirecting the topic OP's thread but I can't yet imagine our way of life without a great American asset, our Vehicles. I've changes my mind. OP spend and mod away!

 

I did my time and got out, I've traveled more outside the military. I understand how much vehicles and infrastructure has contributed to the US. My opinion of of individual's vehicle.

"A vehicle is clearly a depreciating asset and just as clear is that fact that it is not a great investment." I look at that statement in a 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' way where a depreciating asset is a liability.

My main point is simply that most likely (with some exceptions) the vehicle will not actually make you money, so i would rather just keep it functional and invest my money into something that will give me a return on investment.
But I treat the Tacoma as a hobby and spend on it what I can when I can can to make me happy, knowing that I will not get a return from that money spent.
Personally, my truck is far from stock. But I've made those changes at the most opportune times to minimize my expense to get the result I want.