Bruce is reminding you who’s patch this really is.

Thanks, yeah I think their appetite and experience with risk is very different from mine. It’s very much like the culture I’m from and many of my extended family are like that. Nothing’s ever officially done, everyone knows a guy who knows a guy.

But tbh for an asset that has huge safety implications, I think it has a huge impact on resale value to not document regular servicing. I might trust my cousins, but how could I expect a total stranger to if my cousins can’t put their name on it? Especially as you can’t make up for missed services later…

Anyway, I definitely feel more at ease with my decision. I do want to live frugally but I’d like to be smart and realistic about where to save the money.

Well, there’s a lot of factors to consider so it’d take forever to write, but the gist of what was at stake with the conflicting advice was:

Would you rather take a chance on:

1. a car with full service logs but higher kms (200) and cosmetic panel damage (rear passenger door likely hit a wall corner, some scratches near wheel starting to rust, small dents, plastic flashing damaged. Doesn’t look horrendous but is noticeable).

2. Or a car that has lower kms (168) and no panel damage but has been listed for months with 5 price drops from 13k down to 10.5, “partial logs”, and upon inquiry seller has left country and car is being sold by family? (Family seems legit)

Both roadworthy Japanese hatches, similar age, size, features. Just need something for commuting 2x week and getting around town, occasional country drive. Likely to get more scratches and dents if my niece learns to drive in it.

Anyway, that’s what I’ve been stewing on.

In terms of actually picking a car, there are other factors at play for me anyway (I preferred how the first car handled, it has more storage, met the owners and liked them, though it’s an unusual Honda model so parts will be more expensive). And I’d get a pre purchase inspection with any car regardless.

And I know there’s other cars out there of course. But I do want to decide soon. I’m tired of car sharing…

Yesterday’s car expedition and dilemma took a huge chunk out of me. Not so much the travel, but I think feeling like I was internally pitting my friends/family against each other in terms of their values.

Anyway, the person I trust most was once in the first category but worked his way up into the second and gave me some very sound advice based not just off personal anecdotes but opportunity cost etc etc.

And the people I know in category one, I do love them to bits, but I’ve come to realise, I actually really, really don’t aspire to be them… and it feels bad to admit that even to myself.

I really need to get back to doing this.

I think you deserve all the hugs in the world for having to feel that way 🫂 That’s heartbreaking. I know you can’t do anything about how it all is and you’re unbelievably bright and level-headed and observant for all you’ve been through, but I hope so much you do find your own family when you become independent and get some of those happy family vibes in your real life. The physical feeling of belonging and security is absolutely unmatched. May you get to experience that for real with good people who will be there for you :D

I felt this with some of the dads at my old workplace. Hearing them having to leave on time to go watch a game or going to a 9 day fortnight so they could spend more time with their kids. I kinda teared up for a bit thinking about how my dad never bothered. If he picked me up he was often late and I once spent 90 minutes waiting on the kerb (in the day before mobiles). The only time he ever came for an accomplishment of mine - the highest one I ever had - he made it all about himself and was a total embarrassment.

It must hit a lot harder as a man. Hugs

That’s the thing with the second point, it’s hard to decide whether it was just the owner being negligent or just looked after it in other ways.

However, adding onto the fact that it was an ex-auction car before this person bought it… and then left the country and has got her mum to handle selling it… is really adding up to some ???

I went as far as Traaaalgon. It was sort of 50% worth it. I learned something

Hahaha hahaha absolutely zero chance of it being available at the budget I’m after! That was very nice to enjoy when I had my work car. But well out of my range with car prices being what they are. Right now I just need an affordable old thing to do basic commutes and a few weekend drives over the next year or two and then I might pass it onto a young relative.

My “real” car spend will likely be in 2-3 years time.

My phone screen contrast is low due to being in night mode and MissMeow looks rather creepy and eyeless… truly like staring into the void.

Enjoy.

I’m dusty and frazzled from my unexpectedly hyper extended trip thanks to trespassers on the track and my overall confusion around inspecting a car and trying to decide what can slide and what’s risky. I get different answers from different people about how important documented logbook servicing is.

Folks with a working class background tell me it’s not everything if it clears a pre purchase inspection and drives ok, and won’t impact resale value that much, plenty of people just get their mates to do the servicing and it’s turned out fine. Everyone else is like no way… rather even take a similar car with some aesthetic panel damage if it’s got a solid logbook.

Clouds are clearing in Gippsland, this is good as I didn’t want to inspect a car in the rain. Please let this be a decent one, I hate car shopping so much.

Woke up early naturally… what a strange feeling! Taking the right dose of melatonin - 0.3g now that I actually have it in that dose - seems to be a huge difference compared to 1g.

Gonna be taking a long v/line ride to go look at a car today. It better be worth it!

Either mummy and daddy paid for the car or like most shysters, it’s leased or heavily financed. I had a REA who was a relative overseas. It’s all for show…

I will make a project of trying to survive until May without touching the heater 😤

Good luck with the meeting! Yes it’s rather shocking to think about who gets jobs out there… although REAs generally shouldn’t be in the same category as jobs which are generally required to be useful to society

I can quaff that stuff alarmingly fast… especially in this cold weather, really drumming up an appetite.

Oh man I’m craving a nice hearty dinner tonight too now. Think I’ll do a massaman curry with some potat and mock beef and a side of Asian greens.

Headed out last minute to catch a comedy show as a friend had spare tix. Was alright getting there, but leaving… Ahhh that biting winter wind of Melbourne. Without a puffer or any thermals. 🥶

Renewed appreciation for my warm and comfy bed just hearing the rain fall after a very exciting and hectic afternoon.

Would you believe I had yet another offer come through… at my current workplace?! Temp extra days for several months. On the one hand I could build some good cred/exp. It would probably round me out better.

OTOH, I honestly don’t think I’d like most of role I’d be filling in, and the commute… I’m weak. If I didn’t have this other option just nearby I’d have gone for it. But I just ain’t doing 6:30 wake ups every weekday and dealing with disgruntled members of the public to boot 😬