Went to the beach this past weekend. Didn't take a long-term car (had the Nissan GT-R). Didn't take my old Plymouth GTX or Dodge Challenger or new (well, newer) Ford GT. Didn't even take one of my vintage motorcycles (the "newest" one of those is 20 years old).
Nope, took the wife's 2004 Chevrolet Malibu. It was a fascinating trip!
This 2004 Chevrolet Malibu is the first vehicle I've ever bought with absolutely no regard for its classic or special interest attributes (which is good, because if I did buy it for those reasons I shouldn't be holding my current job position). No, when I purchased this Malibu out of Edmunds' long-term fleet in the spring of 2005 I wanted it for one purpose and one purpose only: To transport my wife and kids' -- safely and dependably -- from point A to point B. I call it a Pure Utility Device (or PUD) for short.
Not exactly a crazy notion, is it? Buying a car for the single purpose of providing transportation is, I'm pretty sure, why most people buy cars. Actually I'm sure most people primarily buy a car for that reason but try to ladle on as many extra needs as their budget will allow. For example, "I primarily need transportation, but I'd like some style too" or "I primarily need transportation, but can you give me some performance on the side?"
But I didn't buy the Malibu for even those basic reasons. Again, a good thing because style and performance aren't part of the car's pedigree.
And that's why owning the car has been so fascinating for me. With the other 20-plus vehicles I've owned over the past 25 years automotive enthusiasm played at least a minor role in their purchase. And as a result every aspect of owning them, from where they were parked to how they were stored to what actions were allowed inside of them, could require major mental energy.
"Hmm...probably won't get door dinged if I park in the end spot here."
"Yeah...this long-term storage area has minimal temperature change and no ultraviolet rays."
"Uh, excuse me? Are you eating in my car?"
But then along came this Malibu. I rarely drive it, but I ride in it quite often. When I rode in it on Sunday I saw crust-covered paint, crumb-covered fabric and sand-covered carpet. And that was before we went to the beach. Afterwards the car was a bit crustier, crummier and sandier.
And you know what? I COULDN'T CARE LESS!
Is this what car ownership is like for most people? Fascinating!
By ahightower
on August 25, 2009
06:20 AM
Too funny. I had a company car for a couple years, a Dodge Stratus. (We called it the "Stratillac".) Very much just a PUD. No fun, no style. But it had cruise control, and it was nearly free, maintenance was expensed, even had a gas card. I didn't abuse it, but I didn't worry about where I parked, or if it was squeaky clean all the time.
Then I changed jobs a couple years ago and bought a new car. Nothing special, but I did want something both economical and enjoyable. Mazda3i 5-speed. I'm not as obsessed with perfection as I once was before kids, but I do treat it well. Park on the end of the row, wash and vacuum at least once a month, religious about maintenance... it's worth the trade off to me, because it's fun to drive and I think it looks sharp. I wouldn't want to own a crusty old PUD, I still think if I'm going to spend money on it, I should both enjoy it and treat it well. Plus I'm expecting it to last 7 more years and become my son's first car. But the Stratillac days were very liberating.
By the_big_al
on August 25, 2009
08:39 AM
for the average kid toting car owner - YES! Our family car is just like yours, although it's a 2004 Impala instead of a Malibu. Crumb covered? Check. Crust covered? Check. Scratched up? Yep. Car seats? Check. Stylish? Not really. Powerful? Uh - no. But.... Safe. Check. Good gas mileage? Yep. Reliable? Yep, it's even still on the original battery.
This car is not fancy or fast or powerful. Yet it functions as well as any thing for family transporter. It works just as well as any fancier Camry or Accord (actually better because it is bigger than same year Camry or Accord). Some may say it is not a well put together as one of those (it's not; there's literally a 1/16" gap between the the dash top and dash front.), the mundane dash and wood trim clash horribly, but for all that I don't really care since it the car itself functions well and has been dead reliable since we bought it new 5 years ago....
Maybe once we get past the kids or they grow up a little more (they are 4 and 1), and the car eventually wears out, we'll get something that is a little more than a "PUD", but for now, this takes care of the need and does so quite well.
By gooney911
on August 25, 2009
10:42 AM
My current PUDs are a 2007 Mazda3i and a 2009 Dodge Journey SXT. The Mazda provides a modicum of fun, but its an automatic, so the fun factor is certainly limited. And even though it can get exceedingly boring to drive both cars, I'd like to get a minimum of 10 years and/or 100k miles out of each of 'em. And when I do have to trade them out, they'll get replaced by other utility devices(but maybe not PURE utility devices, a Mazdaspeed3 or GTI would fit very nicely as an eventual replacement for our current Mazda3)
(The above rationale ceases to apply, however, when current and future kids are grown and out of the house. Getting a Porsche as a retirement car has already been stated as a goal around our house.)
For fun factor in the short term, I'll save some cash and buy a third car (used) to supplement my PUDs. That way, I don't have to worry about being out of a ride if something on my performance car breaks, or if it's out of service for modding. Doing that also eliminates having to consider things like door count, trunk space, and rear seat space, and frees me up to concentrate on the performance aspects of the car.
By vs035650
on August 25, 2009
11:18 AM
I bought my 2004 Malibu new, having gotten a terrific deal. The car was cheap, and has been reliable, and is safe. What I was not expecting was the piece of mind I get from not caring about the car. My friends and family all have more upscale luxury cars, and are amused at my choice of this car. I subsequently bought a used 2006 Kia minivan for the same reason; safe, reliable, and a vehicle that I couldn't care less about.
My wife and I are currently building a house, and we have put a lot of money and attention to detail into it. The house is almost finished, and our 4 and 2 year olds are driving us nuts as they run around the unfinished house slamming doors and running into walls.
It is backhanded praise, but it makes us think how happy we are with the Kia and Chevy. I think we will eventually upgrade to a luxury vehicle, but question whether we will be as happy with the future cars considering the stress and work the upkeep from 2 small children will bring.
I never considered the high value of a low-stress relationship with a vehicle before.
By chavis10
on August 25, 2009
12:15 PM
Makes sense to me which explains why most people don't really care what auto writers have to say. One thing I've always agreed with Karl about is how he says that most modern cars are "good." So, I just don't understand why so much emphasis is put on cars that are supposedly > good. Maybe 10% of car buyers will even notice and the others are just badge junkies. The fact of the matter is that the Malibu had more convenience features, power and space compared to the four cylinder Accord and Camry for the same price. To me and to the average consumer, isn't that what matters the most? I don't even think you could get a trip computer on the Accord or Camry back in '04 (well, maybe if they had the GPS option) let alone Remote Start.
By estreka
on August 25, 2009
03:37 PM
You know Karl, I couldn't agree with you more. I, too, can afford fun cars but sometimes all I want is some basic transportation.
That's not to say I won't drive my S2000 every single chance I get...
By blackadder5639
on August 25, 2009
08:15 PM
Apart from PUD qualities, I think most non-enthusiast car owners also place resale value high on their list of priorities. I've definitely heard that from some of my friends.....they want a PUD that has a high resale value. That's partly why I think Honda and Toyota do so well.
By blackadder5639
on August 25, 2009
08:30 PM
"So, I just don't understand why so much emphasis is put on cars that are supposedly > good."
Chavis, if manufacturers don't adopt that every manufacturer needs some sort of a competitive advantage:
-A Mazda has to be among the best in its class in handling. Ditto for BMW
-A Land Rover has to have best-in-class off-road ability.
-A Honda has to be uber-reliable. Same for Toyota.
-A Mercedes has to be over-engineered
-The list goes on.....
You might argue that few BMW or Mazda owners take their cars to the handling limit, or that few Land Rover owners take their vehicles off-roading.....
but the knowledge that the cars have those "skills" if they're EVER needed, and the bragging rights that knowledge provides, are often enough to attract many buyer to a brand.
By aurakr
on August 25, 2009
09:04 PM
blackadder5639
And yet not every Mazda ever built has best in class handling. Protege, MPV? Hello, zoomzoom is a slogan.
Not every Honda or Toyota is uber-reliable. Not every Mercedes is over-engineered.
I disagree with you on the resale value as well.
Most people keeping their vehicles a long time, over 10 years, are not worried about resale value.
I will tell you that the longer I own a vehicle, the more relaxed I am about it. The first couple of years you have to worry about dings and scratches. After awhile, you don't worry and enjoy the vehicle.
Perfect example, in 1984 my senior prom my friend and I were double dating, my girl and me, his girl and him, we had a choice of two year old Mercedes, our cars(72 Impala and 75 Ford F-150) and an 82 Olds 98. We took the Olds, why? It was snowing that night, and we were worried about wrecking the Mercedes. Our cars didn't cut it, my Impala was a coupe, the Olds was perfect.
That is why, for the life of me, I can't understand anyone who would pay more than $35,000 for any vehicle. I can afford to, but why? I find many more important ways to spend my money.
By ahightower
on August 26, 2009
06:30 AM
I read once (here, maybe?) that Ted Turner is chauffeured around in a Ford Taurus. He liked it because it had plenty of room in the back, and didn't draw any attention. Warren Buffet drives a 10-year-old Lincoln Town Car. Like vs03560 above, spend your money on your home and your family. Buy your wife something pretty now and then. As for cars, it's okay to be passionate and enjoy them, but stick with something that you can truly, comfortably, afford, and that you will not be afraid to use as the appliance that it really is.
By blackadder5639
on August 26, 2009
12:35 PM
aurakr, according to the road tests on Edmunds' and other websites, the Protege and MPV were the class leaders in the handling and sportiness departments.
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=92555/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/92555/article.html
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=100452/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/reviews/comparison/articles/100452/article.html
http://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mazdaspeedprotege/2003/review.html
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=44314/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/used/2004/mazda/mpv/100341047/roadtestarticle.html&articleId=44314
But that's besides the point. The point is thatthose makes have those reputations and, GENERALLY SPEAKING, live up to those reputations.
By moparbad
on August 27, 2009
02:31 PM
Protege is and was fun to drive and a class leader in handling. Zoom Zoom is appropriate for the Protege for the economy class it occupies.
Same story for the Mazda3.
Wrong car to pick to make an example of. B Series truck would be a great example of no zoom zoom.
By aurakr
on August 27, 2009
06:20 PM
blackadder5639 and moparbad:
I will have to respectfully disagree with you.
Every Protege I have ever seen in San Diego has a grandmother driving it. I have yet to see a young male carving the turns in a Protege. The B series truck you are, however, correct!!
Go Chula Vista Little League.