All good...I'm not one for brevity usually so I shouldn't whine. Lol.
I was talking with another user about cars this morning and how tech-loaded they are, which I don't actually like. Give me a 60's-80's pick up truck with disc brakes, good AC and decent sound system and I'm on it like a fat kid on cake! Still, those trucks are so bloody costly these days huh?
It's all about the memories, where that truck takes me, who I'm with, the experiences with that truck are more important than the truck. (Or car) Like you say, vehicles come and go but the memories last in us, and those that come after us.
Definitely a few advantages to owning and older truck if you can find one. Especially before any kind of computerization, or even fuel injection, if it's controlled by a chip. EMPs are way too popular an idea for modern day destruction for some terrorist group or over achieving nation state not to try.
I almost did get one once (I think it was a chevy pickup from somewhere in the 60s), but the brakes needed work and it steered like a brick. I was told that those were all easy fixes. I'm a car enthusiast. Unfortunately, that doesn't make me a mechanic! So, I didn't get it. My dad, who was a mechanic, probably would have helped me fix it, and I guess I could have towed it home...
I think you can still find some around. It just depends on how much work's been put into them and then how eager the restorer is to sell it. Just like with most things, it's buyer beware.
There's nothing wrong with a bit of tech, but I think things are getting out of control. I guess that's a result of a person's car becoming an indication of their status as it seems (judging by the commercials) that a person's self-esteem is directly linked to their vehicle, and other purchased things.
It amazes me that a manufacturer can have AppleCarPlay as standard but can't put in a standard-equipment crash camera. Some of the stuff they put in are ok but most, in my opinion are a waste of money.
Old trucks appeal to me as they look good and are generally easy to work on...(Large engine bays and less electronics) although they come with issues of their own I suppose.
I'll admit that my days of being free and easy with what vehicles I own are probably gone as I need to think about different factors now than say, 25 years ago. Still, I have hopes of picking up a decent 60's pick up someday, something I can cruise around in and impress the other dudes at the old folks home with. Lol.
I kind of like the idea of tech in the car, but I don't think it's there yet, really. If and when they finally mandate self-driving cars, they better also turn the windshield into a view screen so I can watch whatever while I'm being electronically chauffeured. :)
I looked up some on a website and they had some 60s pickups in the $15,000 USD range. Didn't check to see where they were, but I imagine one of the expenses for you would be having it shipped from wherever it is if for some reason you can't find something in Australia. It's a big enough country, though. I would think there would be some older pickups running around somewhere. :)
I hate the idea of a self-driving car...I'm a car guy and like to drive. Having that taken away from me is one of my worst nightmares. Rolling around on a pre-determined path and speed like all the other cardboard people...Nightmare. I'm glad I'll be dead when the world finally goes full-retard in the future.
$15,000USD is $23000AUD. Then add shipping, some $15,000 and conversion to RHD *$15,000 or so...Makes no sense. I know people who import cars so it's something I could do quite easily but it's the cost of it that prevents me from doing so. $50,000AUD goes a long way towards other things and it's not like I don't have vehicles already.
There's loads of pick ups getting around here and when I buy something it will be local, probably when all those people go bust due to the flu and have to dispose of their toys for cheap. A nice restomod 60's pick up will be great.
You might find this interesting https://www.carsales.com.au/ (A car sales site for Australia. It'll give you an idea of what is around.) We can buy brand new pick ups here, Dodge, Ram and Chevrolet...They aren't cheap though. My Toyota Landcruiser 200 series cost me $100,000, a decent (new) pick up is that and more.
Fingers crossed that when i can buy something, I can find the right thing.
Holy cow. $100,000. Okay, now I can see what you're saying. I figured as much about the importing of the vehicle from here. I didn't know the exchange rate, which doesn't sound so favorable.
I also figured you'd have some used trucks to choose from. Only made sense. Do you have any of your own car makers? If so, how do they compare to American, German or Japanese made vehicles?
I'm not at all thrilled about the prospects of having a computer drive me around either. I find the whole idea less safe than if I drove myself. That and the fact I love to drive, too, does make it, as you say, a total and complete nightmare.
Yeah, most don't understand how it all works here as far as vehicle cost so I thought I'd demonstrate.
We had Holden and Ford. Holden owned by patent company GM. Both closed now though, a couple years ago. I worked as a manager at the Holden plant for 14 years actually. Holden used to export to the US too...The Caprice and for cop cars also. I have no idea what they were called there...Lumina maybe. Badged Chevrolet.
Our vehicles were of a high standard. Google Holden and HSV and that will give you more of an idea.