My comments was based on Hyundai expanding their plant to build a pickup, but it doesn't look like something I would be interested in.
Small pickup market is still open here in my opinion.
what I wouldn't give to find a rust free Toyota 4x4 extended cab from the 80's in a barn somewhere.
Or even an 80's Ranger diesel with options
I have only seen one diesel ranger, in the same small town where a different guy owned the diesel tempo. I just looked on kijij, looks like you're sol for both the tempo and ranger diesels.
Years ago I figured how to live comfortable, with out the dept that most of the people I know are buried in.
But it's a lifestyle that takes years to learn.
The idea behind owning cars like the Mirage, I think, is to live cheaper, thus enjoying life more. If all you get out of it is more money to dump on other debts, you are missing the point.
In simple terms, the trick is to spend less money than you make. But most people chase the dream of making more money than they spend.
I learned a long time ago that the less I spent, the less I had to work, and I am a very lazy person :)
So I've spent most of my life "semi-retired", working a couple days or weeks, then taking weeks or months off.
And cars like the Mirage are a big part of that now, as I am at that age when crawling under a car to weld up the exhaust, is not fun anymore, and rather painful :)
I pretty much agree with most of what you wrote, but I worked constantly in jobs where the number of hours were limited. College was 18 hours/week in class, piloting was 90hrs/month. My buddies were putting in 70-80/hr. weeks, their spouses divorced them, their kids don't know who they are. And they were only marginally better off than me because of the insane amount of debt they had.
The major difference is if I crawl under a car to MIG weld something it's because I want to. I certainly don't have to.
Yea we live in a society boggled down by debt, houses are expensive, everything is expensive. No surprise with everyone debt-ridden..that the teachers in the USA and here in Canada too.. like that they aren't teaching financial common sense 101 much to kids. I'm sure some do, but still. Pretty much paycheque for paycheque for most people, especially when you're younger. I figure the world needs more financial common sense.
Kinda fighting the man with the FIRE movement et al
Also I should have bought a 2011 Ranger