I started doing this blog in October, 2007. Eighteen years ago. If you do the maths, that means I'm now eighteen years older than I was then. Actually, I don't mind getting older, it's the aging process I don't like.
In that time, I've never had advertising nor allowed comments that are promoting a service or product. This area is 100% commercial free. I don't even ask any of you to buy me a coffee! It's nice to give without wishing to have something in return. Radical, I know.
You may also have noticed I don't like hyphens. Why not meld two words if required? Of course, being both the contributor and editor means I can do things like that.
I like cars and statistics so the blog is something I enjoy although sometimes motivation isn't strong. The thing is I'm still putting out articles after all these years. I have been doing more data collation recently and some does end up in the blog.
I write about cars but I don't like the direction of the car industry. Touch screens are less safe than physical controls and less efficient. They try to compensate with features such as autonomous braking and lane departure warning. I'm not against touch screens, just not having important controls there.
The car I drive I bought new twenty years ago. I look at modern cars and have never felt less interested in buying one. As for the electric push, I see them more as a stop gap measure until hydrogen fuel cell or the like gets established.
1) Don't buy anything too big if you don't need the size. That's inefficient.
2) Depreciation is a horrendous expense. Maintain your current vehicle and keep it as long as possible.
3) If buying new, entry level models are usually the best value. Only buy higher spec if you really need the features they offer.
I'm glad you enjoy the blog. You often have to pay for this sort of thing and I'm not trying to compete with pay sites. They invariably offer more, but for some, this offers all they want.
If you are inclined to suggest some positive or constructive feedback, there is a comment facility. You don't have to register, but I do filter them to keep out the advertising ones, so posting isn't immediate. I reply to all of them, so feel free. All the best and keep safe.
Happy birthday!
ReplyDeletetwo decades of blogging is a sign of lasting passion!
I really enjoy coming back to your blog from time to time.
On proposals, you can check out possibilities to launch your won website, though you can expect more admin work and expenses (at least a few hundred dollars a year).
Also, given your advice, I wonder what cars you bought yourself following the above principle (and for what use).
I think 20 years is way too long for any car, unless spared for classic car afterlife.
Thank you.
DeleteI think modern cars are too complicated and less reliable as a result. I'm not inspired by them either.
I have a 20 years old car as well as hobby. Just simply for rust end electronic gremlins it is not a substitute for modern cars. But actually for most things, it has all the features I cant live without, like park assist F/R, Bluetooth connection to a phone allowing access to all the modern user needs (music, navigation).
DeleteThe milder weather here means cars don't rust. I'm a tactile person so love physical controls. I feel that modern dashboards are sterile, in the sense of lifeless and characterless.
ReplyDeleteI have recently developed a health condition that means longer travel is problematic so I'm not doing big mileage now and what I have is fine. It's reliable, very tidy and my wife loves it.