What Do You Drive?

2009 Chevy Cobalt

Your Bobber looks like fun!
Enjoy!

WC

my husband crazy

2011 Subaru Forester. And because I remember feeling very judged when it was new and I was on food stamps, sometimes you just don't know what is coming in life and that is how you are mentally ill/disabled and driving a new car. I bought my car new in 2010. I needed an SUV for the rural home health I was doing at the time and because I spent so much time in my car I bought the options I wanted. (My prior car hadn't even had power locks because I didn't see the point and they weren't yet standard). I also bought new because I was putting a LOT of miles on and wanted the car to last a long time.

But only a year later I was unable to work anymore. Selling the car would have lost money and with 0 income I couldn't have gotten a new loan. So there I was, on food stamps and without an income, driving a new car. And I felt stared at and judged and hated hearing all the "she's on food stamps and __________" comments people tend to make, especially without realizing they are saying it when someone around them is on food stamps.

Now I have a getting older, lower mileage, hopefully will last forever car I afforded by re-financing at a horrible interest rate to space out the loan. It's almost paid off and I have no regrets.

You can't know how life will turn out.

Thanks so much!

WC

Sometimes when someone is on disability and/or has a lower-income, they apply for additional financial benefits.

Within the "social welfare" types of paperwork, people usually have to report assets. Anything with "equity" in it is an asset. An older car may then be listed as an asset and may lower benefit amounts.

On the other hand, a "new" or a "newer" car has zero, or less, equity and is not listed as an asset as often. (Usually much more is still owed on a newer model car. Larger outstanding balance. Zero to Less equity.)

In some cases, it benefits an applicant to be paying on a new/newer vehicle.
We all need reliable transportation for ourselves, our families, etc.

Just an FYI. I have heard many absurd judgments placed upon people with less income, simply because they are paying for a newer model vehicle. The judgments are usually gross misunderstandings (when it's truly nobody else's business anyway).

Love and a Reliable Ride for All!


WC

Mustang GT 'Vert. Yeah I was manic at the time.

When I do drive, it's a 2009 CR-V. We also have a 2000 Corolla that we're still waiting for my daughter to drive. With her losing health benefits next year I don't think we'll see that. (She also has panic attacks while driving.)

I used to have a really nice 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, but we had to sell it to pay taxes and get my daughter's wisdom teeth pulled. It was like the end of a dream.

I bought a 2013 Chevy Cruze in fall 2012 before I filled for disability in May 2013. I had a good job at the time and HAD to get a car. My grandpa talked me
Into going the new route. He co-signed.

A 2005 Chevy Cobalt and a 1962 Harley-Davidson (FLH/Panhead).

The same way average ppl afford it.....saving and budgeting. Plus if you have decent credit that helps with interest rates.

In 2010 I bought a new 2011 Honda Accord. Then last year (2016) I traded it in and bought a new 2016 Honda Civic.

I drive a 2005 Audi A4. I had planned to buy a used Subaru and the dealer told me to bring a $1000 deposit to hold the car but when I brought the cashier's check he said, "We don't hold cars" and turned and walked away rudely. I was royally pissed and started looking at other cars and when I found my all wheel drive Audi convertible I was in love. I bought it in 2007 with 35K miles on it. I was taking money from my retirement account to put a new roof on my house and took enough to pay for the car too. It is a sweet ride and has 118K miles now. I hope I am able to drive it for years to come.

2011 Ford Fusion--I love it! Nice size and good gas mileage. Red, cream leather interior, sun roof, spoiler. Got it new and plan on keeping it for ten or more years. It's been good.

I had already had a career when I was diagnosed with bipolar, and same with hubby, so we saved up some money.

I'm not saying that a mentally ill person "can't" have a late model car. What I'm asking is, how does someone with mental illness function well enough to make the money to own a late model car? I've never been able to work a full-time job; for one thing, med side-effects make my mornings really hard.

I'm genuinely curious, not being critical.

Thanks for your answer, bb. Yes, I suppose it depends upon the type and severity of the mental illness. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have a car at all...many mentally ill people I know don't own a car because no way can they afford a car.

Hmmm...in my experience with applying for government aid, one had better own either no car or an old car that is completely paid off (i.e., was bought used from a private owner) or aid is denied or lessened. Perhaps this varies from state to state.

I'm curious...is there anyone on here whose mental illness prevents you from working to own a car, or anyone who has had to purchase a car while on disability or with the help of someone else?

I got a car through my BIL he paid for it and I paid him back $50.00/month. I had no problems with disability. But the car is still under my $5000 limit.

I'm so glad your BIL helped you out like that. My BIL actually gave me his old car when he bought a new one. I'm having to put some work into it, but wow, am I grateful for it.

So about the $5000 limit...is it that disability won't allow you to own a car worth more than $5000?

Yeah anything over $5000 you have to sell and the amount over is deducted from your support payments - at a reasonable monthly rate.

It sounds like it does vary.

It warms my heart to know your BIL helped you out with a car!

We have a vehicle repair garage in this area, where they do some (if not all) highly discounted/free repairs for people in need. (They also take "donated" vehicles -- up to 10 yrs old -- fix them and redistribute them at low-to-no cost to people in need of reliable transportation.) It's an amazing program!

I hope you are having a good day!

WC

So glad your BIL has helped you out!


WC

2014 Ford Fiesta. A tiny little car that I bought new with no options at all...It has a stick & even has windows that you have to roll up manually. It was $14,000 out the door, including taxes & destination fees. It was the cheapest new car I could find; my budget is very tight - I'm on disability.

As for parking in the nether regions of parking lots, I'm right with you there. I don't think it's OCD, but I'd rather walk an extra 100 feet than get dents or scratches. This car has to last me at least 10 years, so I want to keep it clean.

I'm with you on the odometer, too. I don't associate it with luck, but each time the odometer turns over, lands on consecutive numbers, or the same numbers, I get a thrill. Kinda weird.

I didn't think it applies to federal disability insurance (I'm just receiving a return on the taxes I paid during the 25 years I was able to work). Also, how is the Federal Government going to find out if you own a car. Vehicle registration is a state function. The $5000 threshold is in play, however, if one is applying for any kind of state aid here in Michigan. I don't receive state aid, so I'm not cheating the system.

Terribly sorry, I live in Canada -my bad.
Here you have to declare the value of your car and they will sometimes come out to check.