Why I drive 2 old cars - and why it’s time to rethink car ownership
Look, I love cars. I’ve always loved cars. When I was four, I could name every car on the road (a skill I’ve unfortunately lost over time). But for me, cars have never just been a way to get from point A to point B — they’ve been something more.
They carry memories, personality, and purpose. They tell stories.
And today, in a world where the average new car costs nearly $50,000, I drive two old cars with a combined age approaching 40, and combined mileage over 300k. But I purchased them for a combined price of under $25k and I can’t imagine trading either any time soon.
So let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to understand how we got here, and why it’s time to rethink car ownership in 2025.
My First Car
My first car was a gray 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. I owned it for five years, and I adored that car. Quick, practical, and easy to maneuver, it was a great car to experience the independence of driving for the first time. With my copilot — a Snoopy stuffed animal on the dash — I drove my Tiguan all over Los Angeles in my teens and early twenties.
Was it the most reliable car? No, not by any means, and more than a few times it ended up in the repair shop for one issue or another, but I always enjoyed driving
When I moved to Chicago after college, I sold it with well over 100k miles… for $3,000.
Depreciation is real, boys and girls.
Even with the depreciation and reliability issues and flaws, I loved that car, and I miss it. However, I don’t even regret selling it.
Some cars are made for the moment. Others are made to last.
That car was a moment in time, and it was perfect for that moment.
Rethinking what practical means when it comes to car buying
Fast forward a few years — I was back in the market for a car.
My wife and I already had a vehicle that handled the practical stuff: groceries, hauling the dog around, road trips, Target runs. But now that we were both about to start commuting, we needed a second car.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money on a car I didn’t really care about.
I didn’t want a compact crossover or a beige sedan just because it was what I was supposed to buy. There had to be a better option out there.
So I asked myself: what do I really want to drive?
Buying my first old car
I’ve always loved the BMW Z3.
My uncle bought one new when I was a kid — over 20 years ago — and I remember riding shotgun, feeling like it was the coolest thing in the world.
So when I realized I didn’t need much practicality, and I wasn’t driving long distances daily, I started looking at Z3s. Manual. Rear-wheel drive. Naturally aspirated inline-6. Clean lines. Old-school BMW feel.
Sure, I’d be buying a 20+ year old car with over 100,000 miles — but I wasn’t scared.
In fact, I was excited.
My budget was $10k. For that, I could get a Z3 in good shape. A car with character. A car that turns heads. A car that feels like mine.
And with my estimated 5,000 miles per year of driving, I knew maintenance wouldn’t be that bad — especially with the Z3’s reputation for simplicity and reliability (yes, even for a BMW).
Buying the Z3 wasn’t a compromise. It was freedom.
Adding another legend to the garage
Of course, life changes. My family grew — three kids now. And while my wife drove a (newer) Ford Expedition, we needed a second vehicle that could handle the day-to-day chaos of real family life. Due to the fact that I love the car (and it’s extremely cheap to own), I never considered getting rid of the Z3. But the line of thinking that brought me back to that purchase was coming back around.
So instead of running out and leasing a new SUV, I did what any reasonable enthusiast would do:
I bought a 2010 Lexus LX570 with over 200,000 miles.
(This was a fun search, but one that can be detailed in a future post)
So at this point, I’ve put my money where my mouth is in terms of this approach to car ownership.
The Philosophy Behind Hi-Mileage Club
This site exists because I think more people should know there’s another way to approach car buying and ownership. Everything is so expensive, and you don’t have to chase something brand new to have something great.
You can own:
Something reliable
Something useful
Something with style and personality
And something that might actually appreciate in value, rather than depreciate
I’m not here to sell you on my exact cars — but I know the kind of content I was looking for when I started to explore more unconventional purchasing options, and wanted to create a site that was dedicated to the idea that maybe, just maybe a high-mileage vehicle with character is the right move.
What You’ll Find Here
Hi-Mileage Club is where we explore:
Deep dives on used cars for driving enjoyment and long-term value
Smart buying tips (even for cars with 150k+ miles)
Ownership stories that go beyond 0–60 times
Financial comparisons between old vs. new
Vehicles with real soul
If you’ve ever thought, “I love cars, but a car payment shouldn’t rival my rent payment” — you’re not alone. So let’s talk about it.
Life’s too short to drive something you don’t love.
Welcome to Hi-Mileage Club.
Old cars, new thinking.
Let’s ride.
