Marriage Longevity: Collectors vs latest and greatest

I tend to keep my cars a long time and I like the idea of forming a bond with them.

As for women, I haven't found a good restoration project with decent history yet.


Onno

 

I have a car that's been around a lot longer than either one of the wives.

So . . . there's that.

 

Haven't sold a collector car for 40 years and in September Meg and I will celebrate our 40Th
Anniversary.
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Seems simple enough: when you have the most beautiful cars and wife, why would you trade?

Congrats to you and Meg: may you enjoy many more happy years

 

Thanks!

 

Congratulations!

In today's environment, wonderful to hear of someone that has that amount of commitment and appreciation to hold on to relationships (both of the women in their lives and possessions that they appreciate and take care of).

Frank

 

I don't think there is much of a correlation. One thing however, if a gal does not like a guy's passion for cars, in most cases that will decrease marriage longevity.

 

They're only original once.

 

I could see a correlation based on the idea that someone who bonds with collectibles might also bond with people in their lives the same way. Don't let objects go, don't let people go.

Might be a narrower demographic though - I would say this would apply more to guys who collect for personal connections to a vehicle rather than collecting for status.

 

Just one comment -- a car can't decide to leave on its own, and women aren't possessions.

I feel there's no correlation between the scenarios at all.

 

I totally agree with this assessment and believe that the same mentality is involved with both...a commitment to long term relationships and caring for what you have through thick and thin, rather than just throwing in the towel when things get tough (there will always be rough spots from time to time) as well as taking care of what you have even when there is cost involved... or getting the next shiny new thing when the newness wears off with last year's model...

Many would argue that there is no right or wrong, just as there are apples and oranges... there are as many tastes as there are individuals...

As for me...I had my Corvette and finally sold it 9 years later when it had 188,000 miles on it...drove it daily, did the work on it myself, kept it pristine and regretted ever selling it...I've never done that since...buy what you truly want and take care of it...

Just my humble opinion...

Frank

 

My point isn't based on ownership, but on developing an emotional connection to the person or object. Some people don't bond well and many are selfish, or even narcissists.

I still daydream about having my first car back, an old junker Mercedes, because of the great memories in college with the car.

 

Interesting hypothesis, and i would think it has a certain amount of merit, but there are so many variables I don't think a direct correlation can be made.

 

CONGRATULATIONS JIM !
My wife Janet and I also celebrating our 40th anniversary this September, on the 18th. Throughout my life I have bought and held on to cars. My 240Z (VIN #1288) I kept until the body could not be welded or fiberglassed any more. I put 177,000 on a toyota and kept it 20 years. Expect my wife's newish M-B to stay with us 10+ years and I can't imagine selling my 328. My dog's car is a 97 Camry bought new and now has 105,000 and will be driven until the wheels fall off and burn.

 

I still have the first car I ever bought. Almost 200k miles and needing work, but I love it just the same. Only married once - December makes 9 years for us.




PDG

 

I've been married 16 years. I just agreed to sell my 911 (to my brother, from whom I bought it 20 years ago), so I can't quite match Jim's record... I still have my 365GT, from 17 years ago, though!

 

one must factor in the possibility that the financial ramifications of a divorce might have a significant effect on one's ability to retain a car collection.

 

Too many variables.

And I really like the little yellow space ship, too! (so I'm ignorant: what is it?)

I think the guys referred to as "playa's" might be in that many cars/women category, but I know too many guys with extensive car ownership histories that are still married to #1. One in particular 6 years ago could count 108 vehicles...

For myself, 2 marriages for a combined 34 yrs (1st: we were too young, her maturity issues), and I still have 2 of the only 4 vehicles I've ever owned. An '87 4x4, now extensively modified, and this years addition, the '04 360 Spider which will probably be with me for an equally long time.

I tend to choose carefully and do what I can to make it work, but that still can't make the impossible possible. And as has been noted above, "women aren't possessions", at least to most of us!

 

I don't think they have anything in common. People tend to place sentimental value on objects more so than people IMO.

Relationships evoke love and/or fear. All emotions stem from those two and they can change as people change. Objects don't change, only the way YOU feel about them. Another person can change.

 

This is a very interesting and fun topic. And it seems from the posts so far their might be something in it..

But what about the collectors who not only have "collector" cars that they keep, but also often buy the new stuff, and if they fall in-love with them, they to become apart of the collection to? Do men in this category have a long relationship with their wife's, but a mistress or two on the side?

Or how about in cultures, like in the middle east, where men can have a collection of cars, and a collection of wife's

 

Another fun thread, this one on automotive psychology.

It is interesting how few of you mentioned a wife in your responses. I think we need some data to decide whether the hypothesis is reasonable. I can't beat Jim, and I have sold and bought a car or two over the years.

For the recored, my longest time owning a car (and still in my possession) is 41 years and I have been married for 21 years (another point for the hypothesis - long time collector, long time marriage).

Robert

 

It all boils down to this, gentlemen.
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