Leasing a car to make sure I stay sharp?
Posted by curious4peace@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 89 comments
So, my MIL (age 86) was riding with us in our car recently. She still drives her immaculately kept 01 Thunderbird. I would typically call her sharp as a tack. She was completely perplexed by our Honda—the screens, the ignition button, etc. and really got sort of upset about it. This got me thinking…always trouble. We drive a Honda Pilot, bought used for cash, after having driven an Odyssey we bought similarly for over a decade. But now I think we need to maybe lease our next cars. Because I don’t want to lose my mental flexibility. When I travel for work/vacation and rent a car I feel just like my MIL, confused until I get it figured out. When I retire, I think I should get a new car every few years or I could lose my ability to learn new things. Maybe we keep the Pilot forever and trade out leased sedans every 3 years? Am I just borrowing trouble? Anyone else thinking about how to preserve brain flexibility?
Relative_Ad9477@reddit
Yeah - I pull out the owner's manual of the rental car and just read that to get adjusted. I'm not going into debt for mental acuity.
Hedonistic_Yinzer@reddit
I don't think behind the wheel of an automobile is a very safe place to test, measure, or improve mental acuity or decline. Have you ever heard of safer methods? Perhaps check out word search, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku. All available in book form that you can do from the safety of your recliner.
beaujolais98@reddit
Dude just rent a new car for a week once a year.
MinervaZee@reddit
Came here to say this. Renting is great way to try different cars and learn new technology.
brinazee@reddit
Might be cheaper to just rent a car every once in a while.
farter-kit@reddit
Or go test drive cars at dealerships frequently
AngelHeart-@reddit
A car dealership is the last place u/curious4peace should be.
FirstLalo@reddit
Yes, then someone could explain it. Smart!
AngelHeart-@reddit
A car dealership is the last place u/curious4peace should be.
innerearinfarction@reddit
Soduko also an option
Reader47b@reddit
Sounds like an unnecessarily expensive way to keep your brain flexible, but if you can afford to do it, don't mind blowing the money on something you will never own, and you want a new car every three years, more power to you.
JuJu_Wirehead@reddit
Fuck new cars. I want literally no computer in my car anymore. The touchscreen in my car is a warranty issue all by itself. These bullshit features forcing my car to break when it thinks a car is in front of me, or turning itself off at lights are just more warranty issues. Give me a car with contextual buttons and knobs and no "smart" features.
Shell-Fire@reddit
Never lease. You are throwing that money away. Also- never buy a new car.
TheSwedishEagle@reddit
Nothing is absolute
andyr072@reddit
neepster44@reddit
It’s a depreciating asset. You are throwing money away in either case.
TheSwedishEagle@reddit
Not really. You are paying for the use of the car.
TraditionalBackspace@reddit
There are many better, easier ways to keep your mind sharp. You already know what they are. Sounds like you just want a new car.
TheJokersChild@reddit
I think there are wiser ways to keep up with technology, if that's the main thrust here. It's nice to have a car you can turn in before the warranty expires, but it's nicer to have one you don't have to make a payment on each month. Learn things: coding/programming languages, speaking languages... or even just spend $40 a year on the New York Times puzzles. Hell of a lot cheaper than $400 a month for a car, if you can still get a payment that low.
Ray_The_Engineer@reddit
I don't know that I equate exposure to car gadgetry with brain flexibility. Simply keep challenging yourself with new things to learn, have regular conversations with people during your week, and stay physically fit. At least, that's my plan.
Oldebookworm@reddit
I lease Subarus. I’m on my 4th and either this one or the next one will be the last
TheSwedishEagle@reddit
And then? Waymo?
Oldebookworm@reddit
Oh, no, I’m planning on buying my last one
Tacomaartist@reddit
Try reading a book to keep your mind sharp. Jeez.
3catlove@reddit
I’m going to try to keep an open mind as I get older and be willing to try new things, but leasing cars isn’t one of them. It’s an expensive way to try to stay sharp IMO. There are better ways, although I understand what you’re getting at. My mom saw my new Honda with the adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, back up cameras and blind spot monitoring and all she says is that it’s way too much tech. I love it though and love the safety features.
Ihaveaboot@reddit
I'm in the exact opposite spot, my parents (early 80s) are all in on all new car tech. The adaptive cruise control isn't new, but still freaks me out when I ride somewhere with them.
3catlove@reddit
My husband hates the lane keeping assist but I love it. He says he feels like he’s fighting the car when it’s on. Luckily you can just turn it off.
More_Law6245@reddit
Leasing a car wouldn't make financial sense for the purpose of keeping sharp. When you retire your world starts getting small and the older you become the smaller your world is. It's all about ensuring new experiences and keeping mentally active but the key element is engagement. Sitting in front of a TV is not engagement, it's waiting to die.
Join clubs, do hobbies and multiples of, do community service, get out and meet people and do things. That is the very thing that will keep you sharp but it also needs to be accompanied by physical activity. My grandfather at the age of 81 and cleared a quarter acre of tress by hand axe, he kept mentally engaged and was sharp as a tack right up until he passed. His experience taught me a very valuable lesson, something you might want to consider.
thirtyone-charlie@reddit
I’m going backward. I bought a 2013 a couple of weeks ago.
Ihaveaboot@reddit
I bought my 2013 in 2013 - first new vehicle I ever owned! Also, the first manual transmission for me. No issues at all with it since then, knock on wood.
Realistic-Produce-28@reddit
I love having all the newest tech in my car. I just got a 2026 with all the tech things. It’s exciting to learn and use the technology. I’m to the point where I can seamlessly navigate and utilize the system without getting lost. It didn’t take long to adapt. I feel like I’m in the cockpit of a spaceship. And no way could I go back to an analog car on a daily basis.
That said, I don’t think tech in a car is what keeps us sharp. The scope is bigger. And part of what gets us “lost” is losing the excitement, interest, and curiosity and replacing it with apathy and overwhelm. So long as you’re embracing new technology *across the board* the car you’re driving is a negligible piece of the puzzle.
Even if I have no practical use for it on a regular basis, I try the new technology stuff. ChatGPT, metaverse, deep dive on understanding all the things about the camera on my phone, etc.
I see what’s happening with my dad. He’s one of the elderly that society is leaving behind because he refuses to adapt. Won’t get a smartphone, can only use a tablet because of Facebook, won’t try streaming services, and lord help him if he had a modern car with any tech. Heck, he just finally broke down and got an ATM card because he was tired of the bank tellers giving him the inquisition every time he takes cash out at the bank (he only pays with cash or check). He relies on everyone he knows to help him navigate anything technical. I don’t want to become that. It’s accelerating his cognitive decline because he’s refusing to mentally challenge himself.
cynzthin@reddit
I (elder GenX) saw my mother and many others absolutely disintegrate when someone FINALLY made the brave decision to take them off the roads. I've very deliberately built a car-free life so that I'm not faced with that devastation when my faculties are failing. I can and do drive carshares, but the quality of my life isn't dictated by the almighty automobile.
snarkycrumpet@reddit
I warned my parents about this. if you hang onto your 2011 vehicle too long you won't get the new tech when you have it. guess who now has to reconnect my mum's Bluetooth every time I visit, and show them how to set radio stations? my dad had the owners manual for his first hybrid car next to the couch and would read some of it every day.
MishtotheMitt@reddit
Since menopause, I get panic attacks when I drive. I used to drive Audi TT’s now I don’t even want to get in my big, ugly SUV.
AngelHeart-@reddit
Are you fuckin’ serious?
Are you seriously trying to justify wasting thousands of dollars on car leases to stay up to date on tech and prevent cognitive decline?
You’re salesman’s wet dream.
Read a Reddit post or watch some YouTube videos. Even an automobile magazine would be a better choice.
Zac Rios has numerous videos on his channels about car purchase regret.
AngelHeart-@reddit
The Lord looks out for babies and fools.
mantisboxer@reddit
That's an expensive way to keep your brain sharp when there are puzzles and art and science to be studied for free.
steveo242@reddit
My vehicles are 2016 and 2019. They both have Apple Car play so I am good. That's all the tech I need.
lollroller@reddit
86 is older than my MIL (81), but she was able to adapt to her last two modern small SUVs (a Honda then a Nissan). She’e always leased instead of sticking with one car, but she recently decided her current Nissan Rogue (purchased at lease end), that she plans to get going forward. I honestly don’t think it was a decision anymore complicated than she likes her current car, it does everything she wants; and she doesn’t see any reason for a change.
Pitapenguin@reddit
I'm 53 and I'm perplexed and angry at all the tech in new cars too. I don't think that indicates a problem with your MILs mental status. I'd keep my 2015 base model SUV forever if I could.
mramseyISU@reddit
There are certain things on new cars that make me irrationally angry. I rent cars fairly frequently for work travel and some of these new shifters just infuriate me. I really hate the dial shifters for some reason.
Pitapenguin@reddit
Our newer vehicle has button shifters. Push or pull. It infuriates me, lol
mramseyISU@reddit
Those are bad too.
alinroc@reddit
Chrysler had push-button transmissions 60+ years ago. https://www.allpar.com/threads/chrysler’s-brief-foray-into-pushbutton-automatics.230024/
somePig_buckeye@reddit
My mom is turning 80 this year and drives a 2017 Grand Cherokee. She’ll need a new, smaller car in the next year or so and I plan to find one with a gear shift and not a knob. I don’t want one of those either.
neepster44@reddit
Get her a Tesla and FSD. It will drive her where she wants to go.
Appropriate_Gap1987@reddit
When I leased a vehicle, I had to pay fees to return it. Even if the mileage is low, they still wanted me to pay a tech to look over the car.
SignificantTear7529@reddit
I get rentals and despise them!! I actually don't even have a car since mine died a couple of months ago. No idea what I will buy but I'm not excited to replace my very very old Toyota.
Maybe Buick still makes a good OLDmobile??
KerryBoehm@reddit
Prior to last summer my newest vehicle was old enough to vote. I get rentals at some point on business once in a while. Never had problem figuring it out for the basics.
pippi_longstocking09@reddit
whatever happened to crossword puzzles?
le4t@reddit
It does seem like there are easier / less expensive ways to keep your mind sharp
inode71@reddit
I’m usually a low tech pickup truck kind of guy and drove my 2012 Nissan Frontier until 2023. At that point I decided to treat myself to a Genesis EV. I was so nervous driving it home that first time. Nothing was familiar, from the turn dial gear selector to the collision avoidance beeps. I now drive this spaceship like it’s an extension of my body.
I’m with you that we should get new cars more often in order to stay current. I think if I had waited another 5 years it may have been even more traumatic.
UnderstandingOk9448@reddit
YouTube has great videos to learn about new car features.
jimonlimon@reddit
I’m retired and we only drive our car about 500 miles a month. We travel a lot though so I drive about 10 different rental cars per year for about a week each.
Alternative_Sort_404@reddit
Wish I could get on your retirement plan… lol. But seriously - leasing a car is dumb unless you have too much ‘disposable’ income… I guess
Roseliberry@reddit
May I introduce you to something cheaper and arguably more fun? Video Games! Minecraft, Stardew Valley, Grounded, Factorio, Kerbal Space Program, etc etc
LittleEdithBeale@reddit
Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify new cars on the regular.
sunnypurplepetunia@reddit
Omg, I just experienced this with my stepdad who is 69. He rented a car to visit us and he could not figure our shifting gears, basic stuff!
Iron_Chic@reddit
Naw, don't worry about it. All the new tech is nice, but not necessary. I bought a fully loaded car brand new in 2018, I don't ise half the features on it. It has auto-park, lane assist, the cruise control that upu can set in traffic and let it drive for you...i hardly use any of it.
TripMaster478@reddit
Some of it I specifically turn off every time I get in. The auto-idle feature in particular.
TheJokersChild@reddit
Mine can't turn off. But I'm used to it now.
Iron_Chic@reddit
Man, I hate that feature.
The lane assist sucks too, unless you are going to be on the freeway for long periods of time. I always had to fight it when merging from on-ramps until I turned it off.
lolagoetz_bs@reddit
I really wish I could turn that off permanently. I hate it!
TripMaster478@reddit
Same.
Impressive-Shame-525@reddit
..... I still drive my 1988 Ford LTD Country Squire.
AbsolutesDealer@reddit
The classics never go outta style.
AbsolutesDealer@reddit
Leasing is only good if you’re gonna write it off as a business expense.
bernardfarquart@reddit
Do not lease a car to keep your mind sharp, as the very decision to lease indicates you might be slipping. All a lease is is an opportunity to buy the depreciation on a car and give it back to the dealer to sell. Don't do it.
Rational-ish@reddit
Maybe try sudoku first?
Dangerous_Prize_4545@reddit
Seconding this.
Square-Wave5308@reddit
If you'll be driving less after retirement, consider buying used. I find the sweet spot is 3 years, >50,000 miles. I drive about 8,000 miles a year. I typically keep my cars about 4 years, and they keep their value well. I'm 3 years into a C300 (after many Toyotas) and I still haven't bothered to figure out all the buttons and options.
TripMaster478@reddit
Meh I don't think you need to upgrade every four or five years. Ten or so maybe. I had a 2012 and there was a huge jump to my 2021 in terms of technology. But I had gotten used to most of it from rental cars.
Taminella_Grinderfal@reddit
I mean unless you enjoy driving new cars and wasting money, there are many other ways to keep your brain active. Cars would be very low on my list of “new tech to keep up with”. Driving safely is more about muscle memory, following the traffic laws, and being alert to other drivers. While there is some helpful tech out there (cameras, collision warnings) most of it is just unnecessary distraction. I mean I rented cars at 30 and still had to sit for a few moments to figure out how to use all the unfamiliar buttons.
Bubbafett33@reddit
LOL—you want to choose the most expensive and restrictive way to get a car in your driveway to…work your mental faculties?
Buy a sudoku. Do the crossword. Download one of the thousands of apps available for this exact purpose.
But no, don’t lease a car because you believe figuring out how to change the reverse camera angle will suddenly reconstruct your frontal lobe.
KellyzKillaz@reddit
Start building and troubleshooting computers. It'll keep your brain real sharp, strengthen your problem solving skills, keep you up to date with newer tech, and you don't have to deal with the ordeal and costs of buying or leasing a new car every few years. I'd rather my brain turn to mush than deal with that every couple years.
Turbulent-Local5054@reddit
Haha, I’m like your Mom at 60 and don’t want to give up my 11 yr old VW CC sedan (also the heated seats fit my poor back perfectly) even though it’s got 107k miles and I doubt I’ll get another 50k out of it, at least not without spending more than its value! I’ve periodically rented different cars for trips the last year to transport bigger loads or drive in AWD weather and it’s a great way to keep your car-adapting skills sharp for a weekend (or week,) plus fun to rate the drive, etc. The more you rent you’ll see that your skills are still transferable, and you’ll save tens of thousands of dollars in lease payments.
InvestmentMain8414@reddit
Why? I honestly don't see the point.
As I care for an inlaw, my focus isn't on cars to keep sharp.
I want to know how to detect AI, or the types of scams older people fall for. And that isnt just to keep inlaw safe. Its to keep me and my husband safe later.
Knowing the latest car technology isnt even on my radar....because when I'm 86, I will not be going out amd buying a new vehicle that may or may not confuse me.
newwriter365@reddit
Why not just Uber when on vacation?
icedyoga@reddit
I see your point. Maybe just rent a car yearly to keep up to date?
serial_triathlete@reddit
Sudoku is cheaper.
1questions@reddit
Agree. Lots of hobbies help with mental agility and staying sharp way more than getting a new car. Personally I think it would be safer to stick with a car you know as you age, then you dummy need to think about where the brake is or lights etc. in an emergency you want to be able to just react and not have to think about things when driving.
aheadlessned@reddit
Do you just have a shit ton of money you need to spend on something? Otherwise, I can think of many other, less expensive ways to keep your mind sharp.
TenderLA@reddit
It’s one of the worst things with new cars - all the tech. There are other ways to preserve brain flexibility. My latest car purchase was a 2000 VW Jetta diesel. My wife’s favorite thing about the car - manual roll down windows, my favorite - no screens.
jaxbravesfan@reddit
I guess that’s one way to do it, but the last thing I want in retirement is a monthly payment on a car. My job keeps me tech savvy now, and when I retire, I’ll be able to spend more time on what is currently my side gig - live video and audio production - which will help keep me sharp. I also plan to start playing video games again. I love it, but just really haven’t had the time to do much of it the past couple of decades.
edwardsantes@reddit
my five + decades on planet earth has taught me that simply reading every day, and engaging in some sort simple motor skills/exercise keeps me sharp
but the advertising gurus on Madison Avenue love, love, love, the way you think
FlyingTerrier@reddit
You will burn your retirement funds very quickly. Take on a few hobbies instead.
L_wanderlust@reddit
Wow that’s a crazy way to keep your brain sharp. Crosswords and reading and tuff will keep you sharp
Ok_Entrepreneur_8509@reddit
Lease for the next 3 years, and by then they will all drive themselves, so it won't even matter.
CreativeBusiness6588@reddit
Keep upgrading tablets/iphones. Cheaper!