Millennials and the future of our cars.

[AZTB]

Technically, the next generation (after ours) isn't the millennials...depending on which article you read, there are anywhere from 2-4 other groups piled in after us. There are the generation that makes up our kids (children of the boomers), which is sometimes labeled "busters", or Generation X. Both of our boys are in that group and still love and admire cars. Their children (our grandchildren) would probably fall in the millennial group as they all were born after 2000. HOWEVER, having said all that, there are many "subgroups" within the generations that make up our kids and grandkids. Even keeping track of generations has become more complicated.

[DaiUyTed]

Further complicating this: Many of us are pre-boomers, the "Silent Generation", born before the post-WW II Baby Boom. Following the boomers and x-ers, "me-generation", etc., came the "millennials", more properly identified as those who came of age at the time of the millennial; born in the mid-eighties and later. The generation born around the millennial and later are commonly referred to as "Zs". (Thought: Will there be nothing after Z???)

Notable: The generations are progressively less mechanically and more electronically oriented. Attuned to smart phones, not cars.

[pnwtbird05]

Hi everyone, joined the forum today as I bought a tbird yesterday. I'm 29 and would like to share my perspective on my generation and their taste in cars. There's two main items i'd like to emphasize.
1) I think the financial piece plays a huge role and hasn't been emphasized enough. Me and pretty much everyone I know left college with 30k+ in student loan debt and sometimes substantially more. This despite going to local public universities and working part time throughout. With the 4 year graduation rate typically around ~50%, many have this without a college degree to show for it in the end. I think the interest is there, but the lack of financial independance has made automotive splurges a non starter for millenials, it's pushed deep below emerging priorities around that loan payment and the latest iphone.

2) In regards to interest and speculating on future of the industry, I think Tesla has captured the market perfectly in several ways. No dealers, mostly online experience, grassroot viral marketing and strong community (400,000+ people waited in-store or placed 1k down online for an Model 3, a car which they wouldn't expect to get until 12-18 months). It's also minimalist design and electric. All of these contribute to the feeling they're contributing to something bigger (lessen climate change), relevant (internet, silicon valley model) and futuristic (electric). Now I bet a chunk of those 400k reservers may back out as they realize they can't afford it, but the fact that this company has lit a fire under this age group for a $35k+ car is remarkable and shows the interest exists in the mainstream but the old guard is not doing much to draw it out.

Anyway thats my thoughts! I bought a 2005 medium blue tbird, blue insert seats, blue soft top, blue hardtop. Fully loaded, 114k, absolutely love it. Coming from a '67 mercury cougar.

Best,

Tim

[wcoates]

Hi everyone, joined the forum today
Best, Tim

Welcome Tim, enjoy your Bird and this site and the folks that frequent it. Hope a good experience all around for you.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Tim - you're our hope for the future WELCOME!

[TommyT]

Welcome Tim,,, Bravo young man and long live automobiles as we all know them and especially the classic Ford Thunderbird !!!

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Welcome to TBN and great choice in a Thunderbird, if I got another one Medium Steel Blue would be the one.

[007Cruiser]

If?

[merlot4]

Welcome to TBN, Tim! Your Cougar was a class act, I always felt they were underrated, and your latest choice sounds like a beauty.

[2K2BIRD]

Welcome, Tim. Great choice of Thunderbird. The MSB with matching soft top and seat inserts is one of my favorite combinations.

I have made the exact same point in other similar threads as the first one you mentioned. Young people have always had positive comments about our Thunderbird, so I know their perceived general malaise when it comes to cars has to be related to something other than not "liking" cars. As you say it's pretty hard to get excited about something that doesn't seem to be attainable in your current economic situation.

[Rondor]

Welcome and I can relate to what you are hearing and saying. I hear too many stories about kids who made it through college only to be living at home like high school because they can't make a decent living let alone buy a car like a retro. I agree the interest is there and my youngest grandson in early teens went to a " cars and coffee" show a week ago and his favorite car was a '79 Mark V Lincoln. Who wudda thunk it.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

If?

Yes I believe I am finished.

[TommyT]

I agree Harry completely.But I don't care what happens if I am lucky enough to have a garage I don't care what has happened I want my old classic car in it so I can stagger out to it and admire it and rub on it and smile and feel good !! Wouldn't it be strange if we ever get to the point in life were we hear a knock at the door and it's a neighbor or someone else who says "we heard you had an automobile would it be OK if we took a look at it ???

[pnwtbird05]

Welcome and I can relate to what you are hearing and saying. I hear too many stories about kids who made it through college only to be living at home like high school because they can't make a decent living let alone buy a car like a retro. I agree the interest is there and my youngest grandson in early teens went to a " cars and coffee" show a week ago and his favorite car was a '79 Mark V Lincoln. Who wudda thunk it.

Thanks everyone, glad to be here! haha I bet a '79 Lincoln Mark V is more foreign/rare to your grandson than a Lamborghini. Makes me think of the time I borrowed my dad's '78 Mark V a few years ago and someone stole the hood ornament within an hour...

[tbird3127]

The cars that will be popular collector cars (future classics) will be the ones that they made millions of. EASY TO GET PARTS FOR! --- Alan