Scratches Good or Bad

Macht nichts zu mir! I'll be dead when the 4Runner leaves our family (Nieces and nephews are already claiming "dibs"!).

You Mall Rats can always get a scratch or scrape from some 6 yr. old with a shopping cart. Honest "pinstriping" is certainly more "honorable". Wanna die run over by a grandma in the parking lot or while in glorious combat against man or beast?

 

My vote: Scratches are bad.



I did manage to buff them out.

 

Lots of work

 

(Off) Road Warrior!!

 

Oh come on, you know it's a utility vehicle. Wear it proud!

 

Agree, because a logical argument only makes sense (to engage in) where there is agreement on the terms. So how about defining our terms?

How fair is this summary of how I think these terms are being used here?

Referring to cars:

Damage: unintended, accidental occurrences that result in breakage, loss of function, and/or value.

Wear and tear: damage resulting from, or incidental to, the intended use of the vehicle. May result in loss of function and value.

Maintainance: the act of continual repair of worn components necessary to the full function of the vehicle systems, fluids, structure, paint/body, etc. Can be considered preventative if performed before a particular failures affects function or usability of vehicle for its intended purpose.

These should be agreeable definitions for this discussion. I think opinions diverge because “intended use” and “value” are different for every owner.

One owner’s intended use is comfortable, durable transportation in a vehicle with low depreciation.

Another’s use may be to improve monetization of their youtube channel or gram account.

Another’s is solid long term vehicle that will get them to crazy places, because for various reasons they want to go there.

And everywhere in between…

These differences will mean they will view wear and tear differently. And if somebody is constantly cleaning, repainting/buffing, fixing, rebuilding things that get worn during their intended use, it’s perfectly reasonable to say they take care of it. My neighbors must think Toyotas are piles of garbage judging by how often I’m messing with it in the garage or driveway. But really, I’m taking extra good care of it, in a manner fitting with it’s use.

 

Very well said.

 

I don’t know about first scratch…But I’d say right up until you need to replace a transfer case . Still feels new though lol

 

Curious where swirls from the automatic car wash (brush type) enter into this saga...

 

Well scratches are sometimes a good thing. There was this scratched up, old watch missing pieces. It sold for 1 million!

 

It’s actually “bad” to polish them.

 

The issue of having a dark vehicle......so I went off-roading to Sedona/Flagstaff area last month and I got plenty of scratches and even some dents. I tried to clean some and used fillers and all that stuff and eventually ended up getting a crew with ceramic products and paint correction and I have to say this thing looks pretty good again. If the scratches are bothering you, I say it is worth fixing them. My 2c.