Car Advice

[Skinsfan55]

I love my Subaru Legacy.

Not only is it over 100k and still running great, it's great for road trips, is roomy enough to comfortably fit 5 people and it has a huge trunk.

[welch]

Chris, I would suggest a Honda or a Toyota. I have personal attachments to the Honda Accord, and owned two of them. Toyota also has a great reputation.

My favorite mechanic always said, "These Japanese cars will run forever".

One other thought: if you find a second car, take it to a reliable mechanic and have the mechanic do an end-to-end diagnosis. Have them note every part that needs to be fixed, and the price. You'll probably pay $100 or so for the diagnosis, and the seller might refuse, but...

- if a seller won't let a third party examine the car, then that's suspicious

- you will start with a good idea of how much you'll need to pay to maintain the car

Note that before 100,000 miles, your car will need timing belts. Figure about $800 for parts and labor. Somewhere around 60,000 miles, you'll start to need parts of the front end.

In spite of the cost, always fix them as soon as possible. A worn front end part will wear out other parts of the front end -- they work as a system.

Overall, I've found that it costs $500 - $1,000 to make routine repairs on a seocnd-hand car. Add that to you mental budget.

Good luck.

(I don't know much about Acuras and Lexi end such. Some of them are said to be fine automobiles, but a Camtry or Acord will get you where you want to go.)

[fredp45]

Welch -- It's interesting to see what others pay for stuff. I live out in the country and to do a timing belt and water pump on my son's Accord cost 350. We didn't take it to a Honda dealership but a local garage. When you live in the big city, you deal with big city labor costs.

My brother in law still lives in SS Md and he reguarly pays 500-800 for repairs that I might pay 1/2. Of course, parts are the same but labor is ridiculous in big cities.

I agree with you on having someone check it out -- if you ask the seller if you can take it to a garage for a checkup and they don't care, that's a good sign. If they do care, that's also a good sign. It's worth the 50-100 bucks (50 for me, 100 for you!).

[Chris Luva Luva]

Ok...................

I've decided to go with Toyota. Carmax 2001 Camry with 96k on it for $10k. How does that sound?

Do you think I could get another 100k out of this car?

[Irn-Bru]

Chris, try 'Kelly's Bluebook' (I can't remember how its spelled). They put out a guide on the internet that predicts what they think the market price is for any car model / year / mileage.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

Chris, try 'Kelly's Bluebook' (I can't remember how its spelled). They put out a guide on the internet that predicts what they think the market price is for any car model / year / mileage.

http://www.kbb.com

My suggestion, Chris, is too make your decision based on how much you can afford to pay on a monthly basis, divided by 2. Find yourself a vehicle in that price range (don't rush, dawg, you can find deals) and invest the difference in an interest bearing account. Once you've paid off that car, you should have enough moolah to pay for a better car in the future. Repeat as needed, until you can afford the luxury gas guzzler you oh so deserve.

[joebagadonuts]

Chris, try 'Kelly's Bluebook' (I can't remember how its spelled). They put out a guide on the internet that predicts what they think the market price is for any car model / year / mileage.

Or Edmunds. I've heard that KBB can be a bit high, but that's just what I hear.

[fredp45]

CLL --

IMO -- I think that 2001 Camry with 96K miles is priced too high at 10K.

I'm actually trying to sell a 2 door Honda Accord, 4 cyl, 5 speed, really good condition, 80K miles for $8800.

[Chris Luva Luva]

CLL --

IMO -- I think that 2001 Camry with 96K miles is priced too high at 10K.

I'm actually trying to sell a 2 door Honda Accord, 4 cyl, 5 speed, really good condition, 80K miles for $8800.

Thnx

[Chris Luva Luva]

Ok guys here is an update.

I just got back from the Toyota dealership and test drove the camry hybrid. I think I may get one. 40MPG in the city sounds good. The one I want costs 32k but I plan on paying it off and keeping it until it dies. Any opinions/wisdom?

[Cappster]

FirstOnRaceDay! Get a mustang, you won't regret it!

[Redskin in Canada]

I plan on paying it off and keeping it until it dies. Any opinions/wisdom?

Are you planning to live beyond your 90s???

Sensible choice, too sensible actually. What is next? Marriage and children? A dog and trips to the supermarket and kinder-garden?

As long as you are -not- in a hurry to get anywhere, it is the perfect choice according to JD Power.

[SkinsChic]

Toyota's are good cars. I love mine - have 95,500 miles on it....no problems at all so far.

[tcwest10]

Toyota's are good cars. I love mine - have 95,500 miles on it....no problems at all so far.

Yeah...there's the miles that Jake put on it, plus your fifty.
I was, at one point, dead-set against buying anything that didn't have an American label on it, despite being in the business of turning wrenches and dropping pans until the late 80's. I changed my mind when I saw all these neighbors of mine who'd managed to keep the same Toyota/Honda through three or four of my wife's Mopar minivans. (I hate Mopar...but it's her ride, not mine.)
I, myself...I stick with GMC/Chevrolet...mostly due to habit, and partly because it's one of the few makes I can open the hood on and still find my way around.

[Chris Luva Luva]

Are you planning to live beyond your 90s???

Yes, 110 is my goal.

Sensible choice, too sensible actually.

I'm learning money doesnt grow on trees. Cars are huge money pits and I might as well get the most bang for my buck. I plan to keep this as a daily commuter and get something nice once this is paid off. I'd hate to rack up an obscene amount of miles on my next really nice car.

What is next? Marriage and children?

Marriage scares me. Between married with children and real life horror shows..., I'm shook. I do want kids though.

A dog

Remeber the show wishbone? I want a dog like him.

and trips to the supermarket and

I already do that, one step closer to marriage.....

As long as you are -not- in a hurry to get anywhere, it is the perfect choice according to JD Power.

Yeah it drove like a 4-banger on crack.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

The one I want costs 32k but I plan on paying it off and keeping it until it dies. Any opinions/wisdom?

$32,000!!!!!

Chris, in all honesty, that sounds like it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to expensive for a car, no matter what kinds of bells and whistles it carries.

You're gonna have a car note for what, 6 yrs???

If I were in the same boat, I'd take the money I've saved up (you have savings, right?) and purchase a used vehicle with that. Then, I'd take the money I would have paid the bank and save that in an great interest bearing account specifically designated for car savings.

Once I have enough saved up, I'd sell the car I bought used, take those proceeds and add it to my savings to upgrade to a better ride.

Then, rinse and repeat.

You could theoretically be upgrading your car every 20 months, and putting your money to work for you instead of being in debt to the bank for six years. (over the same amount of time you'd be paying someone else for a car -- a depreciating asset )

Believe me, by then, you'll have a wandering eye and your CAMRY wont be as lovely ás it is today.

Bro, you'll have plenty of time in the future to have that 32K car, if you wish, but, unless you're really in a pinch and cannot be patient enough to shop around for a decent ride at an affordable price, I'd say it is a CRAZY idea for you to be rolling around in a $32,000 car.

Also, those same $32,000 would make one heck of a down payment on a house.

If you want more info, PM me.

- RS

[Chris Luva Luva]

The car I really want is 46k.

I didn't really look at the used cars too much because they are too expensive. Im seeing used camrys going for $16k when a new base model is $20k. If Im going to get something used, it has to be a real bargain because it almost seems more reasonable to get a new car.

I'm only getting a used car if its certified, Ive been having nightmares with other peoples junk.

[tcwest10]

I'm only getting a used car if its certified, Ive been having nightmares with other peoples junk.

Make sure it's not being certified by someone with a vested interest in the resale.
Oh, wait. You can't. Read the fine print.