kimberlyanne546
Final Approach
OK so here is the situation:
I own a car. It is a 2005. It has almost 130K miles on it. It is almost paid off (less than a year to go). I have the lowest payment I know of and was looking forward to that going away and owning it outright with no payments (143 per month and a really good APR).
However, the following items are coming up (OK they need to be done NOW). These would be similar to years of car payments. I have the option to get a new car (I don't mind car payments), or keep the old one. I can't afford a brand new car, but with a private sale of this one I could get a nice used car.
New tires (Costco): great ones about $400 - $500
Major service coming up: about $300 - $600
Possible manifold exhaust leak (just starting to hear noises): ????
New brakes: $200 - $300
(any day now) New clutch: $800 - $1000 (or more)
Issues with battery (might need new one): $50 - 200 depending
Side door / mirror (someone dinged it): ????
Squeaky noise (belts)????
New stuff when due (timing belt, water pump, etc): many dollars.
All that makes me want to sell it now while it still runs great. It is safe but these things are due soon.
A new car / slightly used wouldn't have any of these costs. I have USAA and got a 3.99 rate and they do the bargaining for you. Problem is I've owned FOUR HONDA CIVICS and have no clue about these "cheap cars" out there.
I saw a few that I know nothing about:
Nissan Versa
Toyota Yaris
Hyundai Accent
Honda Fit
Etc. Honda Civics, surprisingly, are too expensive. What is a good source to learn about cars without bias? I want to stick with Honda and Toyota if possible, but that is just me.... my entire life myself and my family has had them with ZERO complaints.
It would be great fun to own my car but I'd rather pay $143 per month with little maintenance than sit here knowing I'll need $1000 for a new clutch any day or the car won't drive (I drive a stick and yes, I obviously do OK at it or I'd have needed a new clutch by now huh).
I own a car. It is a 2005. It has almost 130K miles on it. It is almost paid off (less than a year to go). I have the lowest payment I know of and was looking forward to that going away and owning it outright with no payments (143 per month and a really good APR).
However, the following items are coming up (OK they need to be done NOW). These would be similar to years of car payments. I have the option to get a new car (I don't mind car payments), or keep the old one. I can't afford a brand new car, but with a private sale of this one I could get a nice used car.
New tires (Costco): great ones about $400 - $500
Major service coming up: about $300 - $600
Possible manifold exhaust leak (just starting to hear noises): ????
New brakes: $200 - $300
(any day now) New clutch: $800 - $1000 (or more)
Issues with battery (might need new one): $50 - 200 depending
Side door / mirror (someone dinged it): ????
Squeaky noise (belts)????
New stuff when due (timing belt, water pump, etc): many dollars.
All that makes me want to sell it now while it still runs great. It is safe but these things are due soon.
A new car / slightly used wouldn't have any of these costs. I have USAA and got a 3.99 rate and they do the bargaining for you. Problem is I've owned FOUR HONDA CIVICS and have no clue about these "cheap cars" out there.
I saw a few that I know nothing about:
Nissan Versa
Toyota Yaris
Hyundai Accent
Honda Fit
Etc. Honda Civics, surprisingly, are too expensive. What is a good source to learn about cars without bias? I want to stick with Honda and Toyota if possible, but that is just me.... my entire life myself and my family has had them with ZERO complaints.
It would be great fun to own my car but I'd rather pay $143 per month with little maintenance than sit here knowing I'll need $1000 for a new clutch any day or the car won't drive (I drive a stick and yes, I obviously do OK at it or I'd have needed a new clutch by now huh).