Holy shit. Just got a call from the mechanic.

[LuckyCharms]

I guess we drove it into the ground.

Front tire leak, new front brakes, tie rods, needs alignment, bunch of other stuff.

Car is 15 years old, only 50,000 miles.

I'm trading it in tomorrow.

Can't get this thing out of my driveway fast enough.

$2,600 is too much for a 15 year old car. Not going to spend that.

I guess I have some work to do this week...I need to accelerate my research and get a new car.

[niyad]

1. Sending vibes for perfect deal!

[gay texan]

2. If the car is paid for

Id spend the $2600. New cars are just horrible

[Kali]

3. agree

[LuckyCharms]

5. My wife doesn't feel safe in it...

and she's pressuring me to sell. We put $4,500 into it for a new sub-frame 2 years ago, so another $2,600 on top of that would be over $7,000 in two years.

Plus, it's starting to rust out.

[gay texan]

9. Ok, with that information

Yeah, its time to bail

[Angleae]

22. I hear you. I just put $1300 into a car that's over 20.

[stopdiggin]

4. maybe reassess? depending on what your budget is ...

50 thousand is still a pretty low mileage vehicle. What are you looking at (and getting) in another used vehicle? At what price? (and without any guarantee that the 'new' ride doesn't have a few issues? - and at least as many miles?)

Yeah, that's a lot of money to stick into an older vehicle. But the advantage is - you kinda' know what you have when you're done. Rather than just guessing with another purchase.

[LuckyCharms]

10. Please see post #5.

In addition to post #5, the gas struts on the rear tail gate gave way a few years ago and the door crashed down, shattering the rear window.

I'm soon to be 68. Wife is 66.

By my way of thinking, this new one might be our last car.

The thing is just falling apart body wise. Seems to be something new every week.

[stopdiggin]

12. gottcha. different scenario than what I was thinking. good luck to ya. - - - - - - - - -(nt)-

[cachukis]

6. Isn't that mostly stuff you have to replace at some

time anyway.
Tires, brakes, an alignment. $2600.00 ÷ 15 = $173.00 per year. Sounds pretty reasonable.

[LuckyCharms]

7. Please see post #5.

[cachukis]

8. Hadn't seen that. Get out while the gettin's good.

[Martin Eden]

11. Are you buying new, or used?

I'm very happy with my Kia Niro Hybrid, which gets close to 50mpg. Drives nice, very practical, and room for a full size spare (not included) in the EX trim .

[LuckyCharms]

13. New. Hyundai Kona, 2026.

Just got off the phone with 2 dealerships, one local, and one about 1.5 hours away in Syracuse.

Asked them to run 4 scenaarios:

1) Purchase out the door price

2) Lease including taxes - $0 down.

3)Lease including taxes - $3,000 down

4)Lease including taxes $7,500 down

10,000 miles/year

[10 Turtle Day]

15. I have a 2022 Kona that I absolutely love.

I hope you get a good deal and will love yours as well.

[LuckyCharms]

19. good to know! thank you!

[TBF]

26. That's exactly what I'd look at!

I have a 2013 Santa Fe that I've been nursing along, also starting to rust. But, only 126K miles and did brakes in the past year. I really need to fix the rust on the top of the frame unless we trade in the next year or so.

My husband likes his Tesla, though, so I might inherit that if he gets something newer for driving to work. We'll see. No gas fill-ups is tempting, though I think there is a hybrid Kona.

[biophile]

28. Mr Biophile and I have had 6 Hyundai vehicles between the two of us

We love them - have never had a problem (knock on wood!). The last 3 have been hybrids- Ioniq and two Elantras.
Good luck with all of the negotiations!

[buzzycrumbhunger]

56. Hyundai Accent here

This is a 2015 with just over 60K miles on it and aside from the fact that the clutch failed over a year ago and I’m STILL waiting for my son to swap it out (already bought the parts, fluids, and all…) I have to say I’ve been happy with the car. It’s a very basic manual transmission with no real bells and whistles but as I learned on a ’63 Beetle, I love everything else about it.

Now I just need o guilt my lazy-arsed son into getting the job done before he can demur due to the coming Florida summer… In the meantime, given the price of gas, it’s hard to whine too much about having to take the bus, which is at most 75¢ a ride (free if the bus travels at all to the next town north). *sigh*

[TexasBushwhacker]

29. So are you buying or leasing?

I guess in your part of the country, most used cars will have rust issues. My friend was shopping for a used Honda Pilot because she's in MD and her older one had rusted out. Even doing a search in several states, it took her MONTHS to find one.

[LuckyCharms]

33. Leasing...

36 month, 10,000 miles per year.

Hyundai Kona, 2026, all wheel drive, SEL premium (the premium has a peppier engine).

The dealer has only 3 of these on the lot currently, and I'm not particularly fond of the colors, so the next step is to see if he will order the one I want.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. Don't get me started on colors!

American cars are SO BORING. You look at their parking lot and you'd swear it was an Alfred Hitchcock movie - black, white, gray, silver - lather rinse repeat. Oy!

I drove my '06 Scion xB for 14 years! I would have kept on driving it, but I had a good job at the time and my niece needed a car. So I got a 2017 RAV4 Hybrid CPO with just 37K miles. Bargained with the salesman like the bitchy old bookkeeper that I am. Ended up putting down $1K and financed $20K. But now, because gas is high and it still has under 70K miles, I'm selling it for $18K and buying a beater. I just don't drive enough to keep the battery in shape. I'm going to put money in the bank and get something for around $5K. I'll be 70 in January and I don't know how much longer I'll be driving. I've even considered getting an xB again - LOL

[LuckyCharms]

44. This is the color I want...

It's a pretty, subtle green...but these are hard to get your hands on.

[True Dough]

45. We went for the green too when we got our Outback in 2024

Yours is more of a flat green whereas ours is a metallic. Really looks different in the sun and the shade.

[LuckyCharms]

47. That's sharp looking, True Dough!

Very nice.

[True Dough]

50. We can get our two big dogs in the back with the seats folded down. That was a must.

But the number of safety features is ridiculous. We actually turn some of them off because they're intrusive and annoying.

It helped us save a little bit on insurance though. They seem to like that cars have all kinds of safety options included. Go figure!

[mountain grammy]

14. mine is 14 years old..over 150,000 miles

had to do the timing chain 2 years ago.. $4000 Yikes!!! but she's running great.

That said, I'm ready for something newer with a few bells for this old lady..

[TexasBushwhacker]

31. I thought timing chains lasted forever

I had a friend whose timing belt snapped and that was that. She had just had 100K maintenance done on it, but the mechanic "forgot".

[mountain grammy]

37. Yeah, it was a belt on my volkswagon

my 93 Nissan pickup it was a chain.. over 200,000 miles on that baby when I sold it. Never did have to replace the timing chain. Last I heard that truck was still going.

[mitch96]

16. Something with lo miles and a few (2-3) years old. It has already taken the depreciation hit..

Toyota and Honda are very reliable and lots of mechanics know how to work on them.
A thought...
m

[LuckyCharms]

17. I'd love a Toyota...

I've had a Corolla. a Camry, and a Tundra and loved them.

I love Hondas too.

Problem is, they're too damn expensive, and the Hyundai's have a better warranty.

I have an Hyundai Elantra now (wife has a Subaru that has all of the problems)...I love the Elantra.

[mitch96]

18. Those damn little Corollas run for ever... 200,000 miles easy. Keep within your budget. Cars are a depreciating asset..

[TexasBushwhacker]

32. I took an Uber in an Elantra recently

I drive a Toyota RAV4 normally and the Elantra is just too low for me. I had a hard time getting my old body in and out.

[LuckyCharms]

34. I don't know what "parts" you have...but that's one problem with the Elantra.

I like the car otherwise, but it is very low, and the edge of the seat has a hump that I catch my "parts" on when getting in. It's not pleasant...for my "parts", or my back.

[TexasBushwhacker]

38. My knees and back

It IS low. I'm used to driving a RAV4. My knees and back don't have to bend as much and I prefer the higher driving position.

[debm55]

20. Good luck, finding a car, Lucky Charms.

[LuckyCharms]

21. OK...here's the story.

Just got a call from a local dealer. I have not met this guy in person yet. I'm still waiting for the quotes from Syracuse.

He quoted me some lease prices, including tax. His prices were lower than what I calculated on their website. It may have helped that before he quoted me, I told him that I was also getting pricing from a Syracuse dealer.

If I can get $8k for my two current vehicles, and use that cash for a down payment, I can get a lease for around $200 a month for 3 years with a residual value of $19k.

I talked to the guy a long time. The guy sounded like he was in his 30s. He made a comment about how all the young guys he works with give him a hard time. I said "But you sound young". He said "I'm not". I asked him how old he was, and he said "I don't want to tell you". I said "Now you have to tell me". He said "I'm 78 years old, and the only thing I don't do anymore is chase women. Well, I chase them, just not as vigorously".

We got started on the right foot, so I hope I can work out a deal with this guy.

It probably also helped that he started selling there the week my first cousin (who is locally well loved) retired from the place. So, we shot the shit for about an hour on the phone.

[Niagara]

23. Oh

This sounds extremely promising.

Good luck, Lucky!!

He said "I'm 78 years old, and the only thing I don't do anymore is chase women. Well, I chase them, just not as vigorously".

[LuckyCharms]

24. Ha! Yes, I liked the guy.

He asked me where I retired from, and I told him Lockheed Martin. Turns out, we both know a bunch of the same people.

He used to own a clothing store where I got my wedding tux at. He asked me what year, and I told him...he said "I probably fitted you"!

Thanks a lot, Niagara.

[OldBaldy1701E]

25. Last year, we had to get a vehicle by any means necessary.

Since the flashy 2010 Santa Fe screwed us over.

So, we had to get a 2007 Pontiac. It was $1850.

I am desperately trying to make sure nothing on it gives out. That will be impossible since it is almost 20 years old and we cannot keep it up as well as we need to due to lack of funds. Hell, we are desperate to get the brakes fixed, but we just don't have it.

[LuckyCharms]

42. I understand, Oldbaldy.

I don't know what the hell happened to this Subaru. It's been a decent car, but parts other than the engine and transmission are getting messed up every other week.

I've been trying to ignore it, but it's really stressful wondering when the next shoe will drop.

So getting a brand new one with just a $200/month lease will eliminate some of that stress.

Until something else goes wrong...which it will. It always does.

[some_of_us_are_sane]

48. My husband and I are in the same place as you...

Two cars paid off.... one is a 2008 Focus and the other a 2012. They've been great cars but the state inspections are finding more things each year that need fixing. We're going to trade these in on a new one before the car insurance comes due again in October.

SIDE NOTE: Actually they were great little cars until RATS chewed through wiring and we ended up with a 2,500.00 bill to fix things. Forked over 65.00 bucks a month for rodent control, buying rodent spray to spray under the hoods, etc. (TWICE my husband opened the hood to find a LARGE RAT sitting on top of the engine!)

Our neighborhood had changed from longtime owners who moved or passed away, to renters who didn't put their trash in containers and the whole neighborhood devolved with loud LOUD music, partying etc.

Anyway.......we finally sold our home after almost 35 years. We now live in a wonderful apartment with trees all around us and QUIET!)

So.......... GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH FOR YOU NEXT VEHICLE!

[LuckyCharms]

51. OMG...rats.

Holy cow.

Same here...I hate getting the cars inspected.

I bet your apartment is nice! I'm happy for you!

[some_of_us_are_sane]

53. Thanks!

All the walls are CONCRETE covered with plasterboard. QUIET as can be. Up on the 8th floor with a balcony. Thanks, Lucky. Yes, we love it here.

[UpInArms]

27. Wow

My car is a 1994 subaru Loyale 4wd station wagon with 249,000+ miles

I would spend anything to keep her on the road … she has been my bestest friend

[some_of_us_are_sane]

49. Good for YOU, UpInArms!

Sometimes vehicles feel like family members. They are filled with memories and personal markers.

[Tetrachloride]

30. i am in the older car camp.

[LuckyCharms]

43. Me too...but I live with a woman who is stressed and afraid when

she has to drive.

It's not a good situation...

[Bluestocking]

36. You should fix it. Lot cheaper than new car

[eppur_se_muova]

39. I'm suspicious of that mechanic's analysis. Can you get the opinion of a mechanic whom you have more reason to trust ?

Tire is trivial, alignment pretty much so. Not "old car problems", just perfectly routine maintenance.

Tie rods AND brakes ?? After only 50K ??? That calls for a second opinion.

If this guy thinks he can put one over on you, there's no limit to what he'll find wrong -- and charge you handsomely to fix.

[LuckyCharms]

40. He's been my mechanic for years, and he's very trustworthy.

He's spot on about the tie rods and brakes, based on the car's symptoms.

He takes me in the garage and shows me what is wrong before he removes any old parts.

[Norrrm]

41. Old cartoon from time back - Cathy

?odnHeight=573&odnWidth=573&odnBg=FFFFFF

Same situation, car needs lots of repairs. Don't want to spend the bucks.
Tells mechanic to fix it up just enough to run and sell it.
But you'll need another car.
No problem. I'll just buy one out of the newspaper.
...... They have so many nice ones listed there.

[True Dough]

46. I just came here to say

SEE POST #5!

[LuckyCharms]

55. .

[liberal N proud]

52. I have 3 cars with 130,000 or more

One has 190,000. I keep them maintained , oil changed regularly. Sometimes it seems like I am always working on one of them, spending $200 a month on service or parts. Doing it myself and having no car payment, it is a better that the car payment.

[kacekwl]

54. Buy used, even lightly used is

way smarter than new.

[Tetrachloride]

57. something safe like a 442

[OAITW r.2.0]

58. I've got a 2018 Ram 1500, 4x4

My auto guy is 1/4 mile from the house. He has a Dodge Truck. He keeps my truck on the road. I average 200mi/month, because I'm 3 minutes from downtown.

[LuckyCharms]

59. Jeez, that sounds good.

I miss my trucks so much...

I've had two F-150s, a Ford Ranger, and a Toyota Tundra (and a Chevy Blazer if you want to count that as a truck...it was a 2004 and it had a tailgate, even though it was an enclosed bed).

[OAITW r.2.0]

60. House is 300 feet+ higher from my driveway entrance, over about 500 ft. length.

Don't matter the snow conditions, I get up to the house.

[LuckyCharms]

61. !!!!!

That's a 31 degree slope! You must be looking up in the sky through your windshield when driving up your driveway!

[OAITW r.2.0]

62. Definitely uphill. The grade needs work every year.