Author Topic: Jeez do I need help buying a different car  (Read 4215 times)

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« on: August 30, 2019, 11:32:27 AM »
Hi all,

I have a 2015 Nissan Juke that my dealership offered to buy back $2,500 above blue book value.
The car recently had the transmission replaced (no cost to me, still under warranty).  I'd been thinking of getting a different car anyway because I've had 5 ppl in the car a lot more often and that 5th person is pretty uncomfortable in the Juke.

I've skimmed some threads on this site about buying older cars in cash.
I've owned two cars in my life: both used low milage certified Nissans (including this one).
I need help deciding what to do...I park on the street so I don't want anything super fancy but I cannot get a car that needs a lot of service since I drive to work every day.

In the back of my mind is this thought: I don't want an older car........................
What should I be thinking about mustache-wise? 

Below are the cars I've been reading about, simply because they have good reviews (I would plan on buying one used).  I have the cash.......................

2019 Volvo XC40
2019 MAZDA CX-5
2019 Honda HR-V
2019 Acura RDX
2019 Toyota RAV4 LE
2019 Infiniti QX50 Pure

Teach me.
Scold me.
Help me.

Thank you!

Tass

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3188
  • Age: 30
  • Location: Crossing some mountains
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2019, 12:30:27 PM »
Well, first piece of advice would be to start looking at cars from earlier than 2019! Those still have plenty of depreciation left in them. A car from, say, 2013 is not terribly old, should be dependable, and can be had for much less money.

I've had a 2001 Toyota for four years and have never been prevented from driving to work by maintenance concerns! But it sounds like you would like a car somewhat newer than that, so I will refrain from specific searching advice. ~5 years old is not an old car, though!

slow hand slow plan

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 125
  • Location: Colorado ish
  • Living the dream
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2019, 12:44:18 PM »
None of those are cars...they are SUVs. 20109 is not used either.   

What type of "car" do you really need? Do you have a family? What conditions will you  primarily be driving in ?
Start there

Tass

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3188
  • Age: 30
  • Location: Crossing some mountains
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2019, 12:48:35 PM »
None of those are cars...they are SUVs.

I didn't even catch that! I was too blinded by the 2019s.

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2019, 12:49:55 PM »
Yep, they are all cross over SUVs.  I used "car" generically.
Help me buy a different cross over SUV. 
No family but I often have a full car of things (work) or people (personally).

All of the referenced 2019s are used with low mileage, available at dealerships near my house.

As for older cars - point me in the right direction:

If you like [2019 Acura RDX] then you should look at [1717 Conestoga]

magnet18

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 321
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #5 on: August 30, 2019, 12:53:34 PM »
If you want something mustachian, that people won't look at and think "wow zee dot drives an old junker", 5-10 years is a good mark to shoot for.  5-10 years is just a plain, unremarkable in any way, completely unnoticeable car

Also consider minivans, cheaper than crossovers

Very low mileage examples (like grandma bought it and drove it 100 miles total) can be found that will be perfectly reliable, though dealerships won't give you as good a price likely.  Keep in mind warranty costs more money than it's worth on a reliable model.

Hard to go wrong with Honda/Toyota/Accura/Scion, but always research the reliability of the model and year you're looking at, some years can be lemons

If you want a 2019 just for the shiny bling, you deserve a facepunch, but I found that fits depreciate almost entirely with mileage rather than age, and other notoriously reliable cars do the same.  Not sure how many of those comfortably fit 5 adults though, research would be in order

Khaetra

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 719
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2019, 12:55:42 PM »
I would look for an older CX3/CX5, maybe a Honda CRV (older ones run around the price of your original post), An older RAV4 and don't dismiss the workhorse if you need the room...a minivan.  Try 2014 and up if you want lower miles/gently used.

A Fit won't fit five people of average size.  I have one, tried that and it didn't work.

MilesTeg

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1363
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2019, 01:12:16 PM »
Hi all,

I have a 2015 Nissan Juke that my dealership offered to buy back $2,500 above blue book value.
The car recently had the transmission replaced (no cost to me, still under warranty).  I'd been thinking of getting a different car anyway because I've had 5 ppl in the car a lot more often and that 5th person is pretty uncomfortable in the Juke.

I've skimmed some threads on this site about buying older cars in cash.
I've owned two cars in my life: both used low milage certified Nissans (including this one).
I need help deciding what to do...I park on the street so I don't want anything super fancy but I cannot get a car that needs a lot of service since I drive to work every day.

In the back of my mind is this thought: I don't want an older car........................
What should I be thinking about mustache-wise? 

Below are the cars I've been reading about, simply because they have good reviews (I would plan on buying one used).  I have the cash.......................

2019 Volvo XC40
2019 MAZDA CX-5
2019 Honda HR-V
2019 Acura RDX
2019 Toyota RAV4 LE
2019 Infiniti QX50 Pure

Teach me.
Scold me.
Help me.

Thank you!

The good news is, you can pretty much only go up in quality/reliability over a Nissan. I'm surprised the transmission lasted 3-4 years, hah

(above to be taken as a joke, everyone I have every known with a Nissan has had major mechanical issues within 2-3 years. Though I'm sure some honk will not be able to resist a wall-of-text dismantling of my personal experience.)

Anyway: Look for a vehicle that fits your needs (and examine if your 'needs' justify the expense). You've only expressed 1 need: to carry 5 people comfortably. You should probably consider your other needs. Set a budget. Make a list, find cars that fit those needs and are in your budget, go test drive those cars. Be patient, don't be afraid to use sellers/salesmen's time without buying (they won't hesitate to try to screw you over). Then find a good deal on what you decide on. A car is a huge purchase, don't buy one without careful consideration.

Consumer Reports is a good place to look at reliability ratings.

Many good brands these days have 10 year powertrain warranties which is something to look for. With modern technology and processes any maker that doesn't offer a 10 year power train warranty is pretty bad.

StealerDealerships are a terrible place to buy a car without a great deal of experience & patience.

Always, always get a used car inspected by a 3rd party, even "certified pre-owned" vehicles.

The best way to get value out of a car is to drive it until it's ready for the junkyard.

Ignore the honks here that will tell you what you really need is to downsize and add a seat strapped to the top of the car to put your 5th passenger in ;)

MilesTeg

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1363
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2019, 01:14:10 PM »
None of those are cars...they are SUVs. 20109 is not used either.   

What type of "car" do you really need? Do you have a family? What conditions will you  primarily be driving in ?
Start there

Actually, none of them are SUVs, they are all cars with bloated bodies.

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2019, 01:35:27 PM »
Having only had Nissans I might be biased toward thinking that cars need a fair amount of service.

Needs:
A car that can seat 5 ppl comfortably-ish; it's either just me or an entire crew
Sits higher up than a sedan
Room to haul things around
Good in the snow
Not nice enough to steal


Dealbreakers:
Minivans
Strapping 5th person to roof
Lots of maintenance

magnet18

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 321
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2019, 01:40:25 PM »
Having only had Nissans I might be biased toward thinking that cars need a fair amount of service.

Needs:
A car that can seat 5 ppl comfortably-ish; it's either just me or an entire crew
Sits higher up than a sedan
Room to haul things around
Good in the snow
Not nice enough to steal


Dealbreakers:
Minivans
Strapping 5th person to roof
Lots of maintenance

Needs:
Minivan
Minivan
Minivan
Minivan
Minivan

Deal breakers:
Minivans

Yea you're pushing yourself into suv/ truck territory

Do you feel a third row is a requirement?
I've never personally sat in a middle seat and been "comfortable", unless it is the biggest and least efficient of people haulers


What about a legitimate (not mini) van? Those are designed for people hauling.

What are you hauling other than people?

Jon Bon

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1664
  • Location: Midwest
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2019, 01:40:35 PM »
Having only had Nissans I might be biased toward thinking that cars need a fair amount of service.

Needs:
A car that can seat 5 ppl comfortably-ish; it's either just me or an entire crew
Sits higher up than a sedan
Room to haul things around
Good in the snow
Not nice enough to steal


Dealbreakers:
Minivans
Strapping 5th person to roof
Lots of maintenance

Lol, do you know what site you are on?!

You hit the trifecta of clown car!
-New
-Huge
-4wd

Prepare for the face punches!

magnet18

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 321
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2019, 01:43:29 PM »

Needs:
Sits higher up than a sedan

Why is ground clearance a concern?
Loading/unloading?

RWD

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6526
  • Location: Arizona
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2019, 01:47:34 PM »
Get yourself a 2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid and enjoy actually having leg room for your rear passengers.

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #14 on: August 30, 2019, 02:07:38 PM »
Re the 2018 Avalon... it only has a 10-way power driver’s seat and I need 11 way adjustment.

I jest.  I don't want a sedan so ruling it out.

Ground clearance is a concern getting to my office--ice berms took out the underside of my first Nissan.  There have also been four times in the last two years that I needed to drive on the shoulder during snow storms to get around sedans stuck on hills. 

MilesTeg

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1363
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2019, 02:09:20 PM »
Having only had Nissans I might be biased toward thinking that cars need a fair amount of service.

Needs:
A car that can seat 5 ppl comfortably-ish; it's either just me or an entire crew
Sits higher up than a sedan
Room to haul things around
Good in the snow
Not nice enough to steal


(1) Take those 5 people car shopping.
(2) Why do you want a higher seating position?
(3) Haul what kind of things?
(4) What kind of snow? What kind of roads?
(5) Thieves want cars they can part out to sell, not shiney new-ish cars. The top stolen vehicles are older, extremely popular cars like ~10-15 year old camry's, accords, civics, corollas, F-150s etc. That is, cars still popular but out of warranty (aka cars where there is a thriving 3rd party parts market). Just avoid those types of cars if you are really worried about this.
« Last Edit: August 30, 2019, 02:11:00 PM by MilesTeg »

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2019, 02:28:27 PM »
Moving computers & monitors mostly; sometimes printers

Dave1442397

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1645
  • Location: NJ
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2019, 05:00:22 PM »
If you really want a mid-size SUV, look at older Lexus RX 330/350s. It's their best selling car, so there are a lot of them out there with low miles. There was a nice redesign for 2016 (the RX 350), and those cars are all coming off three/four year leases now.

The Acura RDX is really nice (we have a 2011). No issues. We bought it with 15k miles, and we're at 94k now.

If you're looking at the RAV4, compare it to the Honda CR-V.

I'd stay well away from Nissan. Their quality seems to have dropped a lot since Renault bought them, and their recent market woes can't be helping.

magnet18

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 321
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #18 on: August 30, 2019, 05:49:19 PM »
If you really want a mid-size SUV, look at older Lexus RX 330/350s.
My parents have one of those, the 5th seat is terrible

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2019, 10:58:52 AM »
I've said it a number of times, but I'll say it again:  Toyota Matrix.  (Man, am I ticked they stopped making them!)  Roomy back seat, captain's chair - type driver's seat, seat's fold flat for lots of cargo space, plus the rear window opens separately from the door for more loading possibilities.  Good fuel mileage too.  I live in Canada, with tons of snow and it sits high enough (17" tires) for most conditions short of a snow storm.  Mine is a 2003, the first year they made them, and I've had only routine maintenance.  Body is holding up great too.  I plan to drive it into the ground and can see having it for another 5 years minimum.

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2019, 11:02:18 AM »
Thanks,  I'll check out used matrix
I meant to test drive some cars this weekend but life got in the way.

SunnyDays

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3489
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2019, 08:45:55 PM »
Forgot to mention that the Pontiac Vibe is the same car as the Matrix if you can find one of those.  When new, they were a few thousand cheaper.

Metalcat

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 17376
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #22 on: September 02, 2019, 07:57:27 AM »
I'm just...wow...okay, let's look at this a little closer.

You sometimes have 5 adults in a car, so you need to spend thousands and thousands of dollars more because sitting Ina middle seat isn't tremendously comfortable??
How fucking long are you driving with these people??? Can you not just rent a van for these long trips???

You need to be up high?
Why??

You need to be able to haul computer stuff around.
I have a Corolla and can haul A LOT, I did almost all of my last move with my Corolla.

Snow and clearance.
Um, again, the Corolla handles winter just fine with a good set of winter tires. I don't know where you live, but I seriously doubt your winters are as bad as where I live.

Your wants are just wants.
If the hauling and comfortable seating really are needs, as in you need a vehicle for work that can comfortably sit a team of clients while also hauling computer stuff, then what you need is a van/minivan. But you don't want that, you want an SUV.

You don't want an older car. You want a newer car.

So, you want to pay thousands and thousands more than necessary to accomodate your wants.
Got it.

35andFI

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 291
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #23 on: September 06, 2019, 08:41:07 AM »
If you need to buy another car (I'm not sure that you do), I'd recommend my car (a 2009-2013 Honda Fit).

Basically anything with the following parameters:
-≥5 years old
-non-turbo 4 cylinder engine
-Hatchback
-Front Wheel Drive
-Fuel efficient (>30 mpg average)
-Regular fuel
-Honda or Toyota preferable but not necessary

I live in central NJ and have had no trouble driving on unpaved roads or in winter conditions.

I also threw on a pair of roof racks and a hitch that can be used to tow a small utility trailer if needed.

I think the longest that I have had 5 people in the car would have been 2.5 hours. It worked.

Tuskalusa

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 442
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #24 on: September 06, 2019, 08:45:01 AM »
I just bought a 2013 Rav4. The car is amazing. Runs great. Good safety upgrades. A steal because it was 6 years old. I’d totally recommend looking at 2014/14 Toyota’s with miles in the 45k range. A good Toyota will go for a very long time.

AlotToLearn

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 113
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #25 on: September 06, 2019, 08:46:41 AM »
Only advice I can share is dont buy a 2019 anything.
2014 model year would be the *newest* I would look at.

max924

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 41
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #26 on: September 06, 2019, 11:46:43 AM »
I second the Matrix/Vibe if the back seat works for your needs. Definitely at least go back as far as 2018 to catch some of the depreciation... Don't get a Volvo, they are awesome cars but they no longer live up to their old million mile standards, also expensive and frustrating to work on. I would also scratch the 'higher end' models Infinity and Acura, you will run into more markup with those, higher purchase cost and higher maintenance cost.

I guess that leaves Toyota and/or Honda, I don't think you can go wrong there, just buy one at least a few years old with low mileage.

Oh yeah Mazda.... I don't know, I tend to shy away from them for some reason, I did own an Rx7 at one time...

Max

JSMustachian

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 160
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #27 on: September 06, 2019, 12:08:37 PM »
Buy a fuel efficient car that is 5 years or older. Don't worry about your passengers being uncomfortable. They can drive you around instead.

minimustache1985

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 248
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #28 on: September 06, 2019, 12:52:15 PM »
I drive an 09 Matrix, and it’s a good car but 3 adults in the back seat isn’t going to be comfortable, legroom is pretty tight back there.  3 adults across a back seat in almost anything isn’t generally comfortable unless it’s a giant sedan like a Ford Taurus (my last car- an overpriced but company-leased vehicle) but you don’t want a sedan, so you probably *want* something with a third row or a truck.

But to be clear it’s a want, 2 jobs ago I carpooled with 5 in my Honda Civic, their Hyundai Elantra, Kia sedan, old AF Audi sedan, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Honda Ridgeline (yes that’s 6 cars, the carpool group changed over time) and while none of us were particularly large and the Elantra was a bit tight, we were fine in all of them for our 45 minute each way drive.  Friends are fine to squish a little, I assume they like each other as well as you ;)

By the way, the difference between a minivan and an SUV is the back passenger doors and the body being a little more squared off.  Oh yeah, and $.  Inside they’re all minivans.

A used Santa Fe may not be a terrible option for you, Hyundai vehicles last at least as well as Nissans and are more cost effective if you are set on buying a practically new car.

Metalcat

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 17376
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #29 on: September 06, 2019, 04:17:16 PM »
Oh yeah Mazda.... I don't know, I tend to shy away from them for some reason, I did own an Rx7 at one time...

Not that an Rx has any bearing on any kind of normal car ownership reality...but yeah, I feel the same way about Mazda due to an Rx8

M5

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 214
  • Location: Nevada
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #30 on: September 06, 2019, 04:38:03 PM »
Forgot to mention that the Pontiac Vibe is the same car as the Matrix if you can find one of those.  When new, they were a few thousand cheaper.

I can vouch for this. My parents have a 5 speed Vibe with around 200k on it now. I believe the only major maintenance was replacing the transmission - and my dad found a used one from a junkyard for $500, used a friend's lift, and had it swapped in about 6 hours.

ToTheMoon

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 858
  • Location: BC
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #31 on: September 06, 2019, 10:50:19 PM »
Does this help at all?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atiltnc1icY

I think you are on the right track considering a Toyota Matrix.  We have an '06 Mazda 3 hatchback that has been fantastic up until recently (I have a goofy electrical problem with my horn and am starting to rust), and my model year is considered the worst. I live in the Rockies, and with good snow tires my car goes about anywhere. Clearance has only been an issue once, when I had 5 adults in it and we were trying to get up a rocky logging road to a trailhead - I made my passengers get out and walk a few meters past the worst of it. :)

A hatchback with a roof-rack will cover most of what you need, 99% of the time. https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/12/08/turning-a-little-car-into-a-big-one/

I fully intend to replace it with another Mazda 3 when it finally bites the dust. Though the newest iterations are kind of ugly...
« Last Edit: September 07, 2019, 09:26:05 AM by ToTheMoon »

2sk22

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1487
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #32 on: September 07, 2019, 03:22:32 AM »
Also consider a Prius v (the wagon variant). I have had one for over 8 years now. Apart from being very reliable, it seats 5 people very easily and has great cargo space as well. It drives very well in the snow - you don't really need four wheel drive regardless of what you may have heard :-)

lutorm

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 831
  • Location: About the middle of Sweden
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #33 on: September 09, 2019, 05:01:31 PM »
I was going to say Prius, too (not even the V). I guess it depends on the details: someone already asked for *how long* you need to have 5 people in the car. If you're constantly driving coast to coast with 5 people, then it'll be uncomfortable. (But you'll love the fuel economy...) When you fold down the back seats, the Prius can haul a lot of stuff. What it can't do is haul 5 people and a load of stuff at the same time...

And "good in snow" means "car with dedicated winter tires", supposing that you are going to drive on roads that are maintained and not on unplowed forest roads with feet of snow on them. But if you have to do that, a "crossover" isn't going to help either because you need more clearance...

"Crossovers" are a joke. They're bigger on the outside but can't actually fit any more on the inside. High center of gravity means poor road handling. I agree with whoever said you're describing a minivan...

AccidentialMustache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 927
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #34 on: September 09, 2019, 05:52:10 PM »
Is one of your friends small enough to fit in the 3rd row seats on a Mazda 5? They're suggested "for kids" but that's viewing it as a 6 passenger vehicle. If those two together will fit one person, you might have a winner.

Its minivan-like (sliding doors) but not minivan-sized (much smaller, similar footprint to a fit -- a bit longer).

We got the fit anyway and love it, but 3 across in the rear seat only works because one of them is an 8 year old. On the plus side there is some leg and foot room even with the driver seat fully back, because honda did a good job with the car (okay, in reality its probably required for the fold-flat magic seat to work, but I don't care why, I just care that it does).

ender

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7402
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #35 on: September 09, 2019, 06:51:53 PM »
What should I be thinking about mustache-wise? 

You want a minivan.

But you don't want a minivan.

Mustache-wise? You need to answer how much money you want to spend in order to have a "cool" vehicle vs one which meets all your needs except for satisfying an irrational stigma against minivans.

insufFIcientfunds

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 117
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #36 on: September 10, 2019, 05:16:11 AM »
Maybe I missed it, but didn't see it...what about a Subaru? We love our Subi. An Outback sits a little higher, runs great. You can get an older one for a great price and with the right tire, they are pretty sweet in the winter.

Good luck!

alsoknownasDean

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2843
  • Age: 39
  • Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #37 on: September 13, 2019, 06:18:24 AM »
What's wrong with a Camry? Do you really need some jumbo SUV? Are you driving along dirt roads every day?

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/12/01/all-wheel-drive-does-not-make-you-safer/

2sk22

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1487
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #38 on: September 13, 2019, 07:38:54 AM »
What's wrong with a Camry? Do you really need some jumbo SUV? Are you driving along dirt roads every day?

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/12/01/all-wheel-drive-does-not-make-you-safer/

So true! Every winter when it ices over, I enjoy seeing Range Rovers with low-profile summer tires struggling to make it up hills whereas I climb them effortlessly in my Prius :-)

Car Jack

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2141
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #39 on: September 13, 2019, 12:24:18 PM »
Keep your car.  When 4 people from work all want to go out for lunch, instead of volunteering to haul them all to the McDonalds, just stand there and say "Which one of you is going to drive?". 

That actually worked for kids and sports teams when my kids were young.  I always brought my kid in my 2 seat convertible.  Every freaking soccer mom had either a mini van or a Suburban.  When the kids had away games, nobody even asked if I could drive.

BicycleB

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5263
  • Location: Coolest Neighborhood on Earth, They Say
  • Older than the internet, but not wiser... yet
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #40 on: September 13, 2019, 01:37:33 PM »
Great story, @Car Jack!

@zee dot, if you are still reading, congrats on your persistence. The link two posts up is pure gold for winter driving - it provides the magic ingredient for snow safety.

Really curious about these work crews. What kind of crew? Film crews? Cleaning crews? Accountants? If they're not built like football players (or people from Wall-E), they can squeeze into any of the many thrifty sedans and hatchbacks mentioned above.

Mustache-wise, you said in the beginning you wanted face punches, but have resisted most of them. I encourage you to absorb the advice you're getting here. For the purposes you've detailed so far, your current vehicle may be too new to be maximally cost efficient, but replacing a car costs money and involves time and risk. If you're going to replace it, you need to replace it with an older car (not SUV) and buy snow tires for winter. Possibly to just buy snow tires for the existing car is as good an option. You kind of have a choice of dealing with repairs on your current vehicle, or the older one that would bring unknowns but have a more reliable make/model.

For what it's worth, the Juke is smaller than some other vehicles you might have been tempted by, so I applaud the instinct toward restraint that you were probably including in your decision then. The 2013 Vibe/Matrix type area would be a big advance in the cost efficiency direction. With a bit of effort, you can buy cash and never owe a dealer a car payment again. Ever.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2019, 07:06:48 AM by BicycleB »

zee dot

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 189
Re: Jeez do I need help buying a different car
« Reply #41 on: September 18, 2019, 06:35:06 PM »
Thanks for all the advice.
I missed an update email so didn't realize there were new posts. I'll read them all this weekend.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!