Author Topic: New Job - Car Question  (Read 3089 times)

RabStache

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New Job - Car Question
« on: September 09, 2014, 06:27:18 AM »
The past two years I have been mainly working from home (was told up to 100% travel, got lucky on the project I was placed on) so a car hasn't been an issue.  We have a 2005 Camry (my wife drives to work - 170k miles) and a 2001 Bravada (150k miles).  However, I recently took a local position (11 miles from home) and will need to start driving daily.  I've considered biking, but I also plan on working out in the morning before work at their facility and don't know if I could do both.

My question is, should I keep and use the Bravada, or buy a 2008 Civic for $7,500 with 90,800 miles?  I think this is a great deal, but don't know if I need that much car.  The Bravada is completely paid off but is in slightly rough shape.  The 4 wheel drive is always on.  The break line just needed fixed.  The engine/break light is on.  The doors don't align properly.  None of this bothers me, as long as the car gets me from point A to point B.

Thoughts?  I'm trying to think of it financially and logically but am unsure.

frugaliknowit

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Re: New Job - Car Question
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2014, 06:38:53 AM »
What kind of MPG do you get with the 4-wheeler?  What do you think the Civic will get you (28?)?  Run the numbers based on how many miles you think you will drive per year.

J Boogie

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Re: New Job - Car Question
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2014, 07:10:39 AM »
Unless you sometimes need to load your vehicle up with stuff like lumber, sell the bravada (around 17 mpg I believe?), get the civic, and commute by bike as much as possible.  Use their facility for every-other-day lifting and get your cardio on the road.  It feels good to kill 2 birds with one stone.






aclarridge

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Re: New Job - Car Question
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2014, 07:14:38 AM »
If the Civic is in good condition that's a pretty good price yeah. I'd get it while you can still get at least something for the Bravada. Once something major goes then the value probably tanks to nothing.

RabStache

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Re: New Job - Car Question
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2014, 07:15:54 AM »
If the Civic is in good condition that's a pretty good price yeah. I'd get it while you can still get at least something for the Bravada. Once something major goes then the value probably tanks to nothing.

That was another consideration I should have mentioned.  They only offered $300 for the Bravada trade-in.

southernhippie

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Re: New Job - Car Question
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2014, 08:05:51 AM »
If you only got offered 300$ in trade-in.  Then I would try to sell it privately.  If it doesn't bother you to drive it with all that is wrong with it, then keep it.  But as Welterweight said, bike as much as you can.  It doesn't make much since to buy another vehicle to commute to work if you wont drive it but occasionally.