Author Topic: To sell, or not to sell... The car!  (Read 3332 times)

bigalsmith101

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To sell, or not to sell... The car!
« on: June 08, 2015, 02:07:02 PM »
My wife and I have discussed this several times, and never come to a determinate conclusion.

We own a 1998 Dodge Stratus with 175,500 miles that my wife purchased in 2007 with 125k miles. It has been in her, and now our possession for the past 50k miles and with the exception of an overhaul shortly after she bought it, during that entire time it has not needed a single major service. Simply normal service items like oil and filter. Within the last year I replaced the plugs, wire, valve cover gasket, and a few other things, but I did it myself and it was cheap.

It has not been used more than three occasions in the past year. We currently both ride out Honda Reflex 250cc scooters everywhere, and drive a 1997 Grand Marquis when we have to hit the road (with 110k miles and in excellent service condition).

The Dodge Stratus has been on stand by insurance for the past 9+ months, and is not being used at all. Standby insurance is $8/month, or $96/year.

So you ask, "What the hell is your dilemma?!? Sell the car already you idiot".

The car is not worth more than $1200 on craigslist. And likely it'll sell for $900-$1k. It costs less than $100/year to keep the car, and it's not loosing value.

We live in a very wet climate 8 months of the years, and we're both looking for new employment in the area. Riding our motorcycles year round is kinda crappy for my wife (though I do it willingly, and joyfully).  We're happy with the thought of less shit, one car, and no other expenses, but hesitant to sell the car because it may come in handy in the future if our commutes change. It's in good mechanical condition with a known history, and we've owned it for 8 years. If we end up needing a car in the future after selling this one, we'll be hard pressed to replace it with a similar car for the sale price we'll fetch.

Thoughts and considerations anyone?

jeromedawg

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Re: To sell, or not to sell... The car!
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2015, 02:27:02 PM »
I feel similarly about my 93 Camry that has just over 200k miles on it and runs just fine, except for the fact that I almost took the door off it several weeks ago and now it's sitting in my garage waiting for a new door and fender to be put on (by myself... or with the help of a friend or two). In the meantime, I've been carpooling with my wife or biking into work (only 4 miles away on bike). It's actually nicer this way, except the garage has become a makeshift shop to the point that my wife can't park in it. But oftentimes, I wonder how life would be if I were to sell the Camry and just commit to biking in or carpooling. I calculated that it may cost anywhere from $6-10 *less* or potentially more in gas per month doing it the way we're currently doing it, depending on how much I bike vs carpool with my wife. Either way, it ends up being cheaper but sort of at the cost of convenience. I do wrestle with the "what ifs" like you do. It's so easy to think of the car as "clutter" but for me I think, assuming I can actually fix the door/fender, it will be good as a 'backup' option and for added convenience especially now with a baby on the way. My wife said she'd much prefer the added convenience of the second car as well. I tend to agree especially if no payments are owed on it and all we have to worry about are gas and regular maintenance. Since nothing is wrong with yours, I'd vouch for keeping it; unless you absolutely can't bear having that second spot tied up all the time haha.

pbkmaine

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Re: To sell, or not to sell... The car!
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2015, 02:27:13 PM »
I would keep it until your job situations become clear.

frugaliknowit

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Re: To sell, or not to sell... The car!
« Reply #3 on: June 08, 2015, 02:35:30 PM »
You don't say what your potential commute might look like.  If it is likely you would in fact use the Stratus, then I guess there's not much cost to keeping it.

On the other hand, I am a proponent of running lean and getting rid of what I do not need.  Any storage issues?

bigalsmith101

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Re: To sell, or not to sell... The car!
« Reply #4 on: June 08, 2015, 03:15:01 PM »
You don't say what your potential commute might look like.  If it is likely you would in fact use the Stratus, then I guess there's not much cost to keeping it.

On the other hand, I am a proponent of running lean and getting rid of what I do not need.  Any storage issues?

Currently my wife commutes 10 miles (mostly on Interstate 5) one way to work. She rides her scooter. Her commute won't change by more than 5 miles depending on where a new job might be located.

I'm currently about 2.5 weeks into what I'm calling Funemployment, switching between being self employed and looking for a permanent full time job. My commute will likely not be longer than 10-15 miles one way (15-20min).

As for storage, there is absolutely no stress on that end. We have plenty of room for it and it causes no problems where it currently sits.


Bicycle_B

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Re: To sell, or not to sell... The car!
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2015, 04:33:39 PM »
I agree with keeping it - cheap, has some utility as a backup, no lost value by keeping it, plenty of space.

That said, if commutes firm up, the vehicle is not being used, and a situation arises where you want the money, I'd sell it at that point.  Or I'd like to think I would.    :)