Vehicles are expensive...

[Tonichelle]

My truck had to go in this past week because I was having several issues that all seem to have hit at once. The diagnosis was not good... 3 major issues (all dangerous) to the tune of an estimated 1900$!!! It's an old, over used (under cared for) Ford Exploder... I bought it this way two years ago for $2500, I'm lucky if it's worth $2000! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!

still I guess it's cheaper to put money into it than having a car payment, though.... UGH!

 

[Olympia]

I'm sorry to hear that. I know you're dependent on transport where you are, but I hope you don't have to risk riding in something that could have a dangerous breakdown with you (or loved ones) in it.

If you pay all this money for repairs, will that make the car usable for a decent amount of time, or is now the moment to cut your losses and do the car payment thing? Either way, not a great moment for you financially, I know. My sympathies on your dilemma!

 

[Tonichelle]

it will be drivable once it's fixed hopefully for a while longer... and thankfully I have family that I can bum a ride or borrow the car from, so I'm not stranded till this is all fixed...

I did the first round of $600 bucks for the headlights "exorcism"... now I have to get my front end aligned and new tires put on. Grrr!

 

[Dee4707]

Toni, I know what you mean about the expense. Do you have a place that you can kind of trust??? I have also thought like you, it's cheaper to fix than to buy another one. Now I am at the point that I really need to buy. I thought I could take advantage of the low interest rates so in the next month or so I hope to have another car. I love my car but it's getting to the point that I won't be able to trust it.

My problem right now is trying to figure what kind I want to buy. My car sets outside, and I don't have lots of money.

Any suggestions???

 

[Tonichelle]

well I want a Ford Escape, I love how those things run and it's perfect size for me (I hate big trucks and I hate cars)....

and we're taking my truck to someone we trust... but blah! lol it's still too much money!

 

[heyang]

Short term, paying for the repairs could seem to be the way to go, but if you're going to be putting money into regularly, sometimes buying another car is the way to go....

Easy for me to say since I have a good income... but I'm also not one to buy a new car every few years. The 2 new cars I've purchased were kept for 10 years each. The 1st was a Nissan Sentra. When it was 9 years old, my mother's car stopped running; so, she started using the Sentra and I bought myself a Sebring Convertible. Not long afterwards, the Sentra needed a couple of thousand $'s in repair and we decided not to fix it. The only reason I don't have the Sebring still is because a permit driver hit my vehicle (while I was stopped) and the insurance company wrote off the car. So, now, I've had a Nissan Rogue for about 2 years.

 

[Tonichelle]

I *shouldn't* put much more than this into it...

I didn't have any credit score until this year, so loans are hard to get/large interest rates... which is the other issue.

 

[Dee4707]

I *shouldn't* put much more than this into it...

I didn't have any credit score until this year, so loans are hard to get/large interest rates... which is the other issue.

I understand what you're saying about the loans. Have you ever tried a credit union???

I do like fords and I have my ford for over 10 years and it still looks pretty good, no rust. I was looking at the Hyundai Sonata and the Ford Fusion. I like sedans.

 

[Tonichelle]

Hyundai's get amazing gas mileage!

I only use credit unions - but they can be harder to get a loan thru because they aren't backed by "investors" but by each "member". Banks are more apt to take higher risk than CUs.

 

[Olympia]

Credit unions are great, though. After what happened with the mortgage debacle, I only wish there were more credit unions around. If you can find a reasonable car, maybe you can work something out with yours.

 

[Tonichelle]

I've already tried... *shrugs*

 

[sillylionlove]

I had my ford for about 12 years! I lived that car. I have a Kia Soul now. I love it buy Kia's are pricey. Good luck!