I was thinking something a little more classy....
A price range would help.
I totalled a grand marquis on a big tree once. Not a scratch on the tree, but I have some scars :cross:
Under 30 for sure hopefully under 25K. I ride my bike to work most days and only need a second car once a week. But I'm toting around my kid so safety is a premium.
If you only need a second car once a week than buy another hoopty and save your self some cash
If you only need a second car once a week than buy another hoopty and save your self some cash
Started looking at the Camaro as a joke with the wife....now I want one. This will be my first new car in 10 years. But I'll put 100 bucks on the SWMBO getting a new car and me getting stuck with the Element (I hate that thing).
I vote 05-09 subaru legacy gt limited for a family 4 door with leather with high 20's mpg and 250 hp. Its what I have.
Or if you want more of a play car pick up a slightly used sti for around 20k.
I never buy new...$8k or $9k can buy you a great car that will last years. And if I were to buy a car now, especially in your situation, I'd go with a Ford Fusion. It keeps winning awards and everyone I know that has one, loves it.
Depends on the car. When we bought my wife's Civic (2005), it was about $13k to buy an '02, and about $16k to buy a brand-new 2005 (equipped virtually the same). The Civic, I wasn't worried about having a car with 40k miles on it, but buying brand-new did get me... well, a new car, with a full warranty, and importantly I was able to finance it dirt-cheap (1.9% at the time).
From what I've heard recently, used car prices have gone up relative to new car prices this year.
Not to say to NOT buy a used car, but it doesn't always make sense. In my case, I probably saved a good chunk of that "extra" cost in interest that I saved, and I still have a car that's new-enough where I shouldn't have to replace it for a while. Had we bought the '02, I probably would be looking at buying something new right about now.
As to the Element and the "balls out of the glovebox comment..." that's y other vehicle. I honestly can't think of another vehicle that's more useful for hauling brew gear clean across the state, plus... there ain't a damn thing you can haul home from the hardware store that I can't fit in that thing. It's a lot more of a beast than some folks realize.
I do agree that it depends on the car, however, 13k is 5k more than what I said...8k should buy a good car in my book. I've never spent more than that and have always been more than pleased. I do think you're right about used car prices though, I believe they have gone up and I did not think about that before posting so they may not be as worth it these days.
FYI most Fords are not really American cars these days. The parts come from all over the world and they are assembled in Mexico. At least my new Hyundai is assembled here in the US.
FYI most Fords are not really American cars these days. The parts come from all over the world and they are assembled in Mexico. At least my new Hyundai is assembled here in the US.
Depends on the car. When we bought my wife's Civic (2005), it was about $13k to buy an '02, and about $16k to buy a brand-new 2005 (equipped virtually the same).
I mean, it always depends. I've always driven smallish, reliable Japanese cars, a couple Mazdas, my wife had a Corolla, we've got the Honda, so that's kind of my frame of reference. If I'm looking at those manufacturers and spending ~$9,000 on a used car today, I'm looking at things like '03 Civics, saw an '04 Nissan Sentra listed, an '03 Camry. These are good cars that still have some life to them, but still... those are cars with seven or eight years and 80k or 90k miles on them. Even the reliable ones start needing things like brake jobs and new clutches and new exhausts systems at some point.
I figure, with the Civic, I've had it since it was brand-new. We'll probably end up owning it for ten years, I don't see us trading it in until the_Wife is screaming and crying to get a minivan.
If instead of the new Civic, I'd bought an $8k or $9k car back in 2005, I'd probably have driven it into the ground by now and I'd be be buying ANOTHER $8k or $9k car. So, I figure I spent $16k on a car that I'll end up driving for 10 years. instead of spending $8k or $9k *twice over that same period (and having twice as many maintenance issues).
But, it all depends on the particulars of what you're looking at. I'm also perfectly happy driving the same car for ten years, which I know not everyone wants to do (despite my love of Top Gear, I'm not really that much of a car guy).
And, I know the quality of some of the American cars has gone up recently, so maybe you can get a decent Ford that's a little newer for than same $8k or $9k.
Just worked on a 2011 KIA optima se t gdi and wow KIA produced a really great car. Dunno how much they are though
I think you're correct on the particular's. I fully expect every car I own to hit 200k. Regardless of it's "region". Growing up, my father and grandfather always had American cars, Mustangs, Trans Am's, Buicks, Safari Vans, etc. Every one of them hit 200k. I think they are a bit cheaper in the used market than the "Foreign" cars due to their supposed lack of durability.
Mobil One.
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