I sold the truck!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
I sold the truck!!!!
16
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 9:38am

Yesterday! I got what I wanted for it! Yay! I'm so excited. Now I just have to figure out what kind of car I want. *sigh* I have no clue.


I need something that is decent in winter (we live in the snowbelt and I did two years with a car where I took my life into my hands everytime I drove). So I would like opinions. My options are as follows (and I'm not really leaning toward one or the other at this point):


1) Pay of CC, buy cheap car (I would have ~ 11k left after paying off CC so this would be a 10K car with enough left over to pay taxes)


Pros: I will be debt free (other then the appliances!) and no car payment!


Cons: Cars under 10k are either the lower end vehicles (accents, yaris's etc nothing wrong with those, but I have concerns when there is a foot and a half of snow on the ground!) OR have 80,000+ in mileage. I know nothing about cars so if anything goes wrong, I'm on the hook.


2) Buy a more expensive used car (cash) that will either be a little higher end or lower kms (so in the $15k range) and put the rest on the CC leaving about 4k left.


Pros: No car payment, CC drastically reduced, likely to pay off with tax return


Cons: Still have CC payments even if its only 4k. Still annoying


3) A new car in the 20k range with warranty. There are a lot of new cars that are offering 0% financing at the moment. I would pay of the CC's, and the appliances, and then put 10k down, financing 10k over three years (just over 100 bi weekly)


Pros: CC gone, appliances gone, reliable car with warranty


Cons: Paying more for a car that will lose value the second I take it off the lot, a car payment


I was looking into financing a used car that is still covered under warranty, but financing used is at 9.9% which defeats the purpose (I am only intersted if financing is like 0% or 0.9%). I would also bargain in a set of snow tires :)


Keeping in mind that I am in Ontario (meaning cars aren't as cheap as they are in the US, lol) What would you do?


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -

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Avatar for 2locachicas
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 11:33am

CONGRATULATIONS!! first of all


as for a type of car. What about something smaller that has 4 wheel drive? We have a Suzuki XL7 that is

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 2:13pm

I don't know price ranges in Canada but what about a Subaru? They are all wheel drive and get good gas mileage... maybe one that is 2-3 years old? It may possibly still have factory warranty. I have never owned one but know lots of folks that have and they swear they will never own any other type of vehicle. They are reliable(lasting close to 200,000 miles or more)

 


Terri

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 4:55pm

I would look into a used Subaru.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-02-2009
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 4:57pm

GREAT NEWS!!!

Lila
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 7:08pm

Congrads Bex!


I didn't know you were in Ontario, heck I could bring the dogs over or for a grooming!


Personally living in Michigan I have a small BMW 3 series with all wheel drive.




iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 10:39pm

Marie,

By BMW 3 series, do you mean a car, or the small SUV? I looked at used one in the paper for $10-$12K but thought maintenance/repairs would be too expensive...

If yours is a car, glad to hear it's good in MI.

What's the fuel economy like?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-1999
Sat, 12-19-2009 - 10:51pm

Hi Bex,

Congrats on selling the SUV and especially for getting the price you wanted for it...

I want to get a Honda Civic because of the fuel economy, quality of the car (way better than a Yaris or a Hyundai in my opinion, but I like those too), and they hold their resale. I'd like something that is a bit used rather than brand new because I don't want to worry about scratches and dents too much. I want to park beside family vans and not have to worry about the car....

I would suggest you check out the pre-owned cars at dealerships, they are certified (at least pre-owned Hondas from dealerships should be). In Vancouver a good 3-4 year old Civic or Accord was around 10-12k. And life in Ontario is much cheaper than in BC, so you might do better than that.

If you are looking at something around 80,000km that is a front wheel drive (or anything really), you need to find out how the brakes are. Cars generally need timing belt around 120,000km...Whatever the mileage, you need to see the service records...has the oil been changed on a regular basis? If so, then the previous people have probably done the other routine maintenance too.

I almost bought my dream car last weekend...exactly what I have wanted for a long time...the seller said he had replaced the passenger side door but it looked perfect; when I got the inspection report from him the reason for inspection was "rebuilt from salvage"....which means it had to have sustained enough damage at one point that it was a total write off and sold at auction for scrap. So if you buy privately, be careful, get an inspection done, and get a history report on the vehicle.

I am curious what kind of car you had that you felt you were taking your life into your hands every time you drove...?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Sun, 12-20-2009 - 2:05pm

It was a mazda3. I LOVED IT but it was too powerful in low gears so whenever I would accelerate it would spin out.


I am looking at a Kia Soul. It has a great warranty and has gotten great reviews from CAA and Car and Driver.


Hopefully I'll get it sorted out soon!


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Sun, 12-20-2009 - 5:44pm

My BMW is a 3 series, All wheel drive and it is great in snow.




iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 12-21-2009 - 4:19pm

The piece of advise I have is my experience over the past few years.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


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