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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

32732 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 8:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 2528 of 3274

#25265 of 32732 OK, opinion needed by stickguy

May 19, 2012 (12:24 pm)

continuing my story, we were discussing today how to proceed. Right now, after reorganizing the house financing (refied to absorb the cost of the renos we did), and setting aside the last year of kid 1s college tuition, we can reasonably allocate some $ to a DP and take on a modest loan. So fiscally, we can do it now or hold off.
 
the considerations are 1) I need a car by Thanksgiving (an addition to the fleet, not a replacement), so something has to be budgeted for that, and 2) what I want to put into the odyssey.
 
no clue what I will spend on my own wheels, but intending to be a cash purchase. So that will depend I guess on how much cash there is! But if we do nothing until I resolve my car needs at year end, we will know if there is enough budget to also get her a new one.
 
Now, to the van. Brakes are getting close, so if I keep it though the summer, I need to drop about $600 into new brakes by July. tires should go until at least year end, but may be milking them a bit to make it through the winter. So probably gonna get stuck with them. And the timing belt will be due (technically I think it was due last December, but the dealer said the 7 years was this December). Only gonna be about 80K, so I suppose I can just ignore that.
 
so, do I trade now and put nothing into it? Do the brakes, and nothing else and dump later in the year? Or absorb the maintenance costs and keep it for another year or 2?
 
Probably not going to depreciate much in another year (though that will be offset by dropping repair money into it).
 
I know what the CCB answer is (Grab your checkbook!), but what do the "experts" think will end up making the most sense $ wise (and keeping it for another 5-10 years until it dies is not one of the choices!)
 
sell now? Keep to year end/sell with 80K on it? Sell this time next year with mid-80s? Do the maintenance?
 
Oh, I would like to sell privately to get more $, but would not be comfortable if I knew it was overdue for something, like a T belt).

#25266 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [stickguy] by tjc78

May 20, 2012 (4:37 am)

Replying to: stickguy (May 19, 2012 12:24 pm)
If you are financially ready to buy now, it looks like a good time. You are staring down 2K (give or take) in maintenance and it sounds like from your posts that you and the wife pretty much want to be rid of the minivan. Plus and I'm sure others will disagree but I would be leary owning a higher mile Odo with the original trans.
 
You'll get a pretty nice tax credit trading it that will offset some of the additional money you would get selling it outright. The 2K you are saving on maintenance could also be used for downpayment.
 
So if you do trade it what will it be? CRV, RDX, Santa Fe?
 
As for your ride, IMHO just put a few thousand less down on whatever you buy and use that to pick up something for yourself.

#25267 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [tjc78] by stickguy

May 20, 2012 (6:31 am)

Replying to: tjc78 (May 20, 2012 4:37 am)
if we were to go out this week, most likely the CRV. But, we need to go back to the automall and try them all out back to back to back (or is that back to back, belly to belly?)
 
I remember what she thought of each one, but the wife can't remember them all at this point. But she does tend to like the last thing we drove!
 
The RDX was very nice, but a pretty steep price jump over a CRV (about 7-8K for equivalent models I think). Plus the MPG will be lower (on premium gas), but man, it was quick.
 
Also need to look at the Santa Fe again. She really liked that one.
 
so most likely it would come down to the Hyundai and the CRV,
 
And I am one of the people that does not want to have an Ody tranny pushing up toward 100K, not if failure is coming out of my bank account! Though I do have that drivetrain in my son's 2000 Acura TL, and that is over 160K at this point.

#25268 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [stickguy] by Stever@Edmunds HOST

May 20, 2012 (7:08 am)

Replying to: stickguy (May 20, 2012 6:31 am)
There's some confusion about whether the RDX requires premium or not. This recent post indicates that it's only recommended and it's 89 octane that's recommended (contrary to what Edmunds and just about every other site, including Acura, says).
 
quakerwildcat, "2013 Acura RDX" #58, 18 May 2012 9:08 pm
 
When you go back for another look, maybe you can check out the gas cap too.
 
Of course, using regular may lower the gas mileage.
 
And for another singular data point (okay, datum), my brother is on his original transmission at ~125,000 miles on his '05 Odyssey.

#25269 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [stickguy] by tjc78

May 20, 2012 (8:37 am)

Replying to: stickguy (May 20, 2012 6:31 am)
so most likely it would come down to the Hyundai and the CRV,
 
Have you driven/looked at the Terrian? I really like them, haven't done much research in terms of reliability etc, but it looks really competitive in that segment.

#25270 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [tjc78] by michaell

May 20, 2012 (9:06 am)

Replying to: tjc78 (May 20, 2012 8:37 am)
Is the CX-5 out of the running at this point? I would think that the SkyActiv technology would provide it better mileage than some of the others you're looking at.

#25271 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [michaell] by stickguy

May 20, 2012 (9:35 am)

Replying to: michaell (May 20, 2012 9:06 am)
my wife talked herself out of the Mazda. not even sure of the reason, but I would have her drive it again to make sure. She even admits she can't keep them straight (that is my job), and that before deciding we need to look at them all together on the same day.
 
the terrain is out Tom. if for no other reason, my wife finds it to be less than attractive.

#25272 of 32732 Re: OK, opinion needed [stickguy] by tjc78

May 20, 2012 (11:24 am)

Replying to: stickguy (May 20, 2012 9:35 am)
my wife finds it to be less than attractive.
 
As I am finding out (less than 5 months till I'm married) there is no better reason!

#25273 of 32732 A bit pricey, but one of my favorites by roadburner

May 20, 2012 (2:52 pm)

2003 330i ZHP
 
Low miles and no hole in the roof are MAJOR pluses- as is the proactive cooling system maintenance as well as a fresh Inspection II. And Imola Red is a favorite:
 

#25274 of 32732 Re: A bit pricey, but one of my favorites [roadburner] by stickguy

May 20, 2012 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (May 20, 2012 2:52 pm)
I assume it is a ZHP?
 
Hey, if you like it that much, treat yourself!
 
different strokes, since I won't buy a car without a moonroof.
 
edit: oops. didnt notice the link...

Messages Page 2528 of 3274

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