Choosing a Car

[klarose]

I posted this on my blog, but I thought I might try here too to see if I would get more responses.

I find myself in an unexpected dilemma.

My grandpa informed me yesterday that he is selling his Dodge Neon.

While I am not in the car buying business per say, the last couple months, especially this month husband and I have been beating around the idea that my car is going to need replaced soon.

My car was bought new in 2006. It is a Chevy Cobalt. Both my mother and I used it to drive to school 2-4 hours daily for several years. We used it to haul goats, we used to to hold farm tools.

Basically it has had a rough life. The outside still looks new, but the inside is very very stained and dirty, and it has 170k miles on it.

It has had countless problems. The electric circuits in it were bad and all needed replaced, the steering wheel had a recall on it, the airbags had a recall, the fuel pump had a recall. The blinker switch had to be replaced.... etc.

A couple years ago it started rattling at start up for a while then it would settle down. They think it is a timing belt problem which is going to cost me $800 to fix...

It also started smelling like gas, and dying when it idled. So I spent hundreds getting it checked out and they could not find anything. Turns out the fuel pump had a recall, and I got it replaced for free.

That made it work great for a couple months. But here lately it has been dying on me again, like when I pull up to stop signs, or I am slowing down in the driveway. Sigh. I do not think they would replace the fuel pump again for free.

I am emotionally attached to this car, I really love it. I think it is so cute, and it has been a great work vehicle. It is starting to make me nervous though because I go to school at 10pm an hour away. And on some of the cold nights I had trouble starting it. It is also embarrassing to die at a red light and people are honking at you.

It drives great though when it is going...

I had just decided to continue to ride it hard, and just use it until it crapped out on me. (Which seems like it will be sooner than I thought.) Hoping I could get a few more years out of it.

But now this great deal has come along, and I am really torn about what I should do.

The Neon is a 2002. So older than my car. But it only had 75k miles on it. A hundred less than mine. It is in PERFECT condition. It has had an oil change every 3 months, he just took it in and got a $900 check up on it. It has never been driven over 50 mph... No joke.


No one takes care of their cars like my grandpa. He has 4... and he enjoys buying new ones every couple years. This is the longest time he has kept a car. I asked him why he was selling it and he said it had too many miles on it.... haha.

It is not as beautiful as my car. But I feel like it would last me a lot longer, and be cheaper in the long run.

He is asking $3,500 for it.

I could realistically sell my car for $2,500. So essentially it will cost me $1,000.

He said I can make interest free payments to him, which I think is more than generous.

Part of me loves my car and wants to keep it. The logical side of me thinks this is a great opportunity to get rid of my lemon car and get something more reliable while I can still sell it for a decent amount.

My car get 3-5 more mpg, which is also a factor. The Neon is also a little smaller, which scares me about snow, and future kiddos.

My parents are urging me to go for the Neon. My father in law thinks he can fix my cobalt and that I should keep it. But even if he does, I feel like 100k less miles would get me a lot further.

I dont think I will find another car at this price that has been so well taken care of. I worry that if I pass it up my car will die on me in 6 months and I will be kicking myself.

At the same time, Id prefer to keep my car, if it will last me another 5 years.

What to do, what to do?

[bjl584]

Sounds like a good deal.

You are attached to the current car, but honestly it's more trouble than it's worth. It sounds like it's on it's last leg. If you truly think that you can get $2500 out of it and pick up the Neon for only $3500, then I'd go for it.

[ua_guy]

So, this advice is coming from a self-professed "car guy" who is very familiar with (and fond of many) GM vehicles.

It's probably time to put the Cobalt out to pasture. 170,000 miles is a lot of miles for a small economy car. The Cobalt had a great series of Ecotec engines and solid transmissions, but the rest of the vehicle left a lot to be desired in both perceived and actual quality. I don't think it would be impossible to see 200,000 or even 250,000 miles or more from your Cobalt's powertrain (many people have), but at what expense of nickle-and-dime items and repairs, and what is your trouble and time ultimately worth?

I'm also familiar with the Neon. It's also a solid little economy vehicle. I do think your Grandfather is shooting a little high at $3500. It sounds well cared for, but let's be honest with ourselves. It's a 12 year old economy car. Depending on options, $3500 would be representative of full retail pricing. Can you work with him on the price at all, or utilize any vehicle "gifting" laws so that you save yourself from having to pay sales tax on the purchase, at least? I think it would be more attractive around $3,000.

Realistically, you're looking at potentially getting another 100,000 miles out of the Neon if you care for it properly, or maybe another 30k out of the Cobalt with the potential for major repairs looming in the near future.

I'd say it's a solid deal if you can work a little on price. The best part about buying older used vehicles from family members is that you know how they've been cared for, and you know the history. That in itself is a benefit, something you wouldn't necessarily get buying 3rd party.

[klarose]

So, this advice is coming from a self-professed "car guy" who is very familiar with (and fond of many) GM vehicles.

It's probably time to put the Cobalt out to pasture. 170,000 miles is a lot of miles for a small economy car. The Cobalt had a great series of Ecotec engines and solid transmissions, but the rest of the vehicle left a lot to be desired in both perceived and actual quality. I don't think it would be impossible to see 200,000 or even 250,000 miles or more from your Cobalt's powertrain (many people have), but at what expense of nickle-and-dime items and repairs, and what is your trouble and time ultimately worth?

I'm also familiar with the Neon. It's also a solid little economy vehicle. I do think your Grandfather is shooting a little high at $3500. It sounds well cared for, but let's be honest with ourselves. It's a 12 year old economy car. Depending on options, $3500 would be representative of full retail pricing. Can you work with him on the price at all, or utilize any vehicle "gifting" laws so that you save yourself from having to pay sales tax on the purchase, at least? I think it would be more attractive around $3,000.

Realistically, you're looking at potentially getting another 100,000 miles out of the Neon if you care for it properly, or maybe another 30k out of the Cobalt with the potential for major repairs looming in the near future.

I'd say it's a solid deal if you can work a little on price. The best part about buying older used vehicles from family members is that you know how they've been cared for, and you know the history. That in itself is a benefit, something you wouldn't necessarily get buying 3rd party.

Thank you for your advice!

There are two things holding me back from getting the Neon.

1. I see a lot of bad reviews on them. That scares me.

2. Your right. I feel like $3,500 is a little steep. I would like to talk him down to $3,000. But I worry about feeling like a jerk since he offered to let me make payments. Do you think it would be rude of me to haggle?

[klarose]

I feel like the Cobalt is generally a better quality car.

I hate to step down on mpg, size, age, and quality.

But the 100k in miles is a pretty big difference.



I just don't know. It's killing me.

Is less miles worth giving up everything else?

[bjl584]

I feel like the Cobalt is generally a better quality car.

I hate to step down on mpg, size, age, and quality.

But the 100k in miles is a pretty big difference.



I just don't know. It's killing me.

Is less miles worth giving up everything else?

Honestly it doesn't sound like the Cobalt is a good quality car anymore. It's time for a change. Is your grandfather firm on his price? Are there other used cars that you would consider?

[klarose]

Honestly it doesn't sound like the Cobalt is a good quality car anymore. It's time for a change. Is your grandfather firm on his price? Are there other used cars that you would consider?

I don't know if he is firm. My grandfather kind of scares me to be honest. lol. He has never been a generous person, so I was pretty shocked when he offered for me to make payments. I can ask him to go to $3,000, but it will take some guts.

I hadn't been shopping for cars, just thinking about it in the back of my mind. I would definitely keep driving my Cobalt until it hits the crapper if I don't get the Neon. The Neon just jumped out at me because I know how well taken care of it is.

As a side note, my husband thinks I should get the Neon. He hates my car, because of the many albeit small problems it has had. It is nickle and diming me, and my biggest fear is that is just going to keep getting worse.

[ua_guy]

I feel like the Cobalt is generally a better quality car.

I hate to step down on mpg, size, age, and quality.

But the 100k in miles is a pretty big difference.



I just don't know. It's killing me.

Is less miles worth giving up everything else?

I would agree that the 100,000 mile difference is the deciding factor, but you need to make sure there's enough value there for you personally to make the switch.

For all intents and purposes, both vehicles are older, comparatively they both have a lot of miles (75,000 miles isn't a "young" car), and the tradeoffs and marginal differences in size, fuel economy, and perceived quality are almost negligible.

If you don't buy the Neon, what would be your plan if something major goes out on the Cobalt? Would you be prepared to spend money to repair it, or if it wouldn't be economically feasible to repair it, what would you plan to replace it with?

[klarose]

I would agree that the 100,000 mile difference is the deciding factor, but you need to make sure there's enough value there for you personally to make the switch.

For all intents and purposes, both vehicles are older, comparatively they both have a lot of miles (75,000 miles isn't a "young" car), and the tradeoffs and marginal differences in size, fuel economy, and perceived quality are almost negligible.

If you don't buy the Neon, what would be your plan if something major goes out on the Cobalt? Would you be prepared to spend money to repair it, or if it wouldn't be economically feasible to repair it, what would you plan to replace it with?

I have no plan if the Cobalt goes out. I would have to scrape up enough cash to buy another used economy car. I hadn't thought about what make or model I would want. I figured it would do me fine for a couple more years, but I'm just not so sure anymore, here lately.

I agree that a 2002 isn't a "young car." But it's fine for me. Husband drives a 1994 Jeep that has never been in the shop except when he broke his axel from hitting a rut.

Old doesn't bother me, reliability does.

[MonkeyMama]

I think it would be more attractive around $3,000.

Ditto. I thought, "$3500 for a Neon??" and googled the kbb.

I've bought used cars (high mileage) from relatives and used cars (low mileage) from strangers. IT's generally pretty obvious who takes meticulous care of their cars, on lower mileage vehicles. My first instinct is to say, "Both options suck - see what else you can find in the $3,000 range".

I wouldn't buy the Neon if it doesn't fit your current needs. IT sounds questionable if it will??

I've bought a used car for very little before, drove it a few years, and re-sold with a whopping $300 depreciation hit (sold it for $300 less than I paid). If it works for the short term, I don't think it's bad to buy a car for a short-term time horizon. This works better when you find a deal on a car - not when you pay $3500 for a Neon. But the point is that buying a very used vehicle may buy you time to come up with a better long-term car plan. If you find a better deal in say one year, you could maybe sell the neon at the price you paid for it. IT's not like $3,000 cars depreciate rapidly.

[MonkeyMama]

2. Your right. I feel like $3,500 is a little steep. I would like to talk him down to $3,000. But I worry about feeling like a jerk since he offered to let me make payments. Do you think it would be rude of me to haggle?

No. If he can find a sucker to pay $3500, let him find the sucker. I don't see why he wouldn't sell it to you at $3,000. I don't think he is going to get a lot of buyers.

[klarose]

Ditto. I thought, "$3500 for a Neon??" and googled the kbb.

I've bought used cars (high mileage) from relatives and used cars (low mileage) from strangers. IT's generally pretty obvious who takes meticulous care of their cars, on lower mileage vehicles. My first instinct is to say, "Both options suck - see what else you can find in the $3,000 range".

I wouldn't buy the Neon if it doesn't fit your current needs. IT sounds questionable if it will??

I've bought a used car for very little before, drove it a few years, and re-sold with a whopping $300 depreciation hit (sold it for $300 less than I paid). If it works for the short term, I don't think it's bad to buy a car for a short-term time horizon. This works better when you find a deal on a car - not when you pay $3500 for a Neon. But the point is that buying a very used vehicle may buy you time to come up with a better long-term car plan. If you find a better deal in say one year, you could maybe sell the neon at the price you paid for it. IT's not like $3,000 cars depreciate rapidly.

So do you feel that $3,000 would be a fair amount for the Neon? Or should I still run?

I know jack diddly about cars.

He said when he looked it up the kbb said it was worth $3,800. I looked it up and it said around $3,000. So I don't know where he was looking. Maybe it has a special engine or something I don't know about. Or maybe he is old and crazy. I don't think he would purposely try to rip me off.

Your right though. If I can get it for $3,000 I could probably drive it on the short term until I find something I like better in a couple years. If we start having children in the next 5 years our car needs will change anyway.

[MonkeyMama]

I don't know if he is firm. My grandfather kind of scares me to be honest. lol. He has never been a generous person, so I was pretty shocked when he offered for me to make payments. I can ask him to go to $3,000, but it will take some guts.

My dad always offers me ridiculous prices on everything he sells. I always tell him, "NO thanks, Dad. I will find a better deal from a complete stranger". & he always comes around, with time (& maybe with the urging of my mom). & if he didn't, then I would find a better deal from a complete stranger.

That's the thing. You can ask. He doesn't have to agree. & if he doesn't, just say that you really appreciate the offer but you just can't afford it at that price or don't think it's the best fit. It's not a personal thing but financially just doesn't work for you.

Good Luck! (I don't think you have an easy decision - but just wanted to throw out other perspectives and ideas. OF course you know Grandpa better than us. So good luck whatever you do).

[MonkeyMama]

So do you feel that $3,000 would be a fair amount for the Neon? Or should I still run?

I think $3,000 is fair, if there are no better deals. Check Craigslist. I don't know much about cars either, but an older model with low miles that looks immaculate inside and out and has been barely driven, and has been garaged, is a good deal. Most people won't buy these cars because they are "old" - so they are low priced given the mileage and life left in the cars.

I have never bought a car without getting a second opinion from trusted mechanic. So there is that, too.

& trust your gut. If you feel more comfortable paying full kbb from Grandpa than seeing if there is a $3000 car out there that is maybe bigger and fits your needs, well, go with that. I Can see the peace of mind being worth it.

[ua_guy]

I can't say for the situation with your grandpa. You know best.

Personally, if I could come up with the cash, or even finance it using a low-interest or 0% interest check on a credit card, I'd rather grandpa be paid in full, and have the title and keys in my hand. I'd also use that as bargaining power. "Grandpa, I'll pay you $3,000 today in exchange for the car, that's all I can do"-