Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

pensfan83

How many vehicles have you bought or leased in the last 6 months? 0

Last 12 months? 1
Last 24 months? 0
When do you expect to get your next vehicle?
In the next 6 months - Yes for the 3rd car.
6-12 months - Likely will replace the wife's car in this timeframe.
12-24 months
Longer than 24 months (if you choose this answer, your CCBA membership privileges are at risk)

What are you looking at? For the sooner purchase an older, manual Honda or Acura. I've been bouncing between an Integra and a Prelude though most that have my interest aren't close enough to see in person but that probably won't stop me. My current obsession interest is a formerly supercharged but now returned to stock '01 Prelude in Central PA.

nyccarguy

Besides being interested in modifying my 328hp Q40 so it’s handling and braking abilities match more of my personal tastes, I’m looking at the following cars:

Civic Si
GTI
Miata

stickguy

all fine choices for a toy or non DD commuter. And you already have a toy.

breld

There is something so unique and sublime in driving a Miata.

I’d like to get one again one of these days.

Michaell

breld said:

There is something so unique and sublime in driving a Miata.

I’d like to get one again one of these days.

Remind us again, who's got dibs on the Golf R?

qbrozen

Geesh. My honcker must have gone through some kind of mid month cleanse. All my Chargers are gone as are my cheap Cherokees. Lowest one with that 2BE package is now $55 more than I posted earlier today. Chargers are virtually nonexistent now even in a search. Only 2 v8 models. Wonder if they lost an account near me. 

au1994

Last 12 months? 1, the 2017 X1

Last 24? 1, the 335i convertible that was traded on the X1

Next 6 months? Yes, the replacement for the X6. Leader right now is the Subaru Ascent.

12-24? Probably something cheaper for me as we’ve been shopping lake property. Something like a Crosstrek or Cherokee as the access to where we are looking will require ground clearance and AWD

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Geesh. My honcker must have gone through some kind of mid month cleanse. All my Chargers are gone as are my cheap Cherokees. Lowest one with that 2BE package is now $55 more than I posted earlier today. Chargers are virtually nonexistent now even in a search. Only 2 v8 models. Wonder if they lost an account near me. 

Mine too. Did you see the video footage of the cars floating down the river from the CJDR Dealer in Little Falls, NJ?

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

Last 12 months? 1, the 2017 X1

Last 24? 1, the 335i convertible that was traded on the X1

Next 6 months? Yes, the replacement for the X6. Leader right now is the Subaru Ascent.

12-24? Probably something cheaper for me as we’ve been shopping lake property. Something like a Crosstrek or Cherokee as the access to where we are looking will require ground clearance and AWD

The Crosstrek

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

Last 12 months? 1, the 2017 X1

Last 24? 1, the 335i convertible that was traded on the X1

Next 6 months? Yes, the replacement for the X6. Leader right now is the Subaru Ascent.

12-24? Probably something cheaper for me as we’ve been shopping lake property. Something like a Crosstrek or Cherokee as the access to where we are looking will require ground clearance and AWD

is

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

Last 12 months? 1, the 2017 X1

Last 24? 1, the 335i convertible that was traded on the X1

Next 6 months? Yes, the replacement for the X6. Leader right now is the Subaru Ascent.

12-24? Probably something cheaper for me as we’ve been shopping lake property. Something like a Crosstrek or Cherokee as the access to where we are looking will require ground clearance and AWD

very

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

Last 12 months? 1, the 2017 X1

Last 24? 1, the 335i convertible that was traded on the X1

Next 6 months? Yes, the replacement for the X6. Leader right now is the Subaru Ascent.

12-24? Probably something cheaper for me as we’ve been shopping lake property. Something like a Crosstrek or Cherokee as the access to where we are looking will require ground clearance and AWD

slow.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

all fine choices for a toy or non DD commuter. And you already have a toy.

I drove said "toy" to work this AM! It was invigorating!

tjc78

@nyccarguy

LOL... 

sda

How many vehicles have you bought or leased in the last 6 months? 0

Last 12 months? 0

Last 24 months? 0

When do you expect to get your next vehicle?
In the next 6 months
6-12 months
12-24 months x
Longer than 24 months (if you choose this answer, your CCBA membership privileges are at risk) I think I'm already at risk as I will have owned the Accord 5 years on Sept 8, and the Pilot 5 years in January. A big plus is they will both be paid for in October! My plans for getting another car have been delayed because of my uncertain job situation and the possibility that my SIL will give my daughter her '06 TL instead of me giving her the Accord.

What are you looking at? Cadillac ATS, Honda Accord (current version), Acura TLX tech, Lincoln MKZ, Toyota Avalon. Something with spunk, luxury, sunroof, decent audio/features, and good driving dynamics and mpg.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

Geesh. My honcker must have gone through some kind of mid month cleanse. All my Chargers are gone as are my cheap Cherokees. Lowest one with that 2BE package is now $55 more than I posted earlier today. Chargers are virtually nonexistent now even in a search. Only 2 v8 models. Wonder if they lost an account near me. 

Mine too. Did you see the video footage of the cars floating down the river from the CJDR Dealer in Little Falls, NJ?

I did! Wonder if related. That is some crazy footage. I had not made the possible connection before. Interesting thought. 

stickguy

Q, that sounds like what came up for me. Maybe it is a regional thing. I never quite figured out how far away from your ZIP so maybe there was a dealer north of you that came up that did not reach me?

That GC 28E sounds like the exact same price as what came up for me.

best deal, if you need a basic AWD CUV, was a nice blue Equinox 1LS. sticker about 28K I think. 1.5t engine. $250/month with $250ish DAS. That is certainly doable.

qbrozen

$28k 1Ls is exactly what my sister leased. Hers was a demo, though. But, taking her rolled over lease payments out of it, she is at about $207/$207.

stickguy

ok, that is amazing. if I could stand the colors I would lease one. Or would have stuck my daughter in it. She would love that payment!

qbrozen

Metallic dark red over gray quilted houndstooth. Nice looking car. Decent room. I was able to get reasonably comfortable in it, although seat felt a bit too firm. She told me to take it for a spin, but I declined.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

au1994 said:

Last 12 months? 1, the 2017 X1

Last 24? 1, the 335i convertible that was traded on the X1

Next 6 months? Yes, the replacement for the X6. Leader right now is the Subaru Ascent.

12-24? Probably something cheaper for me as we’ve been shopping lake property. Something like a Crosstrek or Cherokee as the access to where we are looking will require ground clearance and AWD

slow.

That’s my HUGE concern. Otherwise I think its a cool looking car in that funky Subaru kind of way. It gets pretty good reviews otherwise, especially for the quality of the interior and noise level at that price point.

au1994

I think its only like 152 hp? That’s crazy low this day and time. But they seem to sell. I see them all over the place.

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

I drove said "toy" to work this AM! It was invigorating!

I would really like my own invigorating "toy"

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

Geesh. My honcker must have gone through some kind of mid month cleanse. All my Chargers are gone as are my cheap Cherokees. Lowest one with that 2BE package is now $55 more than I posted earlier today. Chargers are virtually nonexistent now even in a search. Only 2 v8 models. Wonder if they lost an account near me. 

Mine too. Did you see the video footage of the cars floating down the river from the CJDR Dealer in Little Falls, NJ?

I did! Wonder if related. That is some crazy footage. I had not made the possible connection before. Interesting thought. 

I don't know. FWIW, my honcker showroom was empty too this AM. I had 2 of the el cheapo GCs and a Civic Si Coupe I was watching.

There were a bunch of videos. The news showed the Renegades piling up and one red one just flipping over and going under. I saw on FB, somebody posted a video of a used White 300, then a White Challenger, followed by a Plum Crazy Purple Challenger the hit the White Challenger, flipped, then fully submerged.

The owner of the dealership was interviewed on the radio yesterday afternoon. The guy was beyond distraught to say the least. He said he's still NOT sure how many cars were lost. They are still assessing. His insurance company has yet to show up. Service department is back up to about 75% capacity. He's waiting for Chrysler to send more inventory. In the meantime, other dealers in the area have reached out to him and have offered to "help out" with inventory if he needs it.

ab348

breld said:

There is something so unique and sublime in driving a Miata.

I’d like to get one again one of these days.

Just yesterday I read a Roadshow (CNET) review of the refreshed Miata due later this year. It boosts HP by 25 (all at the top end apparently) and adds a telescopic steering wheel and rear view camera. They loved it of course.

My only issue is that they are so small and low that I might be afraid to drive it in fast, heavy-traffic situations, but I suspect I would not fit in one regardless.

ab348

nyccarguy said:

There were a bunch of videos. The news showed the Renegades piling up and one red one just flipping over and going under. I saw on FB, somebody posted a video of a used White 300, then a White Challenger, followed by a Plum Crazy Purple Challenger the hit the White Challenger, flipped, then fully submerged.

The owner of the dealership was interviewed on the radio yesterday afternoon. The guy was beyond distraught to say the least. He said he's still NOT sure how many cars were lost. They are still assessing. His insurance company has yet to show up. Service department is back up to about 75% capacity. He's waiting for Chrysler to send more inventory. In the meantime, other dealers in the area have reached out to him and have offered to "help out" with inventory if he needs it.

I imagine Chrysler would be more than happy to ship out some of their inventory of unsold vehicles parked on their lots.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

Metallic dark red over gray quilted houndstooth. Nice looking car. Decent room. I was able to get reasonably comfortable in it, although seat felt a bit too firm. She told me to take it for a spin, but I declined.

I love that color combo. Oh well. Entirely possible I would hate driving it, but for the right price, I could survive!

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

nyccarguy said:

Geesh. My honcker must have gone through some kind of mid month cleanse. All my Chargers are gone as are my cheap Cherokees. Lowest one with that 2BE package is now $55 more than I posted earlier today. Chargers are virtually nonexistent now even in a search. Only 2 v8 models. Wonder if they lost an account near me. 

Mine too. Did you see the video footage of the cars floating down the river from the CJDR Dealer in Little Falls, NJ?

I did! Wonder if related. That is some crazy footage. I had not made the possible connection before. Interesting thought. 

I don't know. FWIW, my honcker showroom was empty too this AM. I had 2 of the el cheapo GCs and a Civic Si Coupe I was watching. There were a bunch of videos. The news showed the Renegades piling up and one red one just flipping over and going under. I saw on FB, somebody posted a video of a used White 300, then a White Challenger, followed by a Plum Crazy Purple Challenger the hit the White Challenger, flipped, then fully submerged. The owner of the dealership was interviewed on the radio yesterday afternoon. The guy was beyond distraught to say the least. He said he's still NOT sure how many cars were lost. They are still assessing. His insurance company has yet to show up. Service department is back up to about 75% capacity. He's waiting for Chrysler to send more inventory. In the meantime, other dealers in the area have reached out to him and have offered to "help out" with inventory if he needs it.

Ouch on the plum crazy challenger. My top color choice.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

Time for CCBA Roll Call!

A completely unscientific survey. Copy and paste the questions, then provide your answers.

How many vehicles have you bought or leased in the last 6 months?

Last 12 months?

Last 24 months?

When do you expect to get your next vehicle?
In the next 6 months
6-12 months
12-24 months
Longer than 24 months (if you choose this answer, your CCBA membership privileges are at risk)

What are you looking at?

Jeez-Loueeze, Michaell....I can’t answer any of those questions.

I’m as likely to go out tonight and find a set of wheels that I just can’t live without as I am to drive the Acura for 10 more oil changes.

It also might depend upon when a certain Golf R may come on the market.

PF_Flyer

Are you a vehicle owner who's either used GM-Amazon's in-car package delivery service or GM's Marketplace app? If so, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal would like to chat with you. If you're interested, please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by tomorrow, August 16 at 12 p.m. Pacific. Thank you!

kyfdx

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

A house I walk by frequently usually has some nice vechicles. I think they are snowbirds, as their cars all have Florida plates. For the last few years, a red GTI, a flat-orange Boxster and a couple of FJ Cruisers (why two?).

Anyway, the red GTI is for sale. 2016 with 2X,XXX miles, SE with Driver Assistance, Lighting and Performance packages.. and, a stick-shift! Stickered for $33K+ when new.

1.5 years left on factory warranty, plus another 3 year tranferable 3rd-party extended warranty on top of that.

The car looks basically new. The bad news: Asking $24,800...

GTIs seem to hold their value well (what does the auction say about this on @qbrozen?) and don't lease well. You are probably better off trying to find what you want new and take advantage of a healthy discount & cheap financing and their 7 year/72K warranty. Most of what I see on dealer's lots are either S or AutoBahn models.

Not enough info. Need at least the next digit on miles and need to know how many doors it has.

I actually think GTIs DON'T hold their value well. A 2016 4-door SE peformance that would now be approaching 3 years old and 30k miles is worth all of about $17k auction and $20k retail. If it was $33k sticker new, that's a 51.5% residual on a 36/12 lease. Figure 50% (or less) by the time we get to Fall when it really will be 3 years old. 

It’s 4–door. Wish I could remember the mileage. Seems like lower 20s, rather than upper. $3500 in options over the base SE model. The asking is extremely high, especially for private party. I wouldn’t assign any value to the 3rd party extended warranty. Maybe, someday it would save a little cash. It lives just a mile from my house, and had a lot of details on the For Sale sign. Otherwise, I’m probably not thinking about it.

I passed up a 2017 Sport model, just last year for $22K.. maybe, you heard about that?

Turns out, the red 2016 GTI only has 17K miles
Factory warranty until March 2019
Extended warranty for two more years, after that.

stickguy

You should make an offer. Hey, not my money.

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

A house I walk by frequently usually has some nice vechicles. I think they are snowbirds, as their cars all have Florida plates. For the last few years, a red GTI, a flat-orange Boxster and a couple of FJ Cruisers (why two?).

Anyway, the red GTI is for sale. 2016 with 2X,XXX miles, SE with Driver Assistance, Lighting and Performance packages.. and, a stick-shift! Stickered for $33K+ when new.

1.5 years left on factory warranty, plus another 3 year tranferable 3rd-party extended warranty on top of that.

The car looks basically new. The bad news: Asking $24,800...

GTIs seem to hold their value well (what does the auction say about this on @qbrozen?) and don't lease well. You are probably better off trying to find what you want new and take advantage of a healthy discount & cheap financing and their 7 year/72K warranty. Most of what I see on dealer's lots are either S or AutoBahn models.

Not enough info. Need at least the next digit on miles and need to know how many doors it has.

I actually think GTIs DON'T hold their value well. A 2016 4-door SE peformance that would now be approaching 3 years old and 30k miles is worth all of about $17k auction and $20k retail. If it was $33k sticker new, that's a 51.5% residual on a 36/12 lease. Figure 50% (or less) by the time we get to Fall when it really will be 3 years old. 

It’s 4–door. Wish I could remember the mileage. Seems like lower 20s, rather than upper. $3500 in options over the base SE model. The asking is extremely high, especially for private party. I wouldn’t assign any value to the 3rd party extended warranty. Maybe, someday it would save a little cash. It lives just a mile from my house, and had a lot of details on the For Sale sign. Otherwise, I’m probably not thinking about it.

I passed up a 2017 Sport model, just last year for $22K.. maybe, you heard about that?

Turns out, the red 2016 GTI only has 17K miles
Factory warranty until March 2019
Extended warranty for two more years, after that.

NO low BALLZ! NO TRADZ! TXT ONL AFTER 10PM!

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

A house I walk by frequently usually has some nice vechicles. I think they are snowbirds, as their cars all have Florida plates. For the last few years, a red GTI, a flat-orange Boxster and a couple of FJ Cruisers (why two?).

Anyway, the red GTI is for sale. 2016 with 2X,XXX miles, SE with Driver Assistance, Lighting and Performance packages.. and, a stick-shift! Stickered for $33K+ when new.

1.5 years left on factory warranty, plus another 3 year tranferable 3rd-party extended warranty on top of that.

The car looks basically new. The bad news: Asking $24,800...

GTIs seem to hold their value well (what does the auction say about this on @qbrozen?) and don't lease well. You are probably better off trying to find what you want new and take advantage of a healthy discount & cheap financing and their 7 year/72K warranty. Most of what I see on dealer's lots are either S or AutoBahn models.

Not enough info. Need at least the next digit on miles and need to know how many doors it has.

I actually think GTIs DON'T hold their value well. A 2016 4-door SE peformance that would now be approaching 3 years old and 30k miles is worth all of about $17k auction and $20k retail. If it was $33k sticker new, that's a 51.5% residual on a 36/12 lease. Figure 50% (or less) by the time we get to Fall when it really will be 3 years old. 

It’s 4–door. Wish I could remember the mileage. Seems like lower 20s, rather than upper. $3500 in options over the base SE model. The asking is extremely high, especially for private party. I wouldn’t assign any value to the 3rd party extended warranty. Maybe, someday it would save a little cash. It lives just a mile from my house, and had a lot of details on the For Sale sign. Otherwise, I’m probably not thinking about it.

I passed up a 2017 Sport model, just last year for $22K.. maybe, you heard about that?

Turns out, the red 2016 GTI only has 17K miles
Factory warranty until March 2019
Extended warranty for two more years, after that.

NO low BALLZ! NO TRADZ! TXT ONL AFTER 10PM!

Uh.. it isn't a craigslist ad.. Adult owner.

stickguy

Might have to rethink the lease option for the kid. She mentioned (after visiting the dealer) that in a year she might move back up this way, going from a 15 mile daily RT commute, to more like 60 miles. That does not bode well for staying within mile limits. Though that is a boyfriend dependent issue, but still uncertainty.

May just be better to back out of the deal and finance the Elantra in house. Buy here, pay here!

breld

My wife has been talking with our son's caretaker about co-signing on a car loan for her daughter. Right now, she's driving the nice Kia van we bought for them to commute to work, which leaves the old beat-up unreliable Routan for our caretaker.

Here are the parameters we're thinking of:

• $10-12k
  
• Reasonably new and low miles (I don't know - 3 years and 30k miles or less?)
  
• Any body style is fine - we assume a sedan will be the most bang for your buck
  
• The daughter is on the large side, which probably precludes anything in the sub-compact class
  

Our initial thoughts run along the lines of the Sonata, Optima, Passat. Though perhaps an Elantra, Forte and Jetta would be roomy enough.

What we don't know too much about is with the domestics - like, let's say, a Malibu or Impala. Are there certain model years/engines that would be considered more bullet proof?

Thoughts welcome.

Michaell

breld said:

My wife has been talking with our son's caretaker about co-signing on a car loan for her daughter. Right now, she's driving the nice Kia van we bought for them to commute to work, which leaves the old beat-up unreliable Routan for our caretaker.

Here are the parameters we're thinking of:

• $10-12k
  
• Reasonably new and low miles (I don't know - 3 years and 30k miles or less?)
  
• Any body style is fine - we assume a sedan will be the most bang for your buck
  
• The daughter is on the large side, which probably precludes anything in the sub-compact class
  

Our initial thoughts run along the lines of the Sonata, Optima, Passat. Though perhaps an Elantra, Forte and Jetta would be roomy enough.

What we don't know too much about is with the domestics - like, let's say, a Malibu or Impala. Are there certain model years/engines that would be considered more bullet proof?

Thoughts welcome.

How much driving do they do?

I'd think something without a turbo engine would be cheap to maintain. Sonata or Optima would both be good choices. Though, an Elantra or Forte might work, as well. Altima?

breld

@kyfdx - how much are they asking again?

That's a really well equipped model with all those packages. With only 17k miles and the extended warranty, maybe it's something worth exploring.

breld

Michaell said:

breld said:

My wife has been talking with our son's caretaker about co-signing on a car loan for her daughter. Right now, she's driving the nice Kia van we bought for them to commute to work, which leaves the old beat-up unreliable Routan for our caretaker.

Here are the parameters we're thinking of:

• $10-12k
  
• Reasonably new and low miles (I don't know - 3 years and 30k miles or less?)
  
• Any body style is fine - we assume a sedan will be the most bang for your buck
  
• The daughter is on the large side, which probably precludes anything in the sub-compact class
  

Our initial thoughts run along the lines of the Sonata, Optima, Passat. Though perhaps an Elantra, Forte and Jetta would be roomy enough.

What we don't know too much about is with the domestics - like, let's say, a Malibu or Impala. Are there certain model years/engines that would be considered more bullet proof?

Thoughts welcome.

How much driving do they do?

I'd think something without a turbo engine would be cheap to maintain. Sonata or Optima would both be good choices. Though, an Elantra or Forte might work, as well. Altima?

They tend to drive a lot of miles and beat their cars up.

Good point on the turbo engine. And yes, the Altima may be a good choice too. I guess I'm thinking along the lines of a reliable sedan that's NOT a Accord or Camry (since they tend to hold their value too well).

suydam

Malibu or Cruze?

kyfdx

breld said:

@kyfdx - how much are they asking again?

That's a really well equipped model with all those packages. With only 17k miles and the extended warranty, maybe it's something worth exploring.

breld said:

@kyfdx - how much are they asking again?

That's a really well equipped model with all those packages. With only 17k miles and the extended warranty, maybe it's something worth exploring.

$24800, which is why I'm not that interested

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

A house I walk by frequently usually has some nice vechicles. I think they are snowbirds, as their cars all have Florida plates. For the last few years, a red GTI, a flat-orange Boxster and a couple of FJ Cruisers (why two?).

Anyway, the red GTI is for sale. 2016 with 2X,XXX miles, SE with Driver Assistance, Lighting and Performance packages.. and, a stick-shift! Stickered for $33K+ when new.

1.5 years left on factory warranty, plus another 3 year tranferable 3rd-party extended warranty on top of that.

The car looks basically new. The bad news: Asking $24,800...

GTIs seem to hold their value well (what does the auction say about this on @qbrozen?) and don't lease well. You are probably better off trying to find what you want new and take advantage of a healthy discount & cheap financing and their 7 year/72K warranty. Most of what I see on dealer's lots are either S or AutoBahn models.

Not enough info. Need at least the next digit on miles and need to know how many doors it has.

I actually think GTIs DON'T hold their value well. A 2016 4-door SE peformance that would now be approaching 3 years old and 30k miles is worth all of about $17k auction and $20k retail. If it was $33k sticker new, that's a 51.5% residual on a 36/12 lease. Figure 50% (or less) by the time we get to Fall when it really will be 3 years old. 

It’s 4–door. Wish I could remember the mileage. Seems like lower 20s, rather than upper. $3500 in options over the base SE model. The asking is extremely high, especially for private party. I wouldn’t assign any value to the 3rd party extended warranty. Maybe, someday it would save a little cash. It lives just a mile from my house, and had a lot of details on the For Sale sign. Otherwise, I’m probably not thinking about it.

I passed up a 2017 Sport model, just last year for $22K.. maybe, you heard about that?

Turns out, the red 2016 GTI only has 17K miles
Factory warranty until March 2019
Extended warranty for two more years, after that.

NO low BALLZ! NO TRADZ! TXT ONL AFTER 10PM!

Uh.. it isn't a craigslist ad.. Adult owner.

I know! I just like to amuse myself sometimes!

qbrozen

breld said:

My wife has been talking with our son's caretaker about co-signing on a car loan for her daughter. Right now, she's driving the nice Kia van we bought for them to commute to work, which leaves the old beat-up unreliable Routan for our caretaker. Here are the parameters we're thinking of:

• $10-12k
• Reasonably new and low miles (I don't know - 3 years and 30k miles or less?)
• Any body style is fine - we assume a sedan will be the most bang for your buck
• The daughter is on the large side, which probably precludes anything in the sub-compact class

Our initial thoughts run along the lines of the Sonata, Optima, Passat. Though perhaps an Elantra, Forte and Jetta would be roomy enough. What we don't know too much about is with the domestics - like, let's say, a Malibu or Impala. Are there certain model years/engines that would be considered more bullet proof? Thoughts welcome.

So you bought the Kia for her to use and she gave it to her daughter? That's kinda f'd up IMHO.

nyccarguy

breld said:

My wife has been talking with our son's caretaker about co-signing on a car loan for her daughter. Right now, she's driving the nice Kia van we bought for them to commute to work, which leaves the old beat-up unreliable Routan for our caretaker.

Here are the parameters we're thinking of:

• $10-12k
  
• Reasonably new and low miles (I don't know - 3 years and 30k miles or less?)
  
• Any body style is fine - we assume a sedan will be the most bang for your buck
  
• The daughter is on the large side, which probably precludes anything in the sub-compact class
  

Our initial thoughts run along the lines of the Sonata, Optima, Passat. Though perhaps an Elantra, Forte and Jetta would be roomy enough.

What we don't know too much about is with the domestics - like, let's say, a Malibu or Impala. Are there certain model years/engines that would be considered more bullet proof?

Thoughts welcome.

So let me get this straight. You and your wife bought your son's caretaker that Kia Sedona (so she could transport HIM safely and reliably) and she lets HER daughter use it? So you (and your wife) want to co-sign on a car loan (buy her a car, as you HAVE to assume she's going to default at some point)? Bruce, from what I can tell, you and your wife are very kind, thoughtful, & generous people. Buying that van for your son's caretaker was a wonderful gesture. Co signing a loan for the caretaker's daughter? That's one too many degrees of separation for me. Be careful. You see yourself doing a good deed to help out somebody in need. She might see this as "Bruce D Rockefeller" doesn't need the money and the car is in my name... Let me guess, she has a brand new iPhone X?

kyfdx

And, he didn't even offer to finance that GTI, last year! :@

pensfan83

LOL. Between @nyccarguy and his one liners and the above it's making the lines and heat at Busch Gardens almost bearable.

nyccarguy

pensfan83 said:

LOL. Between @nyccarguy and his one liners and the above it's making the lines and heat at Busch Gardens almost bearable.

If I recall, the BUSCH part of Busch Gardens also helped with the lines as well.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

pensfan83 said:

LOL. Between @nyccarguy and his one liners and the above it's making the lines and heat at Busch Gardens almost bearable.

If I recall, the BUSCH part of Busch Gardens also helped with the lines as well.

Too bad edmunds doesn't have the fire emoji.

breld

I hear y'all.

My wife gets very fired up when she sees the daughter is driving the nice van to and from work - I get it, but I also remind her that when we bought her the van, we also stressed that the van is hers, and it's an awkward line to walk if we start dictating to any extent how she should be using said van. Her daughter lives with her, so the van is being used in the household, not that that makes much of any difference.

Now of course, the implied intention is that it benefits our son insofar as he is being transported safely, so there is that.

At the end of the day, our caretaker is an exceptional woman - to have someone care for, in every sense of the word, our 22 year-old son who is non-verbal and needs assistance for virtually all functions...that is priceless. And part of that personality is that she's a little too self-sacrificing in making sure her own daughter is safe too.

Co-signing on a loan may not be the right approach, but it is an option that addresses the issue. My wife agrees that she needs to be prepared to take on the loan/car if anything goes sideways, which is why she/we will be involved in selecting the car.

Mr_Shiftright

suydam said:

Malibu or Cruze?

Malibus have historically racked up some incredibly high miles. I think they are generally a durable car.