so. me and the gf were talking about how i need a new car soon considering the fact that every 1k miles i have to dump $300 in it it seems. so i was window shopping for newish cars and ive pretty much settled on a black on black impala ss 06-. i told her i think im gonna keep the park ave for a work/grocery store parking lot car. to which i got a response of an open hanging mouth.

my reasoning was, its only worth like 2k ive just put new bearings, new tranny and about 9k of misc. parts in it in the 18 mths ive had it, why waste all that and put miles on a car and potentially dings in a newer car when its not necessary, and its only costing me like $30 a mth to keep my park.

am i right in my reasoning or am i just being anal about my cars? lol.

thanks alot

Id keep it as a ''beater'' for sure as long as you can afford to do so

I see nothing wrong with having a spare car around to use when your going to a parking lot.

if your putting a bunch of money into the car its not going to stop unless you stop driving the car, then why bother having it. i hope you have a short commute if your looking at SS'*

Figure monthly expenses with current car, figure maintenance and repairs and payment on new car.

I see it this way: If I put $300/month in to my car, which is the average car payment, I would be ahead in about 6 months. Not even counting that my car has been taking hits like crazy lately, and the new car would probably be the same way.

you're both right in a way, its good to have a spare car around but you can also get rid of that and pay off some bills or w/e you would need extra money for.

I say do whatever is cheaper for you in the long run.

well as for the short commute part, i plan on taking the park ave to work. but that aside, the impy has the gm 4/8 cyl thing. (i think, dont hold me to that) the epa mpg is actually better than my car. plus im looking for a change. i really like my car but i am kinda getting tired of replacing parts. things that are still on the todo list are a leaking rack and pinion, a rusted out muffler, blown front shocks and the bushings on the control arms are so gone that you would think i busted a motor mount they clunk so often.

it does, however you cant trust the epa numbers.it only works out if your taking long highway trips. the real numbers for local type driving ive heard are about 16-18, were my 3800 bonnie is 25-28. if i was going to get a imp, it would definately be the 3500, the one in my monte has been getting 29 local commuting and i expect if, it follows my old monte, to get mid 30'* on the highway.

like i mentioned if you are going to keep commuteing in the car you are going to have to keep fixing it.

well, all the things that are wrong with it really will only need to be replaced if i decide to use it as my main car. muffler is just loud, control arms are just bushings, again just loud the shocks are just annoying and its mostly hwy so i dont have to worry about loosing the power steering eventually.


as for the 3500.... i dont intend any offense you you in particular, but im pretty sure my grandfathers malibu has that motor and i cannot stand the low end. its like going from my car to a civic. that thing just screeeeams in the low end. i love the fact that i can out accelerate my gf'* floored civic at 1500-2000 rpm.

the original 3500 for the malibu and similar bodies is kind of a upgrade from the 3400 and had 4 less hp than your car. but there was a continual evelution the 2006 has 6 more, 2007 on had almost 20 more and all of them weigh less than a park ave im sure. my monte can out accelerate the bonnie at any speed and the bonnie has the better 3.06 ratio. It doesnt cost anything to go test drive it. I was impressed by its power and efficiancy and if it follows suit with the other 60 deg v6'* ive personally put 6 to 700k miles on without one engine failure that i didnt cause on purpose.