I've been calculating basic payments I'd think I'd have based on 6% to 9%. If I'm even understanding the interest and how it works.

But I financed the Sebring for 60 or 66 months, total financed was $12500, and my interest rate is 6.05%. My payment is $228 a month.

I was not doing the interest correctly which is why I was way off.

That'* exactly what I was assuming.

Use any basic amortization calculator to help get through the scenarios. Bankrate.com offers a decent solution: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/popcalc2.asp

Thanks Mark. Now I know my true limit.

Those with 2000+ Bonnes:

If you've fixed your hood herpes how much did it set you back? $400-500? More? I will have to use that to talk these dealers down on their prices.

EDIT:

I know the "hood herpes" is common. But what about the rust bubbles under the gas door?

I had this on my first 94. You'd think they'd get it right by 2000. I never noticed this was a problem until I saw Tracy'* car. She has a few bubbles. One of the 2002s I'm looking at has it starting as well.

I want to use this as a bargaining tool, since it will cost a good chunk of money to fix if I end up getting one with it.

Or should this be covered by GM since the car is not 6 years old? It hasn't rusted THROUGH, it probably never will, it will rot from the inside out.

your only asking for problems with rust already

Learn your lesson

stay away

The hood herpes isn't a rust question. And that is probably something that I will find on almost every one I look at.

The gas door bubble is, but I'm definitely not getting that one. Too many other things with that one.

Although, if I got a great deal on an 02 or 03 and a dealer lowered the price enough because of it, getting a small rust bubble removed would not be a big deal to me. I may also be able to get it covered under the warranty. These models don't have issues like the 92-95'* that I will ever have to worry about. And one bubble on a car that was mint otherwise would still be a very strong candidate if the price was right.

But I still want to know how common it is just to have an idea, because if I get one with no visible signs of rust when I buy it, I'd like to have an idea of how at risk I am to get it later on.

2000-2003 SSEi with higher miles - $6000 - $8000
Proactive Transmission replacement - $2500

a 2002 with 50,000 miles is no more reliable than a 2002 with 100,000 miles if they have both been taken care of...my opinoin at least.

your going to instantly loose $10,000 (in 1-2 years) on a more expensive SSEi with the loss of value and the interest of a bigger loan.

Honestly, I'd consider the 2003 I found that had 100,000. It'* only $8600! But every Bonneville I've owned I bought when it had 100,000. And the rate I drive, I'd be at 160,000 in two years.

The odds of getting a more 'reliable' car are more in my favor if I got an 02 with 38,000 miles vs. 138,000 miles, IMO. If a car was well taken care of for all 138,000 I'd feel good about it, but I would never really know how well it was taken care of until after I bought it.

This next SSEi will most likely be the last Bonne I ever own. And I'd rather have it at low miles to begin with. These engines go on well past 200,000, there'* no doubt about it. It'* personal preference I guess. If I was in a bind and NEEDED a car, I'd find one cheaper, but I'm in a place where I can get something I really would feel good about. I will wait an extra few months if I had to.

I wanted to keep the 94 "forever," and "restore" it. That was my "dream" for it. But I'm realizing now I should make that my dream for a newer one. Loss of value won't be a huge deal to me as I will own this next one until I pay it off. If I find one in excellent shape, I should be able to. And that is what I hope happens.

Pete, let me tell you from experience

i have taken the 2003 apart and looked around abit.....

please realize that the 00+ rear wheel well is really non existant. The Wheel Well goes the whole way to the bottom of gas door, and there is a drain hole....what happens here is that the Salt/Debris can enter the gas door area and then seep down INSIDE the wheel well....if you take a close look at the car you will see

its not a 'Small" issue....its already begun a larger problem

Thanks Pat for the explanation!

Would you hit this? The miles makes it hard to bite though. Looks gorgeous, and is a GREAT color for me.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=223662566&