View Poll Results: Better Investment?
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll
Which one is a better investment?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 5
From: Purgatory
I would actually advise the opposite. Since domestic cars depreciate so quickly, it'* a perfect time to leverage an EXCELLENT deal. Like I said, all cars will have problems. So, why not start with a car that doesn't cost you much to begin with? Buy an older domestic car that has adequate support online, knowledge among friends, etc.
PopaDopaDo
True Car Nut
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 4
From: NY
if you're concerned about reliability then buy two $1000 beaters. The insurance on both cars will still be less than full coverage on one car and still leave you with pocket change for repairs. In the end a new car is still a beater; it just takes longer to get there and keeps your wallet empty until it does.
edit - also, if you happen to find yourself without a job, you at least don't have to worry about the repo man come calling.
edit - also, if you happen to find yourself without a job, you at least don't have to worry about the repo man come calling.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,001
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From: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
I realize a car is not an investment in any sense, so the terminology was incorrect, I apologize... The reason I'm keeping the car is because it'* very hard paying 200 bucks and repairing it at the same time. I still owe my parents roughly 1100 bucks for the transmission... I'd also like something that gets better gas mileage. Gas is 3.59 here, and I drive about 12 miles to work every day, and 40 miles to school every tuesdays and thursdays... If I bought used, I would probably not care as much about fuel economy, but the new cars I'm looking at get around 27 mpg combined (33-35 mpg hwy). My car gets around 29 on the highway (used to get 35, but I think it needs a tune up and a fuel filter...). If I get a used car, it'd be american. Heck, if I could find a '95 or '96 SLE or SSE, I'd buy a Bonneville... We'll just have to see. I got my car appraised for 4000. I owe about 6000, but I've seen people sell these cars for like 5500... so we'll see...
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I say you go with the junker. You're not going to be inclined to mod a beater POS either, and that'* more money in your pocket. 
You also may not necessarily want rely on finding a beater quickly. Continue to drive the Impala as it is now, and only jump on a deal when it'* right for you.
You also may not necessarily want rely on finding a beater quickly. Continue to drive the Impala as it is now, and only jump on a deal when it'* right for you.
PopaDopaDo
True Car Nut
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 4
From: NY
Gas went up to 3.93 here today for super... I expect it to go much higher too.
Thats a 12 cent increase in less than a week. :(
If your car isn't running efficient, a tuneup pays for itself quickly at these prices.
Thats a 12 cent increase in less than a week. :(
If your car isn't running efficient, a tuneup pays for itself quickly at these prices.
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,239
Likes: 1
From: Delaware & Long Island NY
Why does everybody call run around cars a beater? If I had some of your cars would they be beaters compared to my BMW? I just don't understand how the term is used. I have a 1990 car I drive everyday but I dont consider it a beater?
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 0
From: Brampton, Ontario
Originally Posted by petraman
I realize a car is not an investment in any sense, so the terminology was incorrect, I apologize... The reason I'm keeping the car is because it'* very hard paying 200 bucks and repairing it at the same time. I still owe my parents roughly 1100 bucks for the transmission... I'd also like something that gets better gas mileage. Gas is 3.59 here, and I drive about 12 miles to work every day, and 40 miles to school every tuesdays and thursdays... If I bought used, I would probably not care as much about fuel economy, but the new cars I'm looking at get around 27 mpg combined (33-35 mpg hwy). My car gets around 29 on the highway (used to get 35, but I think it needs a tune up and a fuel filter...). If I get a used car, it'd be american. Heck, if I could find a '95 or '96 SLE or SSE, I'd buy a Bonneville... We'll just have to see. I got my car appraised for 4000. I owe about 6000, but I've seen people sell these cars for like 5500... so we'll see...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Petraman.... I am not sure what to tell you..
Sandrock and his GF bought an 06 Grand Prix... I drove it and liked it... Granted I like the Bonneville seats better... But they got a good deal on the car and added the extended warranty... Car drives great, handles really good... Has plenty of get up and go.. Looks good sitting still too..
Its all in what you want to spend, knowing what to look for while looking at the car and now what to listen to, and feel as you are driving the car... Most of the time if you pay very close attention you will spot problems if the car has any..
You can look at it in one of several ways...
You buy a car thats newer and you end up with payments... If you get the extended warranty you'll be good for the most part for the duration of that warranty, with the exception that you will most likely have a deductible... And even them the car may not be covered bumper to bumper... So you may still be out $$$ in repairs if the item that fails is not covered... For this case you will have monthly payments at the least and you will be required to have full coverage insurance on the car as it will have a Lien on it...
If you were to buy an older used car cold cash... The good thing is that you would own it outright.... But with any car that has age and or a few miles, you will be replacing parts like water pump, alternator, gaskets, fuel pump..... The list just goes on and on.. Just look at what some of us have been through with our cars.... I am on my 3rd motor... But I have not made a payment in 7 years... I have had years where the car required pretty much nothing from me... Just changed the oil and kept going... In the recent I made it to motor #3.... This car will get a Trans rebuild and a Paint job and I'll drive it till it dies.. But just remember I do just about all of the work to my own cars...
Hard to pick which path to go down... I wish I could tell you what to do..
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Sandrock and his GF bought an 06 Grand Prix... I drove it and liked it... Granted I like the Bonneville seats better... But they got a good deal on the car and added the extended warranty... Car drives great, handles really good... Has plenty of get up and go.. Looks good sitting still too..
Its all in what you want to spend, knowing what to look for while looking at the car and now what to listen to, and feel as you are driving the car... Most of the time if you pay very close attention you will spot problems if the car has any..
You can look at it in one of several ways...
You buy a car thats newer and you end up with payments... If you get the extended warranty you'll be good for the most part for the duration of that warranty, with the exception that you will most likely have a deductible... And even them the car may not be covered bumper to bumper... So you may still be out $$$ in repairs if the item that fails is not covered... For this case you will have monthly payments at the least and you will be required to have full coverage insurance on the car as it will have a Lien on it...
If you were to buy an older used car cold cash... The good thing is that you would own it outright.... But with any car that has age and or a few miles, you will be replacing parts like water pump, alternator, gaskets, fuel pump..... The list just goes on and on.. Just look at what some of us have been through with our cars.... I am on my 3rd motor... But I have not made a payment in 7 years... I have had years where the car required pretty much nothing from me... Just changed the oil and kept going... In the recent I made it to motor #3.... This car will get a Trans rebuild and a Paint job and I'll drive it till it dies.. But just remember I do just about all of the work to my own cars...
Hard to pick which path to go down... I wish I could tell you what to do..
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