Decisions, Decisions...

[Teallaura]

I need to decide quickly how I am going to go about getting a car. I'm probably able to do so this week (PRAISE GOD!!!!! - And my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have helped me) but there are a couple of different options and I'm getting anxious about the decision. I don't want to make a mistake I will really regret but I can't be so concerned that I don't do anything at all.

I need guidance, good judgment and the wisdom to chose wisely as well as calm down and quit being an idiot (that last one is a tall order for anyone but God!).

But, I am making progress!

[Sparko]

Do NOT get this one...

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There isn't enough room for your cats.

[rogue06]

Do NOT get this one...

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There isn't enough room for your cats.

Using that criteria even a semi hauling two trailers wouldn't do.

[Sparko]

Using that criteria even a semi hauling two trailers wouldn't do.

Well there is this one...

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Where she could carry about 1% of her cats with her.

[rogue06]

Well there is this one...

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Where she could carry about 0.1% of her indoor only cats with her.

FIFY n/c

[Zymologist]

What are the options?

[DesertBerean]

Whatever you decide, take a mechanic with you.

[Teallaura]

Sparky: No problem.

Rogue:

Sparky and Rogue:

Zym: 1) Buy outright. I prefer this one but it means going very low price and the question of reliability becomes open. 2) finance - I'd still be buying low price but not that low. But that means a payment on a low income - not my idea of a great plan but beats no car at all. 3) finance with dealer specializing in high risk financing. Er,

DB: Not an option - I live too far away from any of my cousins who could do that for me.

[One Bad Pig]

Sparky: No problem.

Rogue:

Sparky and Rogue:

Zym: 1) Buy outright. I prefer this one but it means going very low price and the question of reliability becomes open. 2) finance - I'd still be buying low price but not that low. But that means a payment on a low income - not my idea of a great plan but beats no car at all. 3) finance with dealer specializing in high risk financing. Er,

DB: Not an option - I live too far away from any of my cousins who could do that for me.

Is there anyone at church you could ask for help?

[Teallaura]

Is there anyone at church you could ask for help?

Not at the moment, no.

I am not overly worried about that part because I'm no stranger to the world of 'keeping the car running' and I have enough knowledge to know when to be suspicious about repair costs (I do have one cousin close enough to ask if need be). Don't get me wrong, it's not a non-issue but it's not gonna keep me up at night.


Manga might, but that won't.






Kidding...

[Littlejoe]

Personally, I haven't bought a car on credit in....15+ years. I bought an old Suburban that had 202k miles on it. I'm still driving it. It has 396K on it now. I've had to have the transmission rebuilt but, the cost was MUCH less than a car payment. ($1100) I know it a tall order, but if you can find a car that has all the maintenance records, when the oil was changed, brakes repaired/replaced, etc, then you can feel pretty good about the purchase. My suburban came with two FULL manila folders. In fact, when the fuel pump went out, I found it had been replaced before with a lifetime warranty. I was able to get it replaced for free! And, if you can be diligent and save at least some of what your monthly pmt would have been, then repairs are easily taken car of.

[Zymologist]

Are there any particular cars you're looking at?

[Raphael]

I hear that diesel VW's are probably going cheap at the moment.

(I like VW.....owned two VW Jetta's in the past and would consider getting another one when next I'm in the car market)

[Catholicity]

Buy outright if you can, and get a manual. THe most expensive repair will be a clutch at 1,000 unless you know someone. And its cheaper. If your thinking about Chpt 7 you do not want a lien. Esp not in alabama

[Scorching Wizard]

1) Buy outright. I prefer this one but it means going very low price and the question of reliability becomes open. 2) finance - I'd still be buying low price but not that low. But that means a payment on a low income - not my idea of a great plan but beats no car at all. 3) finance with dealer specializing in high risk financing. Er,

Well, if you listen to Dave Ramsey http://www.daveramsey.com/home/ , he is against debt of any kind. He would advise you to get a car for cash only. Then aggressively save money to retire all your debt. Personally I'm not against all debt, just unaffordable debt. Financing a car should be for no more than three years. If you can't afford a three year payment, then your car is too expensive for you.