Suggestions?

[Brother Adam]

And only if you mean to be helpful and not yell and rant about how awful we are as people as some have done in private the past few months.


Our car has been declared unfixable for all practicle purposes, so we are left without a vehicle we just paid off. Now, we really don't have any money as most of you know, beyond not having a car payment that we just got rid of a few months ago. And Teresa has exhorbant doctor fees right now. Now going without a vehicle just doesn't seem to be an option, because Teresa can't rely on others for getting to work in the long run. We thought of a bike too, but she is a young girl and would have to ride through fairly nasty neighborhoods to get to work. We thought maybe a scooter, but it poses the same problems because it is not very fast, and it is still a couple of thousand dollars. Now we [i]could[/i] get another car with a new car payment and go into even more debt, but we are worried about Teresa's health too and how in debt we will go for that in the long run. It's kindof being caught in between a rock and a hard place.

Thoughts?

[ReinnieR]

hmm

what exactly is wrong with the car?? if you had just finished paying it off it shouldn't be that old. and it might be fixable.

i'm jsut askign because i'm a mechanic.

trying to save the car that you own.

[Brother Adam]

We bought it used. The fuel lines have completely melted, the electrical system almost all of it needs to be replaced, wiring harness needs to be found, something about the transmission, also some sensors are shot, and he mentioned a few other things that would have to be replaced just to bring it up to the point of running a full diagnostic. I was told the initial fee would be around $2000-$2500

[philothea]

Sell your old car for whatever you can get (probably not much...). Buy a [i]reliable[/i] used car, since you can't afford repairs too. It's hard to get statistics for used cars older than 7 years, but you can kind of extrapolate. Generally Japanese cars are the most reliable.

Buy from an individual, if you know enough to be able to test the car, or have a mechanic check it out for you. A dealership will charge quite a bit more, but you do have the option of returning a real lemon to them within 3 days -- so you can get a mechanic to check the car out after you buy it.

If you want, I can look around for used cars to get some idea of a price range?

[ReinnieR]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Jul 14 2005, 08:28 PM']We bought it used. The fuel lines have completely melted, the electrical system almost all of it needs to be replaced, wiring harness needs to be found, something about the transmission, also some sensors are shot, and he mentioned a few other things that would have to be replaced just to bring it up to the point of running a full diagnostic. I was told the initial fee would be around $2000-$2500
[right][snapback]643880[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

man i wish i could help you out

2500 that's mostly labor. i mean i'd do it for free if you're from around here. and maybe even help you buy parts. i could totally fix your car.

i think the rate for labor right now is about $86/hour. and what you mentioned are big jobs and it does take time and time adds up.

[Karinsbestfriend]

Angel Pie *in texan accent*

[peach_cube]

You almost have to have a car. One of the things that my dad told me was that whenever you need a car go to the richest area around and check for people trying to sell. Usually, richer people become bored with cars faster and just want to get rid of them as soon as they can so they can get a new one.

Toyotas usually grade out as a pretty reliable car. Always pay the 80 bucks to get your car checked out by a mechanic before you buy it though.

prayers

[Brother Adam]

Thanks for the input everyone. Reinne I wish you lived around here too! lol. So someone mentinoned if we absolutely have to get a new (new used) car Toyota is a good car. What about GM's? I know now to avoid Ford like the plague. Ideally I guess I should look for something a couple of years old so the value of the car has significantly dropped, but there's still a good deal of time left in the car.

What exactly do these 'powertrain' warrenties mean? Are they actually worth anything?

[cmotherofpirl]

Get an old Honda, they last forever unless some idiot runs into you.

[annie]

Any car that offers a 'powertrain warranty' must be a cruddy car-- we have always had GM cars thanks to my hubbie's job (supplier discount) but I think they are mediocre. Get a Honda--esp a used one, they do last forever!

[ReinnieR]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Jul 15 2005, 07:56 AM']Get an old  Honda, they last forever unless some idiot runs into you.
[right][snapback]644364[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

AMEN!!

[ReinnieR]

[quote name='Brother Adam' date='Jul 15 2005, 07:47 AM']Thanks for the input everyone. Reinne I wish you lived around here too! lol. So someone mentinoned if we absolutely have to get a new (new used) car Toyota is a good car. What about GM's? I know now to avoid Ford like the plague. Ideally I guess I should look for something a couple of years old so the value of the car has significantly dropped, but there's still a good deal of time left in the car.

What exactly do these 'powertrain' warrenties mean? Are they actually worth anything?
[right][snapback]644362[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

power train warranties are anything from engine to transmission to drive shaft to drive axles to wheel bearings, no body/cab/interior work or anylthing like that just anything that makes the vehicle move. bumper to bumper is evertyhing.i don't know if suspension, brakes and steering is covered in the power train warranty.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='annie' date='Jul 15 2005, 08:10 AM']Any car that offers a 'powertrain warranty' must be a cruddy car-- we have always had GM cars thanks to my hubbie's job (supplier discount) but I think they are mediocre.  Get a Honda--esp a used one, they do last forever!
[right][snapback]644367[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Yepper...

[Brother Adam]

That's really odd then. Toyota, GM, Kia, Ford are all offering 10 year 100,000 mile power-train warrenties, with the exception of some GM that also offer bumper-to-bumper. So that means that Toyota, GM, Kia, and Ford are all crappy cars?

[Brother Adam]

I ask because I'm going to look to see what else is out there today while we see if they can even find the some of the parts that are required in salvage yards. So far they've called every salvage yard in the 350 mile radius, and you can't get the parts new anymore lol.

[Brother Adam]

Look at Honda's. Check.

[homeschoolmom]

hehe... my yepper was in reference to Hondas lasting forever. I know nothing about powertrains or whatever...

[Brother Adam]

Well wish me luck here I go. I have a friend meeting me so she can put me in a headlock and drag me out if I try to sign anything, though I doubt that will happen. I don't exactly have $500 a month to throw into a new car in insurance and all that. But I know some sellers can be very sneakie hobbitsies

[Cam42]

So, how is your credit?

If your credit is good, you can qualify for various leases. This is a short term fix. You can pay as little as $200 a month. Once the lease is finished, then you can apply that to buying the car.

I would go with a GM....they have a great discount going right now. You get the same price as the employee. Even in a lease.

That is what I would do, it is the cheapest. And if you follow the lease, you can have a new car with all the new car benefits for less than you'd pay for a loan.

[Nicole8223]

Powertrain warranties are basically offered on any car sold by dealerships....its a good thing. I work for Subaru....so I suggest you buy a Subaru...lol.

We have two Pontiac Bonneville's in our family...and both are old with tons of miles, and run sooooo good. Look into them, too!