More car troubles...

[dalesql]

It seems the minivan has entered it's death spiral. A few days after I got it back from the repair shop with the new alternator, I hear the unpleasant and unmistakeable sound of rotating parts grinding against no longer slippery bearings. Drat. So I drop it at my usual mechanic to take a look at it.
Nope, the alternator is fine. The water pump on the other hand.. Nu-uh. And the timing belt is looking pretty worn out, and the tensioner pully for the timing belt AND the serpentine belt are also making funny noises and ought to be replaced. Estimate is $900 or more for that.
Also, the front brakes need serious work, tires are getting a little iffy for the upcoming winter. Engine mounts hae some serious rust in them, and there is some underbody rust that has penetrated into interior parts of the unibody structure.

Damn.



So I had my mechanic button the car back up and I'm now in search of a replacement vehicle. *sighs*

Anyone in the Boston area who has, or knows of, a halfway decent quality car I can get for under a grand that will still run and pass inspection? Preference is for a hatchback econobox car of some kind. I got a longish commute so good gas milage is important. Honda civic or the like. I don't care what it looks like, as long as it runs.

I'm also checking with my bank to find out what kind of auto loan I could get. Toyota dealers are still advertising clearance specials on 2009 models. So I'm off to one of them tomorrow. Instead of my other plans for the weekend.

Comments

[nahaniotieno.livejournal.com]

Check the Quirk lots, they seem to always be running a lot of specials.

Maybe also try looking up into New Hampshire, as well, like AutoFair and stuff like that. You won't avoid having to pay taxes, but the lots up there seem to drop some really good deals that i've seen.

I'd personally be leery of buying an inexpensive used car anywhere around Boston, especially something like a Civic unless it's got a really detailed service history to come along with it. A lot of those cars get the crap beat out of them because people go "oh, it's a Honda, these run forever!" and then do shit maintenance to them.

Also, don't you have a van right now? Downgrading to a compact would lose a LOT of versatility that you're used to, might wanna consider a small or midsize wagon of some sort if you're considering taking out a loan. If you're gonna make payments on it, might as well be something you want to make payments on, you know?

Also, bit of a tip...if you've got a bit more time with the current car, and are looking to buy new...find what you want...get the best price...tell them you'll consider it and be back in a bit.

They'll try and hook you, but walk away from it. Then call every dealership you possibly can, give them the make and the model, and the trim line, options that you want, tell them to give you their best price.

Apparently, this seems to be the best way to get the best deal.

Keep calling around in a big circle until you get the lowest price possible. Sometimes, though, dealerships, if they can't beat a price, will throw in extras to sweeten the deal, so that could be another thing to consider.

Dealerships hate it when you do that, but each one is trying to undercut the other for your business, and usually it gets results.

[dalesql.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna miss that cargo capacity, but I need the gas mileage more. Most of my driving is daily commuuting. I'd really like to get a hybrid hatchback like the Prius. Once you fold down those back seats, it has a fairly impressive amount of cargo capacity for it's size. and can't beat 55MPG highway.

[nahaniotieno.livejournal.com]

Too bad them hybrids can be so damn expensive.

It's like doing thigs to use less fuel and protect the environment are a fashoinable item for the rich.

Maybe a Matrix?

My new car is a Ford Fusion...which is a decent-sized car, and i've been achieving 30+ MPG on the highway with the four cylinder and manual transmission combo.

[dalesql.livejournal.com]

Well, I went shopping around, toyota dealer, Buick dealer, and the local(ish) used car lot. Toyota had only a few 09s left, and none of them were in my price and interest range.

Buick dealer had one that looked good. 09 hatchback, decent MPG, but it was loaded with lots of expensive accessories, and once all the marketing stuff was subtracted (added to the price) it was a $14k for a buick model that I had never heard of before. Filled out a credit application anyway.

Then the used car dealer. Who wasn't wearing polyester suits and included all the added fees in the advertised price. 08 Chevy Classic, 38K miles, came in from two years use for a government fleet car. Four door with a backseat that I can fit into. (I checked. tight, but I fit) and a trunk that was big enough for the amount of crap I usually carry around. All costs included, just under $9k. Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Put down a hundred bucks on it. Loan approval should come through on monday or tuesday, and since he pre-cleared me with the loan computer for $10K before he showed me any cars, should be no problem.
If I wasn't already scheduled for dental work tuesday morning, I could probably be driving it on tuesday night. So later this week, stop by, give him the rest of the down payment, sign my name many many times, and drive away in new wheels. *crossing my fingers nothing gets screwed up*

*Sighs*

[fyrdawg.livejournal.com]

What's a Chevy Classic? *blushes* (yeah I don't know that one)
I know it sucks to have to spend that kind of cash, but as you know it's just part of being an adult. So can I expect to see it at FF?

Stay Safe

Fyr

[dalesql.livejournal.com]

I;d never heard of a chevy classic either. four door small sedan. Pretty vanilla kind of car, which is perfectly fine with me. the only statement my car has to make about me is that I need a car to carry me and my crap around.

Furfright is probably only gonna be a day trip saturday for me. Cost of hotel room and potential for paying work that weekend being the deciding factors.

[nahaniotieno.livejournal.com]

Remember the first generation Chevy Malibu, circa 1997 or so?

Basically, when they went with the redesign of the Malibu, they rebadged some leftover ones as the "Malibu Classic" and sold them almost exclusively to fleet customers.

There's still a decent demand for the body style, so they still make a handful of them...I think they may have stopped producing that body style, but really not sure.

In all, the Malibu is a pretty solid all around car for the money, and they're not ticket magnets.

Sounds like ya done alright!

[dalesql.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that. I'm not tuned into the whole car scene, more than what pops up in the national news, and what I hear from a friend of mine who is a big Prius and alternative fuel booster. Have to see how things shake out on Monday with financing and insurance stuff.