Buying New Car

[Juniper]

That thread about our first cars got me thinking. As I mentioned, I have a 2008 Honda CR-V. I like it all right, but I'm not in love with it. Yeah, yeah . . . I know. Some people are happy to have a car that runs with no major problems. I'm spoiled rotten. Oh well, that's not news.

I bought it in Jan 08, traded in our Kia Sedona minivan (which we liked very much). At the time I was thinking - whoa - four bucks a gallon! And getting ready to start college, which is a 40-minute drive. Plus I was going to be a cool college kid again, had to get something kinda sporty-ish for my mid-life crisis. (Yeah, that's as crazy as I get, I guess.) I really like the car; it's comfy and does everything I need it to do, handles very well in snow, holds lots of family clutter, a nice basic crossover car. I never had a bit of trouble with it, knock on wood. I'd recommend it. I think even the 2011 is exactly the same, so they got it right.

But now I'm thinking . . . a new car might be a really cool graduation gift for myself! I'd like a new SUV. Not something huge, but one that sits up a bit higher than the CR-V, something comfy with the modern bells & whistles like XM/Sirius, a GPS, etc. A 3rd row would be nice, unless it makes the whole thing way too big.

So I'm warring with myself. On one hand, OMG, what kind of idiot only keeps a new car 2 1/2 years? On the other hand, the car IS paid for, trade-in value is still pretty good, it's up to about 35K miles and things might start going wrong . . . . hm.

I mentioned it to the hubby, and it takes VERY little for him to get whipped up into car-shopping mode. I don't know why I expected him to say . . . yeah, maybe we'll shop in another year or so . . . but I did expect it. And of course he didn't. He said "Yay! Let's go test-drive! You deserve it baby!" LOL!

Well, we'll see. What would you do in my place? Reward yourself for all of that "A-grubbing" and use that car payment as an incentive to get your ass in gear and make some money with that shiny new degree, or just be a good girl and drive the Honda for a while?

[xoxoxoBruce]

That's the spirit, get the economy rolling again... besides some poor person needs your used car.

[Juniper]

Ha ha. More to the point, does Obama want me to buy a new car?

[lumberjim]

Juni,

I have been in the car business for 15 years now. I'm the Finance guy that signs your contracts with you. My advice to you is to keep your car for 8 more years. It will last that long, and still be worth a little. It suits your needs, and has a very good reliability rating for maintenance cost. You'd be better served 'treating' yourself to an expense that is much shorter term... like a nice vacation or a boob job.

Trading a car after 2.5 years is a bad idea. The cost of buying a car is a curve. During the first 3 years, you're getting ass raped by depreciation. During the next 4, you're recovering from it and pulling ahead of the expense/investment thing. keep it for 10, and you're in the black even if it's a hyundai or mitsu.
- so that's the realistic argument

but this IS america.... so ....

what car blows your skirt up?

[skysidhe]

I don't like spending money on cars but I do want it to look nice and be in good running order.

I bought a great car for almost 4,000. That's chump change to some. It is a cheap car relatively speaking but what is weird the people out panhandling for money look at my car like I am a good rich prospect.So I think because they get that puppy dog look or hold their sign a little higher. I dunno. Little do they know I am a poor slob just like them. I just happen to have wheels. In fact most times I would bet I have less money in my pocket than them.

ah life

[tw]

The April issue of Consumer Reports is only about cars. Maybe wait for the latest numbers - and time to think about it without winter doldrums.

[Cloud]

The CR-V is a perfect car. And paid for? Geez.

It will last you a looooong time, so if you're really unhappy with it, get rid of it. If you're not concerned about reliability and longevity (as I am) and get rid of your cars fast, then go with something flashy that will fall apart in a few years.

(frown jealously)

[Juniper]

I know, I know. Forget it, it was just a moment of insanity.

Like tw said, probably induced by many gray, gloomy winter days.

Instead I'll get my car some new toys.

[Cloud]

Well, I forgive you, because I've been eyeing new cars myself, even though mine still has a few good years on it. I want to save up some dough first though.

The CR-V is one of the ones I've been eyeing, and you're not the first person I know who has traded it in/considered trading it in, so I'm kind of wondering why. Too blah? What color is yours?

[Juniper]

I don't really know what it is, Cloud. I like the car, as I said. Too blah, maybe that's it. There's nothing wrong with it. I wish it sat up a little higher - it's not a "car", not quite an SUV, just a big compromise. Not exciting in any way, just practical, but stylish enough, you know? Like a pair of sensible dress shoes.

Mine is glacier blue.

And there are TONS of them out there. I don't know how many times I've gone to the wrong car and wondered why my key fob clicky-thing wasn't working. But if you choose a good car, that's what you're gonna get.

Maybe I need to put some neon on it or something. Pimp my ride.

[Cloud]

well, I'm used to sitting down low. and talk about TONS -- I have a silver Honda Civic.

the blue is pretty, but I'm going for a dark color next time. I wonder what colors wear the best?

[jinx]

Not black or white unless you live at the carwash. Gold hides dirt (but is ugly imo), silver always looks good but blends into the crowds of other silver cars.

[ZenGum]

I once had a job where I had to stand beside a road and count how many cars went past. No shit.
Anyway, it was done at morning and evening peak-hours, with the sun low or in twilight.
White cars were visible at maybe 800 metres, yellows and bright reds maybe 500, then dark reds, blues, blacks emerge around 4 or 300. Silver pops out at 200 or so but the smoky-gray with a dash of brown sneaks right up on you. Try the observations yourself. I will never again buy a car that isn't a bright colour; all my cars since then have been white.

[Pie]

I've been going through this same thought process myself. I've got a 4-cyl 2000 Honda Accord EX-L (what else, I'm a lemming!) with 144k miles. It's still in really good shape, but I've been eying the current crop of Hondas, maybe a Fit? I don't need a big 'family' sedan for my 5-mile commute.

But the economics just don't work. There's no way that better gas mileage will make up for the new-car ass-rapeage (as LJ put it).

So, maybe some toys for the current car. A new stereo, with bluetooth, USB & aux inputs? A detailing job, to get rid of all those tiny paint chips and rust spots? A new windscreen? (I've got two big chips on the passenger's side -- it passed inspection, but it's annoying.)

What's economical to do? What's practical?

Oh, and does anyone recommend HD radio? The receiver I've got my eye on (the Alpine CDE-103BT) isn't HD-compatible.

[classicman]

It all depends upon the speakers that you have in the car - If they are crap (most are) then I don't think it matters.