Talk me out of being an idiot....

[Vudak]

(This is about buying a car).

Five years ago I bought a '98 Lexus ES300 (yeah yeah, I know.  Sell out and for the floor, but what can I say, needed something "spiffy" - to someone who doesn't realize it's just a camry - for work)...  I was forced to buy this car, because the car I had (and loved) at the time, a '97 Ford Taurus SHO, just completely lost all sense of reliability.  I'm talking this thing would just decide to stop working - period - while on the road.  Not exactly a good scenario.

Currently, my Lexus has 195,000 miles on it (I piled them on) and runs like a charm, but, little things here and there are going bit by bit and the writing is pretty much on the wall that within the next year, I will be buying something else.

The long-range plan, is to give in to reality, and buy a car that's good on gas mileage, but that my mechanic can actually fix easily (no hybrid).  Long range, I'm looking at something like a Corrolla, Camry, or Accord.

Short range...  However...  Is where it gets interesting...

I am assuming that my current car is worth just about nothing.  I am assuming that by the time I go to buy a long-term car, it will be worth nothing.

The question I find myself asking...  Is should I spend the next 6-12 months with a car that definately at least will run, but which I will hate every time I get in, before going to the whole "responsible choice..."

OR....

Should I spend the next 6-12 months in a risky car that I know darn well can and probably will break down and leave me stranded with my thumb in the air one day...  But which I'd absolutely LOVE to get back into.

Essentially...  There are a few Generation III SHO's listed in my area for under $3,000.  And I really, really, really want to own one again in my lifetime.  I loooooved that car.

I'm thinking if I could talk them into giving me 1-1.5k for my "camry," I could drop a few hundred cash on the SHO and have a nice easy $100 or so monthly payment for a year.  Small enough to be able to save up to afford something "long-term" in the next 6-12 months.

It's just one of those situations where I know I'd be smiling my face off for a few months and then cursing like a sailor for a few days down the road.

To me, this seems like one of those great ideas that usually turns into a disaster.  You guys are pretty good at smashing dreams in here, so please smash mine

[Getback]

I'm not sure if you are looking at this right. If your car is running then keep it and especially if it is paid for. When or if you have the cash then buy your next car you want for the long term.

[Vudak]

That is obviously the wise and safe decision...  But the other side is this is my equivalent of buying the ol' '69 Chevy I had in highschool....

OTOH, I know first hand just how much stuff goes wrong on these things.  Headaches after headaches after headaches...  But my head's been doin' alright lately, and might be time to mess with it

[Dichotomy]

'Talk me out of being an idiot....'

That's like talking a dog out of urinating on a fire hydrant

just kidding... I have nothing else to offer.  My spouse wants a jeep.  I have two very functional and dependable cars.  She doesn't put a lot of miles on a car and I've thought about leasing her something until she gets the jeep bug out of her system.  She thinks I'm a moron for it but she thinks I'm a moron anyway

[33Vortex]

I here present to you the very answer you are looking for, should you take enough of your precious time to watch it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY

Good luck in your decision making.

[Vudak]

Well, I've seen that video mentioned in the other thread...  And yeah, it's not a smart economical decision at all (and also why I'm going to be stuck in cars I don't particularly enjoy for the rest of my life).

But that's part of the reason for considering this option in the first place...  Like a man on death row mulling over what to eat for his last meal...  Just mine is expected to last 6 months

[33Vortex]

Yeah, I hear ya. I work in the transport/logistics sector and seriously expect to not have a job within 10 max 15 years. It's a rotten deal we got but it's the only deal we've been given.

[VWE]

Look on ebay, I bought my last car there. I drove it for 6 months then sold it for $2,000.00 more than I paid for it. If you know what your looking for and are able to determine what is a good buy its an excellent place to shop. I'd say more than 80% of the sellers are dealers like the one I purchased my Integra from. I flew into Miami, Storch picked me up, and off to the dealer we went. My intent was to drive the car back to Texas but it had a cooling problem. This dealer installed a new radiator then shipped it to me in Texas at no additional cost.

I found you a SHO at a dealer: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-Ford-Taurus-SHO-Rare-1-Owner-Low-Miles-3-2-HO-V6_W0QQitemZ190236578739QQihZ009QQcategoryZ6238QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Hungry]

First good luck in whatever you decide, I'm sure that you will make the best decision for you. 

I solved a very similar situation.  I drove vans for the longest time 84 Chevy full size, 88 Astro and a 90 Chevy full size.  Loved them you cant beat the ride and the room and people do stay outta your way.

When the 90 wore out at about 185K I wanted to go with a truck of some sort for a change of pace but realized that the gas mileage would most likely suck.  Sooo I went and bought a new 2007 Nissan Versa six speed stick (faster than you would ever think) for the puddle jumping 35 mpg gas mileage to the office and back and then I bought a 78 Chevy short bed C10 that I stashed in the garage that I could work on and bring out on Saturday nights. Ya the money I saved with Versa I'll spend on the truck but what the hay.

[ZetaNine]

forget camry & accord

I'm sure this will illicit laughs........but only from the uneducated....








consider a Hyundai Sonata Limited, or a Hyundai Azera....we have both...

no car right now is better built, better backed, comes with more free features, is more safe, gets good mileage, and comes in THOUSANDS below most comparable models.

Hyundai is an up and commer...and very much the Toyota of 1982.   not the crap company or crap car is was in 1990.  Go test drive one......if you still hate the idea.....you'll at least have my respect.

[GtoRA2]

Keep the lexus as a backup, buy a SHO as a hobby. Wait a few more months. The worse the economy gets the less valuble hobby cars like the SHO will be.

Drive the turkeyoda tell the wheels fall off and junk it.

[Vudak]

I think I'll end up following your suggestion, GtoRA2...  To an extent.

There are a few low-priced ones in my area that I'm going to check out over the next few days.  If I can barter them down substantially (IE, to the point where I would be had I gone the trade-in route), I'll go for it now.  That's very unlikely, I know, but if there's one thing I've learned from life it's that you never know until you ask.

I do have a number of chips here.  The economy, the state of world affairs, and the fact that I've owned this vehicle before and know darn well how much of a lemon they can be (and exactly what to look for). 

At the very least, I'll get an idea if they are trying to unload this while they can.  If they are, and are reasonable, I'll grab it now.  If not, I'll pick one up in a few months when they don't have any choice but to be reasonable.  I have a feeling as gas prices continue to rise I'll have an easier time finding these aging, problematic V8 gas guzzlers on the cheap.

VWE - that's an interesting suggestion I might consider when it's time to get the "real" car, but I have no confidence in either my car making it to Colorado, or that particular car making it back home, and even before the price of plane tickets it looks to be more costly than the options around here.

[moot]

If the Lexus' value is depreciating and you know it's going to break down sooner or later, you might as well dump it now. The extra cash can pay for upgrades or repairs on a second hand car with a reduced price because of just one mechanical or aesthetic flaw.

[hlbly]

one problem you may want to consider is cars are going to take a huge leap in price shortly . Everything that goes into making them is skyrocketing in price .....take a look at steel prices for one bro . good luck .

[Delirium]

On the other hand, cars are going to be very different within the next 5 years, or we'll be stuck paying $10 a gallon for gas.

My car is paid off (03 Subaru Baja with 46k miles) and I'm not going to even look at another car until the economy, gas prices, and technology (ie hybrid/electric/etc) stabilizes a little.