Ding Dong

[beetiger]

...the car is dead. Apparently the warning light about the oil was actually trying to tell me something. The engine has seized entirely, making it more or less useless. Even with a used engine, the cost of replacing it would probably be $3K or so, which with a blue book value of perhaps $2500 isn't really worth it.

Sorry Julia.

I'm trying to decide if I can actually convince myslef to take better care of the car I've been thinking of buying myself for a while, since the Prius is likely to be pickier than average, or if I'd really be better off buying something used and cheap but sufficient to get me to work safely. I can technically afford the new car, but it's unclear whether I should go that route.

Sympathy and car-buying suggestions encouraged. Any comments on what I should have done with my other car distinctly not encouraged.

Comments

[jenett]

Much sympathy.

Re: ideas: I adore my Saturn, not least because they generally have excellent maintainance records, and because dealing with the maintainance has so far (had my Creature 2.5 years so far) been extremely painless. (She also starts well in the winter, drives well (with anti-lock brakes and traction control) in winter, and a bunch of other good things.

I will, however, refrain from burbling further unless you're interested in more details. :) Creature is a 2000 SL2, which they've just phased out in favor of the Ion, I think it is.

[mike-kenshin.livejournal.com]

I had a 1992 SL2 (while I was out on the West Coast), and absolutely loved it. Saturns are good cars.

I now have a Honda Civic, and she's been absolutely fantastic *knocks on wood* for all the abuse that I've put her through over the last 2 years (750 mi every week).

But V, your car had done its time here, and gave all she was worth. It's time to let her rest.

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

The last six months or so with it had been pretty bad, indeed, and I think even without this, the maintenance bills for it were starting to skyrocket. I know 110K miles isn't really that much for a car these days, but you are right, I've gotten good value from the car since I bought it used in early '99.

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

Much sympathy. It's a lie that some people like to spread that 110K milse isn't a lot these days. For any car, one can expect a biggish repair ca. 50K, a big-ticket repair ca. 75K, and a big-ticket repair/crippling breakdown every 10K miles after 100K. There are some exceptions to the rule, but I sure haven't met them personally.

I would like to chime in with the joys of Saturn. The things that sold me on my 2001 little station wagon were 1) CHEAP INSURANCE -- dings and dents and scratches are *really* easy to fix on Saturns, as they have these nifty interchangeable polymer panels, 2) fabulous mileage -- I get about 27mpg around town, and up to 38mpg on the highway, 3) recyclable parts -- many of the innards are made of recycled materials and/or can be recycled when removed, and 4) no smarmy salespeople and having to bargain... I walked in, picked my customizations, signed things, and walked out.