Thanks Mike at Smileys for selling me a LEMON 5 years ago.
(someone give him my blog address please...)
Fortunately this lemon falls under the clunker deal!
So here is the question. Do I save my Xterra until it dies which could be anytime in the next year maybe two.
Or do I trade it in for $4500 and get a new car that will for sure last atleast the next 5 years?
The Sentra is what I can reasonably afford without feeling uncomfortable. I can actually get a BRAND NEW Sentra for the same monthly payment as the Xterra which is literally falling apart. Xterra Pros:
No more payments
4WD
Xterra Cons:
Needs new rear main seal ($900+)
Needs new windshield ($200)
Other fixes that are small, but needed if I keep it ($500)
Paint chipping
Old
Gas guzzler
Sentra Pros:
New
Built in bluetooth (then my mom won't hang up on me while driving since it's illegal in WA to talk on cell and drive at the same time)
Warranty
almost double the gas mileage the xterra gets
Biggest Pro is RELIABILITY which I definitely don't have with the Xterra
Sentra Cons:
I'd have to get used to driving a car over and SUV
No 4WD
If I had my choice I'd be driving an 09 Acura...
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
7 comments:
Wait and see how your new job goes and then budget the new car in! screw the big red one.
Look at something from Kia or Hyundai.
Much better value for money.
Try looking at Toyota and see what you find. The Corolla is a superior car than a Sentra and I can ask my brother to give you a great deal at Wilson Motors...
Ok, so the Red Xterra is now a few years older and perhaps weaker and it's understandable why you'd want a newer car.
the question is not one of needs but rather of wants. Sometimes it's difficult not to fall prey to the overwhelming desire to "upgrade" vehicles. Becaus it's a very subtle yet strong pull to do so. But i say, review in your minds the real deal. Is it a want or is it a need? Only you could answer the question.
Here is what I see.
Don't buy it:
1. A payment of ($300) times 60 months equals $18000. (even with your supposed $4500 trade, the dealers are going to raise the price of the new car to match what they would have got or something close. Seems at least ten times the amount of the repairs needed on your car.
2. Now add your insurance which will be nearly what your payment is. (it always works out that way). Also with insurance companies now running credit checks, it could augnmet your rate should the credit be weak.
3. Also add the worry that you've entered another long term committment where they rule and you pay. It's a form of bondage. If you want to test this out just don't make a payment and watch what happens.
4. You'll worry about parking it in a safe place and heaven forbid that the neighborhood kid should ever scratch your paint with his handlebars. (every car of ours is a victim of this yes, even the 300)
5. The total of the payments to both the finance company and the insurance is quite a bother when your trying to save money. Now, you have no vehicle payment and insurance if it is liability is cheap and you can save say $250 per month for 3 years or 4 years and pay cash for the car.
There's a reason that your folks always drove older cars. We could afford them and we owned them. It was comfortable. I think that is more important than styling.
I say keep running the Xterra. It owes you nothing and the gas you put in is cheaper than a car payment and you are in charge and not the banker.
Love
Dad
I say ride the clunker around...and save up for another one. I love clunker driving and it may just surprise you and last longer!!:)
The new car wasn't in the cards for me...and I'm glad we didn't spend our savings to get a car. Keeping my fingers crossed on the clunker!
Hi! I love that you used that idea. I still have the trees for the cupcakes if you want them. Otherwise I'm going to toss them.
Ps- Bonnie and I are friends. I saw that she commented on your blog too. Small world.
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