One thing I despise is shopping for cars. I don't like dealing with the dealers, used car issues, and all that goes with it. I have never owned a brand new car and I probably never will. I would be happy with horse and buggy and just feeding the horse and oiling the buggy (not really but sometimes it sounds cheaper and easier -- the Amish have it made when it comes to gas and hassles).
My husband has a 1994 Saturn that we both just really like, but it has started having some major problems of late. It has started making very loud (okay, has been making loud noises for a long time now) noises and running very rough. He took the car in to a shop and they told him that he needs the water pump and some other thing replaced. Well, one of those two items is going to cost too much more than it was worth for us, so on Saturday we decided to put it up for sale (it will appear on Craig's list soon) and look around for something to replace it. Hopefully we can find someone who knows what they are doing and can fix it themselves. To make a long story a little shorter, he found something he really liked (he kept raving about the stereo -- he likes that loud). He ended up buying a 5 speed Kia Sephia. Well, he did not even make it home. A little over half way from the dealership his clutch went out.
Thankfully the dealer was willing to work with him and told him that he basically had two options (because he had signed on the dotted line for a car that is "as is"), those were: they would pay for half of the repair work and we pay the other half; or we can use the full amount of what we payed for the car as a down payment on something else on the lot. We thought the deal was more than fair. They could have said, "too bad, so sad, your loss".
We tried the second option first and a couple of things looked appealing (one being a cadillac catera --never thought I would like a cadillac, and a camero --gas hog). He test drove another Saturn, but the price said it all. There was so much wrong with it that it would not have been worth it. We were just not comfortable with anything from that lot, so we will just be paying for the repairs on his little car and bringing it home (hopefully it will make it this time).
What we have decided to do is this:
1. sell the Saturn SL1 (anyone like cars and knows how to fix them by themselves enjoy) and apply to payment of Kia.
2. sell the old Oldsmobile that is rotting in the garage and apply to payment of Kia.
--meanwhile making a couple of extra payments on it to get it paid off sooner.
3. sell minivan -- Pontiac Montana -- and replace it with newer model (if we are going to have payments, we might as well have payments on our family vehicle.
4. Money from van, go towards down payment (or full payment) of new car for husband. Then of course, sell Kia and apply towards one of the two "new" cars.
We just figured that this was the wiser choice. It is amazing when the options have been considered through prayer, peace is found.
Hopefully all this will all go through in the next few months as I would LOVE to drive a new van to Disney World in the Spring.
Anyone want to buy a Saturn? okay, how about a 1978 Oldsmobile? no? Okay, how about a Pontiac Montana, loaded?
2 comments:
Or you could roll your car over in a meadow a couple of times. I hear that's a good way to get a new car! :-) Although, speaking from experience, I don't recommend it!
Sorry to hear about all the car needs! I'll be thinking of you...praying, too!
I would rather not experience that kind.
Especially with kids in the car with me.
Hitting a deer is a good way to get a new one too. Jason tried that one a couple of years ago which got him the Saturn.
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