Need advice on new/used car ... PLEASE HELP!!!

mutineer10 · 12-28-2004, 05:36 AM

:casstet: Just in time for the holiday season, the old junker I've been "driving 'til it dies" has finally decided to give up the ghost. According to the mechanic, the joker has a leaking gasket or something, keeps blowing all the water/coolant out of the tailpipe (but isn't overheating ... yet). The problem is an intermittant, but developing, one. It's a 1994 Ford Escort with almost 113K miles, so it's hardly worth the cost of fixing a head gasket (estimated $500-$600).

Here's my relative financial situation. My credit's great, but I've already got a house note plus a significant note on my wife's car (plus bills, groceries, etc.). I also had a wreck that has resulted in a less-than-desirable insurance situation (fell asleep one night after working almost 24 straight hours ... jumped some railroad tracks). My wife's credit is not so hot, but needs improving and I think she could get a reasonable car loan. I'm a pretty cautious guy, therefore I don't wanna pay more than I have to just because the bank says I can afford it. I'm just looking for a reasonable, reliable vehicle to get me to work and back, and one that I wouldn't be mortified to take on a long trip if needed. Don't much care how it looks or the amount of prestige it will bring me.

I've found a few cars I think my wife might be able to get on her credit, and wondered if anyone had any good/bad experiences with any of them:

2002 Saturn SL1
4-door automatic
27K miles
$8,990

2004 Chevy Cavalier
4-door automatic
9K miles
$8,990

2004 Dodge Neon
4-door automatic
26K miles
$9,500

Has anybody had good/bad experiences with any of these types of cars, or any advice on other types of decent autos I might be able to score in this price range (less than $10K) or lower? Should I cough up the cash to fix the Ford and avoid all the car payments, insurance increases, etc. with the possibility that something else will go wrong in another week (I've already dumped significant money into the POS just to avoid a car payment)? Should I just try and find another junker I can slap cash down on?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated...

12-28-2004, 05:36 AM	#1
mutineer10 Site Donor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,739	Need advice on new/used car ... PLEASE HELP!!! :casstet: Just in time for the holiday season, the old junker I've been "driving 'til it dies" has finally decided to give up the ghost. According to the mechanic, the joker has a leaking gasket or something, keeps blowing all the water/coolant out of the tailpipe (but isn't overheating ... yet). The problem is an intermittant, but developing, one. It's a 1994 Ford Escort with almost 113K miles, so it's hardly worth the cost of fixing a head gasket (estimated $500-$600). Here's my relative financial situation. My credit's great, but I've already got a house note plus a significant note on my wife's car (plus bills, groceries, etc.). I also had a wreck that has resulted in a less-than-desirable insurance situation (fell asleep one night after working almost 24 straight hours ... jumped some railroad tracks). My wife's credit is not so hot, but needs improving and I think she could get a reasonable car loan. I'm a pretty cautious guy, therefore I don't wanna pay more than I have to just because the bank says I can afford it. I'm just looking for a reasonable, reliable vehicle to get me to work and back, and one that I wouldn't be mortified to take on a long trip if needed. Don't much care how it looks or the amount of prestige it will bring me. I've found a few cars I think my wife might be able to get on her credit, and wondered if anyone had any good/bad experiences with any of them: 2002 Saturn SL1 4-door automatic 27K miles $8,990 2004 Chevy Cavalier 4-door automatic 9K miles $8,990 2004 Dodge Neon 4-door automatic 26K miles $9,500 Has anybody had good/bad experiences with any of these types of cars, or any advice on other types of decent autos I might be able to score in this price range (less than $10K) or lower? Should I cough up the cash to fix the Ford and avoid all the car payments, insurance increases, etc. with the possibility that something else will go wrong in another week (I've already dumped significant money into the POS just to avoid a car payment)? Should I just try and find another junker I can slap cash down on? Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated...