Wife Totaled Her Car

[jinjuku]

I'll tell ya, she's pissing me off just a little bit... I'm driving a ten year old vehicle, she totals the newer one and now she's all "well I want cruise control" or "I don't like that model" and "I want a bigger car this time"...

Like fućk. We're getting what we can afford, and hopefully without a payment. Fuckin pick and choose and put restrictions on what she's willing to drive... booshit. She's lucky I don't revoke her license and buy a pair of Salk SS 9.5s...

I guess she can get anything she wants as long as she's willing to pay for it. Both my wife and I make more than decent money and live a low debt lifestyle (we only have a mortgage). We can certainly afford a really nice car.

When my wife was talking about a brand new (and not just new to us) I had one simple ask: Research the car you want, with the options your want. Get the price. Now take out your check book and write that number out.
If you can't make your hand write that number out all at once then you shouldn't get the car.

Same thing here.

Take the $11K you have. That's a check already written. Then simply tell your wife she can have any make, model, features above and beyond. Grab HER check book and if she can write out that number then she should go for it no questions asked.

 

[ryanosaur]

Grab HER check book

What's the "check book" of which you speak?

 

[lovinthehd]

When married whose check book is it exactly? I suppose maybe if pre-defined before marriage....

 

[ryanosaur]

The thing about leasing that gives me pause is that you are committing to a "subscription fee" model of car stewardship. Forever.
I could sell my 2012 CRV for 4-5k over what should be real value in normal times, and lease a nice vehicle for free, so to speak, for the first year. But thereafter, I will always have a monthly payment.
I don’t necessarily care about the car-as-equity component, but being able to pay it off and drive for 5-8 more years with only maintenance cost to account for is kind of nice.
You can always choose to sell or trade in and get whatever.
I’m torn, myself. My car is 10 years old in May. Trade in value is stupid inflated right now. But I sure as hell do not want to take on a monthly payment. Not for 5 yrs, and not for life.

 

[jinjuku]

When married whose check book is it exactly? I suppose maybe if pre-defined before marriage....

Been married 18 years. We each keep our own accounts and simply keep on the same page about who is covering what expense. We typically go over the big budget every 6 months.

Never been a problem.

 

[ryanosaur]

@Pogre
I will say, that if you find a competent Dealer, they are not playing games anymore. If you choose to explore new, they should not be surcharging MSRP. I have a local Honda Dealership whose Sales Manager is a friend and I've been chatting with him over the past few months.
He makes a good case for leasing, but frankly, as I wrote above, I'm not convinced.
That said, Honda is producing to fill orders, not create inventory. According to him, it can be roughly a 2 month wait for a new vehicle. (Buy or Lease.)
Regardless, Honda has rear view cameras standard in every vehicle. Cruise control is standard. And they still hold their value exceptionally well.
My last two cars have been Honda, and I have had the simplest purchasing experience each time, at two different Dealerships.
If you go somewhere and people are sweating you...
Leave.

 

[Eppie]

I wouldn't recommend the Escape. My mother owned one and it was costing her 3K in repairs yearly. However, that was 10-15 years ago so things may have changed.

The hybrid is a different beast but I would do a lot of research before seriously considering one. A friend of mine was an early adopter of the Chevy Volt and he's been pretty happy with that one. I don't think they'll be in Pogre's price range though. You still pay a good premium for them unless there are big gov't incentives.

 

[snakeeyes]

Sorry to hear this happened. Glad she is ok.

 

[Dude#1279435]

When married whose check book is it exactly? I suppose maybe if pre-defined before marriage....

Hers, silly.

 

[Alex2507]

Chevy Volt

Better to push a Ford than drive a Chevy.

 

[cpp]

Sorry to hear that. At least nobody was hurt. Regarding the car, let her pick it out.

 

[Push]

You've asked several times about certified pre-owned. I think its a gimmick, but it will depend on where you live. In Canada, you have 30 days from time of purchase, and if something breaks down, whoever you bought the vehicle from must repair the vehicle or give you your money back. This includes private sales. Many of certified pre-owned cars I've seen are 30 days full warranty. But having said that, I feel the certified lots check their stuff over much more closely.

A couple hints:
1) Ask to see the vehicle up on a hoist. They have one, or easy access to one. Look for leaks, grunge. The wash staff usually can't get underneath. If you're not mechanical, bring somone who is. Either that, or schedule an appointment with a trusted shop and during the test drive run it in and have them do a quick 15 min check.

2) Do NOT tell them you are paying cash. Dealerships get a reserve from the banks when they finance. It is substantial. If they ask, pretend you didn't hear them or give a non-commital response. This is probably the best advice I can give you. You will save money if the dealer thinks you are financing. Period.

3) I'll echo the sentiments on here: Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Add Honda Accord if you want bigger than a Civic. I wouldn't be scared of buying a Civic with 200,000kms on it and putting another 100K on it. If your wife doesn't like either of them, find a Civic Si thats been dressed up a bit. The bling may help her make up her mind

Good luck. Buying used is always a little stressful.

 

[Movie2099]

Nobody got hurt, but her airbag went off and the insurance company totaled her car, even tho it was still drivable... she ran a red light, not paying attention and hit another car.

It was a 2017 Hyundai Accent and was paid off, damnit. Insurance is gonna give us about $11k for the vehicle.

SO... were in the market for a car now, with somewhere around $11k - $15k to put down, or hopefully just buy outright. I'd really like to avoid a payment but would also like new. Nothing fancy. Good on gas, cheap and reliable. I'd even consider hybrid or EV, but those look to be a little more expensive right now... haven't been car shopping in forever. Certified used was suggested. I dunno, I've never looked into that. Tho it does sound like a decent avenue and should come with some type of warranty?

I fucking hate buying cars man. Not to mention my li'l Tacoma is over ten years old (relatively low miles and well maintained tho) and if anyone was due for a new vehicle it's me! Well that's out the window now... anyone have any suggestions for small, cheap and good on gas? I've seen ads for buying cars online now too. That might be interesting and less painful...

Good to hear the wife is ok.

I think this car would work best for the budget.....Pay it straight cash and possibly have enough left over to purchase some new equipment for the theater or 2-channel setup.

 

[Pogre]

I guess she can get anything she wants as long as she's willing to pay for it. Both my wife and I make more than decent money and live a low debt lifestyle (we only have a mortgage). We can certainly afford a really nice car.

When my wife was talking about a brand new (and not just new to us) I had one simple ask: Research the car you want, with the options your want. Get the price. Now take out your check book and write that number out.
If you can't make your hand write that number out all at once then you shouldn't get the car.

Same thing here.

Take the $11K you have. That's a check already written. Then simply tell your wife she can have any make, model, features above and beyond. Grab HER check book and if she can write out that number then she should go for it no questions asked.

You mean the checkbook we both share? Lol.

Everything is ours. We don't do separate accounts or checkbooks. We also live a very low debt lifestyle, with mortgage being our only one. We don't even carry cc balances. I'd like to keep it that way.

 

[SithZedi]

This has become a difficult thread to walk.
On checkbooks, its always better to have one. The one who is more prone to logic and reason should be in charge. That's a fun conversation. If you have to do two, have a "board of directors" meeting quarterly to continue to assess if its still a good idea. If my wife complains about my views on what she should be driving, I get the "your AV system is worth a good down payment on a car" response, so I am already at a disadvantage when that debate starts.

Back to cars, agree, buying a used high mileage car should not deter you but stick to the Hondas, Toyotas, & some Nissans & Mazdas. Maintenance costs are low for those vehicles and more parts are available for repair. Just have check the chassis. Some model years, (Toyota) used bad steel and they are prone to rust out earlier. I had that issue with a 2006 4Runner after 140k miles. I drive a 2 year old Tacoma now, and with current inflation, it has not depreciated. I will drive it into the dust. Whether buying or leasing, just do the long term math on usage, depreciation, and maintenance.

 

[Pogre]

If you go somewhere and people are sweating you...
Leave.

I have no problem picking up and walking off. Not in a hurry or desperate and I can ooze that attitude the entire time. I've walked away from high pressure car sales before. My credit is far too good to be playing games.

 

[Hetfield]

I have no problem picking up and walking off. Not in a hurry or desperate and I can ooze that attitude the entire time. I've walked away from high pressure car sales before. My credit is far too good to be playing games.

Same, same here. I have walked away only to be called back in a few days by the dealership. Of course those were different times.

 

[Pogre]

Same, same here. I have walked away only to be called back in a few days by the dealership. Of course those were different times.

Exactly! The walk off is a powerful tool. I've used it more than once. They really don't like it when you leave, lol.

 

[its phillip]

Glad nobody was hurt. This is one of the worst times to buy a car however…waiting a few months and paying MSRP is now considered a good deal.

Best of luck in your search!

 

[highfigh]

Those are what we've been looking at. Tryna get an idea of what's available and within budget. I really, really don't want a car payment! Both of our vehicles are paid off and that only lasted a couple of years! Grrr... and no, we don't get a new car every few years. At least I haven't. I've been driving my little Toyo Tacoma for more than ten years now and it still runs great. I wouldn't hesitate to go across the country in it right now.

You know anything about certified preowned/used? I know what that is, but I only know 1 or 2 people who went that route. I'm always afraid of ending up with someone else's problems buying used.

OK, they want to total it- how bad is it, really? Can it be repaired? If it doesn't have too much frame bending, that can be saved, as well as body parts. You should be able to buy it from the insurance company with a 'branded' title, which means you won't be able to buy collision coverage, but you won't need to shell out for a new/different car now and can take more time to choose something.