Wife Totaled Her Car

[Eppie]

I only bought new once in my life. Graduated from university and treated myself to a new Ford Probe in 1987, the first year they were released. They only had two on the lot. One fully loaded that I could not afford, and a white one with a manual transmission and no a/c. Ended up being a super reliable car (less options to break down). The Probe was a joint project with Mazda. Same drive train as the MX6 but the Probe had nicer styling. Mazda made a great 4 cylinder engine and that car only ever needed regular maintenance.

I hate that you loose thousands driving a new car off of the lot. Instant depreciation. Rental company cars are usually well maintained, so we often look at ex-rental vehicles with low mileage that are 2 or 3 years old.

 

[ryanosaur]

I only bought new once in my life. Graduated from university and treated myself to a new Ford Probe in 1987, the first year they were released. They only had two on the lot. One fully loaded that I could not afford, and a white one with a manual transmission and no a/c. Ended up being a super reliable car (less options to break down). The Probe was a joint project with Mazda. Same drive train as the MX6 but the Probe had nicer styling. Mazda made a great 4 cylinder engine and that car only ever needed regular maintenance.

I hate that you loose thousands driving a new car off of the lot. Instant depreciation. Rental company cars are usually well maintained, so we often look at ex-rental vehicles with low mileage that are 2 or 3 years old.

This is where scoring a previously Leased vehicle can come in handy. Three years old and usually in pretty good shape, always dealer maintained and somewhat mileage-limited.
The Lady bought a 1-yr old Ridgeline from the Honda Dealers rental/loaner stock. Not as good a deal due to cost, but still a nice vehicle.

I drove a Ford Festiva for 17 yrs, until the transmission gave out. I bought a new Fit in 2008. That rolled in early 2012 when I caught gravel from somebodies driveway going around a curve. Had I still been in the Festiva I likely would be dead. Insurance totaled the Fit and gave me almost full value back. That's when I snagged the CRV.

I'm not hell-bent on buying new, but sometimes it makes sense. In today's market, for example, with used cars going for such an elevated price, I personally wouldn't hesitate. Likewise, what NIN did with buying out the Lease.

 

[Pogre]

That is one thing that we can't go without in AZ is air conditioning. When it's 120° F (50° C) rolling your window down actually makes it worse. You go from an oven to a convection oven.

I went without the first year I moved out here. Never. Again. Lol

 

[ryanosaur]

That is one thing that we can't go without in AZ is air conditioning. When it's 120° F rolling your window down actually makes it worse. You go from an oven to a convection oven.

I went without the first year I moved out here. Never. Again. Lol

My dad used to insist on everything manual (including power steering), no AC, etc... He would quest for a vehicle that didn't have anything extra that could break down.
I don't even think you can get a car without AC these days. Definitely not power windows and the like.

He bought a Kia Soul a year or so back... and he went for the most tricked out version!

 

[Pogre]

My dad used to insist on everything manual (including power steering), no AC, etc... He would quest for a vehicle that didn't have anything extra that could break down.
I don't even think you can get a car without AC these days. Definitely not power windows and the like.

He bought a Kia Soul a year or so back... and he went for the most tricked out version!

I'd be tickled pink to find a standard transmission, crank window base model vehicle. Has to have ac tho. I think you said you got a dose of summer out here once didn't you? It's hard to describe it to someone if they haven't experienced it. I always hear the dry heat argument from folks back home. That argument holds some water, up to about 100° I'd say. You start going north of that and it matters less and less. It's just hot. Sucks the air out of you when you step from a nice air conditioned environment into 123° summer day out here. We get a solid 3 - 4 months of that every year

 

[ryanosaur]

I've been up in the 110º territory before. But not like a routine daily high. No Dry Heat BS makes anything over 95 ok.
Offer me 95% RH on a 95º day, though, or a Shotgun: I'll take the shotty everytime!

 

[Pogre]

I've been up in the 110º territory before. But not like a routine daily high. No Dry Heat BS makes anything over 95 ok.
Offer me 95% RH on a 95º day, though, or a Shotgun: I'll take the shotty everytime!

110° is hot for sure. Now imagine hitting that every day for a week in July and you consider it a nice break from the real heat...

 

[snakeeyes]

We hit 109 in Seattle one day last summer. No AC in my home or most homes. Think less than 30% here have AC and many AC units couldn’t keep up. It was a record and it was almost unbearable. We hosed off the dog several times with the garden hose to cool him down. We drove around with AC in the car a few times that day. LOL

 

[Pogre]

We hit 109 in Seattle one day last summer. No AC in my home or most homes. Think less than 30% here have AC and many AC units couldn’t keep up. It was a record and it was almost unbearable. We hosed off the dog several times with the garden hose to cool him down. We drove around with AC in the car a few times that day. LOL

Damn, that's really hot for your neck of the woods! It's also pretty miserable with no ac. I'd say 109 still slightly in that zone where humidity factors into it too.

 

[3db]

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...

I'm relieved no one was hurt. Thats something to be thankful for which I'm sure you are. I also TOTALLY get you and the PITA it is to look for and to shop for new cars.

Two things I would get in the next car is AC and cruise control. The rest of the power stuff is nice and convenient but not necessary. Those two options makes long unbearable drives more bearable.

 

[NINaudio]

https://www.cars.com/articles/here-are-the-10-cheapest-new-cars-you-can-buy-right-now-421309/

 

[NINaudio]

Dude, I ain't borrowing $10k. That ain't happening. Eff that. We'll share before I do that.

If your credit is good, you can get stupid low APR's. I got 2.1% when buying out the Civic lease. You can get 1.9% right now from Honda on the new Civics with terms out to 48 months. If you borrowed $10k at that rate, the payment would be 216.50/month for 48 months, which is a total outlay of 10,392. And with current market rates you wouldn't even have to worry about GAP insurance.

 

[NINaudio]

Just to illustrate how nuts the market is and why I'd argue for new vs used right now:

A CPO 2017 Honda Civic LX with 79k miles is going for $20,495 near me right now.

A new 2022 Civic LX starts at $22,350.

 

[lovinthehd]

Just to illustrate how nuts the market is and why I'd argue for new vs used right now:

A CPO 2017 Honda Civic LX with 79k miles is going for $20,495 near me right now.

A new 2022 Civic LX starts at $22,350.

Gotta ask, what are the differences in accessories/trim that LX may not particularly represent? I don't know, have not followed Hondas....

 

[NINaudio]

Gotta ask, what are the differences in accessories/trim that LX may not particularly represent? I don't know, have not followed Hondas....

LX is the base model for Hondas in recent times, EX is the next level up. Amenities will change over the years, but in general you get more amenities with the newer models at the same trim levels. 2022 LX's come with android auto and apple car play , whereas 2017 LX's did not. If I remember correctly, you needed to step up to the EX trim level to get android/apple integration for 2017 MY's. In 2017, Honda sensing (their safety suite with emergency braking, lane keeping assist, etc.) was an additional add on, whereas now it comes with all models.

I know that stepping up from LX to EX for my last Accord (a 2016 model) netted me a nicer (but still) fabric interior, larger wheels, heated seats, and android auto, among other things that I'm probably forgetting.

 

[SithZedi]

Just to illustrate how nuts the market is and why I'd argue for new vs used right now:

A CPO 2017 Honda Civic LX with 79k miles is going for $20,495 near me right now.

A new 2022 Civic LX starts at $22,350.

That's the same scenario that lead me to buy a new Tacoma vs used a couple of years ago. Inflation will only make this worse.
I would take a close look at used Mazda CX 5s if they are available in your area. They are reliable as Toyotas but they depreciate faster so they are 'hidden values" if you can get your hands on a used one. They drive very sporty too for what they are. The newer CX 5s models, post 2018, are comparable build wise to a BMW X3 circa 2012 but half the price with much less in maintenance costs. I owned both so had personal experience subjective as that is.

 

[Pogre]

My 12 year old truck is a Toyota Tacoma and it's still as solid and reliable as it was new. The sun has done a number on the paint but I've kept it well maintained, even kept up with the differential fluid crap, brakes, oil changes... it's been reliable.

This whole thing is really depressing me man. I was so happy to not have that car payment. My credit is excellent but I don't make as much money as I used to and I really really don't want another payment. Sigh.

 

[Pogre]

There's more to the story too...

My wife has epilepsy. She's had 3 seizures in the 24 years I've known her. She vehemently swears it was a simple lapse of attention, but I'm afraid she had a seizure and that's what caused it. Her recollection of everything is not good and she's having trouble explaining just how it happened... I'm questioning if she should even be driving.

 

[SithZedi]

There's more to the story too...

My wife has epilepsy. She's had 3 seizures in the 24 years I've known her. She vehemently swears it was a simple lapse of attention, but I'm afraid she had a seizure and that's what caused it. Her recollection of everything is not good and she's having trouble explaining just how it happened... I'm questioning if she should even be driving.

Sorry to hear that. Had similar with my dad couple of years ago. He refused to give up his license when it became too dangerous for him to drive and he got really sloppy in parking lots. Damn, he hit everything but Lotto. We ended up sending him a doctored up letter from his insurance company telling him they wouldn't renew his license. It was underhanded but it worked. Now we have the pain in the @ss of having to drive him around on errands.

 

[Verdinut]

LX is the base model for Hondas in recent times, EX is the next level up. Amenities will change over the years, but in general you get more amenities with the newer models at the same trim levels. 2022 LX's come with android auto and apple car play , whereas 2017 LX's did not. If I remember correctly, you needed to step up to the EX trim level to get android/apple integration for 2017 MY's. In 2017, Honda sensing (their safety suite with emergency braking, lane keeping assist, etc.) was an additional add on, whereas now it comes with all models.

I know that stepping up from LX to EX for my last Accord (a 2016 model) netted me a nicer (but still) fabric interior, larger wheels, heated seats, and android auto, among other things that I'm probably forgetting.

There are several versions of the EX. My 2019 model has Wi-Fi and USB connections, Vehicle Stability Assist during cornering, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System Alert, Power Moonroof, Four wheel Disk Brakes, Mirror Heaters, Tire Pressure Monitoring to name a few.