Car Advice?

[Dr. Cheese]

I’m retiring next year. If all goes well, a number of long standing bill will paid off and I will also be able to cash on a ton of unused sick days. I need a car, and new and used car prices are going through the roof.

I am considering three options: buying a budget new car like a Kia Soul; buying a nicer used car, especially if I can purchase an extended warranty; finally, spend $7-$10k on my 2004 Nissan Xterra. The car needs new catalytic converters and a knock sensor, fix power steering leak, needs new struts and suspension, repair ac. The Xterra has 200k miles and I think I could another 100-150k if I fix it.

 

[Brian Patterson]

Keep the Xterra - why go back into debt?
a lot of my choice for new vs. used is how many miles I'll put on the vehicle. I drive about 10k miles a year between a car and truck so buyin new is justy a luxury as depreciation will hit no matter how many or few miles I drive.
I've got a clean 2014 Venza (162k miles) and a 2003 Tundra (216k miles) - both are paid for and run fine - I'll keep them until they (or I) die! LOL

 

[bholder]

I definitely would not invest in a new gas car these days, they're already obsolete, imho. The EVs are getting way cheaper, but it will be a few more years before there is really an affordable used EV market.

 

[MJ5150]

I vote for fixing up the Xterra. You know what's wrong with that. Buying a used car means you're buying unknown problems.
Gas cars aren't going anywhere, so it's safe to buy one.

-Mike

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I should note the Xterra could use some body work for rust, since it snows here.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I definitely would not invest in a new gas car these days, they're already obsolete, imho. The EVs are getting way cheaper, but it will be a few more years before there is really an affordable used EV market.

I would love a reasonably priced EV.

 

[bholder]

I would love a reasonably priced EV.

They're coming soon. Actually cheaper to manufacture now... what I'm praying for is a fair priced EV cargo van, would buy in a minute...

 

[BassNugget]

I went from a decent mpg sedan (Mazda 6) to a Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue (Mild Hybrid). I get 57 mpg on average. My gas costs went from 450.00 a month to about 90.00 (California gas prices). best move I made, but I'm a commuter. I drive 70 miles a day at least.

I am not into EVs, but I do like these mild hybrid vehicles. If you don't plan to take trips, a gas vehicle may be just what you need.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I agree with Sportscaster Colin Cowherd " Never go cheap on Transportation and Toilet Paper"

Kia Soul is known for excellent value; I bought my Subaru Forester new in 02/2021 it's been great already have 85k on it;

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I agree with Sportscaster Colin Cowherd " Never go cheap on Transportation and Toilet Paper"

Kia Soul is known for excellent value; I bought my Subaru Forester new in 02/2021 it's been great already have 85k on it;

I had a Kia Soul back in 2015-2016. It was a great car. I “upgraded” and got myself nearly ten years of trouble. I recently rented a Soul to attend a funeral out of town, and the new ones are even better than the old ones.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

I’m in Ks, youre in Missouri. I would NOT get an EV. Outside the cities, there are lots of mom and pop run gas stations around here that do NOT have EV ports.

Heck, I’m not even in Kansas City anymore, I live in a farm town of 300. City folk won’t like hearing this, but I feel the Midwest is still a ways away from being fully EV friendly.

 

[MegaSwing]

I run cars until they’re used up, so THAT’S my advice. There’s no money in the bank better than a reliable car that’s paid for.

 

[superiorpine]

I need a car, and new and used car prices are going through the roof.

Which means it may be time to cash out the Xterra, perhaps in a trade. I would only go new for an EV, battery replacement on a used one is likely $$$$$. That said, for the last several decades, after reaching the maintenance cost barrier on my daily driver, I have sold it, paid for a 5 year old used car in excellent condition and driven it for 10 years. Cost per mile seems to work out when not having to fund a ton of depreciation. YMMV!

 

[Thumpin6string]

As a retired autobody repair guy, I'd highly recommend a good use Subaru. I prefer the 6 cylinders over the 4. I have a 2007 Subaru Tribeca, and it is one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. Also, it can haul a lot of gear, gets between 20-25 MPG and has a ton of power. Comfortable and fun to drive too.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I’m in Ks, youre in Missouri. I would NOT get an EV. Outside the cities, there are lots of mom and pop run gas stations around here that do NOT have EV ports.

Heck, I’m not even in Kansas City anymore, I live in a farm town of 300. City folk won’t like hearing this, but I feel the Midwest is still a ways away from being fully EV friendly.

I actually live on the Illinois side of the river and charging stations are pretty common here. If I go full EV, I would using it on sub 200 mile trips most of the time.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

The infrastructure is not in place to support an EV for anything other than a commuter car at this point. Keep in mind if you're traveling, it takes 30 mins to fast charge a Tesla after you wait for a spot at the charging station. It could take hours. Unless you're a rabid devotee of the technology, ain't nobody got time for that. Personally, I'll stick with gas or hybrid until the charging infrastructure is more fully developed. I'd also like to see some alternatives to lithium batteries. Not only is the production super toxic, it also poses a very serious fire hazard in that if it ever goes up, it can't be put out.

I don't think i'd sink that much money into the Xterra given the rust and potential for frame rot. Technology has come a very long way in the last 21 years. I would look for something sized right, reliable, and priced well on the used market. Like anything else, there are deals out there if you're patient and diligent.

Edit: spelling

 

[Jefenator]

15 years ago I got my first new car. It's been mostly boring since then, which is exactly the way I wanted it.
The plan was to run it to 20 years / 200K, then buy another new car & repeat.
I might run it longer if it's still going strong. I like having a stick shift and I doubt that'll be a choice, next time. (The plan had been to go to electric, maybe even self driving & skip the whole automatic transmission thing entirely.)
Keeping an old beater going becomes a complex process. I think I did a pretty good job with the '82 Subaru – fixing enough so I never got stranded, then selling right when a bunch of things needed doing all at once. I also had a '64 Volvo that was super cool & got me compliments. But it also broke down a lot – that gets old fast.
If you keep the Xterra, you should probably start anticipating then saving up for those unanticipated older car issues that WILL pop up. The body rust would probably tip the scale for me, toward starting fresh.
But YMMV - literally!

 

[Matt Kustom]

I’m retiring next year. If all goes well, a number of long standing bill will paid off and I will also be able to cash on a ton of unused sick days. I need a car, and new and used car prices are going through the roof.

I am considering three options: buying a budget new car like a Kia Soul; buying a nicer used car, especially if I can purchase an extended warranty; finally, spend $7-$10k on my 2004 Nissan Xterra. The car needs new catalytic converters and a knock sensor, fix power steering leak, needs new struts and suspension, repair ac. The Xterra has 200k miles and I think I could another 10E0-150k if I fix it.

Do not buy a Kia , the motors are toast around 80k. Nothing but problems with the engines.

 

[tpaul]

I bought my old Toyota Rav4 from a dealer for about $7k with 70k miles on it. I kept it going until I figured it wasn't worth continuing to put $ into. When I finally sold it this year, it had 169k miles on it. I bought a Toyota Matrix with 50k miles on it for $7k and I plan to drive it until it's done.

So my advice is to find a good used car with low mileage that won't put you into heavy debt. Get it thoroughly inspected by a mechanic you trust before buying, and check Carfax to make sure maintenance was kept up and the mileage is legit. Or, keep the Nissan going if you think the cost of repairs will be worth it.

No way I would buy a new car. It depreciates the minute you drive it off the lot. But, that's just me.

 

[meisi]

Cheapest car you can get is the one you already own. Unless you have a lemon fix it up.

Amazing what a few hundred in having the annoyances fixed in addition to needed maintenance will do for car satisfaction.

I think you have a satisfaction issue. Buy something less depreciating, like a bass!