Car Advice?

[Dr. Cheese]

I have a 2023 KIA Soul with the 2 liter engine, and love it. It is very smooth and quiet and gets up to 40mpg on the highway. I have a 10year warranty and depending on the dealer you buy from, you may get a lifetime warranty with lifetime oil changes. You can pack a lot of gear into that beauty. It is worth a look. Good luck on what ever you decide.

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Kia Souls, but I have never kept one very long.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

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...

I was all set to get a VW IDBuzz at the promised starting price of 40k .

Then they actually introduced them in the US at 70k !?

Fu VW they’ve been teasing them for 5years at 40k.

No way is it worth 70k! And the sales support that belief.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I have had nothing but positive experiences with Kia Souls, but I have never kept one very long.

I put 123k on my 14, and 80k on my 16.

The Hyundai Kona my wife drives is nice too.

Keep the Xtera and forget the dents ETC.
Limp it till it dies. Keep your eyes open there will be a flood of used EVs as the leases end and the rentals get returned / mileage limit reached.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

A couple things to consider (IMHO).
Do you want the expense of buying a new/used vehicle once you’re on a fixed income?
I’m a fleet mechanic by trade and have seen many different models go through their “life cycle” including EV’s, Hybrids, CNG & ethanol “dual fuel” vehicles, diesels, and traditional combustion engines.
It’s hard to go wrong with a low mileage used Honda or Toyota of almost any make/model. With regular maintenance they should last you until you’re ready to move to a retirement home.
With some of the other manufacturers it’s hit or miss depending on the particular model.
For instance, the Chevy Cavalier with the 2.2L engine was dang near bulletproof. The 1.8L they use in the Chevy Cruze’s are junk with goofy things like the PCV valve being built into the valve cover.
And while all vehicles will need things eventually (brakes, alternator, water pump, etc), some are not designed for longevity. For instance, the impeller in the ‘17-‘23 F-150 water pumps are plastic.

The used market can be a great source of info though. I regularly see Toyota FJ Cruisers selling with up to 350k miles which is a decent indication of how long they might last.

Ultimately it’s your choice to make.
Best of luck to you.

Honda or Toyota (Lexus) sounds good to me. The best car I ever had was a Corolla that lasted from 1998-2015.

 

[logdrum]

One thing that most mechanics told me is that newer Toyota's reliability has not gone up, while the rest of its competitors have and their powertrains and transmission need some updates. They said a powerful power plant that has reliability issues and a drivetrain/transmission that's not matched for that power. So do a lot of research before paying that Toyota tax. Also high mileage Toyotas are owned by people who took care of them . Some engines have design issues like the Subaru head gaskets or EcoBoost turbos, Know the generations' issues and you probably need to invest and mitigate the issues before they even surface and factor that in the price.

Having said that you just never know. Car ownership is a pain and sometimes boils down to luck,

 

[BadMonk]

I'm almost always in the fix it camp. Why? Because you know what you got in the car. If can fix some stuff on your own, that's even better. My 2006 Volvo has 192k miles. It's gone through a head gasket at 180k miles (put in a used 110k mile motor) and rebuilt the transmission. Yeah big repairs but as long as it's safe and road worthy, I'll keep fixing it.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

I’m not automotive mechanic but bit am pretty good with numbers. I can see investing $7,000 to $10,000 on a car to keep it but I wouldn't be really comfortable making that investment on a vehicle with 200,000 miles on it already expecting to get another 150,000 without other equally expensive repairs along the way.

Pretty much I quit buying new cars in the mid 1980’s mainly because of the initial depreciation. With information like incidents of repairs reports on late model cars online you can buy used cars with a higher degree of confidence you’re not going to have a lot of problems. Actually , these reports should be reviewed before buying new cars as well.

But, I think the biggest thing to consider is how many miles per year are you planning on driving, and what kind of diving you will doing. Driving mostly interstate or hiway driving is one thing. Inner city driving is much harder on a vehicle. I typically drive a lot of interstate driving my 11 year old Prius is closing in on 200,000 miles and it runs as good as the day I bought it. We also have a 24 year old Volkswagen Beetle that has been garaged kept.

What I do is take the purchase price and divide it by the amount of miles you plan on driving it adding in the cost of gas, rough cost of maintenance oil changes brake job, auto loan interest if any, timing belt service, and a set of tires. This will give you the net cost of operation the car per mile.

The Federal mileage deduction rate for business use is now $.70 a mile. My Prius because I bought it used on the other hand is returning a net cost of $15.8 a mile over 120,000 miles of operation.

It’s a lot stuff here and I hope you find it useful .

Take care.

 

[singlemalt]

4k gets you another year on the smog test?

I can see why you are on the fence with the xterra. I’d punt at this point. Buy a high mpg four banger and it’ll come with lots of cool stuff.

We push our cars till they die, and live with things like no AC, sticky locks, rattles and squeaks.

Out here in the sticks, with no inspections of any kind, I could keep a 95 legacy just for hauling wet dogs and local errands. Tags and insurance were less than $400 a year.

My Ford E250 is a 2000. It’ll run forever. It’s been babied.

But pushing old cars eventually gives you grief. Last summer, the 95 gave it up, and we had to walk the last mile to the repair shop to pick up the 2011 Outback.

Which had just eaten $3k for AC work and a radiator and a few other things. A month later it blew a head gasket.

So two down in a month.

I lucked into a 2015 CRV. Great car! Local cash deal, it just fell into my lap.

The Outback limped into the local dealer and was traded on new Crosstrek. We have used the Costco program to buy the last two Subarus.

Out here, all wheel drive and traction tires are the norm in the winter. If it weren’t for the winters, I be happy with a Corolla.

After a year with the two new rigs, I’m partial to the CRV. Bigger leather seats, better sound system, and not so much new tech.
The new Subarus are cool, but the huge screen and all the tech are distracting.

I’ll always look for a used deal, but sometimes it’s just time for a new car. About every fifteen years or so.

Since I’m retired and my wife works from home, we will probably drive less than 6000 miles a year, between the three rigs. Far less than when I might be driving 150 miles five days a week.

I’d trade the xterra, the dealer can get it passed for smog or sell it out of the area. Buy a nice car, it might be the last one you’ll need.

 

[hbarcat]

If best value for your money is a priority, then the best of the three options is to find a good deal on a used vehicle that's about 2 - 5 years old with relatively low mileage.

New car prices are just bananas, but you can get a lightly used car that's depreciated in price by an enormous amount yet will still be almost exactly as reliable and will very likely have 150 - 200,000 miles of life left in it.

On the other hand, a car that's 22 years old with 200k on the clock is virtually guaranteed to be a money pit.

In all likelihood, that vehicle will be in the shop every six weeks needing constant work just to keep it limping down the road.
In fact, you said that it currently needs about $7,000 in repair work, plus it has significant rust issues.

Don't try to make this decrepit old rust bucket your daily driver for the next several years. It served you well, but its days are numbered. Don't put another dime into it. Trade it in or sell it cheap on marketplace for the few dollars that it's still worth and get a car with an actual future.

 

[bassyogi]

I'd throw the Xterra up on a rack if you have access to one and look real close at the frame. If you have body rot...you may have frame rot and it may not be worth throwing coin at it.

 

[Major Seven]

For me (retired mechanic) rust is the deciding factor. If it is remotely structural, NO, and there is always 5-10x more than you can see.
You fix mechanicals you have some gain and longevity to show for it. You fix rust you add no value to anyone.

I pretend I am making a $100/month car payment. In one year I have 1200 earmarked for whatever repairs.
If that is doable for you, You have a car for that budget. A new car won't do that. Most new cars have annoying stuff/ features I dont' like anyway.
You need to find where the sunk cost fallacy line for you is.

The single most important subjective factor is, do you like/love the car. That will determine satisfaction in keeping an old car.
Sometimes if you really like the car other people do as well and it may retain some cult value resale value.
Xterra? I don't know. I drive a 91 volvo 240 (my newest car). It has a following so even if I were to loose in selling, it wouldn't be everything.

DO YOU LIKE THE CAR?

 

[bherman]

Also depends on how much you drive (especially when retired). I'm 70, retired for 10 years, and I'd be surprised if we drive 5k/yr at this point.

 

[beaglesandbass]

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 can’t tell if this is a joke or not.

Over 97% of the vehicles on the road in the US are gas powered. And 90% of new cars sold in America are gas powered. Sure EVs has boomed in the last decade but they still have a LONG way to go before anyone seriously considered gas powered cars “obsolete”.

With that said, I would not put $10k into a 21 year old vehicle. I’d be looking at an off lease vehicle if I were you.

 

[biobass]

I am also retired and in a similar position regarding the need for a newer car. I generally follow the pay cash if I can and drive it until it dies camp for cars. I have a 2009 Toyota Venza 6-cylinder, which I bought new, with 270K miles on it. The body is far from pristine, but not an embarrassment either. I have had it regularly serviced by my trusted mechanic. I followed his advice on what to fix and when. Fortunately, we have never needed major drivetrain repair, but I worry about transmission or major engine repairs in the future. I’m still comfortable putting some money into it for “standard” drivability and safety issues, but I don’t think that I would invest $7-10k in it in one fell swoop. Over the past year, I had to put a couple of thousand dollars into it for oxygen sensors, starter motor, heat shield, brakes, tires, etc., and had to have the dealer diagnosis and fix an annoyingly random car alarm going off (turned out to be a faulty hood latch).

Now, I only use the Venza for relatively short and for relatively less critical trips. For other uses we have a 2015 Subaru Forrester, purchased in 2018 with 5000 miles on it, through my mechanic who was selling it for the proverbial “little old lady” who had now moved to an assisted living facility. That car now has 170k miles on it. At this point, I would still invest $5k or so in the Forrester, and hope for another 50k miles on it.

My mechanic of over thirty years retired and sold his business. We have also moved two hours away. I’m sure that there are plenty of trustworthy mechanics, probably most, out there, but I need to establish a relationship with one.

Our next car will likely be a used certified pre-owned, or at least one that comes with some sort of warranty, likely, a smaller hybrid if we can. I’m not ready to go full electric just yet due to sometime lack of charging station availability, even here in northwestern New Jersey/ New York Pennsylvania area. With both my wife and I being retired, and our schedules being somewhat more flexible, we don’t need two SUVs anymore. I can fit all my gig gear including my upright into the Subaru. We can also fit suitcases and two smaller dog crates for travel in it. Where we live, we still need two cars, but one can now be significantly smaller.

We have had very good luck with both the Toyota Venza and the Subaru Forrester.

I had a pre-diesel-gate VW Sportwagen that I loved, but I will likely never buy another VW after the blatant corporate dishonesty involved. I’ve owned more VWs over the years from Beetles , to Rabbits, Golf, Jettas, Passat than any other brands. They were fun to drive and practical, but not as reliable as our Toyota and Subaru have been.

Good luck in your retirement and car search!

 

[winston]

My wife & I had to make a similar choice this year, had a 2009 Subaru Impreza that was kind of a lemon (IMHO Subaru doesn't make 'em like they did in the '80s/90s when they were as solid as Toyota, Honda & Nissan) and needed catalytic converter, O2 sensor, brakes, transmission, bearings and cabin was leaking water at 125K miles (probably $6-7K all in); and a 2010 Corolla with 168K miles needing brakes, front/rear axles, at least front struts, and new tires ($4-5K). Looked at used cars, in my area I'd be seeing 3-5 year old Honda/Toyota/Mazda with 70-100K miles, no extended warranty - for maybe 4K less than new!

We ended up going with two new hybrids (Corolla - bought and Honda Civic - 3 yr lease). Traded the old Corolla and donated Subie to charity. Got a few cash off incentives I wasn't expecting, and didn't want to wait and see a few months with all the tariff insanity. I've been in the "spend 5K on a car with 180K miles only to find out it needs another $5K 3 months later" merry go round too many times, no regrets.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

I wouldn't dump 10k into a 21 year old car.

Do you have a trusted local mechanic who knows the actual car? Ask him or her what to do.

 

[Matt Kustom]

Honda or Toyota (Lexus) sounds good to me. The best car I ever had was a Corolla that lasted from 1998-2015.

The Honda auto trannys are the issue. They last alot longer with proper fluid changes and using good fluid like redline

 

[wjcstp]

I agree with the mechanic above, I live in Minnesota and I’d be leery of putting significant money into a 20+ year old car that’s been driven year round in the salt belt.

I bet you could take that 10k the xterra would need plus the trade-in value and be well on your way to a ~2 year old car that will last another decade with fewer problems and better mileage for cheaper cost over time.

It sounds like EVs are a feasible option for you, you might try a Chevy Bolt - you can find them for under $20k. I’ve driven one a few times, they’re very similar in size to our Honda Fit but zippier (if a bit less cargo capacity).

 

[J Wilson]

I came to a crossroads like this with a long-since paid for Buick LeSabre where it needed some attention in several systems.

When I made the calculation I was going to spend 5 grand to end up with a perfectly good 2 grand car, that was that.

You decide what makes $en$e for you.

I'd also say electric cars will always remain a very certain second choice until the day comes where you can pick either a conventionally powered car OR an electric vehicle with no real penalty, they are roughly equivalent. We're not there just yet.

Next door to Nashville, Nissan builds their LEAF EV.

If I wanted to run down to Birmingham to go to the Barber Museum, it would run me a tank of gas each way (roughly 250 miles each way) and I could go and come back the same day.

Make the same trip in the Leaf, I'd run out of charge around the TN line, and would have to recharge. I MIGHT make it to the museum from there, maybe not, with another recharge. Repeat to come home, stretching a one-day trip into a several day venture.

And keeping a gas car for trips and an EV for around town is just extra expense I don't need.

Of course other EV's have better range, but this is 70mph virtually the entire way, and I'd lose more range if it's cold weather. So, not right now.

These problems will be engineered away over time, and then I might really consider one.

I'd also pass on this tip: With the car market centered on the SUV's and pickups, CARS are relatively cheap, particularly domestic cars like Malibus, Ford Fusions, things like that. Expect to pay more though for Camrys or Accords.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Definitely would not drop $10k to repair an old gas guzzler. You could take that money an use as a down payment for something much newer and far more fuel efficient. What kind of driving do you do? City? Commuting? Highway?

I was recently listening to some talk radio and the subject was EVs. They asked listeners to call in to comment about owning an EV. Not one single caller regretted owning an EV, and none of them were planning on getting rid of theirs.

Some food for thought... I've been happy with my long paid for Kia Soul

Additional food for thought: my partner's 2008 Corolla five speed runs like new and gets 42mpg/highway.