General Discussion

Freddie

(10,151 posts)

55. Our family philosophy too

Sun Sep 28, 2014, 07:37 AM

Sep 2014

I read a study that you are far better off financially buying the $5000, 10+ year old car for cash and paying for repairs as they occur than buying a younger used car with a loan or (God forbid) a new car. You just have to be very careful in picking the model, mileage and condition of the car.
We are delighted with the 2001 PT Cruiser we found on Craigslist for $2200 a few months ago.

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People hear that 3/4 of poor Americans own a car and think this: [View all] hedgehog Sep 2014 OP

This is America. safeinOhio Sep 2014 #1

Yet, you can't write it off as a working-related expense. Trillo Sep 2014 #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #2

Is this better ... GeorgeGist Sep 2014 #5

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #10

That's awesome! CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #15

Was there a Olds or Buick version of the Nova at some time? amandabeech Sep 2014 #21

There were the Chevy Nova, Oldsmobile Omega, Pontiac Ventura... Tom_Foolery Sep 2014 #25

Then perhaps I'm not developing senile dementia after all. amandabeech Sep 2014 #28

You're welcome! n/t Tom_Foolery Sep 2014 #37

And my 82 Pontiac Phoenix customerserviceguy Sep 2014 #46

Olds Omega, Pontioc Ventura, Buick Apollo n/t Mopar151 Sep 2014 #49

Looks like an Olds Omega Freddie Sep 2014 #54

It looks like a 1974 Chevy nova to me. herding cats Sep 2014 #31

My Texas beater looks better than that, but then my Texas beater is waiting for me to come .... marble falls Sep 2014 #13

My Dad was an autobody repairman in Michigan. amandabeech Sep 2014 #29

harder to drive junker in LA. people would rather lease or pay over six or seven years Liberal_in_LA Sep 2014 #60

True; it was the closest I could get to show an older car without getting hedgehog Sep 2014 #3

Sure you can take a picture of a car that won't start when you need it to. thesquanderer Sep 2014 #9

Hah! And add Peugeot to that list. Throd Sep 2014 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Sep 2014 #11

+1.. We use sand in Colorado but it has it's drawbacks too SomethingFishy Sep 2014 #23

W/o mass transit systems in rural America Historic NY Sep 2014 #4

Try living in a sparsely-populated county. Archae Sep 2014 #8

Even if you live in a city and work an overnight shift KinMd Sep 2014 #19

$2.25 for a one way trip Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #36

spot on. and keeping it running is a huge problem cali Sep 2014 #6

my mom who basically lived on social security DesertFlower Sep 2014 #7

I keep mine until they're toxic waste on wheels. None of my vehicles save one was new. freshwest Sep 2014 #48

Our family philosophy too Freddie Sep 2014 #55

i bought my miata new but was willing DesertFlower Sep 2014 #58

Smart people drive cars a long time. My Pontiac G6 has 300K + on it. 7962 Sep 2014 #12

I buy off lease vechicles and drive them until they die csziggy Sep 2014 #40

Thats how you get ahead! 7962 Sep 2014 #44

The same people offended that poor people have cars are the same people outraged tanyev Sep 2014 #14

I've never bought a new car in my life. CaptainTruth Sep 2014 #16

Only reason I prefer getting a new car is history. NutmegYankee Sep 2014 #34

i agree noiretextatique Sep 2014 #39

Yep Freddie Sep 2014 #56

I hear some poors even have refrigerators and TVs eShirl Sep 2014 #17

I know... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2014 #18

nothin wrong with old TVs grasswire Sep 2014 #26

For the poor the problem is not getting a car daredtowork Sep 2014 #20

And insurance daleo Sep 2014 #24

Don't forget about breakdowns and things like tires that need to be replaced. Grammy23 Sep 2014 #27

Just like that Lucky Ducky comic Art_from_Ark Sep 2014 #50

This post deserves to go to the greatest page! hedgehog Sep 2014 #53

Most people can eventually save enough money to buy a beater. Throd Sep 2014 #33

That broken car probably contributes to pollution daredtowork Sep 2014 #35

I suspect that building a new car to replace it would generate more pollution Jackpine Radical Sep 2014 #43

The "earned income credit" might as well be called "the shitbox credit" Mopar151 Sep 2014 #51

I bought my car when I was doing well financially Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #38

i cannot afford a car noiretextatique Sep 2014 #41

Same Tree-Hugger Sep 2014 #47

Pretty rusty, but quite not dented enough. quaker bill Sep 2014 #30

Dumbass people might but a thoughtful soul might guess that it isn't the rich and famous TheKentuckian Sep 2014 #42

All those nasty rich (and middle class) people who sneer at the "fat" poor BuelahWitch Sep 2014 #45

The story of the $1000 car Mopar151 Sep 2014 #52

Well, if you look at the media (TV, movies) ladyVet Sep 2014 #57

"I'm grateful every day that we aren't as bad off as some people." hedgehog Sep 2014 #61

los angeles - few junkers, mostly shiny cars. Liberal_in_LA Sep 2014 #59