I'm currently driving around in a '95 Chevy Cavalier, but really haven't driven it much for the last 3 years as I've lived and worked in Chicago, so took the train to work. In fact, the only times I've used my car is to get groceries, and an ocassional trip to the suburbs. Public transit is pretty good.
That all changed when I got a new job last week in the suburbs, so I'll be driving out there everyday. Anyway, as my luck will have it, my car decided to stop working. It has been on/off the last few weeks in terms of starting. I thought it was the battery, and bought a new one, but that wasn't it.
I took it in to the repair shop and they couldn't find anything wrong; sometimes the car will start, sometimes it won't. It won't start if it is very very cold or if it snowed the night before. Otherwise, it typically works. I brought it in when it worked, and he couldn't find anything, although he recommended I replace the spark plugs and wires, which would cost $600. A lot of money for something that wouldn't fix it. And where my blue book value is about $500.
I got a second opinion and I think the guy was just trying to rip me off. Meineke replaced all 4 spark plugs, wires, and fuel injectors for $250. However, they said the same thing; they think that's the problem, but since they don't see the car in it's non-functioning condition, they are not 100% positive. The parts did look warn, though. For $250 I felt it was worth it. I do almost no maintenance on the car.
That being said, I think the car may last a bit longer, but something newer is in the near future. What are my best options, if my goal is to get as much utility from the car for the price? (Most miles driven per dollar spent)
Since I realize cars depreciate like crazy in the first few years, logic would tell me my best bet would be something like an '05 Honda Civic or an '05 Camry/Corolla, since they are both pretty reliable and inexpensive cars. My friend is in the same position as me, but I think he's buying one brand new.
Do you guys have any other suggestions or insight I may not see?
That all changed when I got a new job last week in the suburbs, so I'll be driving out there everyday. Anyway, as my luck will have it, my car decided to stop working. It has been on/off the last few weeks in terms of starting. I thought it was the battery, and bought a new one, but that wasn't it.
I took it in to the repair shop and they couldn't find anything wrong; sometimes the car will start, sometimes it won't. It won't start if it is very very cold or if it snowed the night before. Otherwise, it typically works. I brought it in when it worked, and he couldn't find anything, although he recommended I replace the spark plugs and wires, which would cost $600. A lot of money for something that wouldn't fix it. And where my blue book value is about $500.
I got a second opinion and I think the guy was just trying to rip me off. Meineke replaced all 4 spark plugs, wires, and fuel injectors for $250. However, they said the same thing; they think that's the problem, but since they don't see the car in it's non-functioning condition, they are not 100% positive. The parts did look warn, though. For $250 I felt it was worth it. I do almost no maintenance on the car.
That being said, I think the car may last a bit longer, but something newer is in the near future. What are my best options, if my goal is to get as much utility from the car for the price? (Most miles driven per dollar spent)
Since I realize cars depreciate like crazy in the first few years, logic would tell me my best bet would be something like an '05 Honda Civic or an '05 Camry/Corolla, since they are both pretty reliable and inexpensive cars. My friend is in the same position as me, but I think he's buying one brand new.
Do you guys have any other suggestions or insight I may not see?
