Few payments away from completely owning my car. Gf wants me to get something practical (Women, am I right?) I would like to stay around $4k. Just a quick browse through autotrader at what types of cars are in this area around that price, seems to be a bunch of volvo wagons, which I love.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Does anyone know a good Volvo forum? I searched around but I cant seem to find any good ones.
Anyone know any issues or things to look out for with 850 GLT Turbo Wagons?

 

Put that money down on a new car lease.
It will cost less in the long run because the warantee covers everything besides consumables.

 

I'm with shlammed. Everything I ever see around the $4-8k price tag has tons of miles on it. I just can't see spending that much money for something with 150k miles.

 

So it's a better idea to spend the money on something you don't even get to keep? I say as long as the miata is reliable, and you don't have to haul around a ton of stuff/kids, then it's perfectly practical and you should just ignore the gf.

 

O RLY?
So he should not only throw away 4k but also start making payments on a car he either wont ever own or overpay out the *** for if he chooses to buy out?
Oh joy, sounds like so much fun.



Buying new you will almost ALWAYS lose a ton of money.
Paying interest on something is money you're GIVING AWAY.

idiots

 

I refuse to lease and have absolutely no interest in any new cars what-so-ever.

 

$4k?

Accord?

 

We're on our second Volvo 850. First was a '93 GLT non-turbo. This one is a '96 Turbo.

Very easy to work on, and both have been very reliable. The '93 had well over 150k on it when it was totaled. The odometer on the '96 stopped at 153k a year ago. No major issues w/ either car. The turbo burns a bit of oil, could use a turbo rebuild. That's about it, just regular maintenance stuff.

Would buy another for sure.
--Alex

 

Alex are you on any volvo forums?

 

I'm not, but the guys on turbobricks seem pretty with it. They have the only DIY paddle shift mod I've seen.

Lots of info on the 850's "white block" engine. 5 cyl 2.3L turbo, about 225 at the crank in std turbo trim.

They do tend to prefer the RWD platforms though.
--Alex

 

Get something practical.

New girlfriend...

 

I picked up a '93 accord two years ago with only 80k on it.. I've only had to pay for regular maintenance, its be dead nuts reliable. sure, I want something newer, faster, and with more room, but it's paid for and cheap. The tag only cost #35/year :lol:

a lease is a huge waste of money. Give away a few thousand up front, make payments for two years and then give the car back, plus more money if you chose to actually drive it? hell no.

 

Do the Volvo thing! Volvo wagons are bad ***, in a non bad *** kind of way...

 

Either the turbobrick path, or maybe buy a pre-made greasecar? IIRC those change hands in the 4k-5k range and the fuel is dirt cheap (they're just giving it away!).

 

One more if it matters.... The Volvo's get crap for fuel mileage. Our 850 Turbo averages about 23, and a friend has a non turbo 740 (I think) that is in the high teens.
--Alex

 

+1 on the Accord, but add Civic, Corolla and Camry to the list for a basic, reliable DD.

Parts are available, maintenance is easy, fuel economy is decent and resale will stay resonable in that some ricer somewhere will want to take it off your hands to make his uber-JDM dreams come true...

- L

 

If your car doesn't completely suck, why not try owning a car without payments for a while? I've been doing it for about 2 years now, and it REALLY doesn't suck.

 

You can get a real decent mid to late 90s subaru for 4k..if winter = snow where you live that is what I would get.

As far as the car payment thing... leasing a car is stupid. buying a new car is stupid. There is nothing wrong with loaning out a little bit to get something that will last you, but dont over do it.

Personally when I got out of college and got a steady good paying job I bought myself a MINI. it is fully loaded, has only 33k on it, and is in perfect shape with great records. It cost me 13K and I loaned it out for 3 yrs. I needed a reliable car, and I chose to get something fun that would last me. Yes i have a car payment for the next 3 yrs, but to me it made more sense than a 3-4 k car. If you have the means, get yourself a $10k car instead of a 4 and do a small loan. (Just remember now you have to have full coverage)

 

90's subaru wagon would probably be perfect

 

I have no idea what a greasecar is.


The reason I picked 4K is because Ive done a 4K loan before and the monthly payment is small enough that I can almost forget about it.