Buying a Newer Car -ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE-

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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • January 31, 2017 12:49 am at 12:49 am #619136
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    Please help me buy a newer car!

    This year, Hashem-helping, I will get a newer car. Mine is from last century. I’m nervous! B”H this car will be with me from now until I am a super super adult. Maybe.

    So how do I choose the car that I want to be driving in 5-10 years from now?

    Who will I be then?

    Who else would be riding in the car?

    I want a car that gives me the freedom of going to the beach or bringing my dog in the car without freaking out about the seats or whatever.

    MUSTS:

    -4 doors, at least (hatchbacks maybe, but it has to be more SUV’y then… but not big)

    -Sunroof (not-negotiable)

    MUST NOTS:

    -Station wagon (not-negotiable)

    The budget depends. I’m hesitant about putting this out there, but it’s enough to buy a decent car, and definitely not a luxury vehicle.

    Thank you thank you

    January 31, 2017 12:55 am at 12:55 am #1212968
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    TWO MORE MUSTS, please:

    -Safe (high ratings according to all those crash tests)

    -Good MPG (one of the top reasons why I want a newer car)

    My current MPG is 19ish city, and 25ish hwy. Pretty much any car gets better than that today, but I still want something good in today’s times (please G-d).

    Thank you!

    January 31, 2017 2:10 am at 2:10 am #1212969
    blubluh
    Participant

    Most of the questions you raise in the first post you must decide for yourself.

    If you have the time and access to the public library, perhaps you can look at the annual Consumer Reports automobile issue for descriptions of many models – including used vehicles – by brand along with price estimates, reliability and maintenance cost statistics and purchasing advice.

    Edmunds & Kelly Blue Book are also well known sources of used car info you may find in the library as well as PCs with internet access for online sites like truecar.

    January 31, 2017 2:29 am at 2:29 am #1212970
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    I don’t know. I’ve done this before. Several months ago. I’m tired of thinking about it. Been thinking in circles.

    When it comes time, and someone B”H will be here to help me actually go car shopping, I want to know what I want.

    The whole confusion is really envisioning where I want to be down the road.

    I listened to a shiur on shidduchim today. This rabbi is very different from Rabbi Manis Friedman, who says that your spouse has already been decided for you and to put your list away. This rabbi from the shiur is really big on making a list and focusing on whether or not this person fits your list and your vision.

    One thing he said is to consider who you actually are. If someone doesn’t like waking up early and learning, one shouldn’t just marry a woman who expects her husband to be davening in a minyan three times a day. He may say that he really is this good learner inside, and the right woman will bring that out in him, but generally he isn’t being honest with himself.

    So am I like that boy, thinking about needing a car to juggle a future family or life, while today I really only am at this level?

    Or…

    Is it like growing, where today I would have never guessed that I would be doing what I am doing, living where I am living, and loving the universe as it is, had I mapped out my life five years ago. No way no way would I have ever believed that I would have come this far. So why limit myself and think that all I deserve is a muznach rechev/mechoneet that needs frequent maintenance and does shaky things? Why not just accept that just because I have a less than metzooyan car today does not mean that tomorrow I won’t be capable of something better.

    Especially now I want to grow and fulfill my purpose in this universe, as Hashem Willed for me.

    Part of that is getting over the hurdle of finding a new shell for myself, new vehicle, and is this something like making a Must Have list for Shidduchim? Or is it pre-determined and do I need to pray and trust that the right car for me will come, even if it doesn’t look like it right away?

    January 31, 2017 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm #1212971
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    There are very few station wagons a anymore, they are considered uncool so they dont make them. They pretty much stopped making them a while ago.

    They were mostly replaced by minivans, but even those are considered uncool so while they make them, they arent that popular

    January 31, 2017 3:42 pm at 3:42 pm #1212972
    WinnieThePooh
    Participant

    I think you are thinking too much. Just buy a car that fits what your needs are. It’s a big purchase, but not a life-long commitment. I assume you are not planning on buying some fancy sports car that you will feel uncomfortable driving when you are 10 years more mature. And if you outgrow it and need a minivan in 10 years from now, you can always sell this one and upgrade to the larger car.

    I would advise in any case to get a car big enough to fit other people (i.e not one of those mini compact cars), so you can do chesed with your car by giving rides.

    I would ask your mechanic what cars are the most reliable- repairmen in general are good sources of information as to makes and quality.

    January 31, 2017 4:01 pm at 4:01 pm #1212973
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    I know a few cool outdoorsy people who love their suburu station wagons that they take on their outdoorsy adventures.

    For me though they are not fun and I don’t want one.

    I can understand why one wouldn’t want a minivan either. Supposedly the sliding door and seating is super useful when one is loading and unloading kids.

    January 31, 2017 6:07 pm at 6:07 pm #1212974
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    If you want to know car prices

    the main websites are KBB (Kellys Blue Book) and Edmunds

    You can check those website and see if you are getting a good deal or getting ripped off

    January 31, 2017 6:36 pm at 6:36 pm #1212975
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    ZD, thank you.

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