I need a new car

[CardiacCoug]

Any way, what's wrong with keeping it simple? My grandpa was very wealthy for his day and drove a Ford Maverick, which became my parents when he passed. My mentor, a luminary in the stock market and worth hundreds of mil, spent most of the last 30 years driving a $500 pickup that wouldn't go further than 50 miles without a problem and recently splurged on a $15,000 used car.

Here in Brazil, you drive a nice car, you're asking for problems. I think that's generally true everywhere. Fun, yes. Make you feel good? Yes. But more problems? yes.

Agreed. There were some really nice advantages to driving a beater car (Plymouth Neon) when I lived in Houston.

The best thing was that I could park it anywhere without worrying about it (sketchy neighborhoods, super-tight spaces in parking lots/garages, etc.). I got it towed once and one of my friends told me I should just let them keep the car rather than getting it out of the impound lot. I seriously considered that, but decided to go get it out because I still wanted at least a few more months of use from it.

The only downside to having a crappy car is the risk of it breaking down. After I've had a car for a few months, it's just my car and I don't really even think about whether it's nice or not.

[Surfah]

Agreed. There were some really nice advantages to driving a beater car (Plymouth Neon) when I lived in Houston.

The best thing was that I could park it anywhere without worrying about it (sketchy neighborhoods, super-tight spaces in parking lots/garages, etc.). I got it towed once and one of my friends told me I should just let them keep the car rather than getting it out of the impound lot. I seriously considered that, but decided to go get it out because I still wanted at least a few more months of use from it.

The only downside to having a crappy car is the risk of it breaking down. After I've had a car for a few months, it's just my car and I don't really even think about whether it's nice or not.

No offense, but if I saw my cardiologist driving a Plymouth Neon it'd raise my eyebrows.

[FN Phat]

A little out of your price range but might be worth a look.

This one might be a bit under-powered for the size but is plenty enough if you do not plan on doing a lot of towing.

Check this one out.

I really like this one

Not a bad option

Last but not least (especially at the gas pump) and the most versatile option

The V10 is a bit of a gas hog (read 8-10 mpg) but is as bulletproof gas motor as you can get. It has enough ass to pull what ever you throw at it and as turnkey as you can.

An older 7.3L diesel is a great option if it can be found in your price range. I have 277K on my 1995 and it still pulls strong. I <3 the 7.3L

[CardiacCoug]

No offense, but if I saw my cardiologist driving a Plymouth Neon it'd raise my eyebrows.

None taken. Why is that? Trust me, everybody else was telling me the same thing -- it was only for a year and I really wasn't making a ton and we were saving up for a down payment for a house, paying off student loans, etc.

I guess people might wonder if you had a drug problem or gambling problem -- is that why it would raise eyebrows?

[Surfah]

None taken. Why is that? Trust me, everybody else was telling me the same thing -- it was only for a year and I really wasn't making a ton and we were saving up for a down payment for a house, paying off student loans, etc.

I guess people might wonder if you had a drug problem or gambling problem -- is that why it would raise eyebrows?

To many the vehicle is a sign of success and instant credibility that is all. What you proposed didn't even cross my mind though I suppose it may to others. When you consider what one pays for your services, I think many would think why is my doctor driving a car that I'd pay cash for to give my teenager?

Curious, who was saying the same thing? Other doctors? I have had friends in other fields (law and real estate) whose co-workers pressured them into buying nicer vehicles simply because they felt that their frugality reflected poorly on the business or practice as a whole.

[TripletDaddy]

Is Fords traditional reputation for making crappy cars going entirely by the wayside?

The F series has been one of if not the market leader for trucks for who knows how many years.

Ford has been wildly successful in the SUV market with the explorer, expedition, and now the escape.

The mustang continues to be reinvented and still enjoys great popularity amongst American car enthusiasts.

cars like the escort or taurus seem to stay on the road past 200k miles.

Ford has even managed to grab ahold of the hipster demographic with the Flex.

What does the younger generation think of ford? Because it seems like the old "Fix Or Repair Daily" image is a thing of the past.

[mtnbiker]

Hey guys,

I need to find a new car for the wife. Her 2002 Corolla got in a fender bender a couple weeks ago (everyone was fine, no one injured) and the insurance adjuster decided it was total loss. We have $5500 from insurance, and have decided we can afford another $7000 in cash (hurray for tax return money). So a total of around $12000 to $12500.

Anyone have any recommendations on a good mommy car? I really don't want to buy a minivan for her btw. We're thinking of options like the Corolla, Civic, Mazda 3, Elantra.

We've also thought about buying a new car for me and just giving her my current daily driver (2005 Scion TC). However, it's a 2 door and that makes it less easy to do mommy stuff like lugging our son around, moving groceries, etc.

Suggestions welcome. Good deals welcome.

Just because the insurance totaled it out doesn't mean you have to get rid of it. If you like the car, get an estimate from a body shop. If the estimate is close to the insurance value, you can "buy" back the car from the insurance. Actually, you just take the car back, and they give you the $5500 (minus a couple hundred dollars). I did that last fall when a crazy lady ran a stop sign and hit my daughter's '96 Sentra. The local Maaco guy was great, and the car looks better now (full repaint) than it did before. My daughter loves the car, and even calls it Phoebe.

[mtnbiker]

KC there is a cool dark blue 250 for sale in Orem. We were driving down to the BY this evening and I saw it. How is this for lousy directions....going south on state street in Orem, you come to an ATT Spring mobile store on the northeast corner of the intersection. Turn left (east) there and the truck is in the front yard right there on your left hand side.

Only prob is that they are asking $16k, at least that is what it said on the window.

I might be down there again in a few days so I will try to snap a pic and get better info. I thought it was a tough enough lookg truck, though.

Here is the truck DDD referenced. It's at 1600 N State in Orem, in front of a carwash. Looks like the phone # is 801-318-7776, if you're interested.

[TripletDaddy]

mtnbiker! That is the truck. I guess my directions werent so crappy after all.

[Moliere]

Hey guys,

I need to find a new car for the wife. Her 2002 Corolla got in a fender bender a couple weeks ago (everyone was fine, no one injured) and the insurance adjuster decided it was total loss. We have $5500 from insurance, and have decided we can afford another $7000 in cash (hurray for tax return money). So a total of around $12000 to $12500.

Anyone have any recommendations on a good mommy car? I really don't want to buy a minivan for her btw. We're thinking of options like the Corolla, Civic, Mazda 3, Elantra.

We've also thought about buying a new car for me and just giving her my current daily driver (2005 Scion TC). However, it's a 2 door and that makes it less easy to do mommy stuff like lugging our son around, moving groceries, etc.

Suggestions welcome. Good deals welcome.

Those are only mommy cars if you have very young kids. Teenagers (and maybe some pre-teens) would have issues riding in the backseat of those cars. I have a small car since I have a decently long commute, but I also haul around some teenagers from time to time and they literally have to squish into the backseat of my car.

I've had a mazda 3 for a while now and have had no issues with it. I'm over 80,000 miles, so hopefully it gives me many more.

[FN Phat]

Here is the truck DDD referenced. It's at 1600 N State in Orem, in front of a carwash. Looks like the phone # is 801-318-7776, if you're interested.

That truck is bad ass. If the miles are half-way reasonable that is a helluva deal.

[Surfah]

Here is the truck DDD referenced. It's at 1600 N State in Orem, in front of a carwash. Looks like the phone # is 801-318-7776, if you're interested.

That thing has to have 150k+ miles on it at that price or something is wrong with it. Or maybe the cost of diesel has driven the price on these way down. Utah and Texas seem to be the two best markets to pick up one of these. Lots of them makes pricing pretty good. Still that seems to be a really good price. Looks like new tires and obviously aftermarket wheels. Seems like a really good deal.

For reference I sold mine in '08 for $14k. It was a '99.5 with almost 140k miles, just a super cab, not a 4 door crew like that one. The Harley trim line is pretty loaded. Read, mine had no leather or any of the other goodies. That's most likely an '05.

Here's a comparable one on eBay at $22k right now with 76k miles.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NO-RE...item3a65542cdb

[TripletDaddy]

How do these trucks do in the snow?

[mtnbiker]

That's most likely an '05.

Good eye. Looking at the image at full size, the passenger window says '05, and has another phone number: 801-722-8678.

[Surfah]

How do these trucks do in the snow?

Pretty well. Mine did anyway.

Good eye. Looking at the image at full size, the passenger window says '05, and has another phone number: 801-722-8678.

I didn't notice that. I just knew it was after '04 because of the front end. That grille was part of the '04-'08 gen. And I think '05 is when they first offered that package in black. In '04 it was a gray and black two-tone with an orange pinstripe down the side. The newer ones are real sweet. Black with ghost flames.