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asf


Kate Spade

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car advice...
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okay, i drive a 1997 hyundai elantra.  my mother bought it new, and when she died in 2001 she left it to me.  she had some kind of insurance that paid off the car when she died, so other than routine maintenance, a few minor (<$100 issues) and gas, i haven't really put any money into it.  my plan was to drive it into the ground and then get something else.


i've put about 70,000 miles on it in the past 4 years, and i'm at about 106,000 miles.  i brought the car in today because my check engine light came on last week, and it's something to do with my muffler/trannie/etc. - computery stuff, so it'll be about $600 or up to fix.


i don't know if i should fix it, or if i should trade it in and get something new.  i've never bought a car in my life, (i've had another of my mother's pass-ons - an 85 buick regal  and a 91ish dodge spirit that my dad got for $1500) and i've never had a "new" vehicle.  i think the only reason i'm even debating fixing and keeping it is for the sentimental value - it's the last thing my mother ever gave to me.  but otherwise, i don't love the car - it's been good and reliable, but it's not something i'd ever choose on my own. 


what do i do?  how much could i reasonably expect for a trade-in?  i know nothing about this sort of thing.



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nunzi182


Kate Spade

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This is a toughie. Being that your car is considered "old" in the trade in world, I wouldn't think you'd get a lot for it on a trade in. If you go to www.kbb.com you can put in your location and what kind of car you have, what it's equipped with, and they'll tell you what you can expect to get for it if you try to sell it on your own OR take it to a dealer.

I used to work at a car dealership and they didn't give people much money for their trade ins if they were older cars. I mean, the prices were so low they were almost insulting. I wouldn't expect to get anymore than $1,000 for your car just because they're really in the business of profitting for themselves.

Being that your car has sentimental value, if you can fix the car relatively cheaply, then I would just get it fixed and keep it until you run it into the ground. HTH!

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Elle


Hermes

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Definitely look up the trade-in value on it, as well as what you could get if you sold it outright.  Then when you go looking for a car, don't tell them that you're possibly going to use your car as a trade-in - if you get serious about something talk them down as low as you can get them, and then say "Okay, I want to trade in my current car as well."  Then you know that you got both the best price on your new car and they didn't totally screw you over by giving you $100 for your old car.


But, if it were me, I'd get it fixed and continue to drive it until it won't go another block.  It will save you money in the long run (as long as you aren't paying more than it's worth to fix it) in car payments and insurance to keep your current car.  That's another thing to consider - if you find something you want, call your insurance agent and get a quote before you buy. 



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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
mjfantabulous


Nine West

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Did you take it to a dealership or just a local garage?

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Sandy


Kate Spade

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I feel like we have a lot in common when it comes to cars... I used to drive a Dodge Spirit ('94) but it got totaled a couple weeks ago. My rental is a '97 Hyundai (Sonata). Weird, no?


Anyway, I'd keep it, if only for sentimental reasons... but that's not to say that you should keep it. First, like the others have said, look up the blue book value to see if spending $600 is worth it. If it is, fix it and drive it to the ground. If it's not, I suggest that you don't trade it in... I'd sell it privately through the classifieds or Auto Trader. You'll probably get more money for it that way to put toward a down payment. That's what I've always heard, although I'm not sure if it's always true.


By the way, I think it's very sweet that you want to keep the car in memory of your mom. It's been a good car, and it seems like you appreciate her gift to you very much. If you'd rather get a new car, maybe you should go for it. Just replace a spark plug or something and keep the old one... that way you'll always have a piece of the car your mom gave you. I'm sure she'd love to see you happily driving a nice new car, anyway .



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lsubatgirl


Gucci

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hey girl.  don't freak out over the check engine light.  Mine has been on for over a year and nothing is wrong with it.  My dad took it to a guy who he trusted and the guy said not to worry about it so get a second opinion before spending money.  It might just something minor that you don't need to worry about.

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asf


Kate Spade

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thanks for all of the advice, ladies.


stephanie - add to the list of things we have in common your name - my middle name is stephanie!


it was just a local garage that i took it to.  i'm going to call around and see if anywhere else will fix it for cheaper...or if it'll be cheaper if i get the parts myself and then they do it.  i think i'll keep this car until it quits working altogether...and start dreaming about what my next car will be.



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freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose - janis
shopgirl82


Chanel

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asf wrote:

thanks for all of the advice, ladies. stephanie - add to the list of things we have in common your name - my middle name is stephanie! it was just a local garage that i took it to.  i'm going to call around and see if anywhere else will fix it for cheaper...or if it'll be cheaper if i get the parts myself and then they do it.  i think i'll keep this car until it quits working altogether...and start dreaming about what my next car will be.

 


my bf found a guy who works in a garage and specializes on saabs to fix his car.  he went to craigslist and the guy did it for 1/4 of the price.  he also had references.  just thought i'd share..



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"i tell you one lesson I learned If you want to be something in life, You ain't gonna get it unless, You give a little bit of sacrifice, Oohh, sometimes before you smile you got to cry.." -The Roots
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