Next chapter: shopping for new car as a single

@SeaBreeze this will be my first time paying cash for a new car. But I talked it over with my brother and he thinks it would be a good move for me. I like the no car payment thing.
This is why I will be able to travel a bit. And I do need things for the house. My furnace and stove are both original to the house, meaning over 25 years old. Got to plan for their replacements. Going to look this summer to replace furnace, even though it still works...do not need it to fail in the middle of next winter or anything
 

@Floridatennisplayer You got that right. I am kind of used to the progression of the dashboard with my current car. But when I sat in the Rav4, and read about what the dashboard does, I was overwhelmed.
This is one of the reasons I am waiting until spring to buy. I do not want to be learning the ins and outs of the car during the winter. I want to be able to take my time.
 
Marie5656 said:
read about what the dashboard does, I was overwhelmed.
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Marie, the word overwhelmed is an understatement. Yes, take your time learning it. And don't worry about it, I've had my car for 5 years and just learned how to open the hood. o_O:rolleyes:

I just bought my very first smartphone yesterday and had a friend teach me how to use it. Talk about overwhelmed. I got her notes and will read the quick-guide these days. Hey, I'm not THAT much of a dinosaur, I'm sure there are other geezers out there that don't even know how to use a computer or send emails, and I do. LOL

Mainly I got it to carry with me in case I fall and can't get to the home phone to call 911. And also, because I'm deaf, I can text whenever possible. And it's a good backup in case my desktop has problems or dies. So, it's a triple win-win, wish I had done it sooner.
 
Floridatennisplayer said:
Many new cars now are very advanced as far as operating controls. My mother is in the market as well and she is absolutely lost in my car. As you can see most all of my dash is a touchscreen. Everything is also voice activated. You just say what you want or need and it does it.
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These are the cars that make me think leasing is the way to go.

 
StarSong said:
We could probably have wrung many more years and miles from my 2001 Infiniti that had only 160K on it, but couldn't improve it's gas mileage nor change the outdated safety features.

Our new car came with all its service records. It was leased and serviced at the dealership where we purchased it.
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Cool, Star!
 
I don't buy new cars. They are a (rapidly) depreciating asset. I buy older low mileage luxury cars that hold their value or sometimes even appreciate. I recently bought a creampuff (like new) 1994 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe, 87,000 well-cared-for miles, for $3,000. It's a very classy ride. I'm quite sure I could re-sell it fast for $5K. It's loaded and every single thing works perfectly. I pay no attention to gas mileage, although the Northstar V8 managed 24 MPG on a recent trip to Charleston. The tens of thousands of dollars I save by not buying a new or newer car easily covers the cost of gas and repairs, if any. If I drove this car for five years and the engine blew up or something, I could send it to the junkyard and still be way ahead on cost of ownership. I realize this approach isn't for everybody however, my Cadillac, at 26 years old, is considered an antique/collectible and I have full coverage insurance (collision @ $8,000 stated value) for $465/year! Something to think about?Oct 2019 2 X30.jpg
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exwisehe said:
Good luck on your adventure. At 148000 on my old Honda Civic, I will soon be doing what you are.

You probably already know, but someone on another forum told me some interesting news about late model cars.

It concerns the parking sensor beeper, and according to this source we are able to change the volume and frequency of it, so that for those who wear hearing aids or have some hearing impairment like me, it may prevent them from backing into someone or something causing damage.

This person could barely hear the beeper and asked the car repair person what he could do about it. Well, the guy plugged something in & adjusted the volume to max, making this car owner very happy and he said the mechanic told him that most new cars, if not all, have this ability. So I will adjust the volume for sure for safety purposes the next time I have my wife's 2017 Accord serviced.
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Thanks for the info, @exwisehe. My hearing is still good, but the beeps have to compete with my radio. :cool:

As for the backup camera, I'm learning to check it to make sure there aren't any low profile items behind me (including small children), but most heavily rely on the (old) gold standard of rear view and side mirrors.
 
Nautilus said:
I don't buy new cars. They are a (rapidly) depreciating asset. I buy older low mileage luxury cars that hold their value or sometimes even appreciate. I recently bought a creampuff (like new) 1994 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe, 87,000 well-cared-for miles, for $3,000. It's a very classy ride. I'm quite sure I could re-sell it fast for $5K. It's loaded and every single thing works perfectly. I pay no attention to gas mileage, although the Northstar V8 managed 24 MPG on a recent trip to Charleston. The tens of thousands of dollars I save by not buying a new or newer car easily covers the cost of gas and repairs, if any. If I drove this car for five years and the engine blew up or something, I could send it to the junkyard and still be way ahead on cost of ownership. I realize this approach isn't for everybody however, my Cadillac, at 26 years old, is considered an antique/collectible and I have full coverage insurance (collision @ $8,000 stated value) for $465/year! Something to think about?
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My kids wouldn't let me drive my grands in a car with such old technology safety features, just as when they (my children) started driving 15 years ago, I mandated that they purchase vehicles that had air bags. No wiggle room on that one, though my boys begged for leniency.

With the exception of real estate, almost everything we buy is a rapidly depreciating asset.
 
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Nautilus said:
I don't buy new cars. They are a (rapidly) depreciating asset. I buy older low mileage luxury cars that hold their value or sometimes even appreciate. I recently bought a creampuff (like new) 1994 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe, 87,000 well-cared-for miles, for $3,000. It's a very classy ride. I'm quite sure I could re-sell it fast for $5K. It's loaded and every single thing works perfectly. I pay no attention to gas mileage, although the Northstar V8 managed 24 MPG on a recent trip to Charleston. The tens of thousands of dollars I save by not buying a new or newer car easily covers the cost of gas and repairs, if any. If I drove this car for five years and the engine blew up or something, I could send it to the junkyard and still be way ahead on cost of ownership. I realize this approach isn't for everybody however, my Cadillac, at 26 years old, is considered an antique/collectible and I have full coverage insurance (collision @ $8,000 stated value) for $465/year! Something to think about?View attachment 90821
View attachment 90848
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We've got an antique 91' classic Jeep Renegade that's our "toy", got a nice value, straight 6 stick, 4 wd, like this one, always been garaged...but we've got 2 other vehicles and don't drive a lot... the insurance isn't much savings over a new car...we don't have other than liability insurance on the Jeep. Just have comprehensive on the 14' Caddy. Anybody know how to get insurance down...like which insurance company is the lowest price for the best coverage? I'm thinking of changing companies. Anything with wheels does deteriorate, usually, lol.:
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Liberty said:
We've got an antique 91' classic Jeep Renegade that's our "toy", got a nice value, straight 6 stick, 4 wd, like this one, always been garaged...but we've got 2 other vehicles and don't drive a lot... the insurance isn't much savings over a new car...we don't have other than liability insurance on the Jeep. Just have comprehensive on the 14' Caddy. Anybody know how to get insurance down...like which insurance company is the lowest price for the best coverage? I'm thinking of changing companies. Anything with wheels does deteriorate, usually, lol.:
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We use AAA. Have been very happy with the prices, service and quick service on the couple of claims we've had. No nonsense from them.
 
StarSong said:
We use AAA. Have been very happy with the prices, service and quick service on the couple of claims we've had. No nonsense from them.
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So you don't "bundle" your auto with your homeowners? I've been hesitant to break that bundle up, but it just might happen. Have you priced around to be sure your triple A is in line with the coverage you have. Like uninsured motorist and a high liability coverage?
 
Liberty said:
So you don't "bundle" your auto with your homeowners? I've been hesitant to break that bundle up, but it just might happen. Have you priced around to be sure your triple A is in line with the coverage you have. Like uninsured motorist and a high liability coverage?
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Yes, we recently bundled our house insurance with them. Had separate carriers for many years but our (home) insurance agent retired and it was a hassle to find someone else to replace him. Time to look elsewhere.

We saved quite a bit moving home insurance to AAA, but don't regret all the years we overpaid a bit with Oregon Mutual. They were AMAZING when we got creamed in the 1994 earthquake. (They brought insurance inspectors up from San Diego within a few days, caught - and paid to repair- some structural damage that our contractors missed), and gave us settlement checks faster than anyone we knew.
 
StarSong said:
My kids wouldn't let me drive my grands in a car with such old technology safety features, just as when they (my children) started driving 15 years ago, I mandated that they purchase vehicles that had air bags.
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The '94 Cadillac I mentioned does have air bags and seat belts and could "take a punch" a lot better than the new little plastic econo-box cars.
 
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Liberty said:
We've got an antique 91' classic Jeep Renegade that's our "toy", got a nice value, straight 6 stick, 4 wd, like this one, always been garaged...but we've got 2 other vehicles and don't drive a lot... the insurance isn't much savings over a new car...we don't have other than liability insurance on the Jeep. Just have comprehensive on the 14' Caddy. Anybody know how to get insurance down...like which insurance company is the lowest price for the best coverage? I'm thinking of changing companies. Anything with wheels does deteriorate, usually, lol.:
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The Jeep would qualify for "antique" coverage through Hagerty Insurance, which is the company I have the Cadillac insured by.
 
Nautilus said:
The Jeep would qualify for "antique" coverage through Hagerty Insurance, which is the company I have the Cadillac insured by.
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Thanks a lot Nautilus...will check it out. Don't want to leave our "bundle" policy, so this might be the answer. The auto policies went up by 30 bucks a month!
 
Floridatennisplayer said:
Many new cars now are very advanced as far as operating controls. My mother is in the market as well and she is absolutely lost in my car. As you can see most all of my dash is a touchscreen. Everything is also voice activated. You just say what you want or need and it does it.
Click to expand...

So true ... sometimes all you have to do is think about doing something, and it does it for you! 😀
I'm still in the learning process on my new car.
 
StarSong said:
Yes, we recently bundled our house insurance with them. Had separate carriers for many years but our (home) insurance agent retired and it was a hassle to find someone else to replace him. Time to look elsewhere.

We saved quite a bit moving home insurance to AAA, but don't regret all the years we overpaid a bit with Oregon Mutual. They were AMAZING when we got creamed in the 1994 earthquake. (They brought insurance inspectors up from San Diego within a few days, caught - and paid to repair- some structural damage that our contractors missed), and gave us settlement checks faster than anyone we knew.
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Thanks, Star...we don't want to change companies unless we have to for the auto policy, as we've been in the "bundle" for years! Going to call them this week and "bleed on them" to lower it...lol. Know a lot of the liability issue has to do with the county you live in. We're at the very tip end of the big H town county so that's probably the issue with the increase this year.
 
Nautilus said:
I don't buy new cars. They are a (rapidly) depreciating asset. I buy older low mileage luxury cars that hold their value or sometimes even appreciate. I recently bought a creampuff (like new) 1994 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe, 87,000 well-cared-for miles, for $3,000. It's a very classy ride. I'm quite sure I could re-sell it fast for $5K. It's loaded and every single thing works perfectly. I pay no attention to gas mileage, although the Northstar V8 managed 24 MPG on a recent trip to Charleston. The tens of thousands of dollars I save by not buying a new or newer car easily covers the cost of gas and repairs, if any. If I drove this car for five years and the engine blew up or something, I could send it to the junkyard and still be way ahead on cost of ownership. I realize this approach isn't for everybody however, my Cadillac, at 26 years old, is considered an antique/collectible and I have full coverage insurance (collision @ $8,000 stated value) for $465/year! Something to think about?View attachment 90821
View attachment 90848
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Look at that baby! Great shape! A tank. You are correct. It is a great way to save money.

However, for a single, senior lady......like my mom......I have different priorities.
1. Dependability is number 1!!!!!!! I want to Minimalize chances of her breaking down out on the road. Peace of mind for me and her.


I have always leased cars for my wife and kids and purchased for cash, cars for me.
For them it in the past 15 years it has been Honda from our local dealership. The entire process is 20 minutes. Accords or CRV’s. Zero cash out of my pocket, brand new car, simple 24 month lease, 24 hour road side assistance, and in the $299 per month range. Recently has gone above $300. Peace of mind for me and them. Great gas mileage, Honda dealers everywhere, no hard to find parts etc. In 15 plus years, never a breakdown or one single issue.
 
Yes, that caddy is a honey...we also loved the old Lincolns of the 90's. Always had a company Lincoln! Now they
look like boats when you see them on the road, but what a great riding vehicle they were back then!
 
Liberty said:
Thanks a lot Nautilus...will check it out. Don't want to leave our "bundle" policy, so this might be the answer. The auto policies went up by 30 bucks a month!
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Just talked to them Nautilus...great folks. Saving by switching this classic Jeep over to them for "full coverage"... previously only had liability on it. Wouldn't it be great if you just drove classic cars! The agent told me about the "new classics" for which the 14 Caddy coupe may qualify this year...so hope it does!

Thanks a lot for your help. If you are ever in the neighborhood, stop in for a gourmet French meal. We owe you one, guy!
 
If you have the cash to buy a car...don't. Lease the car and put your money to work in something that appreciates not severly depreciates. Buy a blue chip stock like Microsoft or Amazon or Visa instead.
 

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