Shopping for a car

hearlady said:
I think things have changed. They just want "their" money.
I think keeping and maintaining your current car is a good option.
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have you seen her current car... it's not pretty lol..... I understand she has an affection for it... I think most of us do if we hold onto a car for a long time... but in this case, beauty is in the eye of the beholder..
 
One thing that we haven’t really talked about is the learning curve associated with switching to a new and different vehicle after a quarter century with the same vehicle, same features, technology, etc…

It was a bit of a steep learning curve for me to go from a basic 2012 vehicle to a 2025 computer on wheels.

I didn’t even have a clue as to how to start the vehicle without a key. 😉🤭😂

I still haven’t mastered all of the features and don’t feel comfortable fiddling around with even the most basic things like wipers, lights, etc… when driving.

I feel good that I did step out of my comfort zone and purchase a new vehicle but it was a bit of a challenge for me.
 
Aunt Bea said:
One thing that we haven’t really talked about is the learning curve associated with switching to a new and different vehicle after a quarter century with the same vehicle, same features, technology, etc…

It was a bit of a steep learning curve for me to go from a basic 2012 vehicle to a 2025 computer on wheels.

I didn’t even have a clue as to how to start the vehicle without a key. 😉🤭😂

I still haven’t mastered all of the features and don’t feel comfortable fiddling around with even the most basic things like wipers, lights, etc… when driving.

I feel good that I did step out of my comfort zone and purchase a new vehicle but it was a bit of a challenge for me.
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exactly that Bea...I had the same issue with this Kia... My Manual Ford's only fancy'' thing was electric windows... I had to relearn everything in this new car.. and even this hasn't got all the bells and whistles that my daughter and X have always had on their cars.. whereas, I always have been happy not to have all of that :D
 
Aunt Bea said:
One thing that we haven’t really talked about is the learning curve associated with switching to a new and different vehicle after a quarter century with the same vehicle, same features, technology, etc…

It was a bit of a steep learning curve for me to go from a basic 2012 vehicle to a 2025 computer on wheels.

I didn’t even have a clue as to how to start the vehicle without a key. 😉🤭😂

I still haven’t mastered all of the features and don’t feel comfortable fiddling around with even the most basic things like wipers, lights, etc… when driving.

I feel good that I did step out of my comfort zone and purchase a new vehicle but it was a bit of a challenge for me.
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LOL Yep. Jumping from a 1994 to a 2014 was . . . challenging. It's now 2026 and I still don't know how to set radio stations.
 
debodun said:
What's not pretty about it?
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I wondered if I had my cars confused. I didn't think yours look bad even with all of the age on it.

I've thought about this more. You're between a rock and a hard place. At least when I got my truck I was still in my 60's and was fairly certain I'd live long enough to pay it off. And knowing how much I drive, unless something really bad happens, it will be my last vehicle. You're right on the cusp of no longer driving. But, if you can afford it, my attitude is if you need it get it. To heck with what you leave for others. It's your money, your safety and your peace of mind.

Spread your search out further. Don't let what is available nearby determine what you choose.
 
I'm certain Deb ignores my posts but offering an opinion is what forum interaction is all about.

Reading the various posts by Deb it's easy to see she really wants to keep the car she has. She lives in a rural setting unlikely driving on a 4 lane highway & she describes not wanting to travel very far to shop for anything.

Living in upstate N Y she describes only needing the a/c to clear the windows on rare occasions. As long as the heater works why bother with the cost to repair it? The dash lights she explains she rarely drives at night. No safety issue she might even be able to try this.
2002 honda civic dash panel lights not working - Bing

I believe she is looking for approval to keep the car she has & somehow not need to use even the comparatively small amount it will take to replace the brake lines & assorted other needed parts.

My opinion is keep the car you have, get the needed brake repair done keep up the routine maintenance & drive it until the engine or transmission fails.

Reading the invoice for an oil change & air filter

I don't think Deb has access to much in the way of competitive auto servicing I wouldn't expect Deb to try to replace the air filter but to be charged $42.49 for the air filter & labor to remove & replace she got ripped off big time.

Not for her 2002 but similar enough to understand the $15.00 labor charge is outrageous. IMO it should be included in the mark up of the air filter cost.

a87564 engine air filter replacement video - Search Videos
 
Knight said:
I'm certain Deb ignores my posts but offering an opinion is what forum interaction is all about.

Reading the various posts by Deb it's easy to see she really wants to keep the car she has. She lives in a rural setting unlikely driving on a 4 lane highway & she describes not wanting to travel very far to shop for anything.

Living in upstate N Y she describes only needing the a/c to clear the windows on rare occasions. As long as the heater works why bother with the cost to repair it? The dash lights she explains she rarely drives at night. No safety issue she might even be able to try this.
2002 honda civic dash panel lights not working - Bing

I believe she is looking for approval to keep the car she has & somehow not need to use even the comparatively small amount it will take to replace the brake lines & assorted other needed parts.
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Hit-the-Nail-on-the-Head-3-UCLnet.com_.gif
 
Deb what is the farthest you drive in one trip? How many miles a year?

If your longest trips are 15 miles and you're only driving 5k miles a year I say keep your car until it dies.

For the most part cars are a waste of money. Sure if you're driving daily you need reliable transportation, and if you spend a lot of time in your car I get wanting something nice. But in a lot of ways cars are a vanity purchase, we buy way more car then we need because we want to pamper ourselves.

Deb seems happy with her car, it may have some ailments (like all of us) but gets her back and forth so is doing it's job. With her deteriorating eyesight and likely less and less driving I think her reasoning for keeping her current car is just.
 
C50 said:
Deb what is the farthest you drive in one trip? How many miles a year?
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My biggest use is delivering meals to shut-ins and that averages of once a week. Right now it's about a 23 mile route not counting the 9 miles back and forth from the pick-up place and back, so a total of about 30 miles. I usually do my grocery shopping when I go to town to do this so I don't have to make an extra trip. Of course there's a few trips on the side if I have to go to WalMart or JobLots, but that may be two or three times a year.
 
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Knight said:
I'm certain Deb ignores my posts but offering an opinion is what forum interaction is all about.

Reading the various posts by Deb it's easy to see she really wants to keep the car she has. She lives in a rural setting unlikely driving on a 4 lane highway & she describes not wanting to travel very far to shop for anything.

Living in upstate N Y she describes only needing the a/c to clear the windows on rare occasions. As long as the heater works why bother with the cost to repair it? The dash lights she explains she rarely drives at night. No safety issue she might even be able to try this.
2002 honda civic dash panel lights not working - Bing

I believe she is looking for approval to keep the car she has & somehow not need to use even the comparatively small amount it will take to replace the brake lines & assorted other needed parts.

My opinion is keep the car you have, get the needed brake repair done keep up the routine maintenance & drive it until the engine or transmission fails.

Reading the invoice for an oil change & air filter

I don't think Deb has access to much in the way of competitive auto servicing I wouldn't expect Deb to try to replace the air filter but to be charged $42.49 for the air filter & labor to remove & replace she got ripped off big time.

Not for her 2002 but similar enough to understand the $15.00 labor charge is outrageous. IMO it should be included in the mark up of the air filter cost.

a87564 engine air filter replacement video - Search Videos
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I know no one else can make the decision about what do with the car. I just wanted to get a feel of what other people would do in the situation.
 
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Other than the car appearing to be a little dirty, it looks fine to me.

Knowing Deb from my years on this forum, I'll mostly echo @Knight's advice: Fix the brakes and perhaps the AC. See what it will cost to repair the door chime and dashboard lights.

Deb might be looking at only a few more years of driving and seem reluctant to part with the $30K+ it will cost to get a 2-3 year old car.

As mentioned by others, don't underestimate the massive undertaking of learning 2022-ish vehicle after years of a 2002, especially with wonky vision. New cars are basically computers on wheels.

Agree there have been dramatic safety improvements over the past 20 years.

I was driving grandchildren around and knew more babies were soon to be in the pipeline, so in Feb 2020 I replaced my beloved 2001 (gas hog) Infiniti SUV with a 2017 new-to-me Rav4 Hybrid. The safety of people besides myself was at stake.

However, my issues aren't necessarily Deb's.
 
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