A Newer Car is in Our Future
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
April 13, 2016 7:27am CST
While we were in Florida, our grandson Alex was driving our minivan. It is a 2002 so a bit of a senior vehicle. It broke down on him and we think it may be the transmission.
We always have two cars. Now that we are retired we really probably only need one car but we want a second car.
We have a dealer we always deal with and he found us a Nissan Sentra Special Edition. It is a 2011 and has 49,000 miles. We can buy it for $7,000. It is a very cute and sporty car and I liked the way I sat in the drivers seat.
It is also white which means it is the perfect car to become our Florida car when we decided to stop driving and start flying down to Florida. We are going to go for it.
We haven't bought a new car in 30 years when we bought 2. I had a new Oldsmobile and hubs had a new GMC truck. Now I am happy to be in the same decade!! lol New cars these days cost as much as we paid for our home 43 years ago.
Have you bought a new car recently? I know that they offer 6 year car loans but I have an aversion to having a car loan and I certainly dislike taking money out of savings.
29 people like this
27 responses
@Marilynda1225 (80050)
• United States
13 Apr 16
My last car was brand new 2011 Ford Escape and I leased it. Since I loved it so much and had little miles I decided to buy it when my lease was up.
That 2011 Nisan sounds like a great buy for $7000
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Apr 16
I think so we checked it out and it is a lot below book value. I have never leased a car but have been considering it.
@just4him (307773)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Apr 16
I haven't bought a car recently. The one I'm driving now was Dad's. I got it when they went into assisted living since he didn't need the car anymore and I needed a new one badly. My heater didn't work and that's not a good thing in winter. I'm still driving last century cars. I'm hoping to get into this century one of these days. It's a crime that cars cost the same as a person's home.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Apr 16
It is indeed a crime, I just can't get my head around it.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
14 Apr 16
@just4him I know it is crazy for those of us on a fixed income.
1 person likes this
@just4him (307773)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
14 Apr 16
@BelleStarr What's worse is that they expect you to pay off that kind of car loan in five to six years but a house costing the same is on a 30 year loan. I can't pay a house mortgage and a car loan that are the same amount every month. It's preposterous to think anybody could, but obviously people do and are.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
@DianneN lol Then I might not even be allowed in!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
lol Yes I think the Sentra will be fine for Ocala, they did let us stay with our Forester!! Palm Beach however we would need to rent a car!! lol
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247219)
• United States
16 Apr 16
@BelleStarr LOL! A Bentley convertible seems to be the car of choice there. $275,000 and it has roof problems!
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
13 Apr 16
I don't drive, but mys sister is looking to get a newer car (she drives a 1994 Lincoln Marc 8 ) probably next month after they close on the house we are living in on the 29th of this month. She is babying the car asking it to hold on til after the house closing
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
We had better all keep our fingers crossed that it holds out!!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
@Elizaby lol I had a Cadillac many years with no reverse. It was years before I didn't park on a hill or in a parking spot I could drive through!!
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6901)
• Pensacola, Florida
18 Apr 16
@BelleStarr We're hoping too. Just a few minutes ago when we were returning from the store I remark after she had opened the passenger's side door and I got in and open her door since it can't be opened from the outside that when she gets the new car she would have a time of breaking the habit of how weare opening the door now
1 person likes this
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
13 Apr 16
My minivan is a 2003, but doesn't have a lot of mileage on it, so is still working great. I hope it lasts me for as long as I need a vehicle. That sounds like a good deal you are looking at. You are so right about the price of cars today.
2 people like this
@AnneEJ (4917)
• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec
15 Apr 16
@BelleStarr I have made a few trips with mine, but I only have 163,000 km on it. Taking it in on Monday to have tires changed, and a good check up, so that it will be ready for my travels in May
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Apr 16
I have great hopes that in 6 years I will still be driving this car.
1 person likes this
@Dextoi (1845)
• Philippines
15 Apr 16
@BelleStarr if you follow strict maintenance procedures and schedules, it will last for several years... :)
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Apr 16
lol Yes well much like other royals I enjoy driving myself!! My friend and I did get picked up by a limo for the ride from Boston airport to home last fall when we went to Ireland and it was pure luxury!! I could get used to that.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
15 Apr 16
@BelleStarr Think of all those poor unemployed chauffers.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
18 Apr 16
@BelleStarr
What I wanted to pay and what I actually paid were two different stories but it was worth it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
I try to do the same which does limit how new of a car I can actually buy!! lol
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
15 Apr 16
I might be the opposite of most people. My first car was new, and I loved it. But I will say that buying a new car doesn't insulate you from problems. I think that you end up with car problems eventually, new or old, and it's better to find the car that suits your driving needs and style.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
We trust this dealer, he has found us our last 6 or 7 cars and has never steered us wrong. He knows what we like and finds a low mileage car to match us.
@Tampa_girl7 (49183)
• United States
15 Apr 16
We haven't bought a car since 2008.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Apr 16
We bought our Forester in the Fall of 2014 and the minivan at least 8 years ago. We usually only buy them when we can't fix the one we have which is pretty much where we are.
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
13 Apr 16
the cost'f automobile's is jest shameful, aint it? i agree 'n they cost more'n most'f us paid fer our places 'n the thought'f upgradin' to a newer model jest don't appeal to me neither. the newest'n this place's my truck, a 2003 chevy 3/4 ton. the eldest's 1969 chevy p.u. - a true workhorse. they jest don't make'em like they used to.
's fer those 6 year notes'n cars - aint that ridiculous? danged thingies don't e'en last 2 years 'fore they're'n need'f repairs most oft.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
I know it is ridiculous and a bad investment, it depreciates the minute you buy a new car!!
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
18 Apr 16
@BelleStarr yepperz, 'fore the ink's e'en dry y'ave lost 't least 3 grand!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40070)
• Laguna Woods, California
16 Apr 16
My husband and I have had the same cars for quite a few years (nine years for me and four years for him). One of these days, we'll have to get something new ... but I'm not in a hurry. They both run great!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
I have never been someone who had to have a new car, for me it is just about reliable transportation and well okay it can't be certain colors lol
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
13 Apr 16
Our van is pretty old too but running great. Funny you said that about being in the same decade, my nephew used to tell me all the time, it's time to have a car with a zero in it. Our van is a 1999 and we did buy a used car and it's a 2005 my nephew said " Finally" when we bought that car with a zero in it.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
lol Well we are a little ahead of you, our van was a 2002!! I loved my 1999 Prism that my son-in-law borrowed and hit a deer!! That was a major loss for me. It was irreplaceable.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
19 Apr 16
@BelleStarr Having a brand new car is a great thing, and we do get attached to our cars.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Apr 16
Thank you it is just such a cute car, I am hoping it will end up also being a good car.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48528)
• Canada
13 Apr 16
We each have a vehicle, I drive our car, and my hubby drives our SUV. His vehicle is older then mine and has over times as many kilometres on it, so he's next in line to get a new set of wheels. He thinks that we'll go down to just one vehicle when we retire, but that's a long way off so we'll see.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
I know I think maybe we could get by with one but we are so used to have two or three that it is a cultural shock!!
1 person likes this
@bluesa (15023)
• Johannesburg, South Africa
13 Apr 16
@BelleStarr , it is always a good idea to own two cars, in case something goes wrong with one, so it is great you are buying a second car :) . I haven't bought a new car in a while, they are ridiculously expensive these days, like everything else.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
18 Apr 16
Yes new cars are almost beyond the reach of average people unless you want to take a big loan.
1 person likes this
@LindaCPearson (2241)
• United States
13 Apr 16
I had a few new cars in my past (2 Horizons which were pretty boring but cheap) and now I have a used Honda CR-V. When I do buy another car, it will definitely be a used one again.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
I wanted a CRV but he found a Forester for me last time and I do love it so I am happy.
@lovebeingmummy2 (807)
• Aberdeen, Scotland
14 Apr 16
I bought a new car a few months ago
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
15 Apr 16
Oh lucky you, they are so expensive but of course I am older and I am on a fixed income so having a loan is not something I can do.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
16 Apr 16
I think that new cars are just too expensive for the average person who doesn't want a long term car loan.
