Remind me I can't afford it

[muttleynfelix]

Apr 24, 2013 15:34:29 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

:: I guess my bottom line is I'm not taking the Murano away from the kids. We got it because we have kids. I know they don't go out in it that often now, but that will increase dramatically in the fall when DS goes to preschool. ::

So can't you take it temporarily (for a few days or a few weeks) until you guys sort out what to do? Seems to me that would be better than the daily worry of wondering if the car is going to break down . . . . but maybe that's just me  

I might swap with DH on Friday, but I won't switch with him long term. I'm not worried about the car leaving me stranded when it isn't raining.

[Deleted]

I would start looking for a car immediately and when you see the right one go ahead and buy it.  That way you are not buying whatever is available the day your car gives up for good.  Let your husband fix the car you have and then sell it privately.

It's going to wipe out a good chunk of your savings but you'll be able to replenish when you pay off the medical bills.

[Peace Of Mind]

Apr 24, 2013 11:44:57 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

My car stalled on the way to work yesterday. It was raining like crazy and moisture got into the engine and stalled.  I was about a half mile from the office when it happened and my boss came and picked me up and at lunch I walked back over to the car and it started right up.  It also stalled about a month ago during a snow storm. Other than that, it has been a reliable car for being a 1998 with 193k miles on it. DH said he was going to call his brother to work on the car over the weekend and they would replace the distributor cap and silicone around it.  My plan is to replace it in a year if everything goes well.  But every time it leaves me stranded, I look online to see if maybe there is something out there that I might be able to afford that will last us another 14 years or so (or maybe only 10 years).  We have $7k currently set aside for a new to me car, but that is about 1/3 of our  non-retirement savings. I found a 2006 Kia Optima with 42k miles for $9k and I am so tempted to go look at it.  I shouldn't.  Our monthly budget doesn't balance at the moment when I account putting money in savings for things like propane and car insurance . (I'm going to change my withholdings and in June we will change cell phone providers to make up the difference).  Insurance on the Kia would be a lot more. We are sending DS to preschool in the fall and there is more money out of our pockets each month.  In a year, the medical bills will be paid off and maybe even our other vehicle.  The timing just sucks. I have being stranded. I hate my car stalling in the middle traffic. But I can't afford it.

Have you had your distributor cap checked for cracks?  Do cars still have distributor caps?  LOL!  I had a car that did that and that was why.  It stopped stalling out after I replaced it.  Different car may mean different problems so have a good inspection done before you buy.  I  highly recommend Japanese made cars. 

[muttleynfelix]

Have you had your distributor cap checked for cracks? Do cars still have distributor caps? LOL! I had a car that did that and that was why. It stopped after I replaced it. Different car may mean different problems so have a good inspection done before you buy. I highly recommend Japanese made cars.

Hubby thinks it is the distributor cap and he says he is going to replace it this weekend. We probably won't be able to go together to look at a car until the first weekend in May unless we take the kids with us.

[Chocolate Lover]

Muttley, you can't afford it. 



Feel better? 

[Deleted]

Apr 24, 2013 13:12:41 GMT -5 muttleynfelix said:

Apr 24, 2013 12:41:28 GMT -5 giramomma said:

How much driving does your H really do with the kids?

When we bought our van, we traded in a 2002 Outback with something like 70K on it. KBB put the value between 4 and 5K.

A car like that would be plenty good enough for him, and spacious enough to get the kids out.

No idea; he does not give me a good account of what goes on during their days, although he has gotten better. I think most of the time it is just once a week, but sometimes he runs into town with them.  Last week, it was 3 days, but DD stayed home with MIL for 2 of those days. 

It is really hard to find low mileage cars around here.  I went and looked at the Kia Optima I saw online and it would be perfect. They have it priced a little high. I emailed DH and told him that I liked it. I know he is just going to argue with me about it.

OK.  I have been a SAHM for a long time and I don't understand this.  You are taking the less reliable car on the possibility that your DH may decide to go somewhere?  I couldn't imagine having a reliable car in the driveway, no real need to go anywhere, and not offer said vehicle to the working spouse.

[muttleynfelix]

OK. I have been a SAHM for a long time and I don't understand this. You are taking the less reliable car on the possibility that your DH may decide to go somewhere? I couldn't imagine having a reliable car in the driveway, no real need to go anywhere, and not offer said vehicle to the working spouse.

Well, I'm pretty sure DH doesn't see the car as unreliable.  But honestly the thought has never crossed my mind to take the Murano to work.  It is just something that was stuck in my head that it is the "kids" car.  Add in the lower gas mileage and truly, it has not crossed my mind.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I pay $4 per year for towing and rental car coverage on each of our cars. Maybe you could look into adding that on yours?

I suspect the cost of towing is the least of the problem.  The problem is that the OP is the breadwinner in the family, so it is imperative that she get to her job in a timely manner.  Breaking down regularly on the way to work is a big problem because many employers have limited patience for employees having car problems.

[swamp]

AAA roadside assistance $60 a year.  Includes 3 tows. 

[muttleynfelix]

If it becomes a daily issue, yeah my boss would have a problem, but it would take a while before it is huge issue in my company. My boss even offered me the company truck to drive home if need be.  I'm not too worried about it at this point.

I talked to DH last night.  While he is a spender and is all, ok lets spend money (he did ask me about the budget, surprisingly).  His big issue is of course emotional that the car is the last thing that is "his".   Then he wanted to see it today and bring the kids either during my lunch or right after work.   (Note we only have $150 in the checking account as of this morning so we couldn't put anything down if we had gone to buy it today).  I said if we have to bring the kids then lets do it Saturday.  But if we can wait (as in I make it through Friday's rainstorm ok), then let's wait until next Saturday because my parents will be here and we don't have to drag the kids with us. He was like, well if the car is as great as you say it might not be there next Saturday to which I said, then it isn't meant to be. I don't really care. I don't want to figure out how to juggle 2 little kids to take a test drive and then closeout a deal. 

So, that is where we are at.  I transferred money from savings to checking so we can pay cash if we want. I'll ask my bank about their auto loan rates tomorrow just to see and we'll just see. Maybe I will hate the car, maybe it will be sold, but at least the ball is rolling and I'm willing to suck it up and get something within our budget (I was wanting to hold out for something new(er) in a couple years, but oh well). 

[muttleynfelix]

Oh yeah, another fun story, the exhaust started making this lovely awful noise yesterday and I was like dang it, the muffler is going to fall off AGAIN.  Oh no, the exhaust pipe melted to the bumper for some reason! WTF?  I don't even get how that happened, but DH kicked it loose and it was fine this morning.   I just need to accept I drive a clunker right now.

[amishgal]

I feel your pain. I finally bought a new (to me) car a few weeks ago. I had been driving a 2002 Ford Focus with over 175,000 miles on it. It still runs great and was good on gas for my long commute, but the a/c died over a year ago. I really didn't want a car payment until DH's car (also a Murano) is paid off in 6 months, but I couldn't go another summer with no a/c. To fix it would have been over $800 and I didn't want to that kind of money into that car. So, I bit the bullet and bought a 2011 Kia Soul with only 5K miles on it, so practically brand new. It really didn't impact our insurance as much as I thought it would, plus as soon as we sell the Ford it will be even less. Anyway, all that to say that sometimes keeping an older car ends up costing much more than it's worth. I hope the Kia works out for you, I'm really happy with mine, they have been getting very good ratings.

[muttleynfelix]

Well not surprisingly the VW died in the rain on the way home Friday.  Only thing surprising was that I made it to work and all the way to my exit on the interstate before it died.  So, we went car shopping and bought the 2006 Kia Optima.  Can't really beat 43k miles and it drives nice. We got it for $8500.   I'm just sad that I drive a boring car now.      I don't get it.  I'm not thrilled like I thought I would be.  Hubby loves the new car, surprisingly. And his reliable brother is going to buy the old car off of us in a couple weeks - not sure how much DH sold it for.  Anyway, I'm sure a week of driving back and forth and I will be in love with all the little things it does that my old car doesn't.    Thanks for all the thoughts and advice.

[Deleted]

I guess that was the final sign.   Congrats on your new car! 

[Works4me]

Congratulations! I think you made a good choice as car trouble is something that causes me to come unglued far beyond all reason. It is just not something that I cope well with. As far as the lack of excitement, I know what you mean - sometimes being a grown up is not as easy or fun as it appears.