kids and cars, wwyd?

[swamp]

DS is 17 and a senior in HS.   He will be going to college in the fall and will probably need a car. 

He currently drives my 2014 Honda Odyssey.  It has about 200,000 miles on it.  It's been good, no major repairs.  The plan was to get him a new to him car to go to college  and give the van to DD, who should have her license in the spring.  

The check engine light went on, and the mechanic tells us that Honda has a feature that shuts down 3 engine cylinders when the car is on the highway, thereby reducing gas consumption.  That is going, which is why the check engine light is on.  It doesn't effect how the car runs, it just effects fuel efficiency.  We were just going to let it go.   Well, now we find out the van won't pass inspection with that feature gone. 

It will cost about $2,500 to $3,000 to fix.  The van is probably worth $8k at most.   My mechanic is a trusted local independent guy, so I don't want to go elsewhere.  He's been very good to me over the past 25 years.    He's expensive, but also good and honest. 

Do I fix it or find another car?  

Benefits of fixing it:  I know what the issues are with this vehicle.  If I get another car, I don't know what problems i will inherit. 

[Tennesseer]

I would fix the problem.

When the cost of repairs outweighs the actual value of the vehicle itself, then it is probably best to buy a newer used vehicle.

[pulmonarymd]

How many cars do you need? sounds like you will need 2 if you do not repair the Honda. So I think you fix it in that instance. You can always send him to school someplace where he cannot have a car, then it brings you back to only needing 1, so then you can get a new one.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Well, I was going to say my check engine light on my Honda Odyssey has been on for years so I'd just leave it until I read you have to have inspections.  That sucks.  Can you unplug the light.

[swamp]

Jan 23, 2024 13:55:05 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

How many cars do you need? sounds like you will need 2 if you do not repair the Honda. So I think you fix it in that instance. You can always send him to school someplace where he cannot have a car, then it brings you back to only needing 1, so then you can get a new one.

we will need 4 in the spring, provided DS needs one at college.  But he will still need one at breaks for work. 

We live in a very rural area, no public transit. 

And the only school he is considering where he won't need a car is Syracuse University, and unless the financial aid fairy shows up, he isn't going there. 

[swamp]

Jan 23, 2024 14:09:49 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Well, I was going to say my check engine light on my Honda Odyssey has been on for years so I'd just leave it until I read you have to have inspections.  That sucks.  Can you unplug the light.

I tried.  We cannot. 

Nor can I put black electrical tape over it. 

[pulmonarymd]

Jan 23, 2024 14:10:45 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 23, 2024 13:55:05 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

How many cars do you need? sounds like you will need 2 if you do not repair the Honda. So I think you fix it in that instance. You can always send him to school someplace where he cannot have a car, then it brings you back to only needing 1, so then you can get a new one.

we will need 4 in the spring, provided DS needs one at college.  But he will still need one at breaks for work. 

We live in a very rural area, no public transit. 

And the only school he is considering where he won't need a car is Syracuse University, and unless the financial aid fairy shows up, he isn't going there. 

So it is either fix this and buy 1, or buy 2? I think you have the answer

[busymom]

I live in a state that required inspections for awhile, then our state stopped the program.  Don't miss it at all, as it could get spendy.  Not to mention, a waste of time.


If you're convinced the Honda isn't due for any more expensive repairs, go ahead & fix it.  If you're concerned it may misbehave in the future, it might be time to look at replacing it.  My rule of thumb with DD was, is it safe to drive?  

[debthaven]

Just a thought ... IF DS doesn't need a car at school, could he and DD share one when he's home for breaks? 

I'd probably repair it. As you say, you know what the issues are. Better to fix it for now, at least until you know for sure where DS will be going in Sept, and whether or not he'll need a car.

[CCL]

I'd fix it. If he happens to go to a school where a car isn't needed, just let your daughter drive it.

[minnesotapaintlady]

I did just stick 2K into my 2005 Odyssey with 245K miles in October. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 23, 2024 14:11:19 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 23, 2024 14:09:49 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Well, I was going to say my check engine light on my Honda Odyssey has been on for years so I'd just leave it until I read you have to have inspections.  That sucks.  Can you unplug the light.

I tried.  We cannot. 

Nor can I put black electrical tape over it. 

Well, this just sounds like you have a bad attitude. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

If you can fix it for $3,000, I'd probably fix it. If it just needs to get around town, then it should last a few more years. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

 Does the light go on and stay on, or just turn on at inopportune times?  If you know what’s causing the check engine light, if you disconnect the battery the light goes out.  Hook the battery back up and it’s reset.  Get the car inspected.

My check engine light goes on for the most absurd reason…..when my cruise control is set.  The code thrown off is useless, so we just disconnect the battery and reset the light.  3-4 months later, it goes off again.  Mechanic has checked everything out, nothings wrong.

[giramomma]

I'd probably repair.

DH stuck 2 or 3K in our van within the past few years.  It's a 2010 or 11 with like 175K on it.

We have to focus on some home repairs, first. We have to get our roof replaced this spring. 

We also really can't afford three cars right now, with DD1 getting ready to drive. So, I'd rather keep the old van a while longer, anyway.

[greenthumb59]

I would fix it too.  

[haapai]

Isn't automobile insurance for young drivers a factor here? 

[daisylu]

Fix it.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Jan 24, 2024 14:07:52 GMT -5 haapai said:

Isn't automobile insurance for young drivers a factor here? 

How does that factor into the decision whether to fix or replace? (assuming the replacement for daughter is something similar age/type and not a new sports car that is )

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Jan 23, 2024 14:10:45 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 23, 2024 13:55:05 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

How many cars do you need? sounds like you will need 2 if you do not repair the Honda. So I think you fix it in that instance. You can always send him to school someplace where he cannot have a car, then it brings you back to only needing 1, so then you can get a new one.

we will need 4 in the spring, provided DS needs one at college.  But he will still need one at breaks for work. 

We live in a very rural area, no public transit. 

And the only school he is considering where he won't need a car is Syracuse University, and unless the financial aid fairy shows up, he isn't going there. 

I thought you said SUNY Plattsburgh was a contender.  When I was there, the only freshmen who could have a car on campus were commuting students.  That is, unless things have changed in the last 40 years.  The parking situation was horrible then, and I don’t remember seeing it being alleviated any when I was there a few years ago.

[minnesotapaintlady]

Jan 24, 2024 14:48:10 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Jan 23, 2024 14:10:45 GMT -5 swamp said:

we will need 4 in the spring, provided DS needs one at college.  But he will still need one at breaks for work. 

We live in a very rural area, no public transit. 

And the only school he is considering where he won't need a car is Syracuse University, and unless the financial aid fairy shows up, he isn't going there. 

I thought you said SUNY Plattsburgh was a contender.  When I was there, the only freshmen who could have a car on campus were commuting students.  That is, unless things have changed in the last 40 years.  The parking situation was horrible then, and I don’t remember seeing it being alleviated any when I was there a few years ago.

Sounds like it changed.

Can I have a vehicle on campus? Answer: Yes, even first-year students! There are on-campus areas designated for student parking. Students are required to pay a registration and a parking fee in order to park on campus.

Housing Procedures & FAQs - SUNY Plattsburgh
SUNY Plattsburgh
www.plattsburgh.edu › plattslife › housing-faqs

[TheOtherMe]

Most schools no longer require freshman to live on campus their first year.  My nephews and now my great nephew did at Iowa State because they didn't have friends they wanted to room with off campus.  Only 1 year in the dorm for them.

Same at the small college I attended.  Since I was an older student, I was not living in the dorm.  I rented a room off campus and used my parents address for everything there.

[haapai]

Jan 24, 2024 14:44:11 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jan 24, 2024 14:07:52 GMT -5 haapai said:

Isn't automobile insurance for young drivers a factor here? 

How does that factor into the decision whether to fix or replace? (assuming the replacement for daughter is something similar age/type and not a new sports car that is )

The short answer is "I dunno, it just seems like it should be a factor".  Some families have the means to buy a "new" (it may be very used) vehicle for their kid to take to college with cash and can thereby avoid the eye-watering rates that my state charges for collision and general damage that they would ordinarily have to pay on any financed vehicle.  Swamp appears to need two paid-for and minimally insured vehicles.  Not every family with a kid in college and another one headed there soon has the ommph to buy two of those in quick succession or the stomach to take on the risk of repairs and replacement, so only paying the cost of repairing one becomes quite attractive. 

[minnesotapaintlady]

Jan 24, 2024 15:10:56 GMT -5 haapai said:

Jan 24, 2024 14:44:11 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

How does that factor into the decision whether to fix or replace? (assuming the replacement for daughter is something similar age/type and not a new sports car that is )

The short answer is "I dunno, it just seems like it should be a factor".  Some families have the means to buy a "new" (it may be very used) vehicle for their kid to take to college with cash and can thereby avoid the eye-watering rates that my state charges for collision and general damage that they would ordinarily have to pay on any financed vehicle.  Swamp appears to need two paid-for and minimally insured vehicles.  Not every family with a kid in college and another one headed there soon has the ommph to buy two of those in quick succession or the stomach to take on the risk of repairs, so only paying the cost of repairing one becomes quite attractive. 

Swamp is rolling in it though.  

[haapai]

Jan 24, 2024 15:14:54 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jan 24, 2024 15:10:56 GMT -5 haapai said:

The short answer is "I dunno, it just seems like it should be a factor".  Some families have the means to buy a "new" (it may be very used) vehicle for their kid to take to college with cash and can thereby avoid the eye-watering rates that my state charges for collision and general damage that they would ordinarily have to pay on any financed vehicle.  Swamp appears to need two paid-for and minimally insured vehicles.  Not every family with a kid in college and another one headed there soon has the ommph to buy two of those in quick succession or the stomach to take on the risk of repairs, so only paying the cost of repairing one becomes quite attractive. 

Swamp is rolling in it though.  

She may have been.  Soon she will have two kids in college at the same time.    

[anciana]

Jan 24, 2024 14:44:11 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jan 24, 2024 14:07:52 GMT -5 haapai said:

Isn't automobile insurance for young drivers a factor here? 

How does that factor into the decision whether to fix or replace? (assuming the replacement for daughter is something similar age/type and not a new sports car that is )

It’s been a while since I heard it, and I might be misremembering but a friend was deciding which car to buy for their daughter. Their insurance broker told them that their second choice was newer and had better safety rating so the insurance would be lower for it. That swayed their decision.

[tractor]

I'm going to go the opposite route. Don't fix it, buy your daughter a new F250 so she has lots of room to drive her friends and their stuff around. Your son should get a new red corvette so he can fit in and not be bullied at school......😀

[NoNamePerson]

Jan 26, 2024 8:39:59 GMT -5 tractor said:

I'm going to go the opposite route. Don't fix it, buy your daughter a new F250 so she has lots of room to drive her friends and their stuff around. Your son should get a new red corvette so he can fit in and not be bullied at school......😀

  my thoughts exactly