WWF15D?

[kartish]

So the repair guy just called DH. There are two known problems with my car, which would cost around $800 to fix. One of the problems may be more serious, but we won't know until the fix is complete, and if it is more serious, it would be at least an additional $1000.

My car has 230,000 miles on it. We know eventually we want to buy a minivan to replace it, but now really isn't ideal. After May we'd be in a much better spot to take on an additional car payment. But in the meantime I'll be going back to work and will need transportation. But the cost of the repairs would take away from the van down payment.

So what would you do?

[dmorgendorffer]

kartish If it was just going to be $800 I'd have voted to pay for it but almost $2k is a lot when you are talking about making a down payment on a van only 2 months away.

Would you be keeping your car after you got the van? I'm guessing with that mileage it's not worth anything for the trade in so that might factor in. The other factor would be just how big of an inconvenience would it be to only have 1 car - like if you are going to need a rental vs someone needing to make 2 stops to drop off/pick up the other.

[dreemkin]

That probably depends on a lot of things for you guys but if it was me, I would be looking for a new van. I feel like those repair amounts would better go toward a new vehicle then to hang on to this one for only a few months. However, if you think you can make use of the repairs (drive it for longer than you initially wanted) or you think it would be worth it for the trade in then it might be worth it.

As far as beong without a car, can you borrow a relatives? Carpool? Rent?

[mishka29]

I'm 100% useless on decisions like this but good luck!

[aggiebug]

For 2 months I would look at a new van. It sucks financially but if you can manage for the next few months you will be ahead in the long run. And generally if you take at is loan don't you have a "free" month before you start making payments? So it would put you closer to your target date too.

I am sorry it stinks. I was in the same position in December. We ended up pulling the trigger and I am still sad we have a new car payment but it was the right move.

[elephantsonpatrol]

Sort of depends what's broken. I would hesitate to sink 2k into a car with 230k miles though.

[seamonster]

Trade in your current car now and use the cash for the down payment. If you're a member of a credit union, secure financing with them before you go shopping for the best rate.

[kartish]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I spent last night looking at available vans. Still haven't made our decision yet but you all are confirming what I was thinking.

[kartish]

Mar 22, 2017 7:59:07 GMT -5 elephantsonpatrol said:

Sort of depends what's broken. I would hesitate to sink 2k into a car with 230k miles though.

HI! Long time no see, how are those little boys doing?

[elephantsonpatrol]

Mar 22, 2017 10:45:18 GMT -5 kartish said:

Mar 22, 2017 7:59:07 GMT -5 elephantsonpatrol said:

Sort of depends what's broken. I would hesitate to sink 2k into a car with 230k miles though.

HI! Long time no see, how are those little boys doing?

Boys are doing well! Here is a pic from Christmas (hope it works)

[lilyelayne]

elephantsonpatrol cuties! Glad y'all are doing well!

[kartish]

So we have been looking around for vans, and tonight we bought one!

We had originally planned on getting a certified used recent model, but with the timing of my car, decided to look at private sellers and see what was available. We found a good deal at a great price and decided to take the plunge. Hopefully it won't turn out to hand hidden issues, but for the price we decided to take the risk. Plus it had almost every single feature we wanted.

[aggiebug]

kartish yay! I hear ya on missing the certified preowned but so many times you both get a better deal going through a private seller. Enjoy the new car

[dreemkin]

kartish hope you like it! Congrats!

[lilyelayne]

Congrats!