What new car? NO new car!

I've been waffling for a while about what new (or new-ish) car I might buy.

Truth is, there's nothing out there that makes me think, "WOW! I want one of THOSE!"

There are a few new cars that make me think that if my Scion died or got totaled tomorrow, they would be okay.

Right now, the Scion is in the perfect spot. It has about 86k. I just put new tires on it. It costs next to nothing to maintain and repair.

(Except - don't overfill your tank kids! I just spent $800 replacing the entire EVAP system. Lesson learned!)

Insurance is $700/year, including collision. Plates are $66.

At 86k miles, it's worth about $5k. There's no reason it won't last until 125k, at which point it will still be worth at least $2500.

Nope. I'm just gonna keep it.

Smart. Very smart.

the Scion a hatchback or a Liftback?

Turbocharger kit? Yes??

I have 161k on mine, yours is barely broken in. I have to do the EVAP system again, it'll go bad without overfilling it as well, there's a TSB on it, they redesigned the fuel filler neck, solenoid and charcoal canister. The redesigned canister can be found on ebay for under $200, takes about 15-20 minutes to install with racketing wrench and a socket.

you need more enabling.

Buying a car and running it into the ground is always the "smart move". It's usually never the "fun thing to do". That's why the wife's accent had ~250k on it when it found a new home, and the Elantra was at 165k when we got the Forte. I'd still be driving the Elantra if rust hadn't started claiming the car in serious locations (where the frame horn connects to the core support. Kind of an important area to be solid.).

The truck just ticked over 81k miles in 8 years. Since the wife wants to see 500k on it.... Ive got another... umm.... a lot of time with it.

Smart man and I agree 100% about most new cars not doing anything for me.

My 00 Jetta still has plenty of useful life left in her and it was really hard to decide to finally put it up for sale when I know $$ wise it would be best to hang on a little longer. The miniscule amount this thing has depreciated on top of all the fuel savings has been wonderful to my bank accounts. My issue is I hardly have the time for repairs anymore (sad) so I talked myself into a 2013 Ford Focus that I pick up this weekend. The focus will depreciate much faster and use slightly more fuel but I'm hoping it doesn't need many repairs for the near future.

That's what I keep telling myself anyway...

in my almost 28 years of driving.. I have owned exactly one car that I bought new. Aside from a Volvo, I have run every car I have owned into the ground or wrecked it.. so I think I am ahead of the game

I generally run them into the ground. I bought my first new car last month. It's not at all what I was thinking of getting but it was the grown up thing to do.

This is why I haven't replaced my truck. Anything I replace it with will cost me at least $25k and I can't come up with $25k worth of excitement about any truck or van.

mad_machine wrote: the Scion a hatchback or a Liftback?

Nope. It's a wagon, or possibly a microvan.

drummerfromdefleopard wrote: I have 161k on mine, yours is barely broken in. I have to do the EVAP system again, it'll go bad without overfilling it as well, there's a TSB on it, they redesigned the fuel filler neck, solenoid and charcoal canister. The redesigned canister can be found on ebay for under $200, takes about 15-20 minutes to install with racketing wrench and a socket.

I couldn't figure out the dopey vacuum hose connectors. I just paid someone. I had heard there was a TSB, but I can't find any evidence of it. Do you have a link?

The '15 GTI is spectacular....

This thread = almost as lame as all the "I hate new car" threads.

My desires for new cars always get over powered by my desires for old cars.

I look at midsize cars to be appliances and 15 minutes later I'm pining over a 73 Charger with a 400. It's a very strange thing.

I buy them at ~100k, and run them till the wheels fall off. Replace the wheels that fell off, run em some more.

At 125k, well maintained, you're about 1/4 of the way to what I would consider truly worn out. Both of my families daily drivers are rapidly approaching 200k. Subaru needs some work, but mazda needs nothing but an oil change.

Keep the devil you know.

If I had the money, I'd buy a Toyobaru and maybe never sell it. Maybe not a financially smart decision, but that's the only new car that I might realistically be able to afford which I'd buy with my own money.

I'm gonna run the 5 into the ground.

In reply to EvanR:

TSB# EG047-06 and TSB EG003-07 are common culprits