Car Dilema - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

ar0ck · 08-18-2011, 08:48 PM

I haven't posted here for a legit reason in a hot minute so first let me say Hi & Hello, hope everything is going well out there in Internet land.

This past 4th of July my little Chevy S10 that could, couldn't anymore and died on me on a road trip from Southern California to San Francisco leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere. The poor little truck made it across the country and has hauled countless motorcycles, engines & people reliably for the past 4 years just gave up. The cost of repairing the truck was worth more than I wanted to spend. It also died 4 hours away from where I live & 2 from where I was headed. I had to abandon the car at a local mechanic and didn't turn back.

Fast forward to now I am getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan in March for a year. I can afford a newer better used car right now that I want, but it doesn’t make sense to buy then drive for only 5 months then sit for a year unattended. I originally was going to just wait it out, but it’s becoming an issue with work. I’m trying to justify if it’s worth buying a cheap car preferably under $2,500 that I can fix up, drive and not worry about when I go away?

Today while browsing craigslist I came across a 1993 Chevy Silverado for a steal through a charity company located a few miles north for a pretty fair price. I plan on looking at this weekend, but judging from the pictures it looks like a rabid raccoon was released into the passenger compartment, but other than a few scratches the truck looks solid. I can replace the interior myself for cheap and it will still cost a lot less then my target spending limit.

Basically I could put some money into an older beater and make it decent and spend considerably less or could continue to suck it up and buy something nicer when I get back.
Sorry for the winded story but I just needed to hear other people’s opinions.

sweetbmxrider · 08-18-2011, 08:56 PM

If you get a beater, you can always try selling it like a month before you leave. If it sells, it sells. If not, its just a beater.

Tru2Chevy · 08-18-2011, 09:50 PM

I agree with Adam. If you can pick this truck up cheap and toss together a decent interior, I would go for it. Then you can just sell it off before you leave (maybe make a few bucks on it too), and buy the nice DD you want when you return.

- Justin

LS1ow · 08-18-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

If you get a beater, you can always try selling it like a month before you leave. If it sells, it sells. If not, its just a beater.

i think he hit the nail on the head. and if you do end up keeping it, lift it and wheel it

WayFast84 · 08-18-2011, 10:09 PM

Get any car at a decent price. Sell it or donate it before you deploy. Saturns,Hondas, Toyotas and jeep would be cheap and reliable with tons of miles on it.

BonzoHansen · 08-18-2011, 10:15 PM

i'd throw some $20 pep boys covers on those seats. cheap cheap cheap. title issue is key

Jersey Mike · 08-18-2011, 11:43 PM

Another option to consider is to pick up someone's lease. I can tell you for sure that my brother wants out of his lease on his CX7. I believe it ends in March/April & he doesn't want to deal with making payments on it anymore while he has another car.

Newer car means no problems, dealer warranty, creature comforts, easy. Plus, it'll probably (er... hopefully) keep you from throwing money into modding yet another car.

Something to think about.

ar0ck · 08-20-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Another option to consider is to pick up someone's lease. I can tell you for sure that my brother wants out of his lease on his CX7. I believe it ends in March/April & he doesn't want to deal with making payments on it anymore while he has another car.

Newer car means no problems, dealer warranty, creature comforts, easy. Plus, it'll probably (er... hopefully) keep you from throwing money into modding yet another car.

Something to think about.

Taking up a lease right now means a new car and expensive insurance. Trying to tackle this at the lowest possible cost especially if I were to try and flip it before March. When I get back in 2013, I'll be able to get practically whatever I want New or Used

I'm on the fence about modifying more cars. I love customizing but its such a pain in the ass to maintain.

Well I never got a hold of the truck owner, but looking at several jeeps :/ Its so frustrating not having a set of 4 wheels to get around with, after having a somewhat reliable car for the past 9 years...

WayFast84 · 08-20-2011, 02:46 PM

Do you still have the kawasaki? You might be able to trade that for a decent reliable car. I know how you feel about a reliable car. It's really nice to know you can just jump in a car and go places and know that 99.98 percent of the time you will get there.

MarshallWS6 · 08-20-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

Do you still have the kawasaki? You might be able to trade that for a decent reliable car. I know how you feel about a reliable car. It's really nice to know you can just jump in a car and go places and know that 9.998 percent of the time you will get there.

On 9%?

Seems rather un reliable to me.

WayFast84 · 08-20-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarshallWS6

On 9%?

Seems rather un reliable to me.

I'm not rainman. I'm bad with numbers