Buying a new car/truck. (1 Viewer)

[FL_Saint]

We have always bought used cars, but tried to stick to low mileage, year old or so. Have had more good cars/trucks than not. This year, we both have new vehicles for the first time.

My wife had a 2018 Edge with the 2.0 - engine replaced under the drivetrain warranty because of the coolant leak issue. Decided to trade it ASAP after it was fixed. We found a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands earlier this summer, before dealerships started going crazy with the so called "market adjustments". Really cool ride.

I had a 2017 F150, with the 5.0 Coyote. Loved the truck . . . solid, no issues. But I wanted to downsize and take advantage of the high used truck values. I traded it on a 2021 Chevy Colorado Z71 - again, no market adjustment. They wanted to add that upcharge, but I told them I would walk away and it was a slow Saturday. Did my research, drove it several times. Solid, very capable truck, but smaller for sure.

The Bronco has the auto start stop, it's annoying. The Colorado has the Active Fuel Management, which effectively cuts out 2 cylinders in some situations. It's been fairly unnoticeable except for the dash indicator.

 

[Sailorsaint]

We have always bought used cars, but tried to stick to low mileage, year old or so. Have had more good cars/trucks than not. This year, we both have new vehicles for the first time.

My wife had a 2018 Edge with the 2.0 - engine replaced under the drivetrain warranty because of the coolant leak issue. Decided to trade it ASAP after it was fixed. We found a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Badlands earlier this summer, before dealerships started going crazy with the so called "market adjustments". Really cool ride.

I had a 2017 F150, with the 5.0 Coyote. Loved the truck . . . solid, no issues. But I wanted to downsize and take advantage of the high used truck values. I traded it on a 2021 Chevy Colorado Z71 - again, no market adjustment. They wanted to add that upcharge, but I told them I would walk away and it was a slow Saturday. Did my research, drove it several times. Solid, very capable truck, but smaller for sure.

The Bronco has the auto start stop, it's annoying. The Colorado has the Active Fuel Management, which effectively cuts out 2 cylinders in some situations. It's been fairly unnoticeable except for the dash indicator.

You know you can disable the auto stop/start?

 

[FL_Saint]

You know you can disable the auto stop/start?

Yes, we are aware.

 

[Sailorsaint]

Yes, we are aware.

Good, that feature always annoyed me. I don't even see how it's beneficial to the engine/economy.

 

[FL_Saint]

Good, that feature always annoyed me. I don't even see how it's beneficial to the engine/economy.

I don’t drive it a lot and I always forget until the first stop sign.

 

[0rion]

well I fixed my car myself to buy me some time. I changed out the radiator fan and all the relays. Still pushing to get the Sport Trac I mentioned though, my car is at an age that one problem will likely follow the others.

is there a sure way to know that I didn't get water in my oil pan for Ida? I read that the oil would look milky but I can't tell. Temparture gauge was fine but even when I just drive the car a couple of miles, it smells hot. Like that rubbery smell. I feel confident the temperature gauge is functioning because that is how I figured out my radiator fan wasn't working when I was stuck in traffic.

How deep was the water on the car? If you have water in your oil you will know. Depending on mileage since last oil change it'll be an amber to black color. With water mixed in it'll look like dark milk or light colored chocolate milk depending on the amount of water. If in doubt do an oil change and filter change. If alot of water is in the engine may have to repeat that a couple times running it a few minutes between changes.

 

[Zack Lee]

How deep was the water on the car? If you have water in your oil you will know. Depending on mileage since last oil change it'll be an amber to black color. With water mixed in it'll look like dark milk or light colored chocolate milk depending on the amount of water. If in doubt do an oil change and filter change. If alot of water is in the engine may have to repeat that a couple times running it a few minutes between changes.

I had changed the oil same week Ida arrived coincidentally. I think the oil is fine. Still have electrical issues so I am trying like hell to purchase a truck right now.

 

[tomwaits]

You know you can disable the auto stop/start?

Wife's car has that and I thought it would be annoying, but it works well. Also, since the AC compressor runs off the engine, in the summer the engine hardly shuts off.

 

[0rion]

Wife's car has that and I thought it would be annoying, but it works well. Also, since the AC compressor runs off the engine, in the summer the engine hardly shuts off.

I hear those cars start all the time and only think of one thing....how many gallons at idle would you have to save to make up for the cost of a starter? Personally......I'll pay for the gas.

 

[tomwaits]

I hear those cars start all the time and only think of one thing....how many gallons at idle would you have to save to make up for the cost of a starter? Personally......I'll pay for the gas.

I don't think they don't use the normal starter for that function, but I have not really looked into this a ton. I think I remember reading that they have some other mechanism. Of course whatever it is, it could also wear out and be expensive to replace.

 

[Zack Lee]

my situation has gone to desperation. I am trying to buy my fathers truck out of his estate. I sent the money to my attorney's escrow account in early November but my step mother keeps making excuses for why I can't go take delivery. My transmission has gone out on my vehicle so I have told them its this week or never.

I am looking at Kia Sportage and Honda HRV now and there are some attractive offers but local inventory is still crap. For the HRVs there are a few in town but they are mostly All Wheel Drives. I am even considering a lease at this point just to get me through until the car market normalizes

 

[Rickboy]

uation has gone to desperation. I am trying to buy my fathers truck out of his estate. I sent the money to my attorney's escrow account in early November but my step mother keeps making excuses for why I can't go take delivery. My transmission has gone out on my vehicle so I have told them its this week or never.

I am looking at Kia Sportage and Honda HRV now and there are some attractive offers but local inventory is still crap. For the HRVs there are a few in town but they are mostly All Wheel Drives. I am even considering a lease at this point just to get me through until the car market

Considering current resale values, a lease might be a pretty good idea.

 

[Zack Lee]

Considering current resale values, a lease might be a pretty good idea.

That is kind of my thinking as well. Its not something I would normally consider and I know if the market crashes, then I won't have much to show for the payments in terms of buying my own lease. But being in desperation at this time means I am going to be taking a hit somewhere no matter what. 12,000 a year should not be an issue on mileage. 5 days out of the week I put under 20 miles a day

 

[Sailorsaint]

If not for having my dad's truck to use, I would be in the same hole. I still have to rent a vehicle anytime I travel long distance for a few days. I'm hoping at some point next year I'll be able to find a decent price on a vehicle.

 

[DaveXA]

Welp, I didn't really want to be in the market for a vehicle, what with the insane prices of cars these days. We had a 2013 Grand Caravan with 100k miles on it and one of my kids got in an accident and totaled the car. Settled for right around $10k. But now I can't really buy anything comparable for close to that amount without financing a chunk. For the last 20 years, I've paid cash for my vehicles. I just bought a house earlier this year and now I don't have the cash to buy outright. I'm kinda stumped on what to do.

We want an SUV because we tend to go places as a family and plan to travel a few times a year. I like the 7 passenger SUVs, but I don't want a Suburban. I really like the Palisade and Telluride, but you can't find any used ones for less than $30k, much less $20k.

So, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I might buy something older without a warranty just to tide us over for a year or 2 then buy, but no telling where things will be then.

Meh.