I did a (hopefully) smarter thing

"Hooker" (Hooker) 11/24/2018 at 10:59 • Filed to: None

1

37

Over the last 10 years, I haven’t had a car that wasn’t in warranty. I haven’t replaced a single tire, paid for a single oil change, etc. I was trading my car at least once a year to keep me in the latest thing, in warranty and my mind at ease. However, that all changed last week when I bought this:

2009 Chevrolet Malibu with 86k miles. It has hit everything but the lottery by the previous owner, had multiple sensors that needed replacing in order for the check engine light to turn off, needed an alignment (bad) etc. I bought it for 3K and the local bank (Suntrust) let me finance my copious amounts of negative equity on it. I reduced my overall debt owed by over 22k, reduced my loan term by 4 years and kept my finance rate in check. For what mostly amounts to a personal loan that just happens to have a car attached to it, not bad.

You can’t tell from the shitty potato pictures I have posted, but there isn’t a single panel that doesn’t have significant damage. But the car runs, drives, and I can breathe again. It has to last me another 3 years or I’m walking. But I live within walking distance to work, so that’s not the largest problem. I have no idea how it was driven before me. But I’m going to baby it.

I fixed the sensor issue, alignment and am looking into struts. They knock and I have to believe that the ride quality will improve with a replacement. What say you, Oppo? Strut suggestions? Should I just deal with the knocking noise?

All of this was possible because great credit and Suntrust. I hate saying that because they’ve done way more screwing me than not in the past.  But, honestly, they came through this time.

bob and john > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 11:31

1

I mean, you might have been better off with a japanese car of the same or older vintage, but there are certianly worse options.

I tend to see these are extremes. either they are crazy dependable and just keep ticking, or its a sensor or something every other day.

I hope yours is the former. 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 11:38

1

It’s a Malibu. The ride quality will not improve after struts :) I rented one, when they were new, and drove from Memphis to Louisville. I was ready to ditch it before Nashville. Keep after the little things, and it should last you more than 3 years. I would have bought a Camry :)

Sovande > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 11/24/2018 at 11:56

0

I rented one once and could barely get in and out of it. It was bizarre. Low doors and high sills or something. I have never had that issue in any other car I can think of. 

Chuckles > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 11:57

0

I understand the appeal of having a warranty to put your mind at ease, but hopefully not sinking way too much money into new cars should also give you peace of mind. I don’t have any experience with Chevys, but as someone who only wvwe buys cheap cars (my most expensive car was $7,500), my advice is to be friends with a mechanic. Or learn to do everything yourself, but I know my limits.

Hooker > Chuckles 11/24/2018 at 12:03

1

Thankfully my dad wrenches. Haha. I would ideally like to get into a habit of buying simple cars again. There was once a time I did this. I was happier. And richer.

LongbowMkII > bob and john 11/24/2018 at 12:04

0

You’d be hard pressed to find a 09 Camry/accord at that price. Maybe an Altima but they don’t handle neglect well

Hooker > bob and john 11/24/2018 at 12:04

1

Me too! I am a Chevy guy (dealership employee here, hence the 3k price!) so I have a lot of friends that can hopefully keep it going. Other than the body work,  it seems to be well cared for.

Hooker > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 11/24/2018 at 12:05

0

Working at a Chevrolet dealership (and being a GM fan) it was never going to be a Camry. We have had good fortune out of the 2.4 an 4 speed that this has. Hoping that counts for something.

Hooker > Sovande 11/24/2018 at 12:06

0

I am noticing the same thing! Very low! But I generally love the car. I am actually really excited that it doesn’t have a big goofy screen in the center stack.

bob and john > LongbowMkII 11/24/2018 at 12:09

0

hence the: “ or older” ceavat 

bob and john > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 12:15

1

oh you are at a dealer?

yea yo u a re g ood to go.

Sovande > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 12:16

0

I think it’s just how the top of the doors are shaped maybe? Shorter than I am used to, probably. I am 6'4, so that probably played a part in it too. I didn’t have any other complaints, which is odd for me with rental cars.

Hooker > bob and john 11/24/2018 at 12:18

0

That is certainly the hope! It’s been serviced here too which is nice. Just scared to be unprotected. Haha.

Chuckles > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 12:19

0

It really is nice not having to pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars every month just to own a car. And it sounds like you're still going to be making payments for a little while, but that's not specifically because of this car.

Hooker > Sovande 11/24/2018 at 12:19

0

I generally have trouble getting out of it. And that’s with the seat raised a good bit.  I like the car. It handles well enough. It’s decent size. Oddly, my Acadia got better fuel economy. But that 4 speed auto probably isn’t doing it any favors.

Hooker > Chuckles 11/24/2018 at 12:20

1

Correct. And they’re 200 cheaper than they were. I’ll pay extra. But I can breathe which is a nice change. I have most of my other debt paid off too so it’s just this and the house.

Sovande > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 12:23

0

I have a bit of trouble getting out of my new car as well. It's a four door which puts my ass a bit behind the B pillar meaning I have to do some kind of weird slide maneuver to get out. It's not graceful. I didn't have the same issue with my old C30. Upside is the V60 gets much better mileage. 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 12:29

0

Beat up body? That’s just a scratch and dent sale, that’s how I got my car so cheap. 05 Acura TSX with 187k, now at 209k. I’d say at 86k your Malibu has plenty of life left, just watch the timing chain guides, those are notorious for failing prematurely

shop-teacher > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 13:08

0

The knocking sound in the suspension could be something very serious. You should track that down. Although, if you just had it aligned, they would have told you if you had a ball joint or tie rod or something failing. Take good care of it, and it'll be fine. 

ranwhenparked > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 13:46

0

My parents have had one of those from new, think theirs is an ‘09 too. They’ve got a weird, pathological obsession with not having car payments, so they always buy the cheapest thing that fills their needs and run it into the ground. I believe it has about 14 0,000 miles on it now, no issues other than some interior trim pieces coming lose and falling off over time.

It replaced a 1994 Lumina APV, which was their first careful toe back into the waters of American cars after a run of horrendous POSs in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Against all odds, that was also totally reliable for 15 years, except for some fault in the windshield wiper motors that no one could ever trace, and I think a failed alternator at like the 12 year mark. 

Longtime Lurker > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 15:32

0

Monroe Quick-Struts. strut, spring, and mounts pre- assembled so you don’t have to mess with a spring compressor. Lifetime warranty.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Hooker 11/24/2018 at 19:38

0

i wouldn’t bother babying it

just hoon it till the wheels fall off

Hooker > pip bip - choose Corrour 11/26/2018 at 10:20

0

Haha. I wish I could afford to do that! When the note is paid off, I’ll punish it. Promise.

Hooker > Sovande 11/26/2018 at 10:22

0

Man. Being tall has its drawbacks for sure! I am 5-8 on a good day with decent shoes so I don’t  have that problem. I want a V60 so bad someday.

Hooker > ranwhenparked 11/26/2018 at 10:24

0

My mother is the exact same way. The more time she goes without a payment the better. It gives me hope they’ve had good service out of theirs. I am not terribly tickled with how the 4 speed shifts. It can be rough.  It’s been about 10 years since I’ve driven one with that powertrain combination. Hoping it just needs to learn my driving tactics. The previous owner was more aggressive than myself.

Hooker > shop-teacher 11/26/2018 at 10:34

0

I hope so! I am thinking of going cheap on the suspension but I think I’m hearing the quick-strut brand is the best way to go. Gotta do something. Don’t want it to rattle itself to pieces.

Hooker > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/26/2018 at 10:37

1

Scratch and dent sale! That’s awesome! That’s honestly how I buy my appliances too so maybe I can start a new trend. Timing chain stuff got messed up on my 2.4 quad 4 in my Sunfire too. 100 years ago. Haha. Thanks for the tip.

Hooker > Longtime Lurker 11/26/2018 at 10:38

0

Worth the extra expense over similarly put together stuff I’m seeing online? I can buy front and rear struts and rear shocks (fully assembled as well) for $1 70 from Detroit Axle. Thoughts? I know precisely nothing about this. I just want something that will last the life of the car.

shop-teacher > Hooker 11/26/2018 at 12:47

0

If you're going to be in this thing for the long haul, take care of it. That includes spending some money when it needs to be spent.

Longtime Lurker > Hooker 11/26/2018 at 13:28

1

If those have lifetime warranty then those would do you well.

Hooker > Longtime Lurker 11/26/2018 at 13:37

0

I’ll have to take a look. Just don’t want to spend a ton of money on a ten year old car that I’m not looking to keep more than 3 years.

Hooker > shop-teacher 11/26/2018 at 13:38

1

That’s a balancing act, for sure. Trying to pay off this mess I’ve gotten myself in and putting away money for the inevitable. One day at a time I guess.

shop-teacher > Hooker 11/26/2018 at 14:06

1

Yep. Don’t buy anything frivolo us until you dig your way out, but maintain the important systems.

Hooker > shop-teacher 11/26/2018 at 17:00

0

So, spending 3k on a paint job and a bumper is a bad take? /s

Gonna drive it until I can have a down payment because let’s be honest, when it’s paid off, it will be worth nothing. Especially on trade.

shop-teacher > Hooker 11/26/2018 at 18:34

0

Dude, drive it until the whole loan is paid off. Trade in value may be jack squat, but don't buy something else until you're free of negative equity. Jack squat and a zero balance is better than a pittance and a bunch of negative equity.

Hooker > shop-teacher 11/26/2018 at 20:33

1

Im hoping, if it lasts, to drive it even longer after paid off. Save some dp money. Maybe even:  BUY A WHOLE CAR WITH CASH.  that's the hope. Anyway. 

shop-teacher > Hooker 11/26/2018 at 21:13

0

Good!