I have a dilemma.

"fhrblig" (fhrblig) 09/03/2018 at 13:20 • Filed to: Kinda necessary car shopping with fhrblig

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I promise this will be my last potential-vehicle post today.

One of my most annoying character flaws is that when I’m presented with multiple options, I freeze. The computer in my head (a VIC-20, I think) can’t handle multiple acceptable choices and I become a deer in headlights.

Here’s my situation. I don’t necessarily need a vehicle urgently, but it’s clear I should get one because a] I don’t want to drive my company van during my off hours (though I do have permission) and b] I can’t count on being able to use my partner’s car unless I drive him to work, which means he can’t get away from his store to take his lunch break. I don’t want to do that to him. I will have about a grand to play with for down payment if needed, I want to try my best to stay under $6k, and whatever I buy has to be parked on the street because we don’t have the space. I’m only going to drive it around 5k per year, but it must be reliable enough to make the 500-mile round-trip to my Mom’s house a few times a year.

What do I really want? I think I want a truck most. I really miss my Ranger. I’d love a 4wd truck, but I know they won’t be good in this price range. 2WD is acceptable. There’s a small problem though. Pretty much all of the trucks in this range are 2007 or older. If I finance a replacement vehicle through the same CU my loan was with, the gap insurance from my Optima will give me a $1000 credit on the new loan. The CU will pretty much only go back 10 years. It sounds like they won’t be too concerned about mileage.

So, I can finance an older truck (or a car) through other means but give up on $1k, or I can try to find a car 2008 or newer. I have a few options.

First is the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from my previous post. It’s 2005, 2WD, manual, 88k miles, $3995. I think this would be the front runner so far but I need to see it first.

Second , I found this around the same time I found the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

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LINK

Higher mileage than I’d like and $2k more than the Ranger, but I like the basic manual-everything rubber-floor ethos.

Third :

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LINK

Why would I look at a 169k mile automatic shitbox? Because I think it will be reliable enough and it would get the $1000 rebate. I could pay it off in a year, FFS. It also has an AUX jack, which the others do not. I do like this generation of Rio. Plus it’s anonymous enough that no one will give it a second glance in my neighborhood. This car has been at this dealer for a while and they were asking $3600 at first.

Fourth , the dark horse:

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LINK

This thing is STILL THERE! I’ve talked about my deep love of Town Cars before, and this thing is nearly everything that I want, except it’s not Black/Black but I’d live. It even appears to have an aftermarket AUX jack.

With all these choices, my brain is hurting. I don’t know which way to go.

Nibby > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:27

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definitely truck

dogisbadob > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:27

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Get an Echo or Yaris  :o)

fhrblig > Nibby 09/03/2018 at 13:33

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BUT DAT TOWN CAR

fhrblig > dogisbadob 09/03/2018 at 13:34

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I don’t like them, though.  I’d rather have another Fiat than either of those.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:35

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I’m the same way, I freeze up when I don’t have enough info to make the correct decision clear. My lizard brain thinks it’s better to make no decision than to risk making the wrong one.

Frankly, I say don’t get a truck unless you have a real regular need for its capabilities. Trucks command a bit of a premium so with your budget the only trucks you seem to be able to get are much older and beat upon than the cars you can afford.

I wouldn’t go for the Rio. Yeah, it might be reliable now but cars in that class almost never hold up well after a more than a decade or so. They’re made to be disposable and it shows. I personally would avoid it because it’s uncertain how well it’ll serve you later on.

That leaves the Lincoln. It’ll be great for long trips, they’re proven to be durable, parts are cheap and plentiful, and the sparse use it’ll see negates the fuel economy penalty of the V8. I don’t see much of a downside with it . To me it seems like the best and safest choice.

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/03/2018 at 13:43

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That Ranger doesn’t look that beat up, though. Low miles, too. I bought my Ranger for basic transportation because it had the biggest rebate and I needed to get out from under my broken Caravan. I did almost no truck things with it save for the one time my parents borrowed it to tow a small trailer from Colorado to Michigan and back. Whoever bought it got a great truck.

The F150, that might be beat up. I’d have to see it and drive it first. The paint truck in my other post needed brakes and tires badly so I crossed that one off my list. Thing is, a lot of work trucks will continue to be dependable even when beaten on, and tend to hold their values well. I could see having it for 3 years and being able to sell it for around $ 5k still when I’m done with it.

I would want to have the Rio checked out first, but it’s almost too cheap to pass up. Whatever I buy only has to last a couple years while I get out of debt and build my savings.

I really love this Town Car. And it has a s unroof. I love sunroofs.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:46

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Have you gotten any insurance quotes for these cars? That could make or break it.

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/03/2018 at 13:48

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I don’t think any of them will be that much more than my last car. I remember the Ranger’s rates being pretty reasonable. The Town Car is probably going to be the worst of the bunch.

Future Heap Owner > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:50

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I would say go for the Town Car. You don’t seem to need a truck, so you’d be paying the truck premium for little reason. While paying off the Rio in a year is pretty good, I don’t think you’d like it much so you might well be tempted to just get rid of it and go back in on something else after it’s paid off.

The Town Car is something you’ll actually like, is gonna be much more fun than the Rio, and   is arguably more practical for you than a truck if your main use case is 500 mile road trips. Get it!

dogisbadob > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:53

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Toyota makes the best cars. There is nothing wrong with them. If you just need a car to get you places with no problems, any Toyota will do.

The Suzuki Aerio SX is also worth considering. A nice fun Japanese wagon thing with a digital dash. If you think they are too old, there is the newer SX4. You might even be able to get a Kizashi in your price range, although some banks do not finance Suzukis.

The Chevy Spark is also a reasonably new car you can get under $6000. If you’re lucky, you might be able to get your hands on a Sonic for that price, too, and it will have a cool digital dash.

sony1492 > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 13:57

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I would get the Rio, I’ve had an older Hyundai and it was very reliable(same brand) . All the parts will be cheap to replace and maintance will be easy . Also gas mileage.

blacktruck18 > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:00

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Lincoln.

I would be willing to bet you could fit almost as much stuff in the Lincoln with the seats down as you could in the truck bed unless you are hauling sheets of plywood or something like that. Also, I think the Lincoln would be more comfortable for everyday usage. I absolutely love my old truck, but we drive Mrs. blackcar’s car a lot more just because it’s more comfortable.

Maybe do a cost comparison. Call your insurance and see how much each of them will cost, figure out how much you think gas would cost per year, at 5000 miles per year I would think you could just use synthetic oil and only do 1 oil change so any cost difference there would be pretty small maybe $20 for 2 or 3 quarts of oil.

ranwhenparked > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:03

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Well, I recently traded down a ‘16 Challenger on a ‘08 Town Car to ditch my car payment, so I may not be the one to talk to on this.

But, it is my third Panther over the years and I can honestly say that if you are looking for a reliable, rugged vehicle that is also dirt cheap to repair when it does break, that would be a solid choice. Very comfortable on the highway, and fuel economy is about the same as a modern small crossover.

Of course, if you have uses for a truck bed, it isn’t going to be a good replacement for the F-150. A big truck, yes, but you’re not getting a sheet of plywood home in a Town Car. A Town Car can’t tow that much either, if that’s what you need. Ford downrated the tow capacity from 5,000 lbs to 2,000 lbs in the early ‘90s and left it there through the end. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:06

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Lincoln!!!!! My friends dad got one that was a limo and even with high mikes he loves it.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:06

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I recommend a manual Ford Focus Wagon or a manual PT Cruiser.

Honorable mention to the Focus hatchback.

The focus as a bit more space in Wagon form (a bit less in hatch form) and is a bit more economical

The PT has better performance in base form and way better performance in turbo form  and can handle more weight and you can easily remove the rear seats turning it into a small van

And both of these can be found in good condition well within your budget and both will be more exciting to drive than any of the vehicles you listed

fhrblig > dogisbadob 09/03/2018 at 14:15

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I would love a manual SX4, but nowadays most places won't finance a Suzuki because they left the market. I know neither of my credit unions will.

fhrblig > ranwhenparked 09/03/2018 at 14:17

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I don't necessarily have a need for a truck, but I like them. Even when they're beat up, old, and slow, I love driving them.

fhrblig > blacktruck18 09/03/2018 at 14:20

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The only thing that worries me about the Town Car is having to park it on the street. I don’t live in the best neighborhood. Then again, a mid-2000s Chevy Impala just sat on the street for 2 months with a broken window (hail) and no one touched it.

fhrblig > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 09/03/2018 at 14:28

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There is one manual Focus wagon near me, and it’s in Greeley. It also wouldn’t qualify for the $1000 because it’s a 2006, and I’m going to limit cars to ones that qualify because I want something that I actually WANT. The Town Car would be the exception because it’s something I’ve always wanted.

After my father-in-law's experience with his PT, it's a pass for me. Weirdly, if I'm going to go for a crappy small Chrysler vehicle it'd be a manual Caliber. DON'T JUDGE ME.

fhrblig > Future Heap Owner 09/03/2018 at 14:30

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The Rio is interesting because I could pay it off in one year and then be in a better position to get something that costs more. But I really like the Town Car. A lot.

fhrblig > sony1492 09/03/2018 at 14:31

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It would be the sensible choice, and I know I wouldn't hate it.

blacktruck18 > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:35

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Like you said no one bothered the Impala and the Lincoln could just as easily get stolen from a Wal-Mart parking or something like that. You have full coverage insurance if something goes wrong. It would be a pain in the ass but you can get something else, worst case.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:40

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The caliber has the same problem as the PT.. sucks in automatic form. If you get a caliber with the 2L or 2.4L with the manual, it will be fine... especially if you’re not one of these people who equate “quality” with soft touch plastic and leather... which in my view, is actually worse for a daily driven beater that you’ll use occasionally to haul stuff in.

Also like the PT, the seats are cheap... but those can be swapped fairly easily.

Note that the caliber shares the same basic chassis as the last Mitsubishi EVO

And I’ve driven the mercury version of the Town Car.  The town car will have a smoother ride if it has the expensive-to-fix air suspension.  But even without, the ride will be smooth.  But handling sucks and power and braking is unimpressive 

Kiltedpadre > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:44

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I think we’ve discussed our shared style of automotive ADD before. That being said in this instance I’d be debating between the ranger and town car.

If you don’t necessarily need a truck you can save yourself the gas mileage penalty of a big truck and have the added bonus of being easier to park.

I have a real love of big cushy cars. So the town car would be a possibility. Plus, since it’s been there awhile they may negotiate a bit on price. I actually like that color. The interior may be a sticking point though since the headliner may discolor quickly since you said it would be a rolling cigar lounger. Of course it’s up to you to decide whether or not that matters. 

fhrblig > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 09/03/2018 at 14:47

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What’s wrong with the Caliber’s 1.8? I don’t know anything about them. I’m sure I’d rather have the bigger fours, just wondering.

I've driven the Town Car before and I'm fine with the power level. I love everything about them.

fhrblig > Kiltedpadre 09/03/2018 at 14:52

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Wheni had my Ranger I routinely got close to 30 mpg, and 27 with sandbags in the back for winter. Definitely a selling point.

I only smoke cigars with the windows down so it shouldn't get that bad for a while. Yeah, I think I can maybe get them down on the price. The color isn't bad, I just prefer the black/black combo which seems to be a bit harder to find.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:54

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So it seems like you don’t particularly need a truck. What makes you want one , then, if you don’t mind me asking?

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/03/2018 at 14:58

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Trucks are fun to drive. Not in the same way as a sports car, but I've always liked driving them. If I could, I'd convince my parents to sell me their old 4x4 F-150 with the 5.0 and stick. That thing is so much fun especially on dirt roads. My old Ranger was fun too. It wasn't fast or comfortable, but it was cheap to run and even pretty enjoyable on twisty mountain roads.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 14:58

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Out of these choices I’d go Lincoln 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 15:01

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The caliber is just a re-skinned PT 

fhrblig > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/03/2018 at 15:03

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I know, but I like it more for no good reason.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 15:25

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It might be okay... it’s mainly a power to weight thing. The 2.4L is torquey and will feel peppy with the manual. The 2L I think would be fine. For the 1.8L, it would be fine for me because I’m the type who likes to drive slow cars fast. But for many others, it might feel too slow. Doesn’t hurt to look at it and test drive it.

As for the Town Cat power level... not saying it’s bad... just nothing special.  I find panthers to be boring cars to drive

Kiltedpadre > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 15:30

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All black would definitely be the top choice, but for me at least the blue would be preferable to the silver I see most often.

Chariotoflove > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 15:45

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I don’t know what you’d want, but I’d want the Town Car.

fhrblig > Chariotoflove 09/03/2018 at 15:55

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I want the Town Car. And a truck. And a million dollars.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 15:57

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If that's what you want, go for it.

Captain of the Enterprise > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 16:44

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I freeze a lot too it’s part of my anxiety and childhood experiences.

I wouldn’t sweat the aux jack thing, you can put in a Bluetooth head unit for less than $150. I use crutchfield as they help with instructions and install accessories and adaptors.

It sounds like you’ve got some good ideas and are thinking it through. If you’re like me you’re probably overthinking it and will feel a bit better after picking something. I found the decision would get made for me when shopping used with a limited budget. I would test drive everything you’re interested in and see what you like and make sure they are in good shape mechanically. That should narrow it down and help you get out of your head because you’ll have more information and it could emliminate options and make it easier.

Good luck! 

Chariotoflove > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 17:29

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Well in  the Town Car you’ll look like a million bucks. That’s pretty close.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > fhrblig 09/03/2018 at 18:33

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For older, less expensive car financing, State Farm bank can be a good way to go. Not the lowest interest rates, but they basically don’t care about age. So long as it has less than 150k, and you’re looking to borrow a t least $ 5k, they’ll write the loan. Also, loans are usually handled through agent’s offices, so it is super convenient if you also have insurance through them. Usually you go in, get the approval pretty much instantly , and leave with a bank draft made out to whoever the seller is (and they’re fine with bank drafts made out in individuals for private party sales).  

fhrblig > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 09/03/2018 at 18:40

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I’ll look into that, thanks!

fhrblig > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 09/03/2018 at 19:07

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But I want both! GIMME BOTH

Longtime Lurker > fhrblig 09/04/2018 at 23:25

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You had a Caravan before you got your Ranger! I traded my Caravan in under a recycling program to get my Ranger.

fhrblig > Longtime Lurker 09/05/2018 at 00:10

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I got my Ranger right around cash for clunkers, but the Caravan didn’t qualify for the program. It was a 2005 short wheelbase 4-banger.

Longtime Lurker > fhrblig 09/05/2018 at 14:27

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Mine was a 2000 short 3.0