Frustration

"André - Volvo4Life" (Volvo-4-life)
12/02/2013 at 09:26 • Filed to: None

Oppo, is there anything more frustrating than buying a used car? I am currently looking for either a Miata or a Mini Cooper in the 5-6k range as a Daily Driver for my very short commute and some fun on the weekends.

Is there anything worse than that feeling of knowing what you're getting into and wondering if the transmission will go a week later?

Gahhhh

DISCUSSION (18)

CalzoneGolem > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:28

I think someone people on here buy used cars like it will cure that itchy rash in their pants.

Spoiler: It won't

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:28

Look at E36's

André - Volvo4Life > CalzoneGolem
12/02/2013 at 09:31

I am only 25. I have never bought a used car like this before.

Now that I am married and we have two cars, one being the dependable 2013 go anywhere Toyota, I can afford to buy something fun just for myself.

André - Volvo4Life > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/02/2013 at 09:31

Looking to get about 25MPG. Also, if something goes wrong in an E36 (as much as I love that car) I will have to sell a kidney right?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:34

I'm getting 26.1 on my 328i, so I'm sure the 318ti's get better, parts really aren't that bad and they are pretty easy to wrench on.

CalzoneGolem > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:37

You're stressing over buying a toy? I think you might be doing this wrong.

André - Volvo4Life > CalzoneGolem
12/02/2013 at 09:40

I know I know.... :( But it still has to get me to work everyday..I think that's where the stress comes from.

duurtlang > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:41

Not really. I quite like looking at used cars actually. Be critical of the ad, make an assessment of the person selling the car (how did he/she treat the car?), look for maintenance records and, most importantly, take a second person with you when taking a test drive. A critical and mechanically inclined person.

In the last year and a half I bought a then 12 year old Peugeot (€3000) and 15 year old Subaru (€500). The Peugeot was and still is my perfect DD, the Subaru was rough but even before the purchase my mechanically inclined buddy made it clear what it needed (€) to be mechanically sound. It helps if you buy something that's known as generally sound, and there's someone present how honestly can estimate cost.

CalzoneGolem > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:45

So wait, what are the 2 cars you guys have now that you can't take one to work if you need/want to?

André - Volvo4Life > CalzoneGolem
12/02/2013 at 09:47

2013 Toyota Camry - My wife's daily driver.

Her old 2003 Honda Civic, which I am now driving, but am selling to fund this new purchase.

André - Volvo4Life > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/02/2013 at 09:47

26! That's really good. I will look at 318's also!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:49

Got to love manual transmissions.

CalzoneGolem > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 09:59

Gotcha. I was thinking that this used car was going to be the third car.

rabidpenguin > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 12:07

I don't think the Mini, a BMW product, will be any more expensive to fix than an older e36. The insurance should be cheaper on the older BMW than the newer Mini as well. This may make up for the difference, if any, in MPG.

André - Volvo4Life > rabidpenguin
12/02/2013 at 13:10

That's a good point. It does however make the Miata seem like the best choice right?

rabidpenguin > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 13:30

Oppo Logic=YES!

Real World= NO!

André - Volvo4Life > rabidpenguin
12/02/2013 at 13:38

Why not?

rabidpenguin > André - Volvo4Life
12/02/2013 at 14:05

Back seats, trunk, cruising range, 6 cylinder power, no leaky noisy softop, doesn't need "tall guy" mods, don't have to defend your decision to own to your friends- just to name a few