Need an Oppinion!

"Lekker" (z34nismo) 03/07/2014 at 09:58 • Filed to: None

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So as some of you may know, I am living in Kansas City but my wife is back home, in Arizona. We have two cars, my Z and a 2011 Scion TC. Here is the the situation, the scion is crapping out on us and warranty is out (she drove to KC to visit me a few times, and we drove to Vegas a lot to visit her parents, so mileage is around 40k ). Since I am not there, it is hard for me to be able to diagnose the car but it seems like Tranny issues (CEL light throws turbine shaft sensor failure) as well as electrical issues. It has come to the point where it runs OK for one day, and won't start the next or it dies on my wife while driving it. So it is obviously a POS. We have taken good care of it... bah, not going to rant about that.

The question is, should we spend a few grand getting it all fixed (like 5k) or should I trade it/sell it and get her a BRZ which happens to be her favorite car. Now here is the catch: She starts med school next semester, so she will have to quit her job as full time and maybe get a half-time gig if at all.

Have a Volvo 544 for your troubles.

Tom McParland > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:03

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Deals on FRS/BRZ are pretty good now, demand was high and has really tapered off. You might even be able to pick up one lightly used with less than 10k miles for cheap.

Lekker > Tom McParland 03/07/2014 at 10:05

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The ones that I saw used (at the stealership) were almost the same price as the new ones. But that's a good idea.

Tom McParland > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:06

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What is your zip-code?

Lekker > Tom McParland 03/07/2014 at 10:06

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The one that matters is my wife's, 85741

Grindintosecond > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:10

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Mmm 544. Please go have a strip steak at the golden ox and tell me if it still dissolves in the mouth. Car wise...this is med school. Why the new car? But, its her favorite car so go get it if you're not too worried about debt.

Lekker > Grindintosecond 03/07/2014 at 10:13

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Now I want steak. Great.

And I am considering getting something small, cheap and reliable as well. BRZ was simply the first thing that popped to mind since she always talks about it. I would not mind something new but cheaper. Its not debt I'm worried about, its paying it off. Lol

Frosted > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:18

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Get the FRS/BRZ. If a tC is giving you that kind of problem already,you're bound to have worse headaches down the road.

Lekker > Frosted 03/07/2014 at 10:19

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That was my thought process. If it is already crapping out now, I don't want to imagine how it'll be past a reasonable mileage.

Frosted > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:25

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The problem with the tC is that it wasn't really designed for big road trips which you use it for so some parts are probably being strained from constant use. Sounds silly but I never really hear about people having problems with the tC/Scion in general until they start racking up miles during prolonged driving.

Lekker > Frosted 03/07/2014 at 10:30

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I cannot emphasize how accurate that is. I used to drive trips of 2k miles on my Murano, with NO problem at all. And the first time we did a trip to KC is when the problems started. It doesn't help the car had never seen snow and that trip it saw pounds of snow and salt.

Lekker > Tom McParland 03/07/2014 at 10:31

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I had no idea it was you replying, that makes sense you asked for the ZIP. Thanks for helping out sir, these are tough times and any help and suggestions will be heard and welcome.

Grindintosecond > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:32

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I did college an hour southeast of KC...I know steak. Also a nice little trip that way should land you at Perry Fosters BBQ. If its still open... reliable, small, cheap. Tell you what an 08 Mazda 3 is as blast to drive and reliable and found for 10k and less..its not a corolla.

Lekker > Grindintosecond 03/07/2014 at 10:34

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Nice. I will go try it out. I do believe its open, I've heard about it since I moved here.

That isn't that bad actually, my only concern is buying used again since the last 2 used cars I bought went to sheiza. I had inspections done by trusty mechanics and still. There just some things you can't test.

Frosted > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:34

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Yea all of Scions cars were made for beautiful summer weather and a trip from a college dorm room to the local liquor store. Anything else seems to be too much for it. My 04 xB struggled in the snow worse than any other car I've owned.

Lekker > Frosted 03/07/2014 at 10:38

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I learned that the hard way while driving on I70 through Colorado this last Xmas.

Frosted > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:40

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Ouch that sounds rough. Granted I dunno how well a BRZ/FRS would do during winter and on long road trips or the winter either.

Grindintosecond > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:41

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Carmax has that full dealer warranty thing right? Demi to tested that out it could be a way through the unknown. I bet a fiesta would be good.

Lekker > Frosted 03/07/2014 at 10:43

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Yeah, it was. To add to it all, had my two huskies in the back so they were hella uneasy. It was horrible lol.

Well it won't see a winter with temps less than 40 in AZ. From now on we will only fly to see each other, since the last experience was less than good. But for that same reason I am considering getting her the Impreza instead, a forester or even the crossteck.

Lekker > Grindintosecond 03/07/2014 at 10:44

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I was under the impression their warranty was limited to 3 years and only 6 months of mechanical.

Zeniff > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:49

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So...if you trade in the TC, how much are you going to get for it? I've got to think that the trade-in value would be much lower without the repairs being done, so you either end up eating it on the front end (doing the repairs), or you eat it on the back end when you trade it in. Either way, you more or less end up paying for it, the question is which way is more costly.

5k....is that a guestimate? Sounds very expensive, unless we're talking a brand-new, OEM transmission replacement. I'd get a better idea of repair costs before making the decision.

Sorry to hear that the TC hasn't been more reliable. I don't know much about them, but I'm surprised.

Frosted > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 10:52

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The Impreza and Forester are at the top of my car shopping list this go around. Both would be great for winter and still put a smile on your face during the summer. Forester def seems better for road trippin' but if you guys aren't going to be doing that a whole lot, the Impreza might be more fun/reliable.

Lekker > Zeniff 03/07/2014 at 10:56

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Last time I had it appraised I got offered 14k I believe. Which was really low. And my idea is to get it to where it can run enough so they inspect it and trade it. I don't want to do a private sale bc I don't want someone else to land with this problem, so I'd rather it come off a dealership that will not see the cost as much as a normal person would.

Repairs are including quite a few things, but that is an educated estimate based on the totals I got quoted.

I am so surprised the TC came out to be so bad, I really am. I had such hopes

Lekker > Frosted 03/07/2014 at 10:58

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Well the reason I love the idea of the Forester is that its so useful. Our dogs would be more comfortable, my wife would be in a safer car, and she would have the "confidence" of knowing she isn't the smallest car on the road (exaggeration, making a point). I'm sure I'll do more roadtrips in the future, just not to visit one another. Hopefully I'll get back to AZ soon enough.

Tom McParland > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 11:24

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What is your payout on the TC?

Lekker > Tom McParland 03/07/2014 at 11:31

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I have a secured loan through a credit union so I technically have no payoff since the title is with no lienholder and to my name. I owe 7.5k on it

Tom McParland > Tom McParland 03/07/2014 at 11:32

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Trade in eval on your Scion is about 12 grand so you would have to do the payout math on that.

BRZs in your area don't have much in the way of discounts here in NJ you can get some deals. However there are a few FRSs that might be worth considering. They might be a bit of a drive to get to though.

Grey 2013 with a few miles

2014 Red

frankie fizz > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 13:51

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Opinions:

1- always have a Z, excellent choice

2- never buy a scion (viewed as joke cars for fools by the general public)

3- get the BRZ or GT86

4- don't be surprised if/when she complains about how slow it is

5- hope it lasts until after med school, upgrade her car, buy a new Z

all set!

Lekker > frankie fizz 03/07/2014 at 13:59

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I absolutely like your mindset, here's a few thoughts to that:

1- Yes, started with a 350 4 years ago, now I got me a 370 Nismo

2-No. Don't.

3-She hates lexus other than the sc430 (i taught her well, sort of). She likes hte BRZ but has her head on her shoulders so she knows it might be smarter to get a Crosstrek.

4-She won't. The spirited driving is done by me, in this case I'd have two cars to do that with. She did agree to let me mod the BRZ when she gets one.

5-It won't. I promised her a brand new car of her choice. Last time she wanted an LFA, so I had to tone her down.

mapleliffs > Lekker 03/07/2014 at 14:30

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College professors love a Volvo 544 so I say go vintage! She's guaranteed to get good grades from those swooning profs with that sweet, Swedish ride.

frankie fizz > Lekker 03/10/2014 at 11:33

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ha, an LFA...wouldn't we all love one!