[Homestead] hi - car trouble & question

Clansgian at wmconnect.com Clansgian at wmconnect.com
Tue Mar 3 20:02:57 EST 2009



> >If this were you, what would you look into or think about getting? Guess
> I'll begin calling nearby dealers and see what they have used under $4k.
> 

Lisa, it is a buyer's market.    You should be able to get two serviceable 
vans for $4K (or one for half that or less).   If you deal with car dealers (and 
I wouldn't recommend it) ... go see several cars and low ball them like 
crazy.  Be ridiculous and offer $1200 for one worth $3000 and priced $7000.

Do the same on lists and with individuals only realize that their prices are 
probably more within the scope of reality and so only lowball them a little.

If you don't have to have the second vehicle right away, look at a lot of 
them and make low offers.  

If I had $4K to spend on a 4+ passenger vehicle, I'd get one for $2K or less, 
or much less, and put the rest in a Mason jar (so to speak) against the next 
vehicle.

I practice what I preach.  Our multi-passenger vehicle is a Dodge minivan we 
bought in 1997 for $2200.  It's still going fine.   In twelve years I've 
replaced the brakes, radiator and I may have done a water pump (can't recall, might 
have been another vehicle).   It doesn't carry collision insurance.  We long 
ago put enough for another vehicle in a Mason jar (so to speak) and when this 
one dies, it had a good run ... R.I.P. (rest in pieces), we donate it to the 
quickest junk yard and go buy another one unabated.


James


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