What should I do?

I'm kind of torn here.

I've been thinking about selling the Miata, but the truth is I don't think I could get that much for it as it sits right now. It's about to need new tires and has a few other issues (no gauge hood, leak in the PS system somewhere, AC isn't working, yadda yadda). It's still running great though, and I'm about to run it up to Rogue to get some of the niggling problems looked at.

Even though I tend to whine about it every now and then, I've really had a surprisingly small number of problems with it since I've owned it. That kinda makes me nervous, because I know whatever else I get probably won't be that reliable ;)

So what do you think... sell, and buy another Integra or Civic (or even an NB, possibly) after saving up a bit, or hang onto it, get it back into good shape and keep driving it?

I just have the feeling that I need to update my vehicles. The van DEFINITELY needs to go so I can get a smaller hatchback.

I also considered trading the Miata, but I figure it has a value of about $2200ish so I really couldn't get anything very nice.

Mainly I need something that gets good mileage with a working AC.

I dunno, I'm rambling. Any ideas? I love this car to death but I'm thinking that I might need to switch to a grocery getter until I'm settled into a house and better job, then I can have another toy...

Wait and get you a Mahindra SUV or pick up.
Linkie:
30MPG and Diesel to boot. They are supposed to be selling them by years end with a starting price estimated around $13,000 for the base truck.

I don't buy new vehicles, but once some long-term reliability tests are released I might consider a used one.

Your 18 year old car has a few minor problems? Shocking.

If you do decide to move on, I'd suggest that you put a used Mazda 3 on your list of candidates. Prices are usually half-way decent and they're fun to drive.

I'm kinda in the same boat, since having a kid a 2 seater didn't seem very useful. I decided that I couldn't trade or sell it for much at all, not enough to invest in anything but another beater in worse condition anyway, and it'd be 18 years before I bought anything remotely this fun to drive. When I had my civic every noise scared me to death at the thought of how much it was going to cost me after the warranty went out. The Miata I know that the very few things I can't fix myself, I can pay for help from the guys here with a sixback of beer, or take it to Rogue instead of the 10,000 shady mechanics out there for any other cars.

I decided I liked the old gal too dang much, so I pulled the airbags out so I could somewhat safely fit a child seat, just for enough time untill I can save up for a crappy grocery getter to get me through college. That way the Miata can serve as a backup car if one of the others has to spend a week at a shop and I can drive it on fridays. This car will never leave my hands as long as it's roadworthy. Even if I won the lottery and had 5 kids...i'd still keep the Miata. Hopefully I can give it to my son someday.

Edit: Keep it, then when you get a better job you can buy a nicer toy, but I bet you'd still drive the Miata on Fridays.

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Originally Posted by shortshift

If you do decide to move on, I'd suggest that you put a used Mazda 3 on your list of candidates. Prices are usually half-way decent and they're fun to drive.

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It's on the list, but since I try to pay cash I'm looking at options well under $4k. I'm also considering financing so I won't have to sell a vehicle before buying a new one, but I've never been in debt in my life and it scares me...

Keep the miata. It's payed for and you love it. Even if it needs a few niggling problems looked at they are probably less expensive to take care of once than a monthly payment for years will be. Any car that you may buy will eventually need new tires...my $.02.

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Originally Posted by CarCar

Keep the miata. It's payed for and you love it. Even if it needs a few niggling problems looked at they are probably less expensive to take care of once than a monthly payment for years will be. Any car that you may buy will eventually need new tires...my $.02.

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I know, tires are just one of the things I need to work on (still on the first set I ever bought for it).

I'm starting to think it would be a good idea to hang onto the Miata and start looking for a replacement for the van.... the Miata has been problem-free for the vast majority of the time, but the van has given me nothing but issues since I got it.

Maybe get an auto loan from the bank, buy a new vehicle, THEN sell the van and pay off half the loan within a month... hmm..

you could buy my speed3 PLEASE lots of room and still fun

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Originally Posted by dark shadow

you could buy my speed3 PLEASE lots of room and still fun

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Sure... how's $3400 sound? ;)

Look at it this way:
You have 2 cars, so your chance of being stranded are minimal
Towing and minor repairs every month are unlikely; a car payment every month will get old really quickly
Keep what you have, save up the money to replace the van, and then buy something. I hear that used to be the American way back in the day.

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Originally Posted by onething

Look at it this way:
You have 2 cars, so your chance of being stranded are minimal
Towing and minor repairs every month are unlikely; a car payment every month will get old really quickly
Keep what you have, save up the money to replace the van, and then buy something. I hear that used to be the American way back in the day.

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That's why I have two ;)

My main issue is that neither vehicle has AC and both are black. I was quoted about $2500 to fix the van's AC (:() which is about what it's worth. It's VERY aggravating to be stuck in traffic with no AC in the middle of a Texas summer... not to mention it won't pass inspection due to codes right now (I luckily got it done earlier this year). Oh, and the tires are almost done on it too... needs a coil... IAC valve... I can barely drive it at the moment because it's missing so bad.

I'm also trying to save for a house down payment.

I was thinking that I could get a loan (around $6k), buy a new vehicle, then sell the van and put that money on the loan (Wells Fargo allows that), cutting it down to a pretty reasonable monthly payment that I could be done with within 2 years easily.

I don't know though. It's hard to save for two major purchases at once ::Rant::

man, if you are looking for another Civic or Integra... you really are looking to be living the paranoid life. I had 7 Hondas and i was so extreamly worried to go anywhere in them because i didnt know if it was going to be there or not when i got back, even sitting at my house i was paranoid about it. if i saw the smallest amount of light outside of my window i was there to make sure no one was trying to take my car. to own a Honda now a days, its really not worth it. the Honda theives will take anything remotely nice and strip it down to nothing. my friends basicly stock 93 Civic DX got stolen in Denton and recovered in OKC completly stripped, and all it had done to it was some OK wheels, and a inch drop... i couldnt even tell it was dropped and i put on the susspension lol, but they took it and everything inside of it.

I personally think that you should keep the miata. i can understand selling the van lol, but the miata needs to stay. if nothing else you can prob buy a decent camery or a sentra or something with the money you sell the van for.

get a nb and how dare you even think about buying a front wheel drive car you traitor especially a civic or integra.


go fix the a/c yourself it shouldnt be too difficult to replace

Wow, I don't ever worry about my Civic and I live in Denton.

How many miles on that van now? I have the same one and mine is great.

I suggest you get your Miata back into good shape, then explore options. The A/C should not cost more than a few hundred $$, even if you have to replace the compressor. Tires are easy, since there are also really good deals on used tires from various autoX/track guys and gals on the forums, or you could simply get an inexpensive set of Kumho's brand new ($250 installed). Sounds to me like your van is the bigger problem, and is a candidate for "sell it while you can" for whatever you can get. Vans can become money pits in a hurry, since they are often hard on drivetrain components and cooling systems. Sell it, then get a nice "family car", like a Camry, Accord, Mazda 3/6/MPV, etc. in the $5K range. That is generally the price point where very clean, reliable private party used imports are found.

The other option that would make sense to me is to sell both vehicles as-is, then buy an NB with everything working properly and updated. At that point, you could decide whether you need a house or a second vehicle. Once you get the house, a pickup becomes indispensable IMHO, but used pickups are common and cheap. I have a 1992 extended cab chevy that isn't driven often, but can carry 6 people, can haul anything sold at home depot, and is always there if something else breaks down. Gas mileage sucks, but insurance is practically nothing, and parts are plentiful and cheap. Perfect compliment to my Miata.

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Originally Posted by Sharpie

Wow, I don't ever worry about my Civic and I live in Denton.

How many miles on that van now? I have the same one and mine is great.

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What's your address?......;)

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Originally Posted by Sharpie

How many miles on that van now? I have the same one and mine is great.

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Almost 140k. I'm sure it would be nice if I hadn't bought a POS :(

I had an Integra for years and never worried about it, BTW. I live in a decent neighborhood (not great) and have good neighbors that keep an eye out.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

I suggest you get your Miata back into good shape, then explore options. The A/C should not cost more than a few hundred $$, even if you have to replace the compressor. Tires are easy, since there are also really good deals on used tires from various autoX/track guys and gals on the forums, or you could simply get an inexpensive set of Kumho's brand new ($250 installed). Sounds to me like your van is the bigger problem, and is a candidate for "sell it while you can" for whatever you can get. Vans can become money pits in a hurry, since they are often hard on drivetrain components and cooling systems. Sell it, then get a nice "family car", like a Camry, Accord, Mazda 3/6/MPV, etc. in the $5K range. That is generally the price point where very clean, reliable private party used imports are found.

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I'm starting to lean this way. I have the van because I fly RC planes and need a way to carry them (it's a tight squeeze in anything smaller). I think I could deal with a midsize wagon or hatchback like a Protege5 or Mazda6 wagon or something similar... even a 3 but that's out of my price range.

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The other option that would make sense to me is to sell both vehicles as-is, then buy an NB with everything working properly and updated. At that point, you could decide whether you need a house or a second vehicle. Once you get the house, a pickup becomes indispensable IMHO, but used pickups are common and cheap. I have a 1992 extended cab chevy that isn't driven often, but can carry 6 people, can haul anything sold at home depot, and is always there if something else breaks down. Gas mileage sucks, but insurance is practically nothing, and parts are plentiful and cheap. Perfect compliment to my Miata.

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That's another thing I considered (a pickup). I wouldn't mind having a Tacoma with a shell on the back to haul planes and whatnot, and it would probably even make a decent DD if it wasn't for mileage. But the van is getting 16mpg city so that's not a big deal, LOL.

I can't sell both vehicles for an NB for the reasons stated above. I'd like an NB later on, though.

Thanks a lot :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onething

Look at it this way:
You have 2 cars, so your chance of being stranded are minimal
Towing and minor repairs every month are unlikely; a car payment every month will get old really quickly
Keep what you have, save up the money to replace the van, and then buy something. I hear that used to be the American way back in the day.

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+1

Car loans are dumb.

Fix them to where they are drivable/livable. Fix the A/C on both/either and fix the little problems and you are still way ahead of having an upside down car note. If you want to buy a house, you don't need to accumulate more debt anyways.