Kids n Cars

[Iron Mike]

This was my first whip....except it was green w/white roof.

[SkinBasket]

1979 Toyota Corolla was the first car my wife and I bought for $550 when we left for college. Except ours had a lot more rust. Top speed was about 72 MPH. The trunk had a hole rusted through on the back quarter panel that had been cleverly patched with a flannel shirt, but outside of a fuel pump that sprayed a flammable gas/oil mixture about the engine compartment, and a wheel that came off and a busted thermostat, she drove like a drunken 70 year old whore.

After a couple years, we got the family Oldsmobile back from my sister, and she (the car, not my sister) died of neglect because no one stole it like he had hoped. Left it open all the time in a part of town where apparently the hookers had too much pride and the bums only stole rims. When they came to take her body, they tore her back bumper clean off, then had to ram her with the flatbed to dislodge her frozen corpse and pull her up by the axle.

I miss her still.

[Patler]

A child's "need" for a car is one of those opportunities parents have to teach life skills. Sure, you can give the kid a car, pay the insurance and give them money for gas. But what does that teach them? Isn't it better to give them the knowledge and experience to meet that need for the rest of their lives? Teach them how to use a slim jim, to hot-wire and to siphon gas and they will have the skills necessary to meet their transportation needs the rest of their life.

[retailguy]

Yeah, wish I could find a Toyota for her. Tons of people around here driving them but just not finding any used that are older.

Anyone know anything about Dodge Intrepids? Likes or dislikes?? We found a 2001 tonight but didn't drive it yet. Asking 4500.

Hundreds if not thousands of cars on ebay or online. Hire a good mechanic in the town where it is to do a complete pre-buy inspection. When that checks out go get it or have it shipped.

Hire the mechanic even if you buy locally. Best money you'll ever spend.

Honda/Toyota/Nissan. I'd pick any of the following: civic/accord/camry/corolla/altima. I think the Corolla is the best small car on the road. Pretty sure she could dump diesel fuel in a gas car and it'd still run. They're also one of the most economical cars on the road.

[mraynrand]

"Anyone know anything about Dodge Intrepids? Likes or dislikes?? We found a 2001 tonight but didn't drive it yet. Asking 4500."

I owned an 2000 Intrepid RT for 5 years. Pretty decent car. I got about 6K for it in 2005. I assume you're getting the standard 225hp V6. I would counter offer 2500, if the mileage is under 125K. My tire guy has run his 2000 for over 225,000K but he's put about 5K into it. Figure at least 1K/year in maintenance costs for a ten year old car (Some years will be better, some worse, so you might get lucky and pay less if you only own it for a few years - or you could get scorched!). And do what Retail says and have a trusted mechanic look at it.

[GrnBay007]

Figure at least 1K/year in maintenance costs for a ten year old car.

Woohoo.....that made me feel good. I've only been putting about 500 a year in my 12 year old Toyota!

[MadtownPacker]

Woohoo.....that made me feel good. I've only been putting about 500 a year in my 12 year old Toyota!

Exactly so dont listen to these lazy fat Americans and just buy another ricemobile so you don't have to fuck with it.

[GrnBay007]

A child's "need" for a car is one of those opportunities parents have to teach life skills. Sure, you can give the kid a car, pay the insurance and give them money for gas. But what does that teach them? Isn't it better to give them the knowledge and experience to meet that need for the rest of their lives? Teach them how to use a slim jim, to hot-wire and to siphon gas and they will have the skills necessary to meet their transportation needs the rest of their life.

I completely agree Patler. I saved and saved after I got my first job at our neighborhood pool......started out at basket check girl at 14, moved to cashier and finally made lifeguard....lol First purchase with that money was a (at the time) very cool stereo (a necessity as a young teen!) Second thing saved for was a car. Came up a lil short and my parents floated me a loan which I paid off in a year. That is what I plan to do with my kids. Make them save for the car but will let them make payments to me if they come up a lil short.

Thing is it's a win-win situation with us...having another driver/car in the family is going to make things much easier on me! lol

[GrnBay007]

BTW new development. Her uncle may be coming through and selling her a 2001 Ford Taurus for 1600. .....oh w/ a sunroof....she's excited. lol I figure for that price if she gets a couple years out of it, it's worth it. right? lol

[GrnBay007]

1979 Toyota Corolla was the first car my wife and I bought for $550 when we left for college.

Wow, you've been with your lady since HS?

[GrnBay007]

Exactly so dont listen to these lazy fat Americans and just buy another ricemobile so you don't have to fuck with it.

lol yeah, mine lasted longer than yours!

[Freak Out]

BTW new development. Her uncle may be coming through and selling her a 2001 Ford Taurus for 1600. .....oh w/ a sunroof....she's excited. lol I figure for that price if she gets a couple years out of it, it's worth it. right? lol

You can't do that to her. A 2001 Taurus? Really? Hell....I'll pitch in to keep her out of that uncool POS.

[Partial]

BTW new development. Her uncle may be coming through and selling her a 2001 Ford Taurus for 1600. .....oh w/ a sunroof....she's excited. lol I figure for that price if she gets a couple years out of it, it's worth it. right? lol

Yes, absolutely. At some point cars don't get any cheaper when they run. It's probably a little lower than that number, but not much. Good deal.

[MJZiggy]

You can't do that to her. A 2001 Taurus? Really? Hell....I'll pitch in to keep her out of that uncool POS.

I still love my Acura, and it gives me no trouble (except that I need to have the AC looked at) and I loved my Civic as well. Not as much the Camry, though that might be because I like smaller cars. Then again we had a CR-V that I liked too.

[SkinBasket]

Wow, you've been with your lady since HS?

Word to yo mutha! 17 years ago I asked her to be my lady, she accepted, and I drove away in the Oldsmobile. But I saw her again the next day in math class. Very romantic.

So make sure your daughter gets a car she can meet her future husband in.