Car cost for low mileage driving?

[RonBoyd]

From what I've read online you should be able to negotiate to ~$40,000 for a new Pacifica Limited or ~$30,000 for a used one, but check latest prices on pacificaforums.com

Whichever one you pick must also have the Advanced SafetyTec package to get all the new safety features you want.

You'll want the Limited trim since it comes with HID headlights (IIRC none of the other trim levels offer HID)

Also, the Pacifica has terrible reliability ratings (26/100 or 1/5 from Consumer Reports) so you'll want to buy Chrysler's MaxCare warranty from either your local dealer or online:

https://www.chryslerwarrantydirect.com


DON'T buy the hybrid...very few are sold & so few dealer techs know how to service them, and the hybrid powertrain has had serious problems (e.g. shutting off at highway speeds)

Hmmm. Food for thought. Good thing I am in no hurry. In fact, I spent an hour or so a few weeks ago thinking about and haven't put any thought of it since. Thanks for the heads-up.

Nevertheless, I still share the OP's quandary.

 

[morriss003]

Why not pick up a slightly used Nissan Leaf? Almost no maintenance (electric), suitable range on a charge, great for short hops. Plus, you can find low mileage ones pretty cheap these days.

Good advice

 

[swakyaby]

For the purposes that the OP needs it for, 4 miles a day around town, a used electric car sounds ideal.

 

[Joggernot]

1. Leaf or other all electric
2. Golf cart! We are allowed to drive a golf cart on certain streets here, and we are able to go anywhere we need to go. Most of these trips are in the 4 mile range. We have electric and replace the batteries every 3-4 years for $1200. There are months we don't even know the price of gas.

 

[meleana]

Get a used, but newer model Toyota or Honda.

 

[themillerman]

IMHO, the best solution for the questioner is to buy a three year old used luxury car (if luxury is their thing) or a two year old off-lease non-luxury car (if basic transportation is their desire) and make sure not to over-pay (based on Kelly, Tru-car, etc.). If car is no longer needed in a couple of years, sell it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Golf cart in Illinois

 

[Joggernot]

Check your laws: http://peru-il.elaws.us/code/coor

 

[OldShooter]

Just remember this: A lease is simply an expensive and opaque way to borrow money. TANSTAAFL

 

[Jerry1]

Just remember this: A lease is simply an expensive and opaque way to borrow money. TANSTAAFL

It's a little more than that. A lease assumes you will sell or trade your vehicle after a short period of time. Therefore, the lease also spreads the risk of obtaining the value at lease end. You could trade it in or sell it out right if you didn't have a lease, but with a lease, the amount is determined up front. One way this can really work in your favor is in the case of an accident. With a lease, you still have to properly fix the car, but at the end of the lease you walk away. If you owned it, you'd more than likely take a financial hit trying to sell a car that's been in an accident.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

Golf cart in Illinois

Put some snow tires on it and you're good to go!

 

[imoldernu]

Illinois golf cart laws... can be registered. Restrictions apply.

https://golfcartresource.com/illinois-golf-cart-low-speed-vehicle-laws/

.........................................................................................................
We looked at an Elantra in the lot of a local dealer. The MSRP is $17,600. Having never bought a new vehicle... wondering what we'd be facing when talking to a salesperson. I dislike bartering, and tend to walk away, when the pressure rises. Any thoughts about what we'll be facing re: add-ons, trade ups, taxes, extra set up charges, special paint, finishes, undercoats etc.
At 83, a babe in the woods. Would like to be prepared.

thanks...

 

[aja8888]

Illinois golf cart laws... can be registered. Restrictions apply.

https://golfcartresource.com/illinois-golf-cart-low-speed-vehicle-laws/

.........................................................................................................
We looked at an Elantra in the lot of a local dealer. The MSRP is $17,600. Having never bought a new vehicle... wondering what we'd be facing when talking to a salesperson. I dislike bartering, and tend to walk away, when the pressure rises. Any thoughts about what we'll be facing re: add-ons, trade ups, taxes, extra set up charges, special paint, finishes, undercoats etc.
At 83, a babe in the woods. Would like to be prepared.

thanks...

Just a thought:

You can buy a used rental car from Enterprise when they change the fleet. All cars are "reconditioned" and usually low mileage (under 50K) ones. They sell and the low end of Kelley Blue Book and are "fixed price" with no bullshit sales pitches for "extras". They come with a one year, 12,000 warranty.

Not a bad way to go and you can avoid the dealers. They sell by region so do a search by zip code.

https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/list/buy-a-car-1

Here's an example in the Chicago area:

https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/...6JH265580/Used-2018-Hyundai-Elantra-Aurora-IL

 

[pjigar]

Considering the OP drives 1,500 miles per year, the cost of gas is unimportant.

He could drive a truck and still not spend much on gas, so buying a 3 yr old large American car that has depreciated a lot makes sense.

Exactly. We don't drive much so our factors when buying a new vehicle are cost, safety, luxury and fun. I fix my own cars so "easy repairibility" is a factor as well.

 

[REWahoo]

Just a thought:

You can buy a used rental car from Enterprise when they change the fleet. All cars are "reconditioned" and usually low mileage (under 50K) ones. They sell and the low end of Kelley Blue Book and are "fixed price" with no bullshit sales pitches for "extras". They come with a one year, 12,000 warranty.

Not a bad way to go and you can avoid the dealers. They sell by region so do a search by zip code.

https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/list/buy-a-car-1

Here's an example in the Chicago area:

https://www.enterprisecarsales.com/...6JH265580/Used-2018-Hyundai-Elantra-Aurora-IL

+1

I've purchased a couple of cars from rental companies and been happy with the process and the car. Hertz is another source you might consider: https://www.hertzcarsales.com/

 

[OldShooter]

It's a little more than that. A lease assumes you will sell or trade your vehicle after a short period of time. Therefore, the lease also spreads the risk of obtaining the value at lease end. You could trade it in or sell it out right if you didn't have a lease, but with a lease, the amount is determined up front. One way this can really work in your favor is in the case of an accident. With a lease, you still have to properly fix the car, but at the end of the lease you walk away. If you owned it, you'd more than likely take a financial hit trying to sell a car that's been in an accident.

All of this and more is priced into the lease. The accident scenario is nice, but how often do any of us have accidents?