Car cost for low mileage driving?

[Teacher Terry]

We bought a used Toyota Corolla and love it. Fun to drive and easy to park. They are reasonable.

 

[HarveyS]

Get something you will enjoy and that is comfortable for you, rather than what is the cheapest.

+1

 

[Koolau]

You probably have enough time to look at lots of cars - going for a "cream puff" that no one else has found. I'd look for most any Toyota of 6 to 10 years old with relatively low mileage. If the body is a little rough, you'll save even more money.

Main thing is to be certain it's comfortable for you and has been well maintained.

Best of luck.

 

[COcheesehead]

You probably have enough time to look at lots of cars - going for a "cream puff" that no one else has found. I'd look for most any Toyota of 6 to 10 years old with relatively low mileage. If the body is a little rough, you'll save even more money.

Main thing is to be certain it's comfortable for you and has been well maintained.

Best of luck.

OP likes the new safety features...so there’s that.

 

[Rustic23]

Second vote for a used Nissan Leaf. I have a nephew that got one for his 'kids' car. With a range of 80 or so miles, it should do the trick. I just checked a 2015 Leaf is anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000! As there are not many moving parts, maintenance should be a minimum.

 

[ERD50]

.... Get something you will enjoy and that is comfortable for you, rather than what is the cheapest.

Absolutely. And I'll join the chorus that a used Nissan Leaf EV might be a good choice for your driving - if you find it comfortable.

-ERD50

 

[sengsational]

You're better off just not having a car if you are in a place served by Uber and Lyft. You get rid of all the expenses... insurance, personal property tax, depreciation, maintenance, all of it. I've gotten Ubers at 4:30 am to get to the airport, no problem. If you go on a road trip just rent a car. I'd bet this comes out cheaper than anything, given very few miles needed. You'll likely get the same drivers, so a chance to make a new casual buddy too!

 

[Teacher Terry]

Sen, no Uber or Lyft in his town.

 

[ncbill]

Definitely dump the Seville before you have the common overheating / head gasket issue these cars are known for. Actually the head bolts pull out of the block and the repair will cost much more than that car is worth. Google Northstar head gasket issue or Northstar Timesert Repair. Given that you also suspect transmission problems, definitely time to let it go.

If you are used to, and enjoy, the soft ride of a Town Car and the SLS, I'd stay away from the econo-boxes such as the Leaf.

Test drive a Camry, an Accord and a Sonata and see what you think. Get something you will enjoy and that is comfortable for you, rather than what is the cheapest.

Dump the Caddy for the reasons above.

Have a local independent mechanic fix the A/C in the Town Car, or pick up a more recent model.

I have a 2007 in Designer trim, which run $5,000 to $8,000 used here locally.

 

[Teacher Terry]

WR2, your post about cost got me wondering what we spent and it’s half.

 

[GravitySucks]

Going from a Caddy and Lincoln to a Leaf might be a shock to the system.
How about purchasing a 2 or 3 year old Lincoln. That brand has a large drop on resale value in the first 3 years. 1500 miles a year your probably not going to run into much repair and maintenance cost and further depreciation should also be low.

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

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.

I was just talking to someone who drove a Leaf for a couple years in Oshkosh. She said she could never get the cabin warm enough in winter without eating deeply into the car's driving range. Oshkosh is a couple hundred miles north of Peru/LaSalle, but the winter weather isn't that much different.

I like the Toyota Synergy hybrid drive system quite a bit. We've found the Prius to be a versatile little car with its hatchback and fold-down rear seats, but as Bamaman often points out, the Camry also comes in a hybrid version.

 

[tfudtuckerpucker]

Personally, I think cars are subjective. Some folk like to drive the cheapest car possible, others (like us) would rather drive a nice car. So if you drive a Bentley or a Beetle the price of the car should not be in the equation. Just the running costs.

We have friends that drive a Bentley, a Tesla, An Audi, a Hyundai, a Toyota and others. We have a new BMW. Honestly all the running costs are somewhat similar, Yes even the Bentley. The insurance is a little higher for some, but the pleasure gained from not driving a crappy car is priceless. Again this is just our opinion, YMMV. With all due respect, We simply cannot comprehend why anyone would want to drive a Sh*t box in their retirement years, simply to save a few bucks, unless they are forced to of course, but that is a different tory.

I think it helps to compare the difference in 5 year cost of ownership. I checked on some of those models using Edmunds TCO calculator.
Tesla $94,849
Toyota (Camry) $36,515
Audi (A4) $71,769
Hyundai (Sonata) $34,595
BMW (340i) $74,326
Nissan Leaf (hatchback) $37,925

Those are just estimates, but all these factors should be considered.
The low fuel costs for electric cars is attractive, but TCO estimates say they may not be so inexpensive.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

How about purchasing a 2 or 3 year old Lincoln. That brand has a large drop on resale value in the first 3 years. 1500 miles a year your probably not going to run into much repair and maintenance cost and further depreciation should also be low.

Most all American made cars lose a lot of value right off the Dealership, especially the ones mentioned. I would go for a nice low mileage German, Japanese or even Korean car to minimize one's losses over the long term and to ensure continued reliability.

 

[Music Lover]

Most all American made cars lose a lot of value right off the Dealership, especially the ones mentioned. I would go for a nice low mileage German, Japanese or even Korean car to minimize one's losses over the long term and to ensure continued reliability.

If someone is looking for value in a used vehicle, then buying a domestic that loses a lot of value fast makes better financial sense than buying a used foreign vehicle that may be overvalued.

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

I think it helps to compare the difference in 5 year cost of ownership. I checked on some of those models using Edmunds TCO calculator.
Tesla $94,849
Toyota (Camry) $36,515
Audi (A4) $71,769
Hyundai (Sonata) $34,595
BMW (340i) $74,326
Nissan Leaf (hatchback) $37,925

Those are just estimates, but all these factors should be considered.
The low fuel costs for electric cars is attractive, but TCO estimates say they may not be so inexpensive.

You're comparing the more expensive Tesla S or X with a Camry or Leaf. After rebates and credits, a 325 mile range Tesla Model 3 only cost me 39K.

Also I doubt the 11k in rebates/credits was subtracted from the purchase price of the Leaf either. A 2019 Leaf with a range of 150 miles costs 19k after everything is deducted.

 

[Sunset]

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.

 

[kgtest]

I recall selling my first ever car a 89 Chev that dad paid $1000 for. 2 years later and 2 accidents later I sold it for exactly what I paid to a nice women who was going to drive it once a month to blood work appointments. The neighbor of hers was trying to talk her out of it, it looked ugly, look at the paint job over here, the paint color doesn't match etc etc. I said look, I don't know who he is, but the car runs excellent, it's low miles (100k or so) and mechanically sound. She paid cash and the neighbor helped count out the $1000 in 100s with her.

 

[Rustic23]

OP is talking 4 miles a day!

How uncomfortable can you get in five to ten min. Also unless you are in really cold weather 4 miles is barely long enough for most cars to heat up. I could almost do it in my golf cart. I still vote for the Leaf with an 80 mile range.

 

[GravitySucks]

Plus the Lincoln or Cadillac have the Entry/Exit mode making it easier on a 80 something year old. DM at 85 does not have an easy time getting in and out of vehicles.

 

[RonBoyd]

I have been following this thread because I am in the same boat. We have a 1999 Chrysler Town & Country. At the time it was the top of the line and cost $34,000 (20 years ago. Yikes!) It has bells and whistles that most cars don't have today -- Controls in the steering wheel; radio and such. Front and rear A/C, etc.

We put maybe 3,000 miles on it every year now -- it has 140,000 total. It has been very maintenance free -- other than routine stuff -- oil changes, tires, tuneup, etc. -- there have been no major repair expenses. Nor do I expect any -- it should go another 50,000 or so without any mechanical breakdowns. My problem is with the electronics -- the remote control does not work the door locks as it should -- sometimes it locks/unlocks, sometime does not... and sometimes it merely sets off the alarm. This is an easy fix, albeit a little expensive ($100+) and I could do it myself. A bigger problem is with the Wiper Blades -- this system has a dual control system -- which is not that handyman friendly and would require many hours even for the experienced. This means that if there is a cloud in the sky... well you know.

I, too, am at the age where automobile safety is a primary concern. It would very comforting to know that I have a "baby sitter" while driving. I am very impressed with the modern safety features that are available.

Long story short: a comparable modern version of this vehicle that I have decided on is the Chrysler Pacifica. Yes, there are things that don't come up to the 1999 version but it is 20 years ahead in others.

My dilemma is: should I spend $50,000 for the new version (assuming the earlier models -- even a year older -- lack the safety... and comfort .. items I require). Or do I simply not drive during inclement weather (we do have the Express Van RV for emergencies)?

Let me quickly add that I live in a large city with a major amount of traffic -- it is not safest place in the world.

 

[Music Lover]

My dilemma is: should I spend $50,000 for the new version (assuming the earlier models -- even a year older -- lack the safety... and comfort .. items I require). Or do I simply not drive during inclement weather (we do have the Express Van RV for emergencies)?

Buy a 3 or 4 year old one for under $30k. What features are missing from a previous generation model that you really need?

 

[haha]

OP is talking 4 miles a day!

How uncomfortable can you get in five to ten min. Also unless you are in really cold weather 4 miles is barely long enough for most cars to heat up. I could almost do it in my golf cart. I still vote for the Leaf with an 80 mile range.

2 miles out, and then 2 miles back? If this is the case, why not just pay someone for rides when needed?

Ha

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

OP is talking 4 miles a day!

How uncomfortable can you get in five to ten min. Also unless you are in really cold weather 4 miles is barely long enough for most cars to heat up. I could almost do it in my golf cart. I still vote for the Leaf with an 80 mile range.

Golf cart ... what could possibly go wrong??

FedEx worker froze to death outside an Illinois delivery hub

 

[ncbill]

I have been following this thread because I am in the same boat. We have a 1999 Chrysler Town & Country. At the time it was the top of the line and cost $34,000 (20 years ago. Yikes!) It has bells and whistles that most cars don't have today -- Controls in the steering wheel; radio and such. Front and rear A/C, etc.

We put maybe 3,000 miles on it every year now -- it has 140,000 total. It has been very maintenance free -- other than routine stuff -- oil changes, tires, tuneup, etc. -- there have been no major repair expenses. Nor do I expect any -- it should go another 50,000 or so without any mechanical breakdowns. My problem is with the electronics -- the remote control does not work the door locks as it should -- sometimes it locks/unlocks, sometime does not... and sometimes it merely sets off the alarm. This is an easy fix, albeit a little expensive ($100+) and I could do it myself. A bigger problem is with the Wiper Blades -- this system has a dual control system -- which is not that handyman friendly and would require many hours even for the experienced. This means that if there is a cloud in the sky... well you know.

I, too, am at the age where automobile safety is a primary concern. It would very comforting to know that I have a "baby sitter" while driving. I am very impressed with the modern safety features that are available.

Long story short: a comparable modern version of this vehicle that I have decided on is the Chrysler Pacifica. Yes, there are things that don't come up to the 1999 version but it is 20 years ahead in others.

My dilemma is: should I spend $50,000 for the new version (assuming the earlier models -- even a year older -- lack the safety... and comfort .. items I require). Or do I simply not drive during inclement weather (we do have the Express Van RV for emergencies)?

Let me quickly add that I live in a large city with a major amount of traffic -- it is not safest place in the world.

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)