I think the time to sell my 91 Stanza is approaching. Her A/C has died and, three compressors later, remains dead. I don't know if I'm willing to endure a summer with no air, and yes, she's getting old anyway. The way I see it, I have a couple options here. Live with the dead A/C, replace her with a used car in the 4 to 7 grand range, or buy a brand new subcompact (of which the Honda Fit is my early favorite). I have enough cash on hand to buy said new car, and I believe I can make my savings last until I finish college if I do so, but being an unemployed college student relying on these savings I have makes things interesting, to say the least. I don't want to do anything stupid here, so I'm asking for advice. What should I do, and when should I make the move? Now, when the 08s are coming out and the 07s are getting cheaper? The beginning of summer, when the lack of A/C will really affect me? Or just stick with the old car, which I don't drive too terribly much around here anyway?

07 Honda Fit Sport, baby.

Available on year-end closeout special pricing.
Dark Blue is nice, though the red would do.
With A/C and factory sound system.

You can name your price, and walk away with a brand new car that will last you a good 20 years or 250K miles.

:thumbs:

A brand new car helps you to turn a corner in your life, and will always be remembered as touch-stone in that pivotal decision to leave the past behind.

Dropping a new A/C compressor in a 17 year old car is like transplanting a healthy lung into a 90 year old chain smoker. What's the point?
Go new, pay cash, and walk tall sir.

http://www.caranddriver.com/assets/image/2006/Q4/113020060947440295.jpg

The one thing about my 17 year old car is, she still drives like she's brand new. Except for the A/C. She's a great car.

A car is yer right hand.It is not on;y necessary,but also
something you must use,for virtually everywhere you go.
So,you might as well,get a car you really dig.
Civics are really marvy for the buck.They handle great and
are actually fun to drive.
Mitsubishi just came out with it's New Lancer.It is more rigid
than it's EVO custom twin.Anyone who knows anything about
great handling cars,knows the " EVO " or Lancer Evolution
is w/o question THE most awesome car for sheer driving
thrills,on the planet.I own an '05 Evo RS.
I can literally whip anything on the road,besides certain
Corvette Zo6 or New Porsche Carrera.
That new Lancer might not look like some sports cars,but as
a sports compact,you'll indubitably enjoy so much,the extra
car payments will float by.
BTW... An "EVO" isn't expensive,either.

Just the AC and no other problem? Summer is almost over, especially since you live in Chicago. If you can't comfortably spend money on a new car I'd say don't bother and just stick with this car for now. Roll your window down.

The heater still works right?

[QUOTE=Sparky2]07 Honda Fit Sport, baby.

Available on year-end closeout special pricing.
Dark Blue is nice, though the red would do.
With A/C and factory sound system.

I can attest to the name of Honda.
They make and have for more than 30 years,THE best Motorcycles
in exiistence.I own a Rune.Honda's First and Only custom Cruiser.
I also had other Honda motorcycles.
They are very well made and are known for dependability.
The Honda plant in Marysville,O. is a leader in production
quality and efficiency.Whether a Honda Accord or S2000
or those motorcycle produced at marysville,a Honda is a safe,sound
and wise investment.

Well, I've bought too many cars/trucks over my lifetime... both new and used to consider myself wise enough to say for a fact what will suit you best here. These would be the suggestions that I would give my son/daughter, if faced with the same situation.

Option One - Sparky is right that a new car is a "right of passage" somepoint in one's life. There is a nice feeling to owning a showroom fresh, "I picked it out myself" vehicle. Although, if you are not currently working, I think I would hold on this due to the initial amount of cash output and the fact that you will probably want to carry collision insurance on the car (at your age/sex it tends to be kinda steep).

Option Two - Repair your current ride. This would obviously be the least expensive route to take. You need to perform a thorough examination of your car to see just what may be going on with it (engine, tranny, CV joints, tires, brakes, hoses, etc.). Look for any future problems, beside the current a/c issue, that may be ready to crop up. Work out in your own mind what amount of money is "too much" to spend on this car.

Option Three- Find a used car that has a good service record (and a good reliability rating). I think one in the two to four year old range with 15,000 to 50,000 miles would be about right for comparison purposes. You will get a vehicle that will probably last you through college without much maintenance cost (esp since you don't drive it that much...but there is always a road trip looming to the coast later...:D). You can probably just carry liability and comprehensive insurance on this one so the cost would be similar to your current car.

Option Four - Find a hot rich girl whose father has given her a new bad-ass sportscar. Wine, dine, bed, and almost wed her until you can use this car as your own.

If I can be of further disinformation and confusion, please visit my website at www.oldphartthatgivesuselessadviceandinformation.o rg (http://www.oldphartthatgivesuselessadviceandmassicecisinf ormation.org)

Just the AC and no other problem? Summer is almost over, especially since you live in Chicago. If you can't comfortably spend money on a new car I'd say don't bother and just stick with this car for now. Roll your window down.

The heater still works right?

I agree.Either one is fed up and in the mood for a new
vehicle or NO.But end of summer,means discounts on '06 models.
There's no reason to throw good money after bad,when a vehicle has
seen better days.
Law of Diminishing Jalopies.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I can't justify replacing a perfectly usable car just because of a comfort issue. I think I'm sticking with the Stanza until she needs a major repair.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I can't justify replacing a perfectly usable car just because of a comfort issue. I think I'm sticking with the Stanza until she needs a major repair.

I think that (or the hot rich girl option) is probably your best bet at this time.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I can't justify replacing a perfectly usable car just because of a comfort issue. I think I'm sticking with the Stanza until she needs a major repair.

I'd keep it and run it into the ground but then I am careful with my money and a car is not a status thing with me, merely something to get me safely from point A to point B.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that I can't justify replacing a perfectly usable car just because of a comfort issue. I think I'm sticking with the Stanza until she needs a major repair.

I hate to burst yer bubble,but cars aren't meant to last
as long as you think.A '91 should have been beaten like an
egg on the sidewalk at noon in this heat.
Even if taking good care,most vehicle will literally
plop out after 15 years of average usage.You just can't
rationalize or adopt some philosophy about gaining extra
miles on a beater.Unless you followed regular maintenance,
let sit in a nice dry garage and also didn't take only
short trips,you just can't assume more than 15 years on any
given vehicle,before major problems surface and cost way
more than what resale ensues.

I hate to burst yer bubble,but cars aren't meant to last
as long as you think.A '91 should have been beaten like an
egg on the sidewalk at noon in this heat.
Even if taking good care,most vehicle will literally
plop out after 15 years of average usage.You just can't
rationalize or adopt some philosophy about gaining extra
miles on a beater.Unless you followed regular maintenance,
let sit in a nice dry garage and also didn't take only
short trips,you just can't assume more than 15 years on any
given vehicle,before major problems surface and cost way
more than what resale ensues.
Short trips and in town driving kill a car fast. Mine last a good 12 or so years and then I toss them but for work I do mostly highway driving.

I hate to burst yer bubble,but cars aren't meant to last
as long as you think.A '91 should have been beaten like an
egg on the sidewalk at noon in this heat.
Even if taking good care,most vehicle will literally
plop out after 15 years of average usage.You just can't
rationalize or adopt some philosophy about gaining extra
miles on a beater.Unless you followed regular maintenance,
let sit in a nice dry garage and also didn't take only
short trips,you just can't assume more than 15 years on any
given vehicle,before major problems surface and cost way
more than what resale ensues.
I know she has a limited lifetime. But she isn't dead yet. And she only has about 70,000 miles on her.

Major problems have yet to occur. A/C isn't major; the car runs fine without it. I had to replace a radiator a couple weeks ago, but that was around $200, not major enough to worry about.

I'll drive her up until the point she stops running.

I know she has a limited lifetime. But she isn't dead yet. And she only has about 70,000 miles on her.

Major problems have yet to occur. A/C isn't major; the car runs fine without it. I had to replace a radiator a couple weeks ago, but that was around $200, not major enough to worry about.

I'll drive her up until the point she stops running.

If the radiator went,that means the car is literally rusting.
Radiators can last fairly long.But also,not if the fluids aren't
checked or replaced.Same with oil and lube jobs and gaskets
and hoses and fittings that undergo extreme temps and
brutal roads.
Just go back abd Rethink how old you felt when you turned
16.You probably felt like you occupied this earth for some
remarkable time.maybe knew and seen it all,by that time.
In my Grandparents era,most of them got Married in their early teens.
Time literally flies,and before you know it,that Beater { Car } has
taken on more years that a coons age.Most dogs will never see
16.Cars are subject to MORE problems thru time,abuse,average
wear & tear,than even mink coats.
You need a Brand New Car more than you think.
I just proved it.

Keep the car you have now. It just took you on a good road trip and got you home without significant hassles. Even if you had to spend +/- $1000. for repairs in the next few months, you're money ahead when you think of just the added insurance costs of a new ride. Stay on top of routine maintenance and save your coins for that new car as a reward for completing college. New car fever can be rampant at times, but it will pass. While a Honda Fit appeals to you today, next month it could very well be something else. It's hard to go wrong buying a Honda, but deals will be hard to find, even when laying cash on the table. When contemplating a used vehicle, look to the major rental agencies (Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, etc) first. They sell those cars after 10-15 months, the maintenance has been properly done and most are still under the bumper-to-bumper factory warranty. The second vehicles I'd look at are those coming off lease. Those are typically well maintained and have been under mileage restrictions. Another good place to explore are the vehicles kept by larger dealerships as loaner cars. Again, those are low mileage & well maintained.

If the radiator went,that means the car is literally rusting.
That may have been true once, but considering that radiators today are mostly plastic, you're wrong. I've looked my car all over, and I can't find any rust at all.

Keep the car you have now. It just took you on a good road trip and got you home without significant hassles. Even if you had to spend +/- $1000. for repairs in the next few months, you're money ahead when you think of just the added insurance costs of a new ride. Stay on top of routine maintenance and save your coins for that new car as a reward for completing college. New car fever can be rampant at times, but it will pass. While a Honda Fit appeals to you today, next month it could very well be something else. It's hard to go wrong buying a Honda, but deals will be hard to find, even when laying cash on the table. When contemplating a used vehicle, look to the major rental agencies (Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, etc) first. They sell those cars after 10-15 months, the maintenance has been properly done and most are still under the bumper-to-bumper factory warranty. The second vehicles I'd look at are those coming off lease. Those are typically well maintained and have been under mileage restrictions. Another good place to explore are the vehicles kept by larger dealerships as loaner cars. Again, those are low mileage & well maintained.

That is somewhat prudent advice,but will eventually fade.
When in short order the car takes on other,more stranded
fears,and the bills start mounting.When a Car is beat,there isn't
much to be done,except drive with fingers crossed,never travel
farther than the corner shopping mall,and hope 'ol Nellie Belle
will make it to spring.But eventually almost erevy Mortal American has
to face the fact and get a new car.It's no different than most
udder tings.One's first Kiss.First time away from home and on their own.
First time stepping up to the bar,and slammiing their fist,so everyone
in the room can hear... " This Rounds On Me. "
I mean... Me,me,me,me,... Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !

To me, as long as it gets you from point A to point B, it's driveable.

.... I've looked my car all over, and I can't find any rust at all.

Rust is what really determines the end of a car's life. If there isn't any rust, I'd keep it. Sure you'll pay for the odd repair, but I'll bet the repair costs will be less than the depreciation costs of a new car.

The one thing about my 17 year old car is, she still drives like she's brand new. Except for the A/C. She's a great car.
how many miles do you have on it?

how many miles do you have on it?
I've already mentioned this. 70,000.

70K on a Japanese 4 banger might be a third of its' life if properly maintained.

Borg,
Hang on to the POS until you graduate. Then blow your bucks on an ego booster

Screw a car...buy a Harley!!

Screw a car...buy a Harley!!
he lives in Chicago, and winter's coming.

I've already mentioned this. 70,000.

sorry-it was posted near Fool, and he makes my eyes glaze over:@@:

anywho...70k is just getting broken in. but what is eating your A/C compressors?