Impart me your wisdom

My daughter is selling her 2006 Murano. It has been trouble free the two years she's owned it, but she needs to free up some money to pay off a student loan. She and mom are inundating me with replacement vehicles from BMWs to Infinitis to VW Passats. I am trying to steer her towards something more sensible like an Accord or Camry. She has about 6-7k to spend. You know who will have to do any maintenance or repairs. We are looking in the 2000 to 2005 model year range. I will accept your advice.

Here are some of the vehicles so far.

2004 Passat turbo 1.8 $7400. Run or consider?

2002 Ford Escape. Loaded, don't know mileage yet, but dealer wants $7,600. Too much

Numerous Honda Accords. Most she sends me have the V6. How is the V6? Prices $5000-7000.

Several Acura TLs. Prices tend to run $7,000+ How are they once they get some miles on them?

What else?

Frankly, I'd run from a Passat 1.8T. Not because they are terrible cars, but if she's looking to free up money - there are many lower running cost vehicles out there. The Passat has a relatively complex front end (similar to Audi A4) and the engine is very reliable if the right oil has been used...but there are sludging problems if it hasn't.

I'd say the same with BMW - fantastic cars (we love ours), but definitely not as low cost/headache free as some of the Japanese offerings. I consider it worth the mildly increased effort to keep it on the road due to its driving dynamics...but she (and you) might not feel the same way.

What about a Maxima/Altima? "Upscale" to drive, surprisingly low cost and very reliable.

Have you heard the term "Typical Honda Reliability"? If you want low cost of ownership, I think Honda is always a safe bet.

We've had two older Maximas (89 and 96) and loved them. She likes the 2004+, but I've read about some transmissions issues with the 5 speed automatic. We haven't ruled out the Altimas as I like them. Followed one home yesterday and it was really sharp looking car. But she likes the later versions and they are going to be too expensive. I'll have to look at those more closely. I can't get too exited until she gets the money in hand.

Your comments on the VW and BMW are exactly my feelings. Fine for me, but not so much for her.

BTW she is a single mom with a 2 YO so she needs a four door.

I'd honestly steer clear of the Escape. A buddy of mine has one and honestly....I think they are crap. They dont really ride all that well and with the price of pertrol going up, I advise against the Escape. A Honda, Toyota, or even a Mazda would be a better fit. The Camrys, Accords, and Mazda 6 hold their own in reliability.

pinchvalve wrote: Have you heard the term "Typical Honda Reliability"? If you want low cost of ownership, I think Honda is always a safe bet.

Yup. I said that. But at 29 YO she doesn't really listen a lot better than when she was 19.

I found a low mileage 99 Accord that I really like. I need to check it out more closely though.

BMWs? Infinitys? I wish I had that kind of cash to spend. If you want to get rid of debt, why get something that will make you end up spending more money?

Maybe its time for a reality check. Those are luxury products that you earn. If she gets them, you ought to make her take care of maintaining them.

Maybe I'm biased because I'm stuck driving an old beat up escort. At least now I know that I love escorts.

Maybe she gets a cheap car until she can afford maintenance. A little suggestion from the lower class.

Infiniti G20s have a very robust motor, and auto transmissions are rock solid. 2002 models in base trim can be had under $8k, with older examples in under $4k. Maintenance is pretty straightforward. I LOVE MINE...personally, I cant stand the auto trans, but for someone who probably doesnt care, then auto is fine. Great stereo, really comfy to drive, good on gas (I average ~27mpg with a pretty heavy foot, I know I could squeak out 30 if I absolutely had to). Theyre essentially an overweight sentra, but with more room and features...under the skin, its a Nissan, and not nearly the cost of ownership associated with luxury that youll see in more recent Infinitis and european cars.

I have three kids, so I understand the four door reliable thing. That being said, I'd stick with a boring old sedan. Something like a 2000 Civic would be great. If it must be bigger (Accord, Camry), then make it a 4 cylinder, easier and cheaper maintenance and better gas mileage.

If it's a honda and an auto, I'd run. If it;'s a Honda and a manual, I'd buy.

colour me confused as well. She had a 6 year old Murano that has been trouble free.. at this stage of it's life it should be paid off.. how is selling it and buying something that costs almost as much, going to pay off her student loans?

I vote for keeping the Nissan and taking the money she was paying on it towards paying off the loans

I have two Accord V6's, a 2004 and a 2010, both purchased new. The 04 has about 125k miles on it now and the only issue was a well known problem with the power steering that was fixed for a few cents with new O ring. I love both cars.

There is no car better for a wife or daughter than a Honda Accord. That's why my wife and daughter have Honda Accords.

If she needs something more upscale, my default answer is "used Lexus". Probably driven gently and dealer serviced at regular intervals.

I am a little confused by the logic so I will ask some further questions but before those questions my thought is keep the Nissan.
How much does she plan to get for the Nissan?
Sell herself or trade in?
I expect that trade in is $9k at the high end. Likely closer to $7k

She has $6-$7k for the next car.
Is this profit from the Nissan?
Is this profit from the Nissan after the loans are paid off? If yes then the Nissan must be nearly paid in full.

Is buying a $6-$7k car the right path for getting out of debit?
Will there be a loan (more debit) for the replacement car?
Would a $2k, cash-car make more sense?

Edit: I see the Mad Man and myself are thinking the same way in the last few minutes.

jrw1621 wrote: Would a $2k, cash-car make more sense?

Thats where I was aiming. Its a strange circumstance you have here. Sounds like your not thinking enough about someones wallet. I don't want to be mean, but it sound like your daughter needs to grow up and do what's better for her/you.

I too am confused. Sell the Nissan to free up money but looking to spend more on an expensive car. She has cash to spend ? Keep the Nissan and use the cash to apply to the student loan.

mad_machine wrote: colour me confused as well. She had a 6 year old Murano that has been trouble free.. at this stage of it's life it should be paid off.. how is selling it and buying something that costs almost as much, going to pay off her student loans? I vote for keeping the Nissan and taking the money she was paying on it towards paying off the loans

She paid cash for the Murano. She is selling it and taking 1/2 the money to pay off a personal loan to some people she wants out of her life. The other half will be used to buy another car. I kind of admire her for this.

Some of you haven't read the OP very well. A $7,000 Acura cost the same as a $7000 Honda. Luxury cars depreciate faster than other cars. And not just Mercedes.

I don't really want my daughter and grandson riding long distances in a $2,000 beater if I can help it. I still have to live with my wife.

ok.. that makes perfect sense then. In that case, sell the murano, get those people out of her life, and pick up something hondaish.

If she has to have a "luxury" car, as much as it pains me to say it, for here it sounds like Lexus would be the answer.

Slightly left field but what about a Buick. I see a ton of those V6 ones running around and they are mostly owned by old blue hairs so they are fairly low miles and not abused.

I'd go Honda, Acura, Infiniti, or Lexus in this case. Don't touch VW, you'd rather not have her touch BMW.

Actually, after thinking about it, Infiniti I30 is your answer.

Alright! Paid Cash!
The plan sounds solid. The only additional I would include is to try to sell the Murano yourself. This could put you into a better position of getting max money. I would also try purchasing the replacement from private party. Sure, this can cause a gap in ownership but you could rent a car for a week for under $200 and selling yourself and buying private could easily bring as much as $2k to the equation.

I too like the idea of an Infiniti i30
If she is like most mom's she wants an SUV. This will cost more, surprisingly more. Honda CRV and Rav4 are great finds there but boy do they hold their money.

I appreciate all the input. Its pretty much what I was thinking. Think Honda, but don't throw out smaller Infinitis or Altimas. The CRVs and Rav4s are on the radar, but are so high mileage when they get to our price range I get scared. She has a private buyer for the Murano, but they are dragging out the actual sale. Once she gets money in hand, she can drive my 4runner until we find her something.

spitfirebill wrote: I appreciate all the input. Its pretty much what I was thinking. Think Honda, but don't throw out smaller Infinitis or Altimas. The CRVs and Rav4s are on the radar, but are so high mileage when they get to our price range I get scared. She has a private buyer for the Murano, but they are dragging out the actual sale. Once she gets money in hand, she can drive my 4runner until we find her something.

But wait. Were not done.

UPDATE

The Murano has gone on to a new home. $14,850. She sold a Solara convertible to buy the Murano and made a $3k proft on that. I think she may have missed her calling.

Now we can start the search in ernest.

Well done.

glad to hear it.. now to find her a suitable 5 or 6 grand vehicle.. maybe she can buy your 4runner off of you?