Well, we're going to do it. Send the Corolla to my sister.
We can't get our car loan until next month, but about mid-October, Marie will have her "new" car.
I told her yesterday. She was overwhelmed and within an hour she had already told her grown children, our other sister, and probably everyone else in the universe.
I'm sorry that I sound like I'm tooting my own horn; I'm not.
There is absolutely nothing else we could do in this situation. This is very important to me -- to know that my sister has a safe mode of transportation, no fear of breaking down, no need to put on her bus pants.
There is nothing else I could do, nothing else I WOULD do, but to send her Ernie The '05 Corolla.
Weird thing, though -- she wants me to take out the XM radio. Said she won't use it. o_O
We were going to get a Camry, but the budget seems to be dictating that we get a new Corolla. I'd be happy with either, as long as they have the gps and satellite radio.
OP here http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018185546
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Everybody wins!
what it is all about, eh?
She doesn't like driving the Montana and the Sable wagon needs work we can't afford.
I got a 70 Maverick with no floorboards when I was in high school. My dad gave the 65 Valiant to one of my friends and later gave the '69 Cutlass to one of my girlfriends. Passing down cars is sort of a tradition. As long as they still run, use them. Unfortunately, they're built to commit suicide in the most minor of accidents now. Granted, they're safer even than the old 2-ton land yachts, but they still get totaled in what I would consider minor incidents. It's mostly because all of that plastic shit costs a fucking fortune to replace - $2000 for a bumper? I had to pay $800 for the headlight lenses on my van because they had "condensation" and wouldn't get through inspection. What the fuck is wrong with $4 exposed headlights? Everything is made to be disposable now. Hell, a 68 Oldsmobile ran a red light at 60 mph and hit my 68 Galaxie corner to corner. We both drove away from it, but I did have to take a crowbar to her fender to free the left front wheel. The Galaxie is still in order. She needs some work from sitting in storage so long, but cars USED to be made to last.
I calmed down now. I'm sure Marie will be thrilled with her new car. We sold our 91 Escort wagon to a friend's brother for $500. It had 150K on it but was otherwise in good shape. Last I heard it was up over $300K and still going strong. They really needed it. She'll love it.
And good luck with picking out your new car, but don't forget to get the newest gadget that will obsolete in two years!
What a wonderful sister you are!
We got a used Honda Odyssey after our car was totaled in an accident a few years ago ... I *love* it. Love it. I told my husband we had to have a car that would carry every living creature in our family comfortably (at that time, us and 7 cats and an enormous aloe plant ); he likes minivans because he can stow all his electronics equipment in it easily.
Anyway, "Daisy" as we call her was only $10K and had about 50k miles on the car... would you consider a dealer resale of a Camry? Or similar? I actually like new-used cars because then we don't have to deal with the depreciation, though you don't get as good of a warranty...
