They borrowed the truck because their BMW wouldn't tow it.

Yeah but you can't get a 20 year truck loan either!

yet...

Quite true.

Ahhhhhhh the Jeep...Mike Jeepers. That brings back a few good discussions. I have never seen someone be so proud of making so many bad financial decisions.

I have found that a lot of the nicer used vehicles tend to go for near retail. I have two issues with most used cars. You rarely know how they were used or abused. The second is that you often have a lot of geegaws that you do not need and are high dollar repairs when they go out. I guess the thing that scares me, is I see how a lot of these idiots drive and treat their cars.

OK, I'm too opinionated.

I would like to impart good advice to folks, but it's up to them if they follow it.

However, one think I am adamant about - to a fault probably - is making sure people have and understand accurately the facts - so they can make a good decision.

It always drove me nuts when my brother and sisters would come to me telling me what a great deal they got on a new car, and when they told me, I could immediately see that it was a lousy deal, in some cases a terrible deal, and they didn't even know it.

If that is the Smart Car, then they do sell them now. There is a sports edition, sleek looking thing that is not available here. I am seriously considering buying a Smart Car.

Mark

Ah, yes Mark, but you missed the "CDI" badge. That little puppy does better than 70 mpg, and you can't buy one in the states. Big difference over the 45 mpg gasser.

I want the diesel!

If making money was the same for everyone, everyone would know how to do it. You can make or save money in a lot of ways. For example, I bought a new manufactured home and set it up on my land. I lived in it for several years until I could afford to build my house. Then because of the market conditions, I moved it to another town and rented it for several years. The rental more than covered the expenses and loan payments. When it had been paid for a couple of years, I sold it for 3/4 of what I paid for it. Most people will tell you that manufactured homes are a bad investment, but I made a nice profit from mine. My previous model was one that I paid $2500 for, lived in for 4-5 years, rented it for 2-3 years, then sold for $4500.

I know google is an option...but what kind of car is it? At least one of our new cars, when the day comes, will be a gas miser. In the meantime, I want to "learn up" on fuel efficient vehicals.

I'll bet it won't get 70mpg after they get done putting all the emissions junk on it to make it legal in the states.

I wonder how 'ol Jeepers is doing these days?

I grew up in a family that never bought a new car. We had a few new cars, but they were company cars, not "ours." I continued that, sans company cars of course, and never owned a new vehicle until '97. The reason was because used vehicles, at least in this local market, were selling ridiculously close to the new price, and of course you don't know how it's been maintained. There was a time when I felt like I could have a certain amount of trust in private party sellers, but those days are about gone.

That doesn't mean I buy the $50K diesel 3/4 ton I'd love to have, but a $23K brand-new vehicle, well maintained, has been an outstanding decision IMO.

The Mercedes dealer here is selling them, funny lookin' little critters.

Smart USA

Think I'll pick one up and, keeping with a boating theme, use it as a dingy for the Armada, get some ramps, fold the seats down, and keep it in the back - just in case.


I'll buy a used one though..