So, about the car...
Sep. 21st, 2004 11:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missroseroseIt's been a minor dream of mine to own a car for some time now, as pretty much anyone who reads this journal can probably tell. ;) Given how annoying my current schedule is without one, and given that bitching about not being able to afford one (as I was a couple of entries ago) isn't getting me anywhere, I've started doing some research, both in town and online. Here's what I've come up with so far.
I want a car that's:
--10 years old or less (or more precisely, good for another five years or so)
--Relatively cheap to maintain (i.e. not a sports car)
--Got decent mileage (at least 25 mpg on the highway would be preferable, given the age range we're talking about)
--Reliable
--Fairly sensible looking (and therefore not as likely to get pulled over)
There's not much of a selection here in Juneau, but I found a decent prospect at one of the used car lots. It's a 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS, maroon colored, with a couple of nice features (keyless entry, antilock brakes, etc.) Sensible looking (though still sporty enough to be fun), supposedly pretty easy to work on, gets pretty damn good mileage for a car of its age (19 mpg city/29 mpg highway). Assuming it passes a mechanic's check, it fits all of my criteria - I've spent a good amount of time online looking at user reviews, and this model appears to be pretty reliable (though the Z34, it's powered-up cousin, has several problems and tends to be a pain to work on). Consumer Reports gives the Monte Carlo line in general a mediocre review; but given that the Ford Escort is one of their top picks and everyone I've talked to has said *not* to buy one, I don't think any of their reviewers are from Alaska.
In any case, I've spent some time over the last couple of days talking to various relatives, and I've managed to rustle up about three quarters of what I need, which leaves me with a bit over a grand to go. Preferably before dividends come in, as that's the most likely time in the near future for someone to nab this particular car...though if they do, I can always save the money until another prospect comes along. (Unfortunately, my entire dividend is going to be spent on next semester's tuition, so I won't be able to use it for a car. Ah, well.)
If anybody knows of any government things where I could fill out some paperwork and get $1200 or so (either as a grant or a deferred-payment loan), let me know...
I want a car that's:
--10 years old or less (or more precisely, good for another five years or so)
--Relatively cheap to maintain (i.e. not a sports car)
--Got decent mileage (at least 25 mpg on the highway would be preferable, given the age range we're talking about)
--Reliable
--Fairly sensible looking (and therefore not as likely to get pulled over)
There's not much of a selection here in Juneau, but I found a decent prospect at one of the used car lots. It's a 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS, maroon colored, with a couple of nice features (keyless entry, antilock brakes, etc.) Sensible looking (though still sporty enough to be fun), supposedly pretty easy to work on, gets pretty damn good mileage for a car of its age (19 mpg city/29 mpg highway). Assuming it passes a mechanic's check, it fits all of my criteria - I've spent a good amount of time online looking at user reviews, and this model appears to be pretty reliable (though the Z34, it's powered-up cousin, has several problems and tends to be a pain to work on). Consumer Reports gives the Monte Carlo line in general a mediocre review; but given that the Ford Escort is one of their top picks and everyone I've talked to has said *not* to buy one, I don't think any of their reviewers are from Alaska.
In any case, I've spent some time over the last couple of days talking to various relatives, and I've managed to rustle up about three quarters of what I need, which leaves me with a bit over a grand to go. Preferably before dividends come in, as that's the most likely time in the near future for someone to nab this particular car...though if they do, I can always save the money until another prospect comes along. (Unfortunately, my entire dividend is going to be spent on next semester's tuition, so I won't be able to use it for a car. Ah, well.)
If anybody knows of any government things where I could fill out some paperwork and get $1200 or so (either as a grant or a deferred-payment loan), let me know...
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don't buy the montecarlo
Date: 2004-09-22 07:57 pm (UTC)Re: don't buy the montecarlo
Date: 2004-09-22 09:14 pm (UTC)As for expense, I've looked up the blue book price for this car, and the dealer's actually offering it a couple hundred below (though I'll need a mechanic's check to verify that it's in as good a shape inside as it is outside). And this particular model has gotten overwhelmingly good reviews in terms of its reliability. So I'm honestly not too worried about it.
Rear Wheel Drive
Date: 2004-09-23 12:35 pm (UTC)Re: Rear Wheel Drive
Date: 2004-09-23 12:58 pm (UTC)