Turned 150,000 miles yesterday

[FrugalTexan75]

That would be my mother, usually invoking my late father in the conversation: "You know if your father were alive there's no way you'd still be driving those cars." She goes so far as to give us money to put toward a new car, apparently thinking it is all about the money. It isn't, of course. We can afford to replace our cars. We just choose not to at this point.

My family is mainly worried about my safety. They don't want me breaking down on the side of the road ... especially now that I'm here in NM with 20+ miles between habitation or exits. Other than my car's computer frying (which caused other problems like my radio dying) my car is still in pretty darn good shape! I don't know that I'd go on a cross country trip with it (which is why I towed it behind my Uhaul...) but for most of what I do, it is still perfect!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

99 corolla but I bought about 5 years ago a radio that for $99 that allows the plug in of the ipod. Nice investment, made me think my car was new.

My car is perfect 120k miles and no problems. I am seriously considering selling as you read my other post, but we are reaching the point honestly where it's time. It's time to buy something safer and newer.

I never thought I'd consider a used car but we are. I always thought I'd be a new car buyer (together my DH and I have bought 3 new cars between us and we're on cars #2 and #3). And run it into the ground.

I can honestly say that we're having a second kid and I am now ready for something a bit bigger and side airbags and latch. And even now I hesitate about buying a replacement car.

Part of it if I speak honestly is I'm not sure i'm willing to let go of college LAL. This car was bought just before I finished college and it has a lot of memories. It represents meeting my DH, our fun times, and just a different lifestyle. I sort of cringe at the thought of a minivan. It's so OLD and mommyish. I think it's the mindset. That these are all "adult" cars but I drive a cute car. I've considered a sedan but I'm not sure it's practical since we want more than 2 kids.

[photo]

My car is perfect 120k miles and no problems. I am seriously considering selling as you read my other post, but we are reaching the point honestly where it's time. It's time to buy something safer and newer.

Is the 99 Corolla really that unsafe? It's probably fact that each new year's model finds newer innovations and safety features, but are they enough to consider buying a new car? No evidence to the contrary, but just curious as to how you arrived at the decision.

[disneysteve]

Is the 99 Corolla really that unsafe? It's probably fact that each new year's model finds newer innovations and safety features, but are they enough to consider buying a new car? No evidence to the contrary, but just curious as to how you arrived at the decision.

There were no side airbags back then. That's one reason I hesitate to pass down my 98 Camry to my daughter who is now driving. We are particularly aware of that fact because she was badly injured in a side impact collision when she was 6. A side airbag would most likely have prevented the bulk of her injuries.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Two kids next to doors in carseats without side airbags, I am hesitant because we can afford slightly better. Also without LATCH the installation of my car seat honesty isn't as secure as the one in my DH's. But she sits in the middle solo right now, and using a seatbelt to secure the car seat in the middle in most cars is a necessity. After 2000 LATCH was required in all cars. So even a car 1 year newer would have latch on the side seats. Third, I'd like to get ABS. Might be stupid but I think that there are some safety features worth paying for. And the side airbags and LATCH I would really like. And there is evidence that side airbags are very important in crash tests.

I can live without leather, fancy bells and whistles but if I could get a 2000 Corolla with side airbags I think it would be sufficient. But if I'm going to get rid of my car I am looking at 2005 and newer.

[Like2Plan]

My DS drives my old car, a 1999 Subaru Forester with over 102,000 miles on it. It doesn't have side air bags, but it has ABS and AWD. I worry about the high mileage as he likes to come home from college for the weekend (when he is allowed to, anyway).

I've offered to swap cars with him--especially since I'm retired and I only drive about once a week. My 2005 Vibe does has side air bags, but no ABS and it is FWD (though it handles pretty well in the snow-not as good as the Forester). I like both cars and I still enjoy driving the Forester so it doesn't make any difference to me. I thought he would jump at the chance to drive a newer car but he prefers to drive the Forester.

[baconexplosion]

In a great example of anachronism, I plug my iPhone into my cassette deck via an adaptor. Works great. Who needs Bluetooth?

LOL I've thought about doing this. My employer provides a smart phone so I don't pay for that. My car is a 96 Ford Contour which has a tape deck. I've got tons of music that I could play if I had a tape deck adapter.

Glad to know I'm not the only one in that boat! lol

[disneysteve]

LOL I've thought about doing this. My employer provides a smart phone so I don't pay for that. My car is a 96 Ford Contour which has a tape deck. I've got tons of music that I could play if I had a tape deck adapter.

Glad to know I'm not the only one in that boat! lol

Amazon.com: Universal Car Audio Cassette Adapter, Black: MP3 Players & Accessories

Here's one on Amazon.

[andrewkr80]

My 98 camry just hit 80,000. What an absolutely great car it is. I actually traded down from an 05 Acura TL and paid cash for this one owner camry with only 69k miles. Not having a car payment has freed up extra money for saving and I'm very happy with my decision. I now live 2 miles from work and expect to keep this car for a long time to come!

[disneysteve]

My 98 camry just hit 80,000.

Wow. That's sweet. Take good care of that car and it should be with you for a long time. You can get classic plates in a few more years.

I don't know how long I'll keep mine. I did just put some money into it (timing belt, water pump, etc.) so hopefully it's got at least a couple more years.

[MonkeyMama]

Yep. People always get a chuckle out of that.

We bought a cassette adapter for our CD players WAY BACK when. Gosh, seems ages ago. Now we use them for our MP3s.

I am just surprised people find that funny. Why spend a ton more when all you need is a cassette adapter? Easy and cheap!

P.S. My 2005 vehicle does not have a cassette player so we can not listen to MP3s in there. Thank goodness our old car has a cassette deck?

[SnoopyCool]

Amazon.com: Universal Car Audio Cassette Adapter, Black: MP3 Players & Accessories

Here's one on Amazon.

Just purchased this. Thank you, DS!

[disneysteve]

Just purchased this. Thank you, DS!

Enjoy it. I use mine every day. Used it on the way to work this morning to listen to podcasts.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

You cheapskates buy a new car radio for $99 and you can plug in your ipods. Best buy typically has a deal Black Friday. Or you can do it yourself if you are really cheap and handy. DH did it for both of our old cars.

[Like2Plan]

You cheapskates buy a new car radio for $99 and you can plug in your ipods. Best buy typically has a deal Black Friday. Or you can do it yourself if you are really cheap and handy. DH did it for both of our old cars.

I hate to admit it, but that is the configuration I had in my '99 subaru (that my son drives now) and like MonkeyMama, my 2005 Vibe does not have either tape deck or iPod connection.
When I was driving an hour each day to/from work I thought about upgrading my radio, but I hate messing with the electronics--I figure no good can come from it--like if it is hooked up incorrectly and it causes the battery to drain or something...
Now that I'm retired, I barely drive my car once a week. (The last time I filled it up was in December and the tank is still 1/2 full) I'm thinking it would be a waste to upgrade now.