posted on December 11, 2002 05:40:58 PM new
I hope someone can give me some advice on a dilemma. I'll try to make this short. Paid off 1995 Monte Carlo Z34 last month. Put it in the shop for $740 worth of repairs. Has 75000 miles on it. I have a feeling it's going to need more work. We also have a 1990 Toyota pickup with 107000 miles on it. Needs new tires, few other minor things. It's paid for also. I have found a 1997 Blazer with 55000 miles on it at a local Chevrolet dealer at a really good price. I brought it home tonight for a test drive and really like it. My dilemma......do we trade in the pickup and get less for a trade in meaning higher payments or trade in the MC for more money and get lower payments?? Truck comes in handy but has more miles. Do we want 4 more years of payments just to end up with the same dilemma?? OR do we trade in the truck and have 2 vehicles with decent mileage. DH is no help. He says "I don't care what you do". Help me!!!! Barbara
posted on December 11, 2002 06:39:28 PM new
If it were me,Keep the truck,Its still got a lot of mileage left,at least 400,000 more.
Toyota is built to last,Chevys spit at 90,000 or less.Just my opinion.
posted on December 11, 2002 07:01:44 PM new
If you can sell the truck or car yourself you will be better off. You will not get a lot from a dealer as they do buy wholesale not retail.
Which do you need the most? Truck or the car?Which one will last longer if you do put in some repair dollars, this is what I would be asking myself.
Check out used car and truck prices online and in the local buy and sell.
This will give you some idea as to retail value.
From your post, it sounds like that you are leaning towards the truck being used as a trade in.
Only you know what you can live with as far as payments go.
I would check around to see if there are any smaller suv out there as the blazer is a gas hog to start with.
If you can get rid of both the truck and car you would be able to pay for the blazer plus.
Give yourself some time to think things over before you decide.
Best of luck
posted on December 11, 2002 07:51:53 PM new
The Toyota's a keeper- at 100,000 its not even breathing hard. The Monte Carlo at 75,000 is a long way fronm done too. You propose replacing one of 2 vehicles with some age on them with one only slightly less used- and it doesnt make sense unless what youre REALLY wanting is a new (to you) car.
If that's what you want , go for it - but if you are thinking of replacing the Monte Carlo because you "think" it may need more repairs, you may as well keep it- the person who traded in the Blazer got rid of it for the same reason.
posted on December 11, 2002 11:33:08 PM new
What trai said. I was going to make the same point. I'd say, keep the one that you use the most and meets you needs the best. The others, if you try to sell it yourself, be prepared to have people reply to your ads and do to you exactly what they do to car dealers. Enjoy!
posted on December 12, 2002 03:41:29 AM new
Thanks guys for your posts. DH doesn't like the Blazer but I do. It has so much more room. I'm getting ready to do a Carfax check on it. I've never done one before but I might as well give it a try. I think we are going to trade the truck instead of the car. DH said since we put out almost $1000 in repairs recently no way are we going to trade it in for $3000 which is Kelly Blue book trade-in estimate. Thanks again and wish me luck. Barbara
posted on December 12, 2002 02:22:13 PM new
The toyota is barely broken in. I have an 86 Toy pickup that has 395,000 miles on it's original engine, automatic transmission, and air conditioning compressor. It is in daily use hauling firewood, pulling stumps etc...I drove it this past summer over a 150 mile Mexican dirt road in 4 wheel drive for 7 solid days without a whimper...
If the blazer is full sized, I wouldn't discount it...but if it's one of those little ones I'd steer clear of it....they seem to be good for about 80 or 90,000 miles before trouble sets in...We have a full sized Suburban, which is a long version of a big Blazer, and it gets lots of heavy work towing a 4 horse trailer...has 175,000 miles on it and runs like new. Looks to me like the Monte is your weak link.
posted on December 14, 2002 10:02:19 AM new
Keep the two you have as long as they don't spend too much time in the repair shop. Your cost to repair will be cheaper than making monthly payments.
