Please be patient. I am a 70 year old grandmother who knows nothing beyond putting key in, how to change a flat even if I no longer have the strength to do it, and watching the gas gauge. I am hoping to retire from teaching in four years. Due to family and health issues do not have a ton of money saved for that time.
To be clear, I want the least expensive dependable transportation and know that before I stop driving at around 80 I will have to replace my current car. The issue is sort of now or later.
Here is a long post from another Texags forum. I thought I was too unknowing to think about coming here for advice. The first part is about repair. If I could get my current car where I could trust it for road trips, then that would let me delay till I could take a partial lump sum at retirement and pay cash for a new car without going into savings.
I don't however trust my car right now, and don't have a clue how serious the noises it makes are. The first parit then is asking about repairs and costs. I don't talk cars, but noise sounds like the frame is coming apart, sort of like an old building makes when the wind is blowing.
I am leaning toward replacing. But need tons of input on how to do that. I know it is long. Sorry.
I know nothing about cars and have never bought one alone--the men in the family always did the dealing.
I have a 2007 Lincoln something maybe with an M?--with way over a hundred thousand miles. I bought it in 2010 used from my brother, but he is not replacing a car right not. I know it has essentially no value for resale at this age and mileage. It has been a great car but now has a number of issues. I am trying to hold onto as much of my savings as possible for retirement and figure my next car will be the last one before I am too old to drive. I expect to drive it ten to fifteen years.
Car issues--Passenger door won't open, handle not engaged. Have to lower window and reach outside to open it--might be a safety issue if I have to get out of it quickly. Second, air is not working well. It is only cooling slightly and on a really hot day can take 30 minutes. On one or two occasions it never started putting out cold air. Next, the car squeaks and groans. At times I thing people will turn and stare at the noise--especially when moving at slow speed. It also lets me feel every bounce in the road. I am not secure enough to take it on road trips, even to drive the 40 miles to my son across town. Most minor--the phone charger stuck in the cigarette lighter and has been that way for several years.
Any wild guesses on the costs of repairs or what the sound that sort of sounds like the frame is coming apart could be.
So now I am faced with looking for an honest low cost mechanic in the central to west metroplex to try to get a number of things fixed--some I have no idea what they are or cost.
Or looking for a new vehicle--probably new to get a service and such, and warranty. But I want the cheapest option if I do that with only a few requirements. I wish I could get a small SUV type so I could have better visibility. My sedan has trouble seeing over things at intersections, but they are WAY too costly. So will probably look at compact sedans. I want automatic, air, and rear view camera--it is getting hard for me to twist enough to safely back up.
I am leaning toward a new car but HATE the cost. I have read that dealers really try to screw with elderly single females. A number of people have said to look for the car online, but I don't have a clue How to go about that. What search engine or website do you use ?
I have looked lists for the top cars and suv types at the least money. I plan on making a list and going to actually look at cars at dealers. Other than no burnt orange or black, I don't care fi the car is candy striped with polka dot interior. I want dependable transportation that can let me feel safe when I am on the road. My kids had said no smart cars--so that idea is out.
I am highly open to suggestions. And especially anyone that knows how to look for car deals online.
To be clear, I want the least expensive dependable transportation and know that before I stop driving at around 80 I will have to replace my current car. The issue is sort of now or later.
Here is a long post from another Texags forum. I thought I was too unknowing to think about coming here for advice. The first part is about repair. If I could get my current car where I could trust it for road trips, then that would let me delay till I could take a partial lump sum at retirement and pay cash for a new car without going into savings.
I don't however trust my car right now, and don't have a clue how serious the noises it makes are. The first parit then is asking about repairs and costs. I don't talk cars, but noise sounds like the frame is coming apart, sort of like an old building makes when the wind is blowing.
I am leaning toward replacing. But need tons of input on how to do that. I know it is long. Sorry.
I know nothing about cars and have never bought one alone--the men in the family always did the dealing.
I have a 2007 Lincoln something maybe with an M?--with way over a hundred thousand miles. I bought it in 2010 used from my brother, but he is not replacing a car right not. I know it has essentially no value for resale at this age and mileage. It has been a great car but now has a number of issues. I am trying to hold onto as much of my savings as possible for retirement and figure my next car will be the last one before I am too old to drive. I expect to drive it ten to fifteen years.
Car issues--Passenger door won't open, handle not engaged. Have to lower window and reach outside to open it--might be a safety issue if I have to get out of it quickly. Second, air is not working well. It is only cooling slightly and on a really hot day can take 30 minutes. On one or two occasions it never started putting out cold air. Next, the car squeaks and groans. At times I thing people will turn and stare at the noise--especially when moving at slow speed. It also lets me feel every bounce in the road. I am not secure enough to take it on road trips, even to drive the 40 miles to my son across town. Most minor--the phone charger stuck in the cigarette lighter and has been that way for several years.
Any wild guesses on the costs of repairs or what the sound that sort of sounds like the frame is coming apart could be.
So now I am faced with looking for an honest low cost mechanic in the central to west metroplex to try to get a number of things fixed--some I have no idea what they are or cost.
Or looking for a new vehicle--probably new to get a service and such, and warranty. But I want the cheapest option if I do that with only a few requirements. I wish I could get a small SUV type so I could have better visibility. My sedan has trouble seeing over things at intersections, but they are WAY too costly. So will probably look at compact sedans. I want automatic, air, and rear view camera--it is getting hard for me to twist enough to safely back up.
I am leaning toward a new car but HATE the cost. I have read that dealers really try to screw with elderly single females. A number of people have said to look for the car online, but I don't have a clue How to go about that. What search engine or website do you use ?
I have looked lists for the top cars and suv types at the least money. I plan on making a list and going to actually look at cars at dealers. Other than no burnt orange or black, I don't care fi the car is candy striped with polka dot interior. I want dependable transportation that can let me feel safe when I am on the road. My kids had said no smart cars--so that idea is out.
I am highly open to suggestions. And especially anyone that knows how to look for car deals online.