The $4,000 question

So why does she need to replace the Saturn if she has another car?

 

If you can get zero percent interest, take it.

 

All I know is when she went to get the mortgage, the loan officer told her that it was highest credit score he had seen and that he didn't think it was possible to be that high and he ran it again.

I want to say it was 853 but, regardless, it was in the 800s, and I think it would be insane to spend that much on repairs when compared to the car's value.

But I can't tell her that. It has to come from some random person before she'll believe.

Like, when her check engine light came on, I asked if her if it was flashing, and she asked why and I said it was important and she said okay and then said no it wasn't flashing but she didn't think that was a big deal.

A coworker on Monday asked her the same thing and she said no and the coworker said that was great news for it not to be flashing and now the fact that the light wasn't flashing is the most important bit of car news she knows.

Anyway, we're going to look at a dealership tonight.

I'm shocked she's moving this fast.

 

At least she knows she has dealers by the balls if she plays the credit score card right.

 

Turn her in and invest the 4 grand in a new girlfriend.

 

If you're getting 0% interest, don't put any money down, and don't trade anything in.
While you're at it....if you can swing the payment, put and extended warranty....gap coverage.....maintenance plan.......road hazard tire/wheel......the whole shpeel.......remember........it's all at 0% interest........you're using their money.......provided it fits into your payment range.

 

It's the old "An expert is someone from out of town" dynamic. I run into it all the time with my wife (of 24 years). I've probably been guilty of it, as well.

Now remember, working on cars is a hobby of mine. I've rebuilt engines. Front ends. A/C systems. Suspension systems. I've done body work. Brake work. You name it. We get away with driving old cars because I can keep the damn things running. Hell, I even fix my friend's cars.

But whenever I'm stumped (temporarily) by something, if my wife happens to go into the office she comes home with some oh-so-helpful suggestion by one of her architecture colleagues. Like, "So and so said it might be the clutch," when the damn thing has an automatic transmission. Or "So and so said you might want to check the CV joint," when it's a rear-wheel drive.

I've learned to just nod and say, "Yeah, I'll check that out."

 

No way you invest $4,100 in that old of a car unless you are absolutely damn sure the car is in perfect shape and will last at least several years.

Use that money towards not a new car but a used 2-3 yr old car or something older. A used car is going to be the better deal.

 

Disagree, if you get 0% it is much better than getting a 2 year old car

 

Okay, so, discussion point.

Does she have any obligation to the dealer there's a mechanical problem when she trades it in?

Go.