Finally time to get a new car...

[sciphi]

The other day when jacking up my Buick, one of the rear pinch seams started caving in. Considering these are massively reinforced and right near significant unibody structure, that cave-in means the structure is starting to go on this old tank. There are also many other rust spots waiting to go out on this car that have gotten progressively worse over the summer. I'm thinking it's an indication to look at a replacement before the winter salt has another chance to erode more structure.

Thoughts?

 

[hardcore302]

Get a new Buick turbo.

 

[Nick R]

You've been talking about a cruze, I say go for it.

 

[IndyIan]

Did the seam just fold over? Or really just start sinking in? I guess its not a great thing but doesn't have to mean the end right away. I wouldn't be overly paranoid about crash worthiness for a while but that's up to you.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: hardcore302
Get a new Buick turbo.


A Cruze Eco is far friendlier to the budget. It's still turbo/MT goodness with lots of MPG's for when gas is $4.25 a gallon next summer.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: IndyIan
Did the seam just fold over? Or really just start sinking in? I guess its not a great thing but doesn't have to mean the end right away. I wouldn't be overly paranoid about crash worthiness for a while but that's up to you.


Sunk right in, with rust flakes pouring down. Folding over isn't a big deal IMO.

 

[addyguy]

I'd be inclined to see if you can get one more winter out of it, and then get a new car in the spring. It's one less winter a new car has to go through.

Unless, as well as the rust, there are other issues with the car, then maybe its time to replace now.

 

[kkreit01]

Wait for the '12 Verano: Buick-ized Cruze.

 

[needsducktape]

Are you sure you're not just looking for an excuse to buy a new car?

I get that, I have Car Attention Def. Disorder -or CADD

Symptoms include: Boredom while driving, waxing and filling up your car. Jealousy of the neighbors new car. And all around grumpiness.

9/10 Doctors recommend a new car to alleviate such discomfort.

Side effects may include bills and higher insurance rates.

Ask your doctor if "New Car" is right for you...

 

[sciphi]

No other mechanical issues besides the body rusting to pieces. The headliner is falling down in places, but it's not too bad yet.

The other issue complicating matters is my state inspection is up in January. There are no laws for perforation in NY, though.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: needsducktape
Are you sure you're not just looking for an excuse to buy a new car?

I get that, I have Car Attention Def. Disorder -or CADD

Symptoms include: Boredom while driving, waxing and filling up your car. Jealousy of the neighbors new car. And all around grumpiness.

9/10 Doctors recommend a new car to alleviate such discomfort.

Side effects may include bills and higher insurance rates.

Ask your doctor if "New Car" is right for you...



I loled at this, because its true. As far as the veranda for a, I can't personally understand waiting longer to get what will be essentially the same car, my guess is with the handling tuned a bit more toward smooth than the current athletic, European tuning it has now.

 

[hattaresguy]

I'd wait until the end of the year and see if you can score a good deal on an 11 in December.

I don't know if you want to stay with GM, but the new Buick's are very nice.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I'd wait until the end of the year and see if you can score a good deal on an 11 in December.

I don't know if you want to stay with GM, but the new Buick's are very nice.


That's the plan. See if there's a deal to be had in closing the books on the month/year. Me getting a different car is necessary, but not "in dire straits" urgent.

 

[Norm Olt]

There are literally 1000's of lower mileage, un-rusted out & affordable GM cars of this era available in the States...

Um, I mean "were available in the States"!

 

[FZ1]

When You've Got to Pay........Delay. Drive it 1 more winter, then look for a 1 owner,later model LeSabre.

 

[friendly_jacek]

I hate to say this, but wait for the economy to cave in (as it's happening already) and buy car of your choice very cheap then. Especially 2010 model when 2011 show up.

I personally wouldn't buy non-hybrid car now, but that's me.

 

[OldCowboy]

We looked at buying a hybrid. But most of our driving is highway miles. When I compared the relative increase in mileage to the increased cost, it was obvious that at $4.00 per gallon gasoline, it was going to be 150,000 to 200,000 miles before we reached the break even point. Up until then, the non-hybrid was cheaper. Of course, at about the time we hit the break-even point (or maybe even before) the hybrid would need a battery replacement at a cost of roughly $5000, meaning in reality, the hybrid would never be cheaper.

Of course, if your normal driving is city driving, then a hybrid makes sense.

 

[nepadriver]

Just an FYI, when the economy tanks, and its going to get much worse , at least every single indicator says so, gas prices will plummet and stay there for a long time. No more stimulus to fake prop up the economy. In 2008 oil went from $145 to $60, only the stimulus and Wall St rigging propped it above $70 for now, at $91. It will go back down to $60 by next summer.

In fact, the only thing people are buying in the US this summer, so far, new and used cars. Walmart foot traffic down 2.6% this year so far (Feb-June), compared to 2010 that is 82 million less shoppers in the first 5 months, and its gunna get worse!

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-03...-memo-says.html

 

[friendly_jacek]

Yes, I drive my Prius mostly in city, 55 MPG vs 27 in Corolla. Payback in a couple of years.

The story of battery failure is false. Almost unheard of event due to excellent charging/discharging management by computer.

But, if I was driving hwy only, I would look at diesel offering with manual transmission.

The oil will go down in recession, but not as much as people think. While Saudi's oil is still cheap to pump (~$50, IIRC), the canadian oil costs ~$70 to pump. Unfortunately, peak oil is real and will break this country.

 

[sciphi]

Most of my driving is highway, so a hybrid doesn't make as much sense as a gas or diesel powered car.

I found more rust issues where there were none last year. Both rear wheel wells are rusting out, one beginning to perforate sheet metal. This car body's done, stick a fork in it.

My dad and significant other asked what it would be to stick the mint-condition engine and good-shifting transmission into a shell from the South. It's nowhere near as much as a new car, but would still be a "new" car since the rust issues would not be anywhere near as bad.