New high mileage vehicle

[dja4260]

I drive less than two miles to work and have been casually looking for something to drive other than my truck. Recently, my uncle passed away, and my mom inherited a newer SUV, so my parents decided to thin out their collection of vehicles. My dad knew I’d been looking and offered me their 2012 Sonata. He bought it certified pre-owned with only 4,000 miles on it, and it now has 251,000 miles. This motor was/is under the recall, but has been flawless. Over the years, it’s only needed two wheel bearings, one alternator, and one window switch. My dad has always been meticulous with maintenance—changing the oil every 3,000 miles and servicing the transmission every 50,000. I just drove it home 450 miles and averaged 38 mpg according to the dash. The front end wanders a bit, though it was also very windy during the drive. Full-coverage insurance came out to just $80 per year, so hopefully it continues to serve us well with minimal cost.

 

[Dave Hess]

Nice find. Looks in great condition and will last another 10 years.

 

[dishdude]

Does it use any oil?

 

[Oillover]

This motor was/is under the recall, but has been flawless. Over the years, it’s only needed two wheel bearings, one alternator, and one window switch. My dad has always been meticulous with maintenance—changing the oil every 3,000 miles and servicing the transmission every 50,000.

With continued maintenance schedule, there's no reason why it should fail anytime soon.

 

[gman2304]

Full-coverage insurance came out to just $80 per year, so

How did you do that?

 

[dja4260]

Does it use any oil?

No, not to my knowledge.

 

[fantastic]

Sounds like you have a keeper for sure. Let us know how it goes on its voyage to 300k or beyond. Looks like your folks took real good care of that car. Good for them & you now.

 

[hemitruck]

80.00 a year for insurance?

 

[dja4260]

Nice find. Looks in great condition and will last another 10 years.

It has a lot of dings, dents, and very poor paint touch-up, as my dad didn't feel the need to purchase the correct matching touch-up paint. The back seat and floor is coated in dog hair. I ran it through the carwash and vacuumed the inside. It needs a few good cleanings.

80.00 a year for insurance?

No, $80 every 6 months.

 

[CleanSump]

It has a lot of dings, dents, and very poor paint touch-up, as my dad didn't feel the need to purchase the correct matching touch-up paint. The back seat and floor is coated in dog hair. I ran it through the carwash and vacuumed the inside. It needs a few good cleanings.



No, $80 every 6 months.

Still, that is remarkably low.

 

[fantastic]

Still, that is remarkably low.

Must be on parents policy or a high deductible? Either way that is for another discussion but did raise an eyebrow.

 

[gfh77665]

Should get another 100K -150K with reasonable service. I would not "over service" it though. Keep it a minimal cost for you.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Wow, my son had the same car. Motor died, replaced under the recall, then the transmission died around 180k. He serviced it according to the manual which probably wasn't enough. Keep in mind the recall ruined the reputation and value of these cars. Keep the spending in check.

 

[dja4260]

Must be on parents policy or a high deductible? Either way that is for another discussion but did raise an eyebrow.

I'm an adult, I have 250k-500k policy limits with $1k collision/comp deductibles through Progressive.

 

[IndyIan]

I'm an adult, I have 250k-500k policy limits with $1k collision/comp deductibles through Progressive.

I guess a short commute in a low crime/accident area helps too.
What would it be with 1-2M liability? Probably not that much more? For us going, from 1 to 2 M is like $8more per year, which says its pretty rare they pay out more than 1M. But I've never asked about going lower than 1M.
We run $1k deductable, and no extra coverages for the car, but max out accident benefits, income replacement, home care, etc, if one of us is disabled.

 

[PF52]

What would it be with 1-2M liability? Probably not that much more?

Is that kind of the recommended amount these days? I honestly don't know.

After reading this thread, I pulled up my policy just now and noticed the Liability amounts were embarrassingly low. I have USAA, which is what my parents had, and when I got my own policy I structured it to be "the same" as theirs. But going the cheapskate route was 100% their style. I should probably kick that up.

I also noticed I'm paying for Rental car coverage, in case one of mine is wrecked or in the shop. I'm sure I should cancel that, since even if three cars are in the shop at the same time I still have a spare car LOL.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Nice car. Best of luck with it. You're father sounds like me with the 3K oil changes. I do the same. Guess he was taught the same way I was in the 70's. Sometimes you just can't teach old dogs new tricks, but there's no sludge in my engines either, and they have very high miles also. I would stick with his maintenance routine IMO.

 

[Ws6]

Nice! When I get a new older car like my P7B:

-Oil/filter
-Spark plugs and coils(if applicable)
-Shocks/Struts all around
-Tires (if applicable)
-Replace all broken trim or failed accessories, etc. as necessary (people tend to not maintain random things)
-Upgrade headlights to best drop-in LED with proper beam pattern.
-Air filter
-Test brake fluid for water content, if over 1% change immediately
-If brake fluid is bad, also change PSF
-Diff fluid
-Transmission fluid (if previously changed) and filter drop pan/refill
-Verify coolant condition. Change if necessary.
-Ceramic tint (remove old if necessary)
-Protect windshield
-New PCV valve

So typically a new to me old car even in good shape is an additional $2500-4500 over purchase price. But it drive like the day it left the factory. My P7B went from "nice old car" to "Wow! Aside from the paint condition this thing feels new!"

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Yeah, that's about right. When I bought an 06' Camry recently, in the Rust Belt no less, I had to do the almost the same, minus the ceramic tint. Took me about 2 months to get it up to almost new standards. Fortunately, I did the work myself and got whatever parts I needed fairly cheap. I knew what I was in for, but the price was right for the car. But that Hyundai you got is in great shape. But, I would look over whatever maintenance that was not done, and take care of it. Such items are listed in the above post. Best of luck with it

 

[hemitruck]

I'm an adult, I have 250k-500k policy limits with $1k collision/comp deductibles through Progressive.

I’m in jersey, rates are astronomically higher.