fix the jalopy or buy new?

I bought an 89 Dodge Caravan for $700 and had the engine rebuilt for $1200. It's been pretty reliable and it's very comfortable. I have no new car envy.

Rebuilt. Restore. Repaint. Reuse. Any day of the week, it's preferable to new buys. On the other hand, new stuff is flashy and often sexier. It comes down to economical, environmental and senible facts against good looks. It's not what you need, but how you want to be seen. E.G.: Can you take it to be seen by your boss or someone you've got a crush on in an 1989 car? Are you man (or woman) enough? Is "carowner" who you are? I got enough guts for an 1981 make, hardly a car, but it moves like one. My boss is cool, I'm not seventeen anymore, and I'm not "carowner". I'm lots of things, not just one, and I surely don't feel like pouring all my cash into just one thing. There are more fun ways to get broke on.

woo woo! I personally view it as buying a car that is 'broken in' already... 100,000 miles plus!

I'm with you, Alexander. '89 to '90 seem to be my years: 89 Dodge Caravan 91 Buick 88 Ford Econoline My biggest expense is insurance!

and fuel!

Well, I got lucky - I got a buddy who helps me with repairs (there are less and less, as we replace all the stuff that previous owners didn't look after for better pieces from the junk yard). Our big project will be disassembling the whole thing, and rebuilt it (some body-work necessary). Maybe in summer.

What makes, models of cars are you working on?

You don't really wanna know, do you? ;=}

uh oh...

Well, OK, I might tell Stacey, but only after I got that paint job done, etc. ;=}

*grin*

I need to fire up my Buick today, it's been about 6 months. You need to start a car more often.