So my car was involved in a high-speed police chase that ended in a multi-vehicle accident. It was on the news for a straight day so I guess I can say my good old Hyundai had its 15 minutes of fame. It was totaled and the driver was a 16 y/o who was charged with stealing a vehicle and a hit and run just a few weeks prior to all of this. I'm honestly glad it was totaled because I went to the tow yard and the inside of it was completely trashed.
I have Allstate and they have been surprisingly been really great. I got a rental car right away and they gave me more than what I thought I would get for my car. They even extended my rental for a week because I'm still car shopping.
In regards to my crazy ex, no shocker that he contacted me about 10 days after that night. He said deleted his entire phone the night all of that happened so he didn't have my phone #, and then randomly remembered I had once given him my email. His email was exactly what I expected- he blamed me for the entire night, blamed my actions for the way he reacted and apologized for "his role" in everything that happened. I considered not responding but then was afraid he would keep contacting me. I talked to my friend who is a psychologist, and she recommended I send a very short, neutral response. So I basically said it sounded like we both thought it would be better if we just let things be, and that I wished him the best. Haven't heard from him since- thank god.
I think I've narrowed cars down between the Civic and Corolla- I'd love your advice. I got divorced last year so my finances changed, and I'm trying to make a smart financial decision about this car while keeping in mind that I need something very dependable that can handle a long commute every week. I'm deciding new vs. used. If I go with the 2016, the Corolla is a bit cheaper and has 0% financing, but I like the Civic better. The Civic is a new body style for 2016 and I love it, but there are no incentives right now. Hoping to drive it for a very long time. Either way, my payment would be <$200 with my down payment. And then in the back of my mind, the MM side of me thinks I should buy an older used car and just pay cash. I need to decide in the next week or so unless I want to pay OOP for my rental.
Anyway, I just wanted to say THANK YOU again to everyone who gave me advice on the domestic violence thread. I have *never* been in any situation like that before and scared. Thank you so much for the support.
Post by compassrose on Feb 10, 2016 19:14:00 GMT -5
Thanks for the update! I hope you never, ever hear from the scary ex again. I'm glad your insurance company is being so nice. I'm sure the MM thing would be to buy a 2014 civic with a few miles (this is what I did with my forester). However. A car is a big purchase and both cars you are looking at are MM and reliable. If you plan to drive it for 10 years and they are both under $200/mo, I think you should have what you love.
Thanks for the update! I hope you never, ever hear from the scary ex again. I'm glad your insurance company is being so nice. I'm sure the MM thing would be to buy a 2014 civic with a few miles (this is what I did with my forester). However. A car is a big purchase and both cars you are looking at are MM and reliable. If you plan to drive it for 10 years and they are both under $200/mo, I think you should have what you love.
This is kind of what I'm thinking. I found a 2015 Corolla with 32k miles for $13,000 and I feel like that is the perfect MM car. But I have been through so much in the past year that maybe I just want an f'ing new car, lol.
I'm glad you haven't heard from him again and hope you never do again. I'd probably get the used car, but I suck that way lol. It sounds very reasonable, so if it's in budget, get what you want !
Post by crashgizmo on Feb 10, 2016 19:57:59 GMT -5
First off, I'm glad you are okay- I've been thinking about you too.
::putting on my MM hat::: I think the 0% finance is a great option, but how long would you finance for? Suze Orman says no more than 3 years, and I kinda agree with that.
Will that car payment stretch your budget? If not, I think a new car is perfectly all right. FWIW, I bought a new Civic in 2006 and loved it to pieces. I only got rid of it in 2014 (and over 120,000 miles) when my DH got a company car and it made sense for me to take his newer, nicer car.
Thanks for the update! I hope you never, ever hear from the scary ex again. I'm glad your insurance company is being so nice. I'm sure the MM thing would be to buy a 2014 civic with a few miles (this is what I did with my forester). However. A car is a big purchase and both cars you are looking at are MM and reliable. If you plan to drive it for 10 years and they are both under $200/mo, I think you should have what you love.
This is kind of what I'm thinking. I found a 2015 Corolla with 32k miles for $13,000 and I feel like that is the perfect MM car. But I have been through so much in the past year that maybe I just want an f'ing new car, lol.Β
That seems like a lot of miles for a 2015. Was it a rental?
Glad you are doing well. Both cars would be good choices. I do generally like to avoid the first year in a new generation of a car so would favor the Corolla for that reason. I had a Honda Civic that was a work horse and lasted forever. My current Toyota Corolla is now 8 years old and has given no problems what so ever. Great MPG as well.
The slightly used Civics and Corollas are highly desirable and often command a high price that is close to the price of a new one - so you would do well to buy new
I had a Civic a number of years ago and really liked it. I had it for 192,000 miles. I say get what you want. If you drive more than 15,000-20,000 miles/year and can afford it, get a new car. I buy new and drive them til they fall apart.
I'm glad to hear you are doing OK. What a crazy incident with the car but yay a for getting a new one. I hope your ex leaves you alone and you remain safe. Team civic! Go for it!
Post by ellipses84 on Feb 10, 2016 23:26:50 GMT -5
Not the most MM, but I think I'd go with the civic. Get what you like the most, considering they are both very reliable and have good resale value. My DH has a civic and loves it although I never thought he would ever agree to getting one. I have a Toyota, but not a corolla, near the same year as his, and I feel like the quality of the Honda is slightly better and we've had less issues (all the Toyota issues have been minor and easily fixable but it's still a PITA to deal with). For my next car I'm between a Honda and a Toyota SUV and I'm leaning towards the Honda.
I'm glad to hear that ex hasn't contacted you since you sent him the last e-mail. I'm generally Team Toyota simply out of ownership preference (we have a Camry, a Highlander and a Lexus so take it for what it's worth, which is nothing) but Hondas are extremely reliable and if you like the look and feel of it better, then I say go for the Honda. It's not only a big investment, but a long-term one you should have no regrets about. If the interest rate is reasonable (even if it's not 0%) and the price is right, you'll be driving it for a very long time. I'm a proponent of certified used, simply for the extended warranty if nothing else. They're comparable, MM wise, if you plan to drive it til it dies. The Corolla may be a bit better MM-wise dollar wise, but pleasure/satisfaction-wise, if the Honda will make you happier for just a little bit more $, that's MM as well.
Thanx for the update. I'm so glad the insurance thing was easier then you thought.
As for the car front, I would go with the civic. But I do have to say that if I could afford a new(er) car that would be my first pick. When I sell my car I am hoping I can get into another civic. I had one for my first car and I still miss it, 6 years later.
I'm normally team Civic - DH is pushing 300k. Depending on the engine I would not buy the 2016 at the moment. They have already been recalled for a missing piston pin in the engine. They had a stop sale order until they were checked and repaired.
I'm normally team Civic - DH is pushing 300k. Depending on the engine I would not buy the 2016 at the moment. They have already been recalled for a missing piston pin in the engine. They had a stop sale order until they were checked and repaired.
I'm normally team Civic - DH is pushing 300k. Depending on the engine I would not buy the 2016 at the moment. They have already been recalled for a missing piston pin in the engine. They had a stop sale order until they were checked and repaired.