My only car, and I just got a job that’s about 30 minutes from home. The transmission has been acting up, and the 5th gear isn’t working right. I have a 430 credit score and $5,000 savings, so I’m living paycheck to paycheck. I’ve had the car for 12 years. Love the way it drives, and sounds. I can’t get a car loan from the bank, but the credit union says they can help after two months of check stubs. Should I save up to fix it, or should I put down $2,500?
>>28684694Sell it and buy a used Camry.
>>28684694if you sell it you're gonna get scraps for a broken car and then gonna have to take a gander in the used market at that price point,if your budget is tight and you like the car repairing is the best choice
>>28684694Change the transmission fluid firstDon't sell a paid off car unless you have others you can use already
>>28684694NAH the only way it would be a good idea is if you don't ike this car and want another one and can also pay it straight with cash without much difficulty
>>28684729was offered $2000 trade in estimate and my bro said he'll let me use his older tucson, but dont want to be a nuisance . Mom said she would help me out by co signing a car. I've never really been the one to ask for money or help in the family, so it feels weird asking. Mazda CX-5 or the Tiguan, taos. Bro said to get a hyundai but i don't trust korean manufacturing. >>28684745Yeah it's mostly the sentimental value of it. Its a modded 2.5 inline wih a turbo and metal manifold. my transmission mechanic said its probably just the valve body. The DSG trans are known to do that. Its at 189,000 miles>>28684770It's one of those sacrificing taking the bus with monkeys, or risking it on the freeway situations>>28684808I'm a wait it out a month, she is about to hit the 20 year mark and have been driving it for 12 years.
>>28684694Let me guess, you never serviced the unit and ignored all the symptoms. If it's at the point where it struggles to go into certain gears it might be too late. Depending on parts availability it might be cheaper to get another car. My step bro paid almost 3000€ for a refurbished unit + management system + labour costs on his wife's Golf 6, in USA might be more. Buying a non refurbished one is a shot in the dark because you don't know how it's been maintained and if it's working properly.
Cheapest Toyota Camry you can buy.
>>28684852>Bro said to get a hyundai but i don't trust korean manufacturingTrusting a veedub more than a Hyundai in 2025 is insane
>>28684694The only situations where it makes sense to sell your car to get another one are:>you're getting a new car and know between warranty and planned obsolescence not kicking in immediately you've got at least 5 years of mostly headache-free ownership>you're getting a significantly newer used vehicle known for being more reliable than what you currently have>you just hate your current car or like whatever car you're buying more due to reasons that have nothing to do with reliabilitySelling a 20 year old car because it's starting to have expensive repairs only to buy another 15-20 year old car is peak idiocy, anything you buy at a similar price/mileage/age range is gonna be on the verge of having expensive issues, that's how it is with old cars, and trading your car for another has the added risk of you not really knowing the state of the car you're getting, it might have some serious issues the seller is hiding that will blow in your face one year later, with used cars it's always better the devil you know.
