2008 m/t Yaris - I'm very tempted

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

1st car $300 69 Beetle with blown engine (hot-rodded) Fixed for $400. Damaged in accident with motorcycle and sold for new 74 Beetle (Dads car). Mine after 3 years. Totally rusted out in NY winters at 250k in 82. Next car: 79 Subaru Station Wagon 4WD 58k miles $500. Car was rolled and repaired. Carpet on ceiling! Car failed NJ inspection 30k miles later due to "sharp edges". Hood held down by coat hangers. Next car 86 Toyota Pickup 38k miles $2000. Sold for $1500 in 92. Next car 79 Mercedes Benz 240D 105k miles. $4000 with engine knock on startup. Was the injectors fixed for $100. Sold in 2001 for $2500 with 153k miles. NEW CAR 2001 ECHO $13,100. (cant do heavy work on cars anymore) Sold in 2009 for $4000 with 49k miles (mt) (cant drive stick anymore).

NEW CAR 2009 Yaris $~16,000 0% interest. 40k currently. 3 accidents. Last new car almost certainly. Hopefully last car period.

...and your kids got to see first hand your ability to 'squeeze out value', freeing up those dollars to invest and/or go toward more important tangible aspects of raising them .

I would have gone more your route in the past if I had your skills re vehicles.