sigh...

[saxikath]

My car is basically toast.

Those of you who have ridden with me know about the weird rattling noise when I turn. Then there was this whine that sometimes happened and then went away when I hit the brakes. That just started in the past couple of days.

So I took it to the mechanic. It turns out that the front axles are breaking, the brakes need a total overhaul, the ball joints are going... etc. Basically, I've been taking my life in my hands every time I drive it. All told, he's giving me an estimate of around $4000 to fix everything. And it's just not worth that for a 14-year-old car.

Good thing I'd already rented a car for going to Legends this weekend.

Anyone got recommendations for buying a used car around Boston?

Comments

[cnoocy]

How often do you use your car? Constantly, or just for errands and such?
Perhaps you can see where I'm going with this.

[saxikath]

I've been thinking about that. I've been commuting by car, but I could commute by public transit.

[meranthi.livejournal.com]

If public transit isn't evil, I would recommend zipcar. If there's one close by to you. The nearest one for me is a 20-30 minute walk, but when I need to go out of town, it's priceless. The annual fee also includes things like insurance and gas. Let me know if you want more info.

If you do decide to buy

[ex-colorwhe.livejournal.com]

I've had good luck in the past using the Want Advertiser. The key is to find out when it comes out, pick it up hot off the presses (or hot off the delivery truck) at, say, Nini's Corner, and right away find the ads that interest you and call them right then. You'll be first, so you won't be wasting time calling anyone whose car is already sold. I also remember Want Advertiser being well organized.

Have a list in advance of what you want to ask the people you call. One good question is "Why are you selling it?" It sounds obvious, but most buyers don't ask this, and most sellers haven't prepped for it, so you're likely to get an honest answer. You'll like some answers better then others -- "I'm getting married and my wife has a newer car and we only need one" is obviously better than anything related to the car itself.

Also ask whether it's ever been in an accident. Again, not usually asked, so chances for honest answer are high.

Finally, arrange to bring the car to a mechanic you like. (I can rec an awesome one in the close part of Belmont if you're getting a Toyota or Honda.) It's worth paying a small fee to get an honest, non-invested opinion on the car's health and worth.

Re: If you do decide to buy

[bookishfellow.livejournal.com]

Finally, arrange to bring the car to a mechanic you like. [...] It's worth paying a small fee to get an honest, non-invested opinion on the car's health and worth.

Heck, it's worth paying a large fee if it means you aren't saddled with a lemon down the road. The independent mechanic once-over should be S.O.P. for buying a used car. Definitely don't omit this step.

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

RIP Little Red.

But it's a good thing you found this out from a mechanic instead of empirically.