Buying a car- your opinion?

[qzar9999]

So, my poor sedan got totaled last week. My insurance is going to give me enough to do one of two things: buy a used van from my friend, or put a down payment on something else. The van is a 2007 and was previously a commercial vehicle, so it's got high mileage; on the other hand, it has a lot of features I like, my mechanic buddy looked it over and found no major problems, insurance on it is pretty cheap, and it would be totally paid for. If I got something newer with lower mileage, it would have higher insurance and I'd be stuck making monthly payments. Opinions?

[danielsangeo]

Get the van and then save money you would've spent on increased insurance and monthly payments towards for a newer vehicle.

Unless you don't like vans...

[vincent_richter]

Depends on where you work. The van is a decent choice for retail or contract work; if you're doing high-end executive tech-sector work, though, you're going to need to repaint it. Teal with seafoam-green relief panels might work.

[Ermahgerd]

Jerst dernt ber ern erzern slert mahberl!

[qzar9999]

Originally Posted by danielsangeo

Get the van and then save money you would've spent on increased insurance and monthly payments towards for a newer vehicle.

Unless you don't like vans...

You stay classy, sangeo. A van isn't my first choice for favorite type of vehicle, it's true, but this one has power everything and flat-fold seating and huge cargo capacity and a REALLY nice sound system, and it runs pretty well too.

Originally Posted by vincent_richter

Depends on where you work. The van is a decent choice for retail or contract work; if you're doing high-end executive tech-sector work, though, you're going to need to repaint it. Teal with seafoam-green relief panels might work.

Ha! Me! An executive! That idea is so ridiculous I scoffed up a lung.

...I should probably get that put back in, yeah? O_o

Originally Posted by Ermahgerd

Jerst dernt ber ern erzern slert mahberl!

Ermahgerd yer ser herd ter erndersternd! But no, it's not gonna be a slutmobile. Although one could easily fit a nice comfy mattress in back and the windows are darkened for privacy...

[thrandrall]

Is it a full van with seats or just a commercial one with storage space?

[qzar9999]

'Tis a full 7-passenger van with that nifty flat-fold seating, so I can carry cargo OR people. Dodge Caravan, actually. Maybe should've mentioned that first.

[danielsangeo]

If you do buy the van, please paint "Free Candy" on the side.

[qzar9999]

Shall I attach running boards so it's easier for the kids to step in?

[Obsidian Reaver]

Do you have stable employment? If yes, then I'd go for the down payment on a new vehicle. After 5-6 years, it'd be paid off and probably still have lower miles than the van. Plus, you could then trade it in as a down payment on your next vehicle (making your second purchase significantly cheaper and easier to finance). I'm sure you're aware of all this, though. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Oh, and whatever you buy, make sure to put racing stripes on it, some type of glowing, neon light under it, and hang a set of rubber testicles from the back (if able). Nothing says responsible driver like racing stripes, neon lights, and a dirty rubber sac proclaiming your vehicles masculinity.

[qzar9999]

While that is an extremely good point, there's one thing I forgot to mention: She's giving me such a good price on the van that it's worth almost as much in trade as I'm paying for it.

And no, no Truk Nutz for me. Do I look like Michael Bay? ;-)

[vincent_richter]

You could always paint it black and tell people "this is what an actual government budget looks like."