Long Distance Car Purchase Advice

[WeatheredWarrior]

So, I just got back to MA from Tally around midnight. Went down for 10 days and 2 games (that were brutal to sit through), and to visit my daughter that graduates in December.

Of course, first thing this morning I get the call that the transmission in her car has given up the ghost. No warning signs, something just literally broke in there this morning. It has almost 200k miles on it, and all I wanted was for it to make it to graduation, at which time I was going to get her something newer to head off to grad school with.

So now I'm left with the decision - do I spend $2k to fix a car I have no interest in sinking money into, because I can easily do that and get her back up and running, while hoping nothing else major happens between now and December? Or, do I go ahead and buy the newer car now? The problem with buying something else right now is that I am not down there to execute the purchase. I have people I can trust to look over vehicles, but how would I execute the paperwork? Power of Attorney for my daughter?

Just looking for ideas in case someone has an angle I haven't considered. A vehicle is a necessity with her DIS, and also her volunteer work at Big Bend 2-1-1.

 

[Fijimn]

So, I just got back to MA from Tally around midnight. Went down for 10 days and 2 games (that were brutal to sit through), and to visit my daughter that graduates in December.

Of course, first thing this morning I get the call that the transmission in her car has given up the ghost. No warning signs, something just literally broke in there this morning. It has almost 200k miles on it, and all I wanted was for it to make it to graduation, at which time I was going to get her something newer to head off to grad school with.

So now I'm left with the decision - do I spend $2k to fix a car I have no interest in sinking money into, because I can easily do that and get her back up and running, while hoping nothing else major happens between now and December? Or, do I go ahead and buy the newer car now? The problem with buying something else right now is that I am not down there to execute the purchase. I have people I can trust to look over vehicles, but how would I execute the paperwork? Power of Attorney for my daughter?

Just looking for ideas in case someone has an angle I haven't considered. A vehicle is a necessity with her DIS, and also her volunteer work at Big Bend 2-1-1.

Why couldn't the seller email you the purchase documents?

 

[LesClaypool]

I'm sure any auto dealer will have a remedy for your problem. I'd just call one and ask them.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

Why couldn't the seller email you the purchase documents?

Didn't know that was a thing since I've never been in this type of situation before. Seems logical in 2018, though.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

I'm sure any auto dealer will have a remedy for your problem. I'd just call one and ask them.

True. I'll do that. But I also wanted to complain to someone since I won't burden my daughter with that. Hence the post.

 

[cfbfan23]

Get the fix done and get her something new when she gets out of Grad school. Or get something cheaper till she gets her Masters'

 

[funksouljon]

Why not find it locally and have them transfer the vehicle? See carmax, https://www.carmax.com/car-buying-process/nationwide-transfers

Plenty of buy online type services if you have an idea of what you want. Most have warranties to cover what you are concerned with. See cars direct etc.

Or if she is picking out the vehicle, they can do the paperwork remote as indicated above.

But I doubt I'd sink more money into it if its that old and she isn't able to turn a wench.

 

[LesClaypool]

But I doubt I'd sink more money into it if its that old and she isn't able to turn a wench.

 

[funksouljon]

Freudian Slip or misspelling?

 

[Nolomite]

Buy one off the dark web using bitcoins...they'll negotiate whatever sort of delivery arrangement you wish, straight to your daughter's door.

 

[runkpanole]

Get her a subway pass.

 

[jryan]

I just bought a car off of Carvana.com. They have been really easy to deal with and will deliver the car right your daughter's door if you want.

 

[DFSNOLE]

Can you lease a car until she graduates?

 

[kj9127]

I don’t know how old your daughter’s car is, or how much of a burden to you the cost of something newer will be, but if you are going to eventually purchase something for her I would do it now. You will likely be putting her into a car that will be much safer for her. The technology is advancing so quickly that you might want to think about that. Might get better mileage as well.

 

[OrlandNole]

I just bought a car off of Carvana.com. They have been really easy to deal with and will deliver the car right your daughter's door if you want.

This. They are geared toward online buying. You can still have your people look it over (within seven days of vehicle delivery).

What are you going to do with the old car?

 

[tjllml]

Why not find it locally and have them transfer the vehicle? See carmax, https://www.carmax.com/car-buying-process/nationwide-transfers

Plenty of buy online type services if you have an idea of what you want. Most have warranties to cover what you are concerned with. See cars direct etc.

Or if she is picking out the vehicle, they can do the paperwork remote as indicated above.

But I doubt I'd sink more money into it if its that old and she isn't able to turn a wench.

I’ve had great luck with carmax. Highly recommend

 

[BelemNole]

Get her the Uber app

 

[NDallasRuss]

I can help facilitate the sale- do you have access to Western Union? I can also accept iTunes gift cards.

 

[DBNole83]

Weatherd warrior,

Is a lease an option for the time being? There are some great downpayment assistance (apr purchases) for purchases and cap cost reduction (leases) on some new GM vehicles. GM has also just announced a program for the all new next gen XT4 that is just arriving at stores.

Let me know if you need to be pointed in the right direction for these deals. as I work in the industry

 

[Hayduke GW]

So, I just got back to MA from Tally around midnight. Went down for 10 days and 2 games (that were brutal to sit through), and to visit my daughter that graduates in December.

Of course, first thing this morning I get the call that the transmission in her car has given up the ghost. No warning signs, something just literally broke in there this morning. It has almost 200k miles on it, and all I wanted was for it to make it to graduation, at which time I was going to get her something newer to head off to grad school with.

So now I'm left with the decision - do I spend $2k to fix a car I have no interest in sinking money into, because I can easily do that and get her back up and running, while hoping nothing else major happens between now and December? Or, do I go ahead and buy the newer car now? The problem with buying something else right now is that I am not down there to execute the purchase. I have people I can trust to look over vehicles, but how would I execute the paperwork? Power of Attorney for my daughter?

Just looking for ideas in case someone has an angle I haven't considered. A vehicle is a necessity with her DIS, and also her volunteer work at Big Bend 2-1-1.

I bought a house last year where me, my wife, and the seller were in three different states on the closing date. If we have that kind of technology, it should be possible to buy a car the same way.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

Get her a subway pass.

Ahhh yes, didn't even consider that Tallahassee subway system that is oft overlooked.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

Get her the Uber app

She has Uber, of course. She also has Zip car. I made her go without a car her freshman year, and she used those two along with the FSU bus system. But with her DIS and volunteer work, it would be upwards of $240 a week to Uber around. Cheaper to buy a new car.

After looking at everything and checking values of her Nissan Murano, I determined it was pretty much a wash to just fix it. I should be able to recoup the money on trade in come December, vs trying to unload a car that is not in operable condition. She'll be back on the road Thursday, and I'll wait until I'm back down there to look at other cars.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[nynole1]

Take the $2k it would cost to fix the car, add in whatever money you planned on using in December and sell the current car for whatever you can get for it. Use that sum to upgrade to another used car. I wouldnt lease a car and I wouldnt be suckered into buying a new one.

Also, I bought my F-150 online through Cars.com from a large dealership in MN, sight unseen. I found it for $3,500 less than I could get it for where I live, then paid about $800 to have it shipped out here. Geography is no longer a major factor.

 

[runkpanole]

Ahhh yes, didn't even consider that Tallahassee subway system that is oft overlooked.

Fair enough. I thought she was going to school in MA, not Tallahassee. In that case, get her a bike.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

Fair enough. I thought she was going to school in MA, not Tallahassee. In that case, get her a bike.

Those are for the poors.

 

[runkpanole]

Those are for the poors.

Ok, get her a moped. Those things are dope and apparently some FSU players were very fond of them back in the day.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

Ok, get her a moped. Those things are dope and apparently some FSU players were very fond of them back in the day.

They still are. I see them on them all the time. Seeing the linemen riding them is a funny sight.

 

[CC0492]

Ok, get her a moped. Those things are dope and apparently some FSU players were very fond of them back in the day.

And make sure she secures her bag.

 

[WeatheredWarrior]

And make sure she secures her bag.

I see what you did there.

 

[Nolomite]

And make sure she secures her bag.

Paris is covered with those things - at first I thought they were sport bikes until I saw the skinny wheels. My mental image of "moped" was always the Puch

Which became very popular the oil embargo of the 70s.


The city is making a heroic effort to move people, companies, government agencies, etc. away from the city center and toward the outskirts, in an effort to get as many cars as possible off the streets. In the meantime, thousands of parking lots have been converted to "motorcyle/moped only" to disincentivize auto use. For a lot of European cities it is the most linear long-term solution.

 

[LT4PLY]

Is the current car really worth zero? 200k miles is not a death number anymore. If you put the 2 grand into it couldn't you sell it for 2 grand or more?

 

[F4Gary]