[AGL] need your advice

[Byron Allen Black]

My considered advice is to talk to people and roam the web looking for
specific models *NOT *to ever buy.

There are certain models with 'birth defects' that will inevitably emerge
(often with second owners) and end up costing a huge amount - more than the
care is worth.

A 1960s sedan has a lot going for it, if it has been well-maintained by a
reputable mechanic. A careful visual inspection will often confirm such TLC
invested in a family car. Estate sale is often a good deal, as a sedan
might not have been driven much at all in the twilight years of the owner.

Another reason to choose a 1960s or 1970s car is that they pre-date the era
of whiz-bang electronics and automation, service for which can be both
difficult and expensive - or in some cases (smaller Euro or Japanese
brands) circuit boards etc might be unavailable. Do not expect an owner
eager to unload a vehicle to tell you this. That's where patient and
deep-level internet research will save money and tears.

Fuel does not look to be shooting up in price any time soon so a
gas-guzzler will often turn out to be a bargain unless a gigantic amount of
driving is contemplated.

Most of this you may already know; if so, sorry for the time-wasting. Hard
sometimes to keep my ancient motor journalist spirit down.

(Final Note): I seem to remember the 1970s as a "time of plague" for
American cars in general, where the bean-counters took over from the
engineers and automobiles were seen as "appliances". Terrible quality
problems in some of the Big 3 models. CAVEAT EMPTOR.

from Byron in Jakarta, riding around in a 2017 Toyota Sienta the boss gave
him unexpectedly. Trained a long-term houseboy to be the driver.


On Thu, 21 Nov 2019 at 05:34, Margaret Martone <maggiemartone at hotmail.com>
wrote:

> My son found me a 2005 Kia Sorento with 61,000 original miles, one owner
> (3-1/2 years ago) with the Only expense before now being a set of tires.
> Had to put $800 into O2 sensors, etc. last week. 16 mpg in town and 18-20
> mpg on the road. He went through TruCar!
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Nov 20, 2019, at 3:58 PM, Frances Morey <frances.morey at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> 
> I have a friend who bought a 10-year-old, low-millage Cadillac that looks
> like last years' model, loaded, for $25,000. Me so jealous.
> Best,
> Frances
>
> On Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 3:31 PM Charles Loving <lovingigor at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> My daughter drives a used 2010 BMW. Expensive to fix but a nifty car.Very
>> zooty.
>> Son has a 2005 Toyota Prius which is nice but costly to fix.
>> I have a 2002 Ford Sports Trac. Not too bad but doesn't get good mileage.
>> Standard xmsn Carries lots of stuff and can haul a big load of gravel or
>> dirt.
>> The wife has a Mazda pseudo SUV four door thing and it is reasonable to
>> drive but the road noise is pretty bad. Also a standard.
>> My 1984 Bronco is in running condition except when it catches fire,
>> nothing serious but lots of smoke. No AC or radio
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 20, 2019 at 1:44 PM Michael Eisenstadt <eisenstadt0 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> Wife Madelon & I need to get a new used car. Looking for a full-sized or
>>> near full-sized sedan. Anybody have any recommendations regarding make
>>> and model which they've had good experiences with?
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance for your advice.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Charlie Loving
>>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://pairlist1.pair.net/pipermail/austin-ghetto-list/attachments/20191123/3c30dd26/attachment.html>