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Posted by Andy B
on 11/5/2009, 7:37 am, in reply to "Re: The ultimate cream puff: First Model Year Car"
71.72.69.164
There are a few things to consider. What is the total cost of ownership here? I think it would be reasonable to say that if you drove this car for 10 years, you'd pay about $5000 in repairs. Remember, it's not a new car, even if it looks like one. It wasn't mothballed, it wasn't drained of fluids, and it wasn't teleported into the future. $5k may be a little (or a lot) low, but I'll just stick with my made-up number. So, 8 years, $13k. For those same 8 years, what would a Kia cost in repairs? Not maintenance, just repairs. Would it be less than $2000? (Assuming an $11k price tag) I doubt it. Kias aren't known for reliability, after all. But, putting all nostalgia away for a moment, that Chevette doesn't compare favorably to a new Kia. It's slower, less safe, and less comfortable. In all honesty, the Chevette is a terrible highway car, whereas the Kia is not too bad for the price.
Don't forget that depreciation only applies if you plan on selling or crashing it.
Bottom line, if I had a reliable highway car already, I'd buy a cherry Chevette for $8000. I'd love it. But I wouldn't buy a 1.4, or an automatic. The 4-speed 1.6 has just enough power that it's fun to drive if you really know how to milk the power out of it. Any less, well, is a dogsled.
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