car wrecked; buy a new car? (Seattle, Kenmore: fit in, lease, insurance)

[seakid]

I got into a car wreck today on the onramp of 84th Ave and 5th NE, going I-5 south.

It was a cheap car, I'm now thinking if I should buy a new car, lease a new car, or buy a used car. Or Should I take the transit?

I know this is vague ... blah I'm confused

[AzDreamer]

I would buy a used car and pay cash. New cars are for people with lots of extra money to spend.

Craigslist is a good place to shop and don't get too hung up on a specific model. A cheap car that hasn't been run into the ground will last forever, or until your next accident.

[azoria]

If you buy a new car with that recent accident on your driving record, full coverage insurance is going to cost you a major fortune. More than the car.

I figure we're not spending at least $500 a month by not owning a car, making payments, buying gas, and paying insurance, maintenance, and registration.

That's a $500 a month profit in my pocket for not owning a car. I love the bus.

[M3 Mitch]

Were you at fault in the wreck? If you were, insurance will go up on you, probably, even if you only carry liability.

How badly damaged is your car? Even if it's technically "totalled", you may find a shop (usually run by a Mexican or Russian immigrant for whatever reason) that can fix it cheaply, maybe not to the very best standards of fit and finish, but OK. You can buy back your totalled car usually for about $500. Sometimes less.

Seattle is a car-hostile town, bad traffic, expensive registration, lot of car theft, nowhere to park (free anyway). Maybe give transit a try, see how well/poorly it works out for you.

[Ira500]

If you don't care about whether a car is "cool" or not, check out the James G Murphy auction in Kenmore. They auction off reliable boring low mileage government surplus sedans for much lower than book value.

[seakid]

I feel stupid, I gave the car away to the tow person for free towing, the repair shop said it would cost like $4000 to fix it up, I bought it for $4200

So I'll give transit a try; I'm right in front of a bus stop, for 242 that goes straight to work. I'll just miss driving to Walmart @ night

I

[VeronikaW]

Sorry about your car! I hope you're okay!

I would never lease a car. Both my husband and I made that mistake once each.

See how you do without a car for a month or two, and then go from there.

V. =)

[5chevin5]

I live in Japan, so my opinion is natto...but.

Public transportation in this economic climate is a pretty smart idea. Yes it can be inconvenient, but with some planning it can work out. I watch from a safe distance the gas prices in America and get chicken skin when I think about how much I used to rely on my car and how much that would cost now. Plus in the summer is the best time to be doing the stand outside/catch the bus thing. Then save up...buy a car outright in the fall, payments are a bad idea... especially with insane insurance costs after an accident.

Good luck Kid
5

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by 5chevin5

I live in Japan, so my opinion is natto...

Hey goofy -- only you and I and maybe one other person know what natto is!!!

[Ira500]

I live in Japan, so my opinion is natto..

Your opinion is fermented soybeans?