I've stopped by my credit union to see about a loan and a $4-5k loan is within my reach. I.E. it's doable. I just need to fill out the application.

However, I'm still wondering what my best option is right now. While getting the Cutlass up and running isn't as easy as I'd like it to be, it can be done for probably $500 or so. I don't look forward to having to pay for its gas mileage again either, but it is an option to consider. I could also try for another cheap beater or perhaps a lesser loan of $1-2k for something to get me by until I'm finished parting the Jetta out. Finally, I could go for the full $4-5k and find a true replacement, which I will need to do eventually, regardless.

I guess the big question is whether I should take the smalls steps into getting a true replacement or just go for it now since it's feasible. Waiting could possibly fetch something above my current $4-5k comfort zone, as well.

I'm leaning towards just going for it considering my aversion to driving another car that will be a headache. Thoughts?

Go for it. You've been there and done that (going the cheap route). It's time to move on up.

If I were you, I would ask Daddy Warbucks who posted above me, to give you half of the money ...

i'll sell you the Aztek. That's close to what I'd want for it.

fetchin young lad would do well cruzing the world in an asstek.

i'll sell you the Aztek. That's close to what I'd want for it.

fetchin young lad would do well cruzing the world in an asstek.

AND YOU COULD GO CAMPING IN IT!!

You here that BV? Asstek for you to look at and be seen in all the time! w00t!

AND YOU COULD GO CAMPING IN IT!!

Anyway, BV you might consider a few things. 4-5k would be able to fix whatever is wrong with the Mazda and then some. You do still like the car right?

Alternatively, you could save $500 on a replacement car so you could fix the Gutlass and have a backup/beater in addition to a nice car.

Part out the red Jetta. Sell the Mazda and the Cutlass (although I think you said it's not yours, so that may not work). But in the meantime, if you feel comfortable, take out that loan and get yourself something (like another Mk III) that will be worry-free. As you bring in money from your Jetta and Mazda (you might even be able to part that one out, too, and make more on it), you can use that money to help pay off your new loan. You need to break away from all these old shackles and move ahead.

I like ocn's idea...

Part out the red Jetta. Sell the Mazda and the Cutlass (although I think you said it's not yours, so that may not work). But in the meantime, if you feel comfortable, take out that loan and get yourself something (like another Mk III) that will be worry-free. As you bring in money from your Jetta and Mazda (you might even be able to part that one out, too, and make more on it), you can use that money to help pay off your new loan. You need to break away from all these old shackles and move ahead.

That's pretty much the plan. And yes, the Cutlass isn't mine.

I'm looking at this one Jetta I found on Autotrader. It's in Ohio and listed for $4995. The price is a little higher than I would like since it has just a tick under 100k, but it seems to be pretty clean. I'm trying to talk them down a bit. If I can get the price down to $4500, that would be ideal. We shall see. It's a VR6 with the 5spd, basically what I'm looking for in another Jetta.

Autotrader - 1996 Jetta GLX

Edited February 10, 200917 yr by blackviper8891

LIke the color...

Fiero

Good looking VR6 there, Vipes.

I see you're going down the same road I went down after I totaled my S-10 by looking for pretty much the exact same vehicle with the flaws that you found in the vehicle you wrecked smoothed out and corrected. I don't know about you, BV, but I want to say, from my own experience with dealing with the aftermath of totaling a vehicle, seriously think over exactly what car you want to replace your Jetta with. If another Jetta is what you seriously think you want, then buy it. All I know is that I wish I had thought my purchase out a little more thoroughly. If I knew then what I know now, I can certainly say I would not have purchased my Sonoma, even though it was, at that time, exactly what I wanted.

Edited February 10, 200917 yr by YellowJacket894

bv do they come in yellow? I like yellow, I like purple too.

I see you're going down the same road I went down after I totaled my S-10 by looking for pretty much the exact same vehicle with the flaws that you found in the vehicle you wrecked smoothed out and corrected. I don't know about you, BV, but I want to say, from my own experience with dealing with the aftermath of totaling a vehicle, seriously think over exactly what car you want to replace your Jetta with. If another Jetta is what you seriously think you want, then buy it. All I know is that I wish I had thought my purchase out a little more thoroughly. If I knew then what I know now, I can certainly say I would not have purchased my Sonoma, even though it was, at that time, exactly what I wanted.

I'm entrenched in the VW world of white and blue. That $h! sticks like super glue. It's crazy, let me tell you.

Actually, if anything, most of what I would rather have is out of my price range or simply too unrealistic. There are alot of cars I'd love to own more than another MKIII, but they're either too much, their parts are too much, or they might be something that will require more attention than I'm willing to give. I still want to own that '80s Alfa Romeo GTV6... Which isn't going to be a good purchase for me at moment, obviously.

bv do they come in yellow? I like yellow, I like purple too.

The GTI's do. They also came in 'Skittles' guise, the rare Harlequin edition. *nods*

The GTI's do. They also came in 'Skittles' guise, the rare Harlequin edition. *nods*

That's actually kinda cool-looking.

The GTI's do. They also came in 'Skittles' guise, the rare Harlequin edition. *nods*

I saw one f those last summer...they were funky and kinda neat.

VW owners a special group of people I think. I remember I drove a VW Bus once and got all kinds of thumbs up from Jetta, Passats and so on.

Well interest rates are pretty low right now so its not a horrible time to take out a loan.

But then again, id probably be trying to figure out the present value of both options and seeing exactly how much both would cost me in present value and in the future.

Hey BV, as long as you're going to take out a loan, why not go for the gold?

$14,900 Buy It Now

$12,500 Buy It Now

$10,500 Buy It Now

Nice...

Yes, except I would be left with about -$50 each paycheck after making the loan, insurance, gas, and service payments.

Yes, except I would be left with about -$50 each paycheck after making the loan, insurance, gas, and service payments.

Second job?

Second job?

screw the second job, go straight for the third job.

Wow... totally forgot about the 850... I used to LOVE them.

I have a new consideration.

After doing my taxes, I got back alot more than expected, so I currently have a good $1400 in the bank. Fixing up the Millenia wasn't feasible at first, but it may be a possibility now. This all depends on how expensive of a fix the misfire would be. If that is taken care of, the rest can be done easily enough. As mentioned, beyond the misfire, it needs tires, front brakes, an axle, a strut link, a battery, and most likely fluid changes. I still don't know if it'll really be worth it. However, I did always want to fix it up and this is an opportunity to do so. *shrugs*

I have a new consideration.

After doing my taxes, I got back alot more than expected, so I currently have a good $1400 in the bank. Fixing up the Millenia wasn't feasible at first, but it may be a possibility now. This all depends on how expensive of a fix the misfire would be. If that is taken care of, the rest can be done easily enough. As mentioned, beyond the misfire, it needs tires, front brakes, an axle, a strut link, a battery, and most likely fluid changes. I still don't know if it'll really be worth it. However, I did always want to fix it up and this is an opportunity to do so. *shrugs*

Cory IMO Don't bother with the Milly, it's been sitting soooo long that god knows what else could be wrong now etc...

If I were you just clean-slate it and don't look back.

I know you have emotional ties to the car, but I vote to part out the Millenia. That $1400 bucks can make a decent downpayment on a better car.

Having a car sit isn't good for it, but before you send it off to teh scrapyard, I would take it to a GOOD mechanic, have them find what the misfire is, and look it over...get estimates. Then go from there.

By doing what Dodgefan suggests, you'd only be throwing away some of your nest egg. Part out the Mazda and Jetta. Let that money trickle in and put it toward paying off another Mk III.

That's basically what I've been thinking since the start. Figure I'd throw that idea out there, though.

After finding an MK3 that I wanted and seeing it sell because my situation has be waiting... I haven't found any other MK3's that I like as much. It wasn't the black GLX either. Currently looking into a 97 Audi A4 1.8T with a 5spd. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I want right now.

What about that 300M you mentioned? Or another Millenia?

Also, I know there's good reasons behind it, but I don't care for the "throw away" mentality.

The "keep it forever" mentality doesn't make sense at all when you've got to start spending twice what its worth to keep it on the road.

What about that 300M you mentioned? Or another Millenia?

Possibilities... though I'd like to get back to driving a stick. I'm getting tired of autos and both of those limit me to such. I guess it depends on what I find.

The Sonoma is a five-speed.

My Cobalt would be so much more boring if it were an automatic. As it is with the 5-speed, I have fun driving it.

Well now... This is quite the deal on a low mileage, 5spd Harlequin. Clicky

Those are neat.

It's not typical.

Well now... This is quite the deal on a low mileage, 5spd Harlequin. Clicky

Seriously, go for it if you can. Those are sooooooo sick.

BV, you must know that it is one of the rarest Golfs ever produced. I think only 250 or so were made.

If you want the rarity for the price go for it.

BV, you must know that it is one of the rarest Golfs ever produced. I think only 250 or so were made.

If you want the rarity for the price go for it.

Yes, they are one of the rarest VW's ever made according to VWvortex.

Yes, they are one of the rarest VW's ever made according to VWvortex.

Some Professor at the University here has one... rare but puketastic.

Some Professor at the University here has one... rare but puketastic.

I do like rare cars... and I am rather colorfully puketastic, myself.

Well if you have an accident wif it you can get a fender from the junkyard in any old color. Who'd know?:AH-HA_wink:

That exactly what I was thinking ocn.

If you can get a Harlequin, do it, they're funky-cool.

Agreed, I was just playing earlier.