here's my situation - GreenHybrid

first on race day · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 12:52 PM

Okay. so I'm totally obsessed with the new 2008 Honda hybrid with nav system. I currently have a 2005 Chevy impala stock 3.4L v6 and it's amazing on gas for what it is. 33ish on highway 22ish city.. i average about 27.5 every tank. Its in the shop for a new fuel filter, fuel pump, starter, and the power steering broke on it. Someone put bad gas in my car.

So i have a 1,000 bucks to my name. just got approved for a new credit card with a 500 dollar limit. i make 400 a week. and I REALLY want this car. I have no credit yet because I've never had bills and i just got my card.

whats the best way for my situation to deal with this?

ciao and thanks for any advice!

Gairwyn · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 09:43 PM

If it was me in your situation, as much as I love the HCH, I would wait until my financial situation was stronger.
Your current car doesn't sound too bad, as long as the things they are taking car of in the shop right now get fixed up alright.
Save up for your dream car; by year's end maybe you'll be better able to afford it.
Honda is supposed to be coming out with another hybrid model for 2009 (?). It's supposed to be priced less than the HCH. Maybe it would be worth waiting to see what that model is like.

You might want to check out the following website for advice on how to get the best mpg you can from your current car:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/

first on race day · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 10:08 PM

thanks for the feedbadk. is the 09 going to be a hybrid aswell with mpg just as good or greater?

Billyk · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 06:26 AM

Wait until your money situation improves. Automobiles are not a good investiment as they almost always lose value over time.

HybridVue · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 10:42 AM

Keep your 2005 Chevy Impala parked in front of your apartment and use it sparingly. Take $350 out of the $1,000 and buy yourself a Hybrid Communting Bicycle, lock, rain gear and helmet. Commute to work and save until you have enough to put a substantial amount of money down for a used HCH. Let someone else lose the money (depreciation) for driving the HCH off of the lot.

It may sound harsh but good things come to those who have a sound financial plan and follow through on it.

Gairwyn · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by first on race day

thanks for the feedback. is the 09 going to be a hybrid as well with mpg just as good or greater?

Yeah, supposedly. So far all we can do is wait until it goes into production. You can do a google search to read articles on it, but they haven't shown any pictures of what the car will actually look like, or any specifics. All I've read is that it is supposed to be a hybrid that is smaller than the HCH and priced lower.
The wait time will give you the opportunity to do some research and save some more money.

Beantown · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 11:05 AM

I can't think of a single instance where it is a good idea to buy a car that costs significantly more than you make in a year.