One car is in the shop, the other totaled....

[Susan in KY]

What would you do? The car under repairs is expected to be there for a while. Here are the options:
1) Buy 2 not-so-nice cars for the time being, until we get the other car back, then sell them and buy a nicer one,
2) Buy one as-nice-as-possible car and one junker, and get rid of the junker when we get the other car back,
3) Make do on one new (used) car, as we had been doing before the second car was totaled (this is workable, but a pain-in-the-neck!).

Confounding factors include the fact that we live about 20 to 25 minutes from dh's work, and on 2 days a week, I have to take him to work and pick him up so I can have the car (and squeeze all the errands into those already-busy days.

Let's see if the poll posts.

Thanks for your answers!
Susan

[Amy in Orlando]

It's not my favorite option, but I'd go with getting one decent car that will last and just sucking it up and driving dh to work. That and rearranging your schedule as much as possible so you don't have to drive on the two days in question.

I'm sorry you're in this position. We went years with just one car. It's not un-doable, but it IS stressful and simply frustrating sometimes.

Let us know what you opt to do.

[Jean in Newcastle]

We're a one-car family so I can understand the "pain-in-the-neck" aspect. "I" would do #3, because we can't afford registering, gassing, maintaining, and insuring two cars. But you really want to know what "you" should do!

Hmmm. It sounds like you really want to do #1 or #2. Have you done the math on all the costs of having three cars (with 2 being not-so-nice) vs. (1 being nice and 1 being a junker?) Are you comfortable enough if the junker breaks down (either on your dh's commute) or (on your errand days with the kids in tow)? I guess if I think about it I'd be more comfortable with #1, as long as "not-so-nice" still means reliable.

[ArwenA]

Ugh! My mouse clicked the wrong circle.:eek:
I was going to vote for you to stay with the one car. We are a one car family and I'm a Earth loving mom so I don't want it any other way, other than really wanting a hybird.:)
Do you have access to buses and bikes? That always helps us.

[jubilee]

I voted for option (3).

I enjoy staying home so my answer is strictly mpov. We have been a one car family for sometime now.

Let us know what you decide to do:O)

[Susan in KY]

We have bikes, but we live in a rural area where riding them is dangerous for little people, so that is not a viable option. DH works in a different town, so it is a bit of a hike to get there, too. *sigh*

I'd love a Hybrid, too, BTW! :-)

[Heather in the Kootenays]

I vote 3. Driving a junker with kids would raise my stress level way too much.

[Renee in FL]

Will you get a loan to buy any of the cars in question, or pay cash?

[Mrs. Readsalot]

Sometimes I ask myself the question...A year from now what option will be the best one? For this I would go with 3.

[Amy in NH]

Do you not have an insurance policy for your car that is totaled? Our auto insurance includes a rental car for a period of time...

Just a thought.

[Anne/Ankara]

Cars are so expensive to maintain and run, that I would minimize as much as possible-- also buying a used car is so risky, since you can't be sure you're getting a reliable automobile.

[Audrey]

I would just replace the totaled car and make do with it. It may take some creativity, but it is a far more frugal option.

[Susan in KY]

Hi, Amy,

Yup, we had good insurance and a rental, but time is running out. We were on the point of selling the totaled car and replacing it in any event, but we were thinking April or May, not January.

Susan

[Susan in KY]

Strictly cash. We were ready to replace the totaled car in any event, so we have the funds for a new-to-us car.