I used to drive a 1999 Nissan Sentra, it looked like a wreck but it got me everywhere I needed to go and was quick and cheap to repair. Everyone told me “you need to get rid of that car.” At the time I wasn’t making tons of money, but I did gain $5K in stocks suddenly during COVID-19.
I searched for “best cars for $5,000” and one of the recommendations was an Audi A3. I didn’t really know shit about cars so I went for it, and boy did I end up spending a lot more than $5K in repairs in the first few years (though luckily I started earning a lot more).
I still love the car to death, but it’s a 10 year old luxury vehicle. I still don’t trust it to get me to the next state but I don’t commute to work so it’s cheaper at this point to keep it and maintain it well rather than buy another used car (with an entirely new set of problems) or take out a huge, huge loan for an updated equivalent (the car is completely optioned out).
I also learned that with German vehicles you must, must find highly a knowledgeable mechanic that you can trust. A few times I took it to cheaper mechanic closer to home but found out 1-2 years later he didn’t actually fix the problems.
Had I simply waited another few years I probably wouldn’t have had to spend a fortune fixing the damn thing, and I’d probably be financially stable enough to actually get a better car. But I live in Los Angeles where the people I know will feel shame on my behalf due to the car I drive. 🙄
I had a VW Passat which is the same thing as your Audi, just non luxury version. That thing broke down all the time. I got rid of it after 5 years because I had to. I just couldn’t afford to always be fixing it.
I’ve historically stuck with Honda’s which are very reliable. My last civic was 20 years old when I moved on from it. It still works, just not reliably for long distances. My son drives it now.
People would always ask me when I was going to get a new car. I would say I’m always looking but I won’t buy a new car until I need to buy a new car. I’m thankful for not having the monthly payment.
People would just nod their head and understand where I was coming from even though they wouldn’t make that same decision themselves.
During that time I made a monthly “car payment” into savings so I built up enough money to buy the car I wanted. Since it wasn’t a real car payment the money was a good emergency fund, which I ended up needing.
But I live in Los Angeles where the people I know will feel shame on my behalf due to the car I drive.
Maybe your people should pitch in for a new ride on your behalf then, instead of yourself.
German cars are deliberately over-engineered to increase repairing costs. They fail less often than cheaper cars, but when they do, it’s time to check your covering on your bank account, because that’s gonna cost you.
A3 TDI? I have one of those and so many breakdowns in the first year. Luckily the warranty they were forced to add from having cheated on emissions covered all repairs. Haven’t had any major issues for two years now on it thankfully, I’m not sure I’d recommend it generally but realistically with what you save on fuel cost the extra long term repair cost balances it out a bit.
I used to drive a 1999 Nissan Sentra, it looked like a wreck but it got me everywhere I needed to go and was quick and cheap to repair. Everyone told me “you need to get rid of that car.” At the time I wasn’t making tons of money, but I did gain $5K in stocks suddenly during COVID-19.
I searched for “best cars for $5,000” and one of the recommendations was an Audi A3. I didn’t really know shit about cars so I went for it, and boy did I end up spending a lot more than $5K in repairs in the first few years (though luckily I started earning a lot more).
I still love the car to death, but it’s a 10 year old luxury vehicle. I still don’t trust it to get me to the next state but I don’t commute to work so it’s cheaper at this point to keep it and maintain it well rather than buy another used car (with an entirely new set of problems) or take out a huge, huge loan for an updated equivalent (the car is completely optioned out).
I also learned that with German vehicles you must, must find highly a knowledgeable mechanic that you can trust. A few times I took it to cheaper mechanic closer to home but found out 1-2 years later he didn’t actually fix the problems.
Had I simply waited another few years I probably wouldn’t have had to spend a fortune fixing the damn thing, and I’d probably be financially stable enough to actually get a better car. But I live in Los Angeles where the people I know will feel shame on my behalf due to the car I drive. 🙄
I had a VW Passat which is the same thing as your Audi, just non luxury version. That thing broke down all the time. I got rid of it after 5 years because I had to. I just couldn’t afford to always be fixing it.
I’ve historically stuck with Honda’s which are very reliable. My last civic was 20 years old when I moved on from it. It still works, just not reliably for long distances. My son drives it now.
People would always ask me when I was going to get a new car. I would say I’m always looking but I won’t buy a new car until I need to buy a new car. I’m thankful for not having the monthly payment.
People would just nod their head and understand where I was coming from even though they wouldn’t make that same decision themselves.
During that time I made a monthly “car payment” into savings so I built up enough money to buy the car I wanted. Since it wasn’t a real car payment the money was a good emergency fund, which I ended up needing.
Maybe your people should pitch in for a new ride on your behalf then, instead of yourself.
German cars are deliberately over-engineered to increase repairing costs. They fail less often than cheaper cars, but when they do, it’s time to check your covering on your bank account, because that’s gonna cost you.
A3 TDI? I have one of those and so many breakdowns in the first year. Luckily the warranty they were forced to add from having cheated on emissions covered all repairs. Haven’t had any major issues for two years now on it thankfully, I’m not sure I’d recommend it generally but realistically with what you save on fuel cost the extra long term repair cost balances it out a bit.
Those old Datsun Sentras were goat.
A tiny notch under the ek Civic, but just as rugged.