Sorry, this is off subject, but really need your advice?

that takes care of things and has perhaps barely used the car. My Mom just gave my sister her 1996 Toyota with 18,000 original miles! My mom rarely drove more than to the market and to do errands. My dad would always start the car and give it a good ride once a week or so. Essentially, my sister got a brand new car even though it was 13 years old. Only thing is rubber does not hold up well, so even if you find a great deal, replace the tires for safety reasons. And without electronic windows and all that stuff that is expensive if it fails, your maintenance will be significantly less. Also, motors like Toyota will typically last 300,000 miles.

I wouldn't buy new either, haven't for several years, Mpg is a big deal, as most likely gas will go up again, other than that, good engine is a must-if your car has been properly maintained, you may be actually better off just having the things replaced/fixed that it needs. It is hard to find decent used, vehicles these days with less than 100,000 on the engine. If you really want a different car, shopping around and not getting in a rush, is one of the best things you can do to save big $$

I second the don't buy new. I would dump the jeep and get a good used low mileage Toyota. The quality control of Toyota is unsurpassed in the Auto industry. I have had several since the 1970's and they have been the most trouble free cars I have ever owned. I do most of my own mechanic work. Keep it tuned up and it will last at least 300,000 miles.

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Get Prepared!
Only dead fish go with the flow...

I don't know about cars, but I do know gardening. If you are in the CT area, I would be glad to come help you with that!

a new car. It's always more costly in the long run to buy a new car over a used car. You're paying a premium for the mere cachet of having a "new car."

Either fix the one you have or buy a lower mileage used vehicle. You can buy quite a lot of gasoline or diesel with the money that goes *poof* when you drive a new car off of the lot.

Someone recently sent me a website showing the vast amount of vehicles that are sitting around with no buyers. It sort of makes me think that the laws of supply and demand may bring the prices down before long. But who knows? Everything else is working backward. Take a look.

http://www.silverbearcafe.com/private/01.09/unsoldcars.html

Personally, everything I have is old by most standards and I just take real good care of them and fix them if needed. I got over 300,000 miles on one of them before I stopped using it, but I still can if I need to. Good luck.
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I love my country
I am appalled by my government

I'd try to fix up the jeep and save the money. The post about gas is a real possibility and it is possible no one will have gas.

Detective Krum Investigates:
http://victory1project.wordpress.com/
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It sounds to me like you should be the one giving advice, not asking for it. :-)

Well, having a reliable car might be very useful in the future if things were to collapse. But at the same time, what if it was very difficult to get gas? Then it might not matter at all.

I'm not sure.

Maybe make a list of all the different things you could do with that money.... seriously compare all your options.

And you are planning on paying cash and not getting a loan. Get the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) and not the "Certificate of Title" that almost everyone has but few realize that they don't truly own their personal conveyances.

The ONLY time you can get a MCO is when you are paying cash for a NEW car. NO ONE can get the MCO after the car is purchased and a "Certificate of Title" is issued on that conveyance.

Personally, I agree with most of the posts below. Keep that Jeep running until it explodes and save a ton of money.

I'm a 66 year old male, reasonably good health and from a purely financial point of view I'd definitely would of been better off calling a cab for what little I used the car (22K in 5 Years). $302.47 monthly payment (could of paid cash) , and $700-900 a year insurance buys a lot of cab fares; not to mention gasoline, maintenance and licensing.

I use the vehicle for convenience only. Where I live, "Cook County, IL", they have dial a ride from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) , for a small fee they will pick you up and take you (small mini-bus) anywhere round-trip within reason locally. The local hospital will also provide round-trip transportation.

The regular bus stop is a 10-15 walk and the railroad/train is 30-40 minute walk or 10 min. by bus.

I've have thought aboutof buying another new Toyota with upper/side impact air-bags.

BTW, Former Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has given all Senior Citizens in IL free regional public transportation. I have the regional pass since it first came out, but have never used it.

you are making good decisions so don't worry. One thing you can count on the Daily Paul are opinions. LOL There seems like some good sound advice below I don't have anything to add just a bump to help a patriot.

In order for a 30000.00 car to cost 50000.00 the near future. you will have bigger things to worry about. Car companies wont be able to exist if that happens. A jump like that would kill them. Consumer wages lag too far behind inflation. I'd keep your Jeep.

is to never buy a new car. I have a '96 grand cherokee with 210,000 miles, and it is still as good a vehicle (to me, at least) as the '08 vehicles I have been in. With respect to repairs, around 140,000 miles I spent about $3,000 on repairs (transmission, transfer case, exhaust & brakes), which is a lot cheaper than a new car. Mine still gets good gas mileage, but when I add everything up, the biggest ticket item is gas. If you decide to keep and repair yours, do not take it to a Jeep dealer for repair unless you just want to pay twice the going rate. Also, if you can get a male to take it to a repair shop, there is a lower probability of "terror" repairs being shoved down your throat.

If you decide to replace your vehicle, I'd recommend a 2-3 year old program car. You don't get the new car smell, but you'll save a small fortune.

Ron Paul - Hope for America

Oil/gas will not be this cheap for long.

Cars are probably low priced right now, and I wouldnt even worry about paying in cash since some of the rates are preposterously low. You can probably haggle the price and rates even lower with the desperate salesfolk. Go for it!