Friday, March 28, 2014

I'm gonna do it! Car update

2011 Ford Fiesta SE, in silver
I've informally agreed to buy my brother's car. But wait! Hold on the tar and angry picket lines! Hear me out. The car is actually very nice. I've been driving it for about a week, since my dad is hard-set on up-selling me the car. He's always playing mediator between us family members.

The car is a 2011 Ford Fiesta SE. It is TINY. Which I LOVE! Has good trunk space too, which will be needed in the future. It has cruise control (another thing I wanted), and it seems to be great on gas. So far, it has a history of 32mpg. 20.5k miles on it. And since I've sort of agreed to get it only if it gets to $10k, it's about 2k below the price estimates.

It's not perfect... it seems a bit jerky when accelerating (maybe I am just not used to it-- I had a similar experience with the rental car back in February, thinking they accelerate too fast compared to my 1999 car), it has a tiny blemish on the rear and they don't come with center armrest (no idea why not!), but they can be bought online for about $50. It also doesn't seem to have automatic headlights that I can tell, but I read that's something the dealer could work with through the car computer.

The car's pretty quiet. It looks very roomy, and imagine this, all 4 windows work! Ha. And the A/C works as well. It's not my first choice of car, but it is nice and it drives nice. I know the car has been decently maintained and that my brother never really went anywhere far, though he used to be a really aggressive driver before he started trained to join the Marines. I think it's safe to assume he got the car shortly after deciding to join Marines, so it's been driven responsibly.

A bit on that brother bit... let me say this again. He's not the person he was, and I have an immeasurable amount of respect for Marines as a whole, that they could transform someone like who he was into who he is now. It is a very, very 360 degree transformation, and heck, I'm actually proud of him. On my degree of dislikes, he was the worst after my mother, and that's a very high rank. A terrible person, but now, he's just a person I don't know but wouldn't mind getting to know from scratch (though I'm glad he's still a few states away).

With that under consideration, he would have to either sell the car individually and deal with the hardships that come from that, especially with his unavailability, or sell it back to the dealer, and lose a lot on it. I was in the market for a car for myself, with a budget of $10k, so it may just work out for all of us. Even if I don't like my family a lot, I am still inclined to help them in a way that is mutually beneficial.

Now the whole loan business begins. I figure it will be all done by May, perhaps. I spoke with BOA, and I may need either a Power of Attorney for them to sell me his car on his behalf, or get the loan, give him the blank check so he can pay it off, and take over from there. I am not very familiar with the process, so I will work out the details before mid month. If anyone's had experience buying a car from someone who was still payments (and maybe with them not being present), I'd appreciate the feedback!

17 comments:

  1. Good for you, Tanner! Sounds like a win win situation.

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  2. The car is a good deal. DO NOT DEAL WITH BOA for YOUR car loan. Go to a Federal Credit Union and get your loan. Then, either YOUR loan people send BOA the money, or you give a check to your brother, he pays off the loan. The title goes to whomever takes the loan on the car. Will take a week, tops, unless BOA stalls as is their wont. (Can you tell I HATE BOA with a passion? I've blogged it a few times!)

    Peace <3
    Jay

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    1. Oh, I should've specified... I too hate BOA, but I figured I'd get quicker answers with them than by calling. Only reason I have BOA is because my oldest credit card is with them, and helps my credit. If I could get rid of them, I would!

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  3. As long as he doesn't say later that you short-changed him :) And be sure to drive it to a mechanic to check on your concerns. Otherwise, I think, it's a win-win for both of you for sure.

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    1. He wants to get rid of it because right now, he's just paying full insurance and a high car payment monthly... he doesn't see himself needing a car for another 4 years, so he's the one trying to dump it somewhere. My dad's checked it, but yeah, I'll have to take it to a mech for inspection anyway. It seems in good condition as far as anyone can tell. We'll see!

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  4. I have a 2006 Ford Focus and it has been trouble-free so far. 82,000 miles and going strong. Pardon me while I go and knock on wood.

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    1. Knocking on wood for the both of us! People seem to have very mixed feelings about Ford.

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  5. I agree with Jay about BOA. I am glad your brother has changed..the military does that and I hope you can build a relationship. But on that mom box I always jump on I would insist on your brother taking the car to a reputable mechanic or the dealer just to check it out. Also since your brother is in the military if he is in there cu, then family members can join also so maybe it would make everything easier.

    Just make sure this is the care you want and the one you want to drive for the next 10 or so years. Oh and how are those new shoes feeling ;)

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    1. Been trying to look into that as well, joining a military-type CU. I bought the shoes, but haven't tried them. Just picked them up on Saturday, and didn't want to "break them in" at my PT work, in case they hurt. They felt comfortable and light, though!

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  6. "So jealous of 4 working windows", said the woman driving a minivan with MANUAL windows.
    ;-)

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    1. Hahaha. At least yours work! I've been down to 1 working window, and it was miserable.

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  7. We personally have had alot of mechanical problems with both the Fords we owned, but as long as it is a sound car.....enjoy!!!

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    1. Fingers crossed... I think most cars will give issues one way or another.

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  8. No, no, NO. Leave your family--all of them--out of your car buying. I know he's not the person he was, but I don't care. Get a nice Honda or Toyota or maybe a Subaru and make sure your family has nothing to do with it! I'm being completely serious right now and I say this as someone with a family even more dysfunctional than yours and an abusive, screwed up mother and a brother who has sided with her. Just don't do it. Fords are not really good cars, and the circumstances for this one couldn't be worse. Just. Say. No.

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    1. I'll have to respectfully disagree. Even leaving the family aspect out of it, for a 2011 SE vehicle for $10k ($6k, really, since I already have 4k down) with only 20k miles, it's a deal. And I'm partial to Ford, so if I saw that deal in Craigslist, I would like to believe I would consider it.

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    2. Okay. Get a Ford, if you must have a Ford. But don't have your family have anything to do with it, please.

      Also, you just got out of so much debt, it would be terrible to burden yourself with more debt.

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  9. You’re one busy woman, Tania! But it was definitely sweet of you to buy your brother's car, rather than just opting for a new one. And by the way you describe it, the car seems to be in good condition. That’s very convenient for you. But if you feel that it doesn’t fit your needs, you could always sell or trade it for the car you wanted. How is it holding up, btw?

    Cecil Watkins @ Beineke Cars

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