Should I get a Van or a Used car?

Question

Okay so heres the deal. I dont have very much money at all. I only have 500 dollars in the bank right now. If I want to get a used car, then I have to save up to where I have about 1500 dollars. And then I will have to get out a loan pay for the car and pay the car payment and everything.

My Uncle has a van that he is willing to give to me for free. But I have to buy the transmission. Which I think is about 1000 dollars... but it is a van. Which isnt that nice... I dont know...

which one do you think is the better investment?

Answer 1

The used car. Since the van is 1000 anyways so no matter what you'll have to save up that much, I'd just wait a few more weeks and save up the 500 and get a small car. It's gunna be so much easier on gas.

Answer 2

few questions..

is it a Dodge or Chrysler van? if so forget it.

If it's a Toyota or a Honda could be worth it.

what year is it? how many miles on it.

does your Uncle change the oil and filters or just drives it till they fall apart?

find out exactly how much the transmission costs and how much for the installation.

you can find some cars from 1998 for about $3K to $4,000 so keep that in mind.

why did the tranny fail? is it an manual or and automatic.

even if your getting the van free still might take it to be inspected to find out what else needs repairing.

Answer 3

Given the price of fuel these days, and the consumption of a van...

Also given that there may be more problems than just the transmission...

I would suggest going for a used compact car.  Either way you go, you run the risk of additional repairs being required.  So check into the cost of common parts for the vehicle.  Typically, domestic vehicles are less expensive to fix than foreign.

Answer 4

Free car may be the better option for you at the moment, even if its a van. The point is to be able to go from place to place. Borrowing money can get expensive if you don't have good credit or little credit history. When you get a nice job and make good money, you can get whatever you want.

Answer 5

Well... it depends. If you're married and have two or more children, go for the van. If you have one children, but go on vacation a lot, also go for the van. $1000 isn't bad... except for gas! You'd have to pay a lot of money for gas.

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If you don't travel a lot and you're married and have one child or if you're single, get the car. Well, get the car if it's like new to almost new ('06-'09 cars).

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Do you have a job? Because if you don't, I really don't think you can invest that much money.

Take a bus, bike, jog, walk, carpool with someone else. Your choices are endless. Don't bother buying your own car or van. Go Green. Save the environment. We're getting more pollution one car/van at a time.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Buy a car and save gass.