Hi, Dan here.

Hi. Dan, here.

These columns where the guy/girl is down on his/her luck and the suggestions are “buy a 30 year old x” or a grey market RHD import, seems a bridge too far and should be re-titled “What car shouldn’t I buy?” Suggesting a buyer sell his plasma to make the down payment or for the inevitable repairs isn’t good advice.

This is the V model, not the normal Prius.

Your answer is the true correct answer.

I’m a divorced father of two who just spent 6 months unemployed.

yes. You know what Toyota US needs yesterday?

Kids and 40 miles a day means no true beater,which might not work for his job anyway. Your options are a lot broader at $20 than $10 or $15. And it’s what? $100-$150 a month different?

We have a winner. It will also outlast the sun.

Prius V

Neutral: Trucks are just a substitute for land yachts. The family sedan of yore used to have a 20+ cuft trunk, seating for 6, and come priced well enough that you didn’t feel bad using and abusing it. Modern sedans just aren’t a good value compared to trucks, especially once you factor in resale value. A full size…

I agree and thank you. My parents took a pretty good hit, but I’m sure that goes for just about everyone in the working class. I’m glad it’s behind us too and hope that nobody has to go through that again.

Sorry let me clarify. Yes you are correct that other manufacturers have cars that can last well to 100k and 200k. What others cannot do is feel tight and solid at that age. I’ve been in many high mileage cars but none feel as tight and well-built as Japanese cars. The GM and Fords etc always have a loose rattly feel…

Oklahoman here. Can confirm. 

350K!?!?

You make it sound like a car out of warranty immediately becomes a financial wormhole. I have a 72 month loan on my 2015 BRZ Series.Blue (3.1% APR). MSRP on the car was $30k. I paid $27,350. With TTL right back up to $30k. With the loan interest, $33k.

I’ve had the car for well over 4 years now, so I have about 20…

I got a 72 month at 2.5% , which was a better rate than the 60 month. I took the lower rate knowing that i would pay it off early.

I agree in principle, but I think that if you can’t afford a 36 month loan, you can’t afford the vehicle. I did recently take a 60 month loan, in order to take advantage of an offer which reduced the amount I paid for the car, but I am paying off the loan in less than 36 months.

Financial discipline is just not a thing, it seems. Some dude here went nuts when I insinuated my wife and I do well with what money we make, but that I was happy about driving a GTI that I got WELL under sticker. Shouldn’t I be driving a Porsche, or at least an Audi? And I’m just like, how the hell do you think we…

That said, the average car age in America right now is 11 years, so well-built and designed vehicles are lasting much longer with more miles than ever before.  I still think 72+ month loans are nuts for other reasons (over-extension of available funds, risk of loss due to accident, etc), but the vast majority of cars…