Time for a new car....

[exdeath]

Holy crap... $230-300+ for a cheap *non* Toyota/Denso MAP sensor... nvm

 

[mmntech]

At 210k miles, it's kind of borderline whether it's worth fixing. Maybe if it was the ES300, but not a vanilla Camry. Though you might as well just repair it if you don't want to blow the bank.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Well I realize I can just replace this and keep going, but at the same time it's not the mots fun driving a beater car.... Shrug.

I recognize the practicality in driving a beater car, but you could apply that to everyone and we'd never be driving "fun" cars or anything other than an econobox.

I'm graduating this spring hopefully, and either I could return to the work force or pursue a PhD. But either case I'd lock in at least a year of work hopefully, and then decide whether to jump on those admissions (assuming I get in anywhere decent) or not. I guess yeah, there's a good reason to be cheap as I could be a student for another 5 years.

 

[patrick409]

I'm not in the same life situation as you, but I am also looking at getting a new car in the coming month or so. For me the choice was to go "cheap" with a mazda3/focus/impreza, or splurge a little more and get a GTI.

In the end I think I'm gonna get a GTI. It's probably the most "fun" car out of that group, and I've also wanted it for awhile. The cost isn't too far apart, and I'd rather pick a car I'd be happy with instead of regretting it. I'm nearly 30, so this might be the last chance I get for awhile to own a fun car until the minivans/suv/family sedans part of my life.

If you finally decide get a new car from that group instead of just keeping your camry, get the GTI! Potential reliability be damned!

 

[NutBucket]

PhD is another discussion altogether but realize nobody get a PhD for the money! Well, unless you find a company willing to pay for your tuition while you pursue it.

But basically I wouldn't make any major purchase like a car until you have a steady income. Just my $0.02

FWIW, I bought a new car just before graduating with my BS but I worked all through undergrad and have continued to work full time during grad school.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

I think people get to caught up in the it's just a car, buying a new one is a waste of money. If you can afford it, do it. If we lived our lives only buying what we absolutely needed we'd all be living miserable lives. Have fun and enjoy life. Besides, by the time under 40's retire, any money we saved or put into retirement accounts will be worthless anyways.

 

[OutHouse]

I can't imagine having to park these tanks i

i dont think i have ever heard the camry refered to as a tank before. when i hear tank i think of my parents 1971 Pontiac Bonneville 4 door with a 7.5L 455 engine.

the thought of my mom driving that beast back in the day scares the shit out of me.

 

[CraigRT]

I always like the fix car option too.
I was doing that for a long time before I decided to buy new mainly due to a long work commute.

I would go TSX of the ones mentioned.