May Be Parting with the Edge

[tamugrad2013]

This is definitely not set in stone yet, but I may be selling my Edge to my parents. Long story short my Moms 2011 Audi A3 TDI is under the buyback program for dieselgate and she will be getting about 19,500 if she lets them buy it back which is almost 11,000 more than it is worth. I have always loved my car, but I am working really hard to get out of debt. So if they buy mine for about 18,500 I will have about 6500 to get a cash car so I will only have some student loans left. I am debating right now as is my mom because she is used to getting around 40 mpg highway which is what she mostly drives while mine driving like she does will only get about 29-31 mpg highway. She already found a C-Max Hybrid she likes. I just don't know how to advise her. I've already found a few cars I like that I could live with for the next four years as I save up to get a little nicer car with cash. I just was wondering if y'all had any thoughts. If she keeps her car they will fix the emissions which they haven't stated what that is yet, but I am guessing it will be DEF tank and loss of a spare tire and a change in the emissions system which will mean less mpg and less power. We will only get $5600 if we go the fix the diesel route in addition to it being fixed.

Edited August 7, 2016 by tamugrad2013

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Sorry to hear you are facing this situation, but who can argue with fiscal responsibility? Have you made a list of NEEDS vs WANTS for your next vehicle? Do you want/need a CUV? Do you want/need good mpg? How long do you anticipate having to own this vehicle (always plan for longer, be pleasantly surprised if not)? Is your drive easy enough that a stick instead of an auto will do (though traffic/job changes may negate this point)?

 

I'd definitely look to see if there is an existing warranty for the vehicle you intend to buy. Good maintenance records/Carfax/Autocheck, low maintenance costs would also be a priority, along with reliability. You are a teacher, right? Can you get discounted loans from a credit union or do your benefits include assistance with car buying?

 

But don't sacrifice so much that you hate the drive every day.

[tamugrad2013]

Definitely have been weighing my options. We have until November to start the process. Ive tested the water and searched on Autotrader and I have found a few gems with 80,000 to 100,000 miles that I think would be pretty reliable in the long run. I know that if this does come to fruition I won't actually be looking at cars until mid October. Four I found so far that I really liked were as follows.

 

1996 Nissan Maxima with 76,000 Miles

 

2005 Madza6 S Wagon with 96,000 miles. (Second favorite because its a wagon and has a lot of space like the Edge)

 

2003 Subaru Forester 2.5X with 103,000 miles (My favorite so far because it does have a stick and it is a CUV)

 

2001 Lexus ES 300 with 94,000 Miles.

 

The other two are pretty much tied both seem like reliable types of vehicles. If I were to get really interested I would take the ones I really liked to a trusted mechanic to do a once over.

 

I also have to consider how long it will take to pay off my Edge. after this month I will only owe 13,000 left on it and I am pretty sure I can scrape that together in less than two years.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Would be nice to know if the miles were all city, all highway, or what mix ... Can't get that from a dealer, but buying direct from the owner, definitely. Certainly hope you can keep the Edge!