<p>bela, I walk to work, live on an island so not far to go in any direction, and I have to make a special point to take it out for a spin…keep the oil changed and everything up to date. It has to be inspected because of its age and pass inspections: it gets an old car sticker on the windshield.</p>
<p>Woohoo! Definitely get the old gal inspected NOW while the “Check Engine” light is off.</p>
<p><<the ‘engine=“” light’=“” magically=“” went=“” out!!!=“”>></the></p>
<p>maybe the LED bulb burned out :-)</p>
<p>yes, run and get it inspected while it’s behaving well!</p>
<p>We had a older Sable that the “check engine” light periodically went on…and off…and on…and off…</p>
<p>Had it checked and they never found anything. Said not to worry so we didn’t!</p>
<p>sueinphilly-
“maybe the LED bulb burned out :-)”</p>
<p>Yes, I’ve thought that might actually be the case…not that I EVER thought to INTENTIONALLY smush the bulb!</p>
<p>mommusic-</p>
<p>We actually do bring our old cars for very regular service…we feel entitled to ignore the light because our mechanic also has checked this old green gal out and said all is safe to drive. BUT the State of New Jersey doesn’t care for our interpretation.
We’re hoping for just ONE more ‘2 year’ sticker. </p>
<p>Interesting you had similar old Sable experience!</p>
<p>Cars are evil and expensive, especially when they conveniently break at the most inopportune moments.</p>
<p>Every car I’ll get into in the future, I’m just gonna lease. Use for 3 years, pawn off the risk of resale to the lessor and the car company and then lease a new one. I’ll have to write off depreciation anyways 
It’s a depreciating asset, I’m writing off the depreciation either way.</p>
<p>Well, our family celebrate’s today!</p>
<p>The 13 year old Sable PASSED NJ inspection this morning! Son was so excited when he returned with the bright new PURPLE sticker (good till April 2011 no less) that he called me at work to give me the good news.</p>
<p>We attribute our good fortune to the fact that the car in question is bright kelly green and it’s St.Patrick’s day after all. :)</p>
<p>Perhaps I don’t really hate cars so much after all…</p>
<p>congrats on the passing grade! we in PA have to go every year :-(</p>
<p><<every car=“” i’ll=“” get=“” into=“” in=“” the=“” future,=“” i’m=“” just=“” gonna=“” lease.=“” use=“” for=“” 3=“” years,=“” pawn=“” off=“” risk=“” of=“” resale=“” to=“” lessor=“” and=“” company=“” then=“” lease=“” a=“” new=“” one.=“” have=“” write=“” depreciation=“” anyways=“” it’s=“” depreciating=“” asset,=“” writing=“” either=“” way.=“”>></every></p>
<p>BAD, BAD decision. What you meant to say was that you would only buy a car that is 2-4 years old and has already taken the depreciation hit by letting someone else drive it off the lot. You will pay a much fairer price and if you buy a reliable car you will have it for 10 years or so. </p>
<p>Only someone who has never owned a car would say they are committing to a lifetime of car payments</p>
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<p>Give it time…it’ll break your heart again.</p>
<p>Awwww, let me enjoy a day or two of 3 working, no warning lights on, high mileage, starting to rust, quite old cars, please, please? :)</p>
<p>The poster above advocating car leasing is way off target. Most expensive way to go.
I find Dave Ramsey a bit over the top on quite a few things but his opinion of car leasing is accurate. That poster might do well to catch Dave on cable TV or radio.</p>
<p>Sue-I sold my car about 2 years ago. It was the most painful process in my life-I met some of the scummiest people on earth, solicited more calls than ever, and almost got tricked into selling the car way below blue book value. While I learned a lot in the process, it was a miserable, painful process, and I would never wish it on my worst enemy. I’m not gonna put in that kind of work for a depreciating asset.</p>
<p>I’ll pay just about anything to drive the thing into the dealership at the end of the contract and drive off with a new car in two hours. Gives me more flexibility-if I find that I don’t need the thing, I can just drive into the dealers at the end of the contract and walk out.</p>