The weekend started off like any other weekend, my friends and I were going to Lawrence for dinner at McAlister’s when my car died. As I was waiting for AAA, I started to worry about my car and whether or not it’s a safe investment to keep. I still worry about it. There are many reasons a person would drive an older car. Some reasons a person would drive an older vehicle are: the car is a really popular vehicle like a Mustang, the car they got was all they could afford, or the car was given as a gift. In my case, I was given a 1993 Ford Tempo by my grandma for my high school graduation. I have had many repairs on my car since May. I had a new transmission put in, which cost me $1,200. Also a new muffler and new tires were put in, which all together cost me about $300. And my recent car trouble will cost between $1,400- $1,700. Expecting the worst with my recent car problem, the grand total comes out to be $3,200. And yes, I’m aware that $3,200 is way more than a 1993 Ford Tempo is worth, but it’s all about cost, benefits, and risk. The costs of fixing my Ford Tempo are: the amount of money the repairs cost as a whole, the fact that I have had issues with my vehicle three times within the last three weeks, and the fact that I don’t feel safe in the car anymore. The benefits are that I know all the facts there is to know about my car, where as if I were to buy a new used car, I would be back to the unknown, I would be saving money ion insurance and other expenses, and I wouldn’t have a monthly payment. It’s hard to figure what would be the better solution. Do the costs override the benefits, or do the benefits override the cost? It all comes down to one question: am I willing to take a risk and keep the seventeen year old car, or is my safety and comfort in the car more important than saving a few dollars in the short term? Eventually, I will have to get another car whether or not I have money to spend. I don’t know if buying a car right now is a good decision for my pocket book even though I want a new used car. Category:Home › Home • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 2 • Will higher gasoline prices mean lower sales for new cars? — part 1 • Should the crew of the Sea Shepherd board whaling ships? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 13 • Grandparents: Can blogging chronicle your genealogy? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 12 • Are teachers unions the cause of public school problems today? • Which makes a better pet: A dog or a cat? — part 11
