Disagreeing with husband

[tlbwriter]

In my not so humble opinion, a reliable engine with a strong transmission is 10X more safe then a car equipped with airbags that has a crappy engine that will strand her out in the middle of BFE.

I think statistics would probably disagree. Being in a crash without airbags is probably more likely to result in injuries than being stranded for a few minutes while you wait for a tow truck. Unless you're in a horror movie, being "stranded" is more of an inconvenience than a safety issue. Also, a thoughtfully purchased and well-maintained car is very unlikely to leave her stranded anywhere. Hell, I had a freaking Chevette and I was still only stranded once!

Those Novas were strong little reliable cars. And the fact that it's delivered contents unscathed through 3 accidents also says something.

Yes, they were, 20 years ago. But there are lots of strong reliable little cars available now that have more safety features. And don't have existing damage.

 

[Hannathy]

Hell, I had a freaking Chevette and I was still only stranded once!

hey you watch it with the Chevette jokes! that was my first new car and it was great. I got over 160,000 miles on the original clutch. Had to get a stick cause the automatic cost more.

I was never stranded with my little Chevette!

 

[MELSMICE]

For your daughter's safety and your own peace of mind, get her a new car.

Also, if she was an infant or toddler & her car seat were broken in an accident, would he continue to use that & still deem it safe enough for his daughter?

 

[Hercules10]

The woman is 21 hardly cutting her teeth driving! Time for her to be an adult and buy the car she wants with her money. She can ask Dad's opinion but it is her car.

According to the OP:

She's 21 and in college- we pay her insurance and maintenance- So that does mean we have input IMO.

They're still paying for a good chunk of the expenses. Until she can afford to buy newer on her own I'd stick with a reliable beater.

I think statistics would probably disagree.

Don't "ha-ha" about it. Find the statistics to prove it. Otherwise it's just your opinion as well.

 

[tlbwriter]

Don't "ha-ha" about it. Find the statistics to prove it. Otherwise it's just your opinion as well.

Okay, I'll look for statistics on the number of deaths/injuries prevented by airbags if YOU will find statistics on YOUR claim that the engine and transmission are ten times more important to her safety than airbags. Deal?

(BTW, I'm well aware that this is my opinion. Does that mean I'm not allowed to think YOUR opinion is humorous?)

 

[lovesmurfs]

I think you should call Car Talk and ask them.

Actually, there are forums at www.cartalk.com -- you should absolutely post over there!

 

[surfergirl602]

How old is your DD? If she's had 3 accidents already... I would be saying NO car. LOL

 

[Mermaid02]

How old is your DD? If she's had 3 accidents already... I would be saying NO car. LOL

She's 21. The first accident with her car was one that Nana had back in 1988- the 2nd was Megans fault and this last one was NOT her fault, she was rear-ended.

 

[surfergirl602]

She's 21. The first accident with her car was one that Nana had back in 1988- the 2nd was Megans fault and this last one was NOT her fault, she was rear-ended.

Just a tease there, but honestly, at 21, she should be fronting her own car. And at how old it is, it would probably be best to get a newer one.
I had my own car and a job in college. I paid my own insurance, too. It's not impossible. My brother has this 67 buick that he LOVED. But he was rear ended and it totaled the car. Even if it WAS fixed up, no one could tell him how safe it would be with the metal being under that kind of stress.

I'm in my 30's and never even been in an accident. Knock on wood.

 

[momof1princess]

OP, i'm still firmly on your side. the car has been in 3 accidents, this last one broke the driver's seat and the insurance wants to total the car. to top it off, your DD, who is driving the car and kicking in her own money for a replacement, wants another car. i think it's time to replace the car.
now, i'm one of those who drives a car until the wheels fall off-at the moment, i'm driving a 1994 GMC jimmy that i've had for over 13 years. unfortunately, it's now having a fuel injector issue that has caused the gas mileage to tank, so i'd love to replace it, but first, i have to get a job outside the home. i can understand why your DH doesn't want to let the car go (those 80's novas were GREAT cars, i used to drive one!), but i agree with you, it's time.

 

[tvguy]

I'd say that you can replace it with a decent car for her with the $3,000+ that she gets from insurance. We are now just starting the process of looking for DD16, and we've found some pretty good cars in that price range. Word of mouth is even better. I agree, with it being an older car, even though the milage is good, it should be replaced. ...and if an insurance co. says it's totalled, it's usually for a good reason.

Best of luck to her, and I'm sorry about her accident.

Good luck with that. Around here, every used car worth under $4500 was bought up by cash for clunkers and destroyed.

 

[diznygirl]

Really? How old are you?

Sorry, all the Bama Fans I know have a sense of humor.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Sorry, all the Bama Fans I know have a sense of humor.

Well, we are not laughing right now. Auburn peed in our corn flakes.

 

[cm8]

An '88 Chevy Nova? It's 23 years old, regardless of the number of miles. I'm with you -- she needs a newer car.

ETA: If my DH was saying that we should fix and keep the car, HE would be driving the '88 Chevy Nova.

I agree

 

[Rora]

I haven't read all the responses and not sure if the OP has updated but I'd probably get her a new car.

 

[tiggersbombed2]

I had a 69(65? man getting old stinks!) Chevy Nova with a 3 speed on the column when I was 19, man did I love that car.

I'd get her a new one tho. 3 accidents in one car is enough. I'd be concerned about the safety of the car. Even tho it's probably built like a tank.

 

[disfan07]

I was in a car accident 2 1/2 years ago that completely totalled my car. I refuse to buy a car now that does not have front airbags, side/curtain airbags and knee airbags. My current civic has 4 airbags on the drivers and 4 on the passengers side. Plus side/curtain airbags in the back.

but honestly, at 21, she should be fronting her own car

I'm 21 and my car was paid for by my parents and they pay my car insurance as well.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Nm...

 

[kirstenb1]

Is your dh good with cars? The reason I ask is, the car is an 88 regardless of crash history. My dh can repair almost anything on a car, so I would trust him to maintain a car of that era.

However, if your dh isn't then she needs a relatively newer car. The crash history adds another layer of uncertainty.

 

[tvguy]

An expert evaluation of the car on whether it can safely be repaired is the first step, the rest is personal choice.
I have an 87 Chevy, and I know a dent would be enough for an insurance company to total my car. (I haven't carried collision coverage in years, so if the crash is my fault, my insurance wouldn't pay a dime ) A coworker had the driver's door of her car keyed, and the lowest of three repair estimates is $1,200, just to give you some perspective.

I have never owned a totaled car that has been repaired, or a salvage title car, but I know 3 people who actually say they would never own anything but a salvaged car. All 3 work in the auto repair business, so they certainly have more knowledge than I have about what needs to be done to safely repair them.