Well, since I'm FINALLY going to be getting a new F-150 in the next few weeks, I was thinking about the old car I have now. Its a 1993 Ford Thunderbird with 150,000 miles. I have put in a new alternator, battery, and new tires within the past 6 months. Overall, the car is in good shape. All it really needs is a new paint job and some new headlights. My question is...should I keep the car as a second vehicle or just trade it in? I believe the car is only worth about $2,000. If I did keep it, I'd want to repaint it and replace the headlights. Do you all think this is stupid, and should I just trade it in as a down payment, or just spend a little money on it and keep it as an nice older second vehicle? Thanks in advance for the advice

 

Trade it in. It's problably pretty well worn out with that many miles. You'll be lucky to sell it with that many miles on it. $2000 ain't a bad start on a down payment.

 

My take would be to hang on to it.

I frequently wish that I had an 'every day driver' so that I wouldn't have to leave my truck at places like the airport and mall parking lots.

Just my $0.02

 

EXCELLENT point...

My daughter would agree too, she hates to walk as far as we have to walk when ever we go somewhere. I park in the "ding-free" zone...

 

I bought my truck as a daily driver. After about a year and a half of driving it I decided I had put too many miles on it and had put too much money into it for it to be my daily driver. My brother was getting rid of his Chevy s-10 so I picked it up and am driving it until it dies. I'm sure that will be any day now. But I figure I'd rather Kill a chevy and Pamper my Ford!!

Just Food for thought..

 

If you can afford it, then you should keep it.

 

I say keep it. I have a 90 Maxima that I use for all the same reasons as above.

I work 90 miles roundtrip so I alternate between the two so I don't run up the miles to fast on the truck. They don't give ya what they say anyway. My Max has 180K, I can do whatever I want with it - it's paid for...

 

A dealer will not give you $2k for it. I wouldn't even bother trying.

 

I say sell it for whatever you can get. That's money in your pocket. You bought the truck to drive, drive it and don't worry about the miles. When the mileage gets high, buy another truck. You never make up the loss in insurance, gas, upkeep, taking a spot in the driveway or garage, and the fact that you're driving something you don't like anymore instead of the new truck you love! If money and the upkeep isn't a factor, then keep it, but not as a substitute for the truck, but as something you like and want to keep.

just my .02

 

If you can afford the upkeep, I say keep it. It's really nice to have an extra vehicle to use when you need it.

 

Keep it.
Unless your an A,D, or X plan buyer, the dealer may show you a few thousand dollars on paper for it , but in reality all he is doing is discounting the price on the new truck to show you something.
He will acutally be getting the car for -0-. Think about it.

 

In real money that car would be about $300 trade.

If you bought a $20,000 truck you would get $300 Trade-In.
If you insist on $2,000 trade-in on the car you will get it.
The price of the truck would then be $21,700.

 

If you trade it in you will not get more than $500 for it. The dealership will show you $2000 but you will still just get $300-400 for it. Just watch. I say keep it and drive it around and have some fun. I had a 3.8 a long time ago and they arent that bad. Or do a donation to a charity.

 

Excellent point...

Do this, tell them you have NO trade-in. Work the deal, after the deal is done THEN tell them you have a trade-in and you will see how much they will "really" give you...

 

I say keep it, that way you'll always have a spare car that runs and is in decent condition that is paid for and yours. Just a security blanket. Besides, the Ford thunderbirds are good cars.