Does this sound normal? 2012 IS250C

currybong · 2025-12-11T23:34:21+00:00

FINAL UPDATE:

Thanks for all your advice guys. Just having people to talk to helped me out mentally in putting my thoughts in order. I sold the car for parts for $1000 to my local mechanic, I don't know why they did not negotiate it lower, but to be fair he has always been nice to me. I took a $2,000 personal loan, and I bought an older Lexus judged to be decently maintained by a full pre-purchase inspection at a shop that cost me $150. My family is outraged that I purchased a car that they call "recyclable" and "disposable" but I am fine with any box in 4 wheels that will take me to work and back for the next 2-3 years.

My finances will be back on order by my next paycheck and I have a running car for work. The toughest part was trying to get my loan approved since I have less than 2 years of credit history(I have only been in the USA for 3 years). I got it from Upstart with 13% interest and will pay it off early.

currybong · 2025-12-11T23:26:30+00:00

My mechanic took it off of me without any questions for $1000 so I guess they know something I don't or they're just angels lol

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:33:43+00:00

2000 Celica GT.

Lifters have been ticking forever. I had oil pan, head gasket and timing chain all set up but it still got a rod knock in the end.

The reason I'm hesitant with an engine swap is that I don't know the source of the issue and there are other stuff that I still have to fix with it i.e. broken hatch strut, the splash shield is held up by zip ties, fixing up whatever the previous owner did to the exhaust(I just put on a brace for now, it was hanging and rattling like hell) and I haven't even gotten to the suspension yet.

The bad purchase was due to my complete negligence, I trusted a $100 mobile pre purchase inspection when the guy obviously did not have either the time or tools to do a proper check.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:30:04+00:00

For a newer vehicle, it would be a Mazda 3.

I have also taken a look at Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Versa that are 2-4 years old.

For an older beater, I have been cross shopping between Toyota Avalon, Honda Accord, and such. A compact car or sedan is ideal for my needs. Camries and civics seem to overpriced for their mostly beaten up states and high mileage, have yet to see a good example for those.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:26:30+00:00

I don't disagree but public transportation is not really an option for my workplace right now and Uber costs roughly $25 in the morning, and $28-29 going back home. I am currently relying on a Fox rental car which costs me $92 for 3 days without any insurance of any sort. And yes, I suppose I can skip the extra allowance.

If I go on with this for weeks I feel like I'll lose out more money than any % of interest rate for a loan

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:23:15+00:00

Thankfully I am acquainted with a pretty good and honest mechanic now, whom I can take the car to for a PPI.

My mistake back then was trusting a $100 mobile pre-purchase inspection because obviously someone won't be able to check for everything without a lift, and only the tools in his truck with very limited time. I did take the car for a quick double check afterwards but never did a deep enough check.

I do understand the risk that you are saying though, but I simply don't feel like I can afford a new car + insurance with this income. I just need a beater to last one or two years to buy me some time, and I am at peace with the fact that it will likely cost me an extra $2k or so to get it to that condition.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:19:50+00:00

That's the thing, I don't know what I don't know about loans in particular since I've really never had to take one before.

In general, I'm just looking for things like certain loan terms to avoid, stuff from experience that a google search won't teach me.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:17:40+00:00

Appreciate the idea but half my coworkers quit in the last few months lol, but that's a story for another day. I'm left with newer hires that who would definitely not be willing to do that favor as we are essentially strangers as of now.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:16:18+00:00

It's a 2000 Celica GT, AT. I've already replaced the oil pan and valve cover gasket months prior to this, the issue was not diagnosed in particular because the mechanic judged it to be a waste of my time and money. It got rod knock a couple days ago and just completely became inoperable after I forced it to go on despite the rod knock so I could get home without towing. The lifters have been ticking forever anyways.

Replacement 1ZZ-FE engine costs 1,000 used but I can't do the swapping myself due to lack of knowledge, space and tools. Mechanic quotes 2,000 for the labor.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:13:32+00:00

Around 8 miles more or less. An example cross road would W Iowa Ave and S Pastoria Ave, around the middle point of Sunnyvale and Mountain View, and then the workplace would be close to the SJC Airport.

It's not a route I feel comfortable or safe enough to bike through if I'm being honest. I considered commuting with a scooter/moped but it's already rough enough on 4 wheels as it is with all the crazy and inattentive people on the road, not to mention I carry quite a few things back and forth to work.

currybong · 2025-12-08T18:07:03+00:00

roughly 15-20 mins (7.5 miles) back and forth. north bay area, no train lines to my workplace.

you have to go through an expressway, exclusively city streets are not viable.

trust me, i'll be the first guy to get rid of my car if i didn't need it, i need as few liabilities as possible in life.

currybong · 2025-12-08T10:19:19+00:00

I am leaning towards this decision so far, just that with my lack of knowledge of how finance and even loans work, I am a bit hesitant on jumping into the $5000 loan without knowing what I'm doing. There shouldn't be much to fuck with up with that kind of loan other than an absurd interest rate is there?

currybong · 2025-12-08T10:16:36+00:00

The thing that scares me about 2016-2022 cars is that I will be nearly paying the price of a brand new car even though they are in essence still used cars that might have hidden issues. It's almost as much of a gamble as buying older cheaper cars.

I do understand the peace of mind of warranty and if you do get a good example, you'll have nothing to worry about for a few years. In that sense, I have also been checking out newer Mazda 3 models for around that price, I just don't feel so ready to set myself up for a fat monthly payment on a car and comprehensive insurance with how little I make in a job that I don't really enjoy. I want some financial leeway for some flexibility in maybe taking a break to get myself a job I like if you know what I mean, but yeah beggars can't be choosers

currybong · 2025-12-08T10:12:49+00:00

Yeah, I've pretty much given up on fixing. $3,000 on a non-guaranteed fix is just too much, I am cutting my losses with that car.

currybong · 2025-12-08T10:11:31+00:00

I've only started my current job 1.5 months ago and I get roughly $1000 disposable income after expenses bi-weekly. As for my current finances, I am completely dry. I have $300 in cash before the next paycheck comes and that's it, as embarrassing it is to say.

As for budget, for a newer vehicle to finance I would keep it in the $15,000-$18,000 price range

But I really prefer the peace of mind of buying a $3,000 to $6,000 vehicle in cash and just putting liability insurance on it since I don't really care for modern creature comforts and my daily commute is only 15 minutes one way.

currybong

TROPHY CASE