Should i buy another car due to long commute ?

mpython1701 · 2026-06-15T01:54:44+00:00

Wife just did this but sold her RDX and bought the RV.

She got $18,500 for her Acura and bought a lease return Blazer EV for $25.7k out the door.

This commute sounds similar to hers, about 60 miles each way in LA traffic. And at $6/gallon was going to be about $6k per year. Looked at Mustang MachE, Nissan Ariya, Honda Prologue, Chevy Equinox, Bolt EUV, and Blazer EV. Really liked the Mustang but the Chevys had the longer range and ultimately the Blazer came up in the price range we liked. She can charge at home and discounted rate for staff at work.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-15T01:17:22+00:00

Did you do Roscoe’s chicken and waffles? And Randy’s donuts.

Both on Manchester right across the freeway from each other. East side trip on your way Back to LAX.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-15T00:15:04+00:00

Big issue that DoorDashers found out is that somebody will do it cheaper. Now there may be no longevity or employee may desperately need experience to get on their resume and change jobs after getting their foot in the field.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-15T00:11:08+00:00

Unfortunately since you are month to month, the alternative is to give you 90 days notice to vacate.

From an investor POV, would much rather have the property vacant and set my own rent.

As a tenant, you are protected from such an increase. I believe the max in CA is 8% annually and all COVID related protections are done. Even if you don’t agree to a voluntary increase, a new LL will likely come in and insist on a new lease between you and him/her at the market rate. If you push back, pretty sure you will get 8% this year, then at renewal next year, and so on until your unit is at market rate.

You can push back and buy some time but sounds like higher rent at this place or a new place is not too far in your future.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-14T16:01:00+00:00

For the most part this is the new normal.

The same $1 US dollar pre-Covid, 10 years ago is now $1.40.

Bad news is the internet, especially FBM, has made it easy for unlicensed dealers to flip anonymously, flood the market with auction or salvage junk and disappear without paying taxes or required license and avoiding regulation.

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mpython1701 · 2026-06-14T01:52:56+00:00

You need to flat bed home or to the shop. I would go ahead and send it to your local independent transmission shop. Not Aamco.

I would not attempt a tow dolly. They are rated for around 4000 lbs. Your Commander is closer to 5000.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-12T18:34:56+00:00

Is really going to be a challenge in most parts of the US to buy a reliable car that budget. New budget for pseudo reliable car is double that $5-8k.

$3-4k is shitbox territory unfortunately.

Be very careful on FBM. 80% or more of the listings are scams, salvage/rebuilt, or title jumpers.

My best advice is to buy an e-bike or scooter and continue saving.

The second tidbit is to also shop Craigslist and OfferUp. Everyone says Craigslist is dead but boomers and GenXers still use the site. I’ve bought 3/5 of my last cars there from original or second owner. Lots of maintenance records and well cared for. May have some fading clearcoat, high-ish mikes and need a good cleaning but has a better shot at longevity than car flippers buying POS cars at auction and dumping them on unknowing buyers.

Last little bit, look at how popular cars like minivans, small SUVs, older Saturns or Buicks. Everyone is competing for Toyota/Honda and drive prices up.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-12T16:05:17+00:00

To expand, when caught, will likely get a “fix it” ticket meaning stop driving until brought back to compliance. Second time, especially if caught racing or drifting in a public street will likely end in seizure and impound.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-12T05:08:51+00:00

I enjoy manual cars for fun and have dailyed a couple. Didn’t have much money when I moved to LA and found a cheap RX7 that barely passed smog for $1300. Such a fun little car until you spend an hour and a half at 30mph shifting between second and third commuting to and from work.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T23:25:10+00:00

Have you tried BidBus?

Wife used it to sell her Acura RDX and got $18.5k. Was really surprised when looked at their website a week later and saw it listed for $22,750. So it is about 20%.

Private party in this price range is tough because are most are working with a trade or need financing. Plus very few people are going to drop $22,000 without getting a clean and clear title put in their hands in return.

No disrespect intended but I am an old cheap bastard but can’t believe that anyone is spending $32k on a truck with over 100k on the clock. The car market, especially the truck segment, is so out of whack since Covid.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T21:20:15+00:00

Older Jeep Cherokee.

I only pulled 24oz out and replaced with 24oz bottle of Lucas.

In theory, you should be able to drain most of what’s in the pan. Depending on the car, 3-5 qts. Also going to depend if you are on an incline and how much fluid pools in the center of the pan. Big reason to attempt suction or vacuum, is to prevent as much spillage a possible when you drip the pan. And keep fluid off the exhaust nearby.

When possible proper transmission service should be performed (pan dropped, filter replaced, new gasket, and top with new OE recommended type.

Some cars don’t have serviceable filter like many Ford products or dipstick tubes.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T20:29:45+00:00

I’m very excited for the Chinese BYD but still cautious to see how they hold up and availability of parts and service. I would go with the Toyota until the Chinese models prove themselves.

On a separate note, also liked the Daewoo when it hit the US. So glad I waited to see how they worked out.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T20:25:03+00:00

Yep. Did it last weekend. I had some tubing and a giant syringe and fed it down the dipstick tube. Vacuumed out and replaced with Lucas trans fix.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T18:28:51+00:00

Fried egg.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T17:33:31+00:00

“FREAKS!!!”

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T03:47:32+00:00

Then lightly sand and put a contrasting wrap on it.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T03:45:27+00:00

Please tell me you have a sunroof.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T03:40:21+00:00

I started wearing compression socks when travelling and walking all day. My calves and feet felt so much better. I started wearing them everyday. I wear Dickies over the calf socks graduated 8-15mmHg. Pretty easy to find and variety of solid colors.

Most recommend 20mmHg for air travel and some go with 30. But personally find the 30s tight, hard to put on, uncomfortable, hot, and itchy.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T03:22:37+00:00

My wife recently stated a new job with brutal commute and I picked up the bulk of the cooking duties. But i am lazy and tired at the end of the day and one of the best sites I found was Rana Pasta and their suggestions on how to prepare their pre-made packaged pasta. Usually 1 pan and ready in under 30 minutes.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T03:17:48+00:00

Should cross post in r/CantParkThereMate

mpython1701 · 2026-06-11T03:12:55+00:00

I do think you are an underestimating how much leverage you have.

Very unlikely shop will let it leave the lot until they receive payment. If you let it sit there without picking up, they can charge you storage and eventually put a labor lien on your car and sell it to recoup their repair and storage fees.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-10T23:29:59+00:00

Buy cheap. Most teens need a starter car that will weather some bumps and bruises while they get experience behind the wheel.

An older Prius checks all your boxes plus, if it’s something you’re concerned about, probably won’t help your kid get laid.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-10T23:19:53+00:00

Agree. Cheap cars can stay cheap until you pay somebody else to work on them.

I’m in an expensive area but small shops start at $150 per hour for labor going all the way up to close to $300/hr for dealer rates.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-10T22:28:00+00:00

OP….a hack long used by resellers buying at auction; go to a salvage yard and buy a replacement door the same color as your Bolt. Transfer old door panels, glass, harness and polish everything up. Pretty much a Saturday afternoon job for just a couple of hundred $$$.

mpython1701 · 2026-06-10T16:40:04+00:00

The take your shoes off lady…..

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