https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 01:01:49 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question/page/2#post-2902671 Sat, 16 Nov 2019 10:35:11 +0000 periwinklebee 2902671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: Thank you! I will consider this as well! Good point on some brands maintaining value better than others </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question/page/2#post-2902628 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 16:35:03 +0000 mdf106 2902628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: One of the big advantages of buying a used car is that if your needs change, or you end up not liking the car, you can resell it for just a bit less than what you bought it for. While there is some risk, I have had good luck buying directly from the previous owner, it is so much cheaper than from a dealership. If the car has more issues than expected, you can always sell it and buy a new one. I ran the carfax, and did research on reliable models. I primarily used Consumer Reports to investigate reliability. Most cars nowadays are pretty reliable, especially if you avoid known unreliable models. I actually avoided Hondas and Toyotas, because they hold their value so well I did not feel like I was getting a good deal by buying used.</p> <p>I would be more worried buying from a rental car agency, the drivers have no incentive to take care of the car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question/page/2#post-2902562 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 10:39:23 +0000 periwinklebee 2902562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I wish my husband would take care of all the details, hah hah jealous! :silly: I love him, but he is not a details kind of person.... </p> <p>@KNS: @skiierchck99: Thank you, super helpful! It's especially great to hear that much of the shopping around can be done via email, as it's just super tough to have the time to go around to a bunch of places in person... </p> <p>@DesertDreams88: Thank you, super good to hear this worked well for you too! I think ideal for me would be to find something not too expensive - that way if we don't use it a ton once our childcare situation changes again or our needs change (not unlikely since job situations/commute and family size could change further in the future), we don't feel like we've sunk a massive amount into a car that we then need to stick with... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question/page/2#post-2902559 Fri, 15 Nov 2019 10:20:26 +0000 DesertDreams88 2902559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: We have bought our last three cars through car rental agencies, and loved it. about 30-40K miles, about 2-3 years old, only about $11K in price, great condition. We did Hertz for all three I THINK but only 90% positive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question/page/2#post-2902516 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:34:21 +0000 skiierchck99 2902516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KNS: we did the same last time. You can also directly compare new car offers so we decided the car we wanted, reached out to like 30 dealers in the greater Boston area to see who could give the best all-in price for what we wanted, and then went back to the lowest three to see if any would go lower. My husband did it all by email and we never had to haggle in person - just walked in and signed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902515 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:28:21 +0000 KNS 2902515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Just a note that when we have bought cars recently, we ended up buying new cars because we could actually negotiate a better deal on a new car than on a low mileage used car. So I would look at both and figure out which seems to be a better deal. We just found that they wouldn't really negotiate price on the used cars which was a surprise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902514 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:19:24 +0000 Foodnerd81 2902514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I’m no help because my husband does all of that legwork. He’s fairly knowledgeable (like YouTube and reddit knowledgeable, not my dad is a mechanic knowledgeable). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902511 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 17:32:48 +0000 periwinklebee 2902511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@graceandjoy: @hitchhiker: @MrsSCB: Thank you, this is super, super helpful!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902500 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 15:08:31 +0000 MrsSCB 2902500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: we buy from reputable local dealerships and we also ask to bring the car to a mechanic not affiliated with the dealership when we test drive it. They've always said yes! We currently have a 2009 Camry that we've owned for about six years and a 2014 RAV4. Both have been good so far, though I did have to get a new battery for the RAV4 recently. But they're not very expensive so NBD. ETA: I'd also say, look for a decent deal, but if it seems too good to be true it probably is haha. That's sort of a universal truth, though :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902497 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:46:09 +0000 hitchhiker 2902497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: We bought a used car through Hertz car sales and you got to take the car home for a few days before you purchased (basically it's the car's last rental). During that time we took it to a mechanic and had them check it out for any issues. We are now on year 7 and 100,000 miles and have had no issues other than routine maintenance, so we are quite pleased with how it turned out! I would definitely buy through a rental agency again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902483 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:17:33 +0000 graceandjoy 2902483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: Not an expert at all, but most dealerships sell certified pre-owned cars so I feel like it's a safe place to start as they inspect and certify and usually give extended warranties on those cars! On other cars, I believe the basic thing one needs to do is get Car Fax to see the history. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902481 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:10:04 +0000 periwinklebee 2902481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to threadjack, but for those of you who recommend buying used @MrsSCB: @mrsrain: @graceandjoy: @Anagram: @Foodnerd81: where do you start, in terms of figuring out whether something is a lemon or not? </p> <p>We are a zero car family, considering becoming a one car family to make a complicated childcare situation after the arrival of LO2 work. I've lived in a city my entire adult life, don't even remember how to drive (DH also has lived in a city his entire adult life with no car but at least kept us his driving skills with zipcar 😂 ) and neither of us know a single thing thing about how cars work. Cheaper car and cheaper insurance is appealing, but the fear of getting a lemon that will turn into a time and money suck given our lack of any knowledge looms large! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902470 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 13:08:15 +0000 MrsSCB 2902470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do it, assuming it wouldn't be a huge financial burden. But I would definitely buy used. Though full disclosure, I don't see myself ever buying a new car! Just doesn't seem worth it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902453 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 08:50:00 +0000 mrsrain 2902453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: it’s not available quite yet and I’m not sure when it will be. It was awful to write but I did learn a lot! 🙄 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902452 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 08:20:39 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902452@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: So interesting, thank you for sharing! Is your piece available for public reading? Would love to learn more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902449 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 22:19:37 +0000 mrsrain 2902449@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m a freelance writer and just did a piece on the auto industry. One thing I learned is that leasing costs and the cost to buy new have continued to rise DRASTICALLY, whereas the cost of buying used has stayed relatively stable. You also lose most of the value in a new car just by taking it home. So if you decide to take on a new car, I would seriously consider buying used. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902420 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:43:53 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: This is a bit consideration for me for sure. I do use my commute to read and catch up on emails and such and I know driving would not be my first choice, though it will keep my workaholic tendencies in check and I can stock up on audio books instead so I can make it manageable, but it's definitely not my first choice, which is why we bought a house that was close enough to a bus line in the first place. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902417 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:41:52 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: The challenge has been that I haven't been able to easily find Uber/Lyft in my neighborhood at the time of day I need it (6-6:30 AM, fairly deep suburbs). It would definitely be cheaper but the lack of reliability on finding one has been a barrier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902416 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:40:49 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rocker2014: My husband is vehemently against leasing, so that would be a nonstarter for sure. I suggested it because my parents lease normally and it works well for them but he's categorically against. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902370 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 12:55:04 +0000 PinkElephant 2902370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: one thing I’m surprised no one has mentioned is how different commuting “feels” when you’re the driver vs. the passenger or on mass transit. If you’re able to use your commute time either as “me time” (reading, watching Netflix, etc.) or to get a jumpstart on work in the AM/wrap up on the way home, you may find your self really impacted by driving to and from work. Even though DH likes to drive, and switches to driving every once in awhile when he gets fed up with train seats/cancellation/feeling like the train schedule doesn’t work for him.... he always ends up complaining that rush hour driving in our area is so stressful and he needs to be so attentive that he can’t even listen to music or a podcast. I get that the bus may not be an option for a period of time, but hopefully that isn’t long term, and you could cover with Lyft for now if you don’t think you’d prefer driving.</p> <p>We are a two car, city moved to suburbs family, and buying a second car was the first thing we did while the ink was drying on our home purchase at closing. So I think it’s wonderful for our weekend divide and conquer mentality, I just wanted to bring up the point that you might want to make sure you like your driving commute (maybe try it with a rental, or have hubby take mass transit for a week). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902358 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 12:26:53 +0000 Rocker2014 2902358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you considered leasing a car? I know that's not usually the fiscally conservative thing to do, but it could be a way to try out being a two car family without the long term commitment - sort of an extended rental, if you will. Leases for small reliable cars (ie. Civic, Impreza, Corolla, etc) can be extremely affordable if you catch a good promotion. May be worth comparing to your monthly costs of public transportation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902354 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 12:01:01 +0000 periwinklebee 2902354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also look at the average price of Uber/Lyft for the trips that are the greatest hassle for you and calculate based on that what is cheaper. </p> <p>I'm a prolific uber/lyft user, the vast majority of the time have LO along with the car seat belt installed. Obviously would be tougher with multiple young kids and car seats. It ends up being much cheaper and less hassle than owning a car, with all the associated expenses. Granted we live in an area where parking for the places we need to go is very, very expensive and a huge pain, and where public transit is widely available when you are willing to deal with the extra hassle... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902351 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 11:18:01 +0000 graceandjoy 2902351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: Go for Honda! They last forever, parts are not expensive if you need repairs. But definitely understand what needs changing/upgrading for whatever mileage you're buying it at, so financially you are prepared and can budget in advance. For example, if someone is selling a 100K miles car, did they already did all maintenance/replacement for that car age? How long will it take you to get to the next milestone where things need to be replaced, etc? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902349 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 10:50:27 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: That's definitely a consideration and something my husband initially suggested actually. The new car idea only came in once we realized that ours is now getting up in age. I admit, I have a bit of PTSD with used cars because up until I graduated from college, everyone in my family drove old cars that constantly broke down and needed repairs. And I'm not smart enough yet on how much cars have changed and longevity and all that, so definitely a lot to look into! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902341 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 10:20:27 +0000 Anagram 2902341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another financially conservative household here, with 1 spouse that take public transport to work. I agree with the PPs that maybe buying an older used car that gets great gas mileage might be the better answer, if you can buy cash. Older cars usually have cheaper insurance. </p> <p>Even though we live in an urban area where street parking is a hassle, we had 2 cars for the first 3 years we lived here. It did come in handy maybe 1x a month, but eventually the cost of insurance for the second car made it not worth it and we sold the 2nd car. But your situation is different. </p> <p>If you can find a reliable commuting car with decent gas mileage, basically most Toyotas and Hondas, you can keep it for a year and sell it again and upgrade if you really feel like you need an upgrade. I spend 2 hours a day in my car, and it’s a 2013 Highlander that we bought used, in cash, 5 years ago and it’s still in great shape. I’ll probably continue driving it another year or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902329 Wed, 13 Nov 2019 08:13:52 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2902329@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks so much everyone for the input, really appreciate it! We're leaning toward doing it, mostly for the sanity piece of it, but definitely lots to still consider. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902307 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 20:41:15 +0000 ALV91711 2902307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can afford it then I’d say yes. If you had th funds I’d say buy something a bit older and reliable so you don’t have payments. </p> <p>I couldn’t imagine not having my own vehicle. About three years ago DH’s truck died and we shared my car for a few weeks. It took a lot of planning and was a headache. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902306 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 20:35:46 +0000 LCTBQE 2902306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a pretty similar setup to you and are also very financially conservative. I'd do it, but get a car that isn't brand new and isn't expensive (like, not an Audi SUV). It's too prohibitive in the suburbs to be chained to your house AND your spouse, especially as your daughter gets older and you want to do things more. The fact that your commute would cost you the same either way is the thing that tipped it for me reading your post. </p> <p>We moved to the suburbs a year and a half ago with a beater ('08 Civic with 100k miles and pretty rough shape inside and out) and our first kid. Then we got a dog and had a new baby and got a Forester which we love, and we come by situations where it's nice to have both cars several times a month. All our neighbors who have only one car in the marriage are either constantly planning around it or are working up to buying the second one. (one couple on our block actually just asked if they could buy our Civic! and I was like, sorry guys she's taken.) It feels wasteful, I know, but it's so much easier if it's not a financial hardship for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902304 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 20:08:00 +0000 Foodnerd81 2902304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@muffinsmuffins: “sanity is worth paying for”- this!! There’s just only so much time in the day. And if this is something you can afford without going without in other areas, I feel like it could add so much more time back to your life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/to-get-a-second-car-or-not-to-that-is-the-question#post-2902298 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 19:33:51 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2902298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a similar situation and were a one car family for many years...when we had our first kid, the logistics of public transit and bad weather and delays became so draining. It was always something. One of us would drop our son at daycare, take car to park-and-ride and bus to work, bus home. The other would bus to work and then get the car at park-and-ride and pick up at daycare. We actually moved closer to work because of this...we lasted 6 months in that situation he! What solidified the second car was the not being able to divide and conquer, the time spent commuting when we only had limited time with our son during evenings, and then DW was pregnant and we didn’t want her stuck at home with a newborn and no car and I wanted to maximize my time getting home as fast as possible. </p> <p>Luckily, we fell into taking over my in laws oldddddd car because they got a new one and gave us theirs to use until it died. It was AMAZING. But then it died on the first day of our really cold winter and we scrambled because that changed us into for sure wanting the second car. We got the cheapest option we could in a small hatchback and purchased new. Our old car is now paid off in full so we just have the one payment. It is 1000000% worth it and it would not be feasible now we have 2 kids and work full time. </p> <p>I would do as others said and try to rent and see what you think. We got to do this with my in laws car and it was the game changer. Personally, I’m a fan of a new car because of the warranty and we seem to have iffy luck with used. And now our old car is past warranty so I didn’t want two cars without that. FWIW our old car is a Toyota RAV4 and our new one is a Nissan Versa Note. I highly recommend both! And I think sanity is worth paying for :wink: </p>