some time fixing an older car can cost more then a car payment. $300 here, $1500 there. then you have the towing expense, time away from work because your ***** broke down crap like that... me, i have a 80 mile round trip for work. i want something thats good on gas and reliable. i bought a $12,000 car that gets in the upper 30's for mileage and was paid off 2 1/2 years early. now the old lady. i want her in a newer reliable car also especially when she is driving my 2 year old daughter around. we bought her a 07 magnum a few years ago and that **** box left her stranded one too many times so we got her a 07 yota with 24,000 miles on it. so far its been great. gets way better mileage which helps at the end of the week too. when i was younger yes no problem i would drive a **** box arouns. now that i'm older with two kids and way more responsibility i'll take the newer car every day of the week.