From: theirony2013@gmail.com   
      
   On 2026-01-07 14:56, JTEM wrote:   
   > On 1/7/26 6:51 AM, Mike wrote:   
   >   
   >> ChatGPT gave a couple other options. I like the Fiat,   
   >> but high maintenance cost I hear. Plus I don't want to   
   >> spend a lot on insurance, and a car that one has to   
   >> always keep an eye out for. I'm thinking to spend   
   >> under $10,000 for a  car that might last at least   
   >> 10 years. I want something big enough to carry an electric   
   >> scooter, and perhaps a shopping cart to carry groceries.   
   >> Unlikely I will be going on any long distance hauls.   
   >   
   > The best car that the roomie ever owned was a Honda CR-V.   
   > It was not well maintained. And it was far from perfect.   
   > There were some re-occurring problems that the dealer could   
   > not figure out until AFTER the warranty expired, and then   
   > it was the engine harness. And it was not covered under a   
   > recall for such a problem, though it displayed the exact   
   > same symptoms.   
   >   
   > Anyway, $500 later and the car ran perfect... until a   
   > squirrel climbed under the hood to build a nest, & gnawed   
   > through the engine harness...   
   >   
   > Anyway, not very well maintained and lasted 8 years and   
   > 220,000 miles... drove it to the dealership & traded it   
   > in.   
   >   
   > Oh it needed a ring job!   
      
   I started asking ChatGPT too many questions and now I'm   
   confused again. I'm looking at closer to $1600 rather than   
   $10,000. That's 70% the cost of a new Civic for a ten year   
   old car. ChatGPT explained why prices are so high. Typically   
   a ten year old car should be lest than %50 new. It said the   
   gap might go down in two years as inventory stabilizes.   
      
   Then that brings into consideration EV's that are simpler   
   but less stable because of potential obsoletion. Maybe I might   
   just consider an electric Bike until I decide. I feel that   
   poor choices will tap into my retirement options. I don't   
   want to wast money on things I don't really need. Why is   
   this so hard?   
      
      
      
      
      
      
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    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)