[mkPOTO]

yeah i havent touched my elite since i got back from school.. which was in may and i havent even hooked up my wii or ps3 haha

[Ricer X]

So my third car (was going to be my bad weather car) is an '02 Saturn L300. Its not an awful car as far as third cars go. My don had been driving it for the past few years and it has .100k miles on it. Since my step son got his bio dad to give him the 97 5 series (I am still waiting for that to backfire when his bio dad gets his feelings hurt - which happens often), the boy has said that he doesn't need the Saturn. We have been using it for errands around town and as I mentioned snow driving for me.

Last night the fuel pump died (not an HPFP ha! - omen of things to come?) Anyway, Pep boys is saying $800 to fix. The car is only worth $1500 in my estimation sold to Carmax and is costing us $65/month in liability insurance. do I donate the car to somebody and take the tax deduction (I itemize)? Or is it worth fixing?

[UdubBadger]

that depeneds. do you need a 3rd car cuz you should think of it as either paying $800 for a fix or $5000 or whatever for a new 3rd car.

I donated a car once (to the american heart and lung society... I left about 40 empty cigarette boxes in it too ). The deduction was given to my parents because obviously I wouldn't have exceeded the $5000 standard write off even with what the car was worth. If you will go over the standard write off with other stuff it could work out in your favor.

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

that depeneds. do you need a 3rd car cuz you should think of it as either paying $800 for a fix or $5000 or whatever for a new 3rd car.

I donated a car once (to the american heart and lung society... I left about 40 empty cigarette boxes in it too ). The deduction was given to my parents because obviously I wouldn't have exceeded the $5000 standard write off even with what the car was worth. If you will go over the standard write off with other stuff it could work out in your favor.

Good questions -

I would not be buying another car. We would roll with just two and when my step son's bio-dad reneges we will let him learn the lesson the hard way (again) about trusting him and we would deal with it then.

I would exceed the standard deduction - If I am right, my tax benefit would be about $800.

[mkPOTO]

wait so his bio dad was gonna give him a car?

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by mkPOTO

wait so his bio dad was gonna give him a car?

His dad gave him a 97 5 series after holding it from him for 2 years because he was pouting that he decided to stay with us instead of moving. The problem is that he keeps it over there (fine by me - I only have a 2 car garage and its his insurance), which means that he can take it away at any time. Hell, I've grounded him from the car when he was being a jack weed. I just don't get my feelings hurt as much as his bio-dad.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by AFV335i

His dad gave him a 97 5 series after holding it from him for 2 years because he was pouting that he decided to stay with us instead of moving. The problem is that he keeps it over there (fine by me - I only have a 2 car garage and its his insurance), which means that he can take it away at any time. Hell, I've grounded him from the car when he was being a jack weed. I just don't get my feelings hurt as much as his bio-dad.

hmmm

well is the car worth more than $800 (tax benefit) with the broken fuel pump?
also, how much would it be worth if you invested $800 in fixing the fuel pump and selling it? You could sink $800 into it and it be worth $2000 so then you'd be making $2000 - repairs = $1200.

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

hmmm

well is the car worth more than $800 (tax benefit) with the broken fuel pump?
also, how much would it be worth if you invested $800 in fixing the fuel pump and selling it? You could sink $800 into it and it be worth $2000 so then you'd be making $2000 - repairs = $1200.

OK, more good questions, Seth.

Here is a little more info. The car alread had some issues. It needed a new sway bar or some other thingamajiggy like that and a tune up. Nothing really safety related. Just ran rough at idle and made a noise going over the curb.

That was gonna run me $200 ish. My fear isn't so much the $800, or even the $200 because your analysis is right provided I can get that much. My fear is - what comes next and when?

If it sounds like I am leaning towards dumping it, true, but I'm not yet 100%.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by AFV335i

OK, more good questions, Seth.

Here is a little more info. The car alread had some issues. It needed a new sway bar or some other thingamajiggy like that and a tune up. Nothing really safety related. Just ran rough at idle and made a noise going over the curb.

That was gonna run me $200 ish. My fear isn't so much the $800, or even the $200 because your analysis is right provided I can get that much. My fear is - what comes next and when?

If it sounds like I am leaning towards dumping it, true, but I'm not yet 100%.

yeah I think its time to dump it... too bad you missed out on cash for clunkers

[Vudoo4u2]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Damn, that was quick. You actually might get the plugs today

fact, theyre coming to my mailbox as I type...

dropping the car off to have my hood swapped, and splitters installed

*EDIT...the plugs came..woot, install tomorrow

[CubanJJ09]

Might get some LASIK. Anyone get it or know someone. I'm looking for any info. Judy post away please

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

Might get some LASIK. Anyone get it or know someone. I'm looking for any info. Judy post away please

Wife had it like 5 years ago. Eyes really bad before, sees great without aid now. Some place in Woodfield of all places. It was pretty much pain free from what I recall.

[CubanJJ09]

Yea I know where ur talking about

[UdubBadger]

my 1st full week off of school in fuckin 8 months and I've got the flu... FML

[335iPaul]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

my 1st full week off of school in fuckin 8 months and I've got the flu... FML

LoL, that is about how my life goes. I get a week off work or school and I am sick or busy as shit with stuff I don't want to do.

[335iPaul]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

Might get some LASIK. Anyone get it or know someone. I'm looking for any info. Judy post away please

Cousin had it and swears by it. My mom had it and had some trouble with her tear ducts drying out real bad for a few months, but I think all is good now. I just cant stand the thought of looking at the thing that cuts your eye open while they do it, not for me.

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

Yea I know where ur talking about

What exactly did you want to know?

[CubanJJ09]

Yea they have a new thing that the laser cuts the flap instead of a blade. Also they said they put enough pressure to make your vision go dim or out for a second while it's getting cut Sony really don't see it happening.

Al I wanna know eveything!!!! How it went, any draw backs. Anecdotes man anecdotes

[335iPaul]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

Yea they have a new thing that the laser cuts the flap instead of a blade. Also they said they put enough pressure to make your vision go dim or out for a second while it's getting cut Sony really don't see it happening.

Yeah I was just reading through some material on this recently. My wife is going to check it out I think.

[Ricer X]

Originally Posted by CubanJJ09

Yea they have a new thing that the laser cuts the flap instead of a blade. Also they said they put enough pressure to make your vision go dim or out for a second while it's getting cut Sony really don't see it happening.

Al I wanna know eveything!!!! How it went, any draw backs. Anecdotes man anecdotes

1-2 consults. They check your cornea thickness/if you are a candidate. If so, they give you drops and numb your eyes. In the chair you are awake throughout the procedure. You see a bright light, you smell burning. The Dr. tells you everthing happening step by step.

No pain. You rest for a day in the dark. Still no real pain. Dry eyes. She was fine the next day. My wife has a high pain tolerance for that sort of thing though.

[kyleb350]

<shivers> I always wanted to do that but couldn't bring myself to. Would be nice not having to stick in and take out contacts every day though

[CubanJJ09]

How bout those clamps that keep your eye open what's the feel like