Regarding our cars

After a kind comment on the car I realized that a wrap up on it was needed.
On the Saturn it needed to have the upper engine rebuilt. They got into it and found that it had been opened up before. We had been deceived by the man we purchased it from. Beyond the bent, cracked rods the inner head had been damaged before. They were able to machine it and replace the upper head. All in all it was $2400 to get it done. The mechanic gave us a $300 discount. It is now running great. Almost 35? miles per gallon. Just waiting to run this tank of gas out to measure the mileage. We only paid $3600 for the car. With it only having the 50,000 miles on a 1996 car it was worth saving. Kelley Blue Book at $3900 for one with over 100,000 miles on it.We thought of all of our options. Believing in staying debt free we chose not to get a newer or different car.
My Beloveds parents loaned us a vehicle for almost a month! They really covered us.

Our Honda went into shop during all of this to fix the grinding noise. It was a loose bolt! It had an alignment done that called for a part to extent the range. All of $300 got it home. It is running true and quietly. We are so happy to have found a wonderful mechanic that is honorable.

Highland Auto in Mesa, off of Country Club. I do not usually refer folks but this team is wonderful!

We will get back our savings if we work hard on budget in a couple of months. Being frugal and diligent living debt free is possible. Never give up on a life free of servitude to debt. It was a real hit to lose all that savings but it was there when we needed it. Job one is to build it back up again.

The Saturn and the Honda both get 30mpg. Both are free of debt. Both cost only $100 a month to insure them. Registration for the 1996 Saturn is $40 for a 2 year time frame. The 2001 Honda is only $75 for 2 years registration. Would I like a new car? Not at the cost of owning one. Having a car with low miles, that is only older in years is still a wonderful thing. The repair was high but not as high as to own a new car with the payment, insurance and registration. New cars go bad too. So all in all we are grateful to have what we have.