Nanny needs a car

[veeman]

We have a nanny who drives her own car to our house and back to her home.  While she's with our kids, she drives my Sonata.  She used to own an older Civic, but sold it several months ago prior to leaving the country for a few months to take care of her ailing parents.  She's back with us now and doesn't have her own car anymore.

As a short term solution, she's been taking our car back and forth to her house and cabs it home prior to the weekend.

So yesterday she shows me a picture of a 2004 Outback with 170,000 miles on it and said the seller wants 2500 for it.  She asks me what did I think?   I know she's been looking at cars over the last few weekends with some friend of hers.  Anyways, I try not to have too many conversations, outside our kids activities/welfare, with nannys because I don't want to get too involved in their lives. 

So I look at her kind of blankly and say, Yeah... Subarus are nice.  Make sure whatever you get, you've had a mechanic check it out.  Then I nonchalantly leave the room.

I thought to myself that she's probably better off getting a newer compact for the same price or leasing.  I don't know what her credit history is though and I don't think she's ever owned a house.  I know she's legal and around 45 years old.

Any thoughts?  Just curious. 

[2o6]

Check head gaskets. At 170k, it likely needs replacing.


She can get a similar vintage used Civic or Corolla for not too much more and they're pretty reliable and easily serviced (I'd put the Corolla over the civic)

[TBR]

Yes, I would not get a high mileage Subaru unless it had already had the head gaskets done. Was a ~$2000 repair on mine.

[12,000 RPM]

I would look at Sentras. 90% of Civrolla reliability and low cost at about 50% of the price

[Eye of the Tiger]

Buick Century or Park Avenue.
Mercury Grand Marquis.
Chrysler 300, if nanny is a baller.

[Laconian]

Anyways, I try not to have too many conversations, outside our kids activities/welfare, with nannys because I don't want to get too involved in their lives. 

I'd have a pretty hard time maintaining that separation.

[Laconian]

Don't you live in NYC? Would a small car be more of an asset for her there?

[shp4man]

2003 or newer Focus, the lower mileage the better. Cheaper than a Japanese car and just as good.

[ifcar]

I would look at Sentras. 90% of Civrolla reliability and low cost at about 50% of the price

Not the 2000-2006 generation -- it has a poor reliability record.

[2o6]

I would look at Sentras. 90% of Civrolla reliability and low cost at about 50% of the price

No they aren't



And they've got serious rust and corrosion issues

[2o6]

2003 or newer Focus, the lower mileage the better. Cheaper than a Japanese car and just as good.

Avoid SPI

[Cookie Monster]

Mazda3? I don't know about rust issues. I thought you were in California for some reason.

[AutobahnSHO]

I feel a lease is not in her best interest. Way more money with nothing to show at the end.

[Laconian]

Avoid SPI

Those engines are so so terrible.

[2o6]

Those engines are so so terrible.

They're ok in the Escort, but the one in the Focus will blow up

[12,000 RPM]

No they aren't



And they've got serious rust and corrosion issues

Interesting. My brother's was OK till he totalled it.

[shp4man]

The later model SPI engines had valve seat issues. So ya. Do they sell PZEV engines outside California?

[veeman]

Thanks!!

I'll mention the head gasket issues with Subarus to her.  I'll mention Corollas/Civics to her.

[veeman]

I thought you were in California for some reason.

I live in Connecticut

[veeman]

I'd have a pretty hard time maintaining that separation.

I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of stuff (I'm not the boss of a bunch of people), but I know you don't want to start getting too personal with people you pay.  They start taking stuff for granted and it becomes difficult to fire them if they start slacking.  Also, selfishly, I don't want to start taking on emotional burden which comes with friendship.  I don't want her to think I'm her friend... I'm her boss.  I don't want to deal with stuff like if she asks me to cosign anything; which I won't. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

C6 Corvettes are reasonably priced, now.

[2o6]

I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of stuff (I'm not the boss of a bunch of people), but I know you don't want to start getting too personal with people you pay.  They start taking stuff for granted and it becomes difficult to fire them if they start slacking.  Also, selfishly, I don't want to start taking on emotional burden which comes with friendship.  I don't want her to think I'm her friend... I'm her boss.  I don't want to deal with stuff like if she asks me to cosign anything; which I won't.

Uh ok

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Just read the thread title.

Miata.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I thought Evo was the new Miata

[veeman]

Just read the thread title.

Miata.

Of course it's up to her if she wants to get a Miata.  It's not something I'd be thrilled about because occasionally, when one of our cars is getting an oil change or something, she drives the kids around in her car.  That would not be possible in a Miata. 

[Madman]

The later model SPI engines had valve seat issues.

Yeah, a dropped valve seat in number four cylinder is what killed my 1998 Escort commuter beater.

Ford should have been made to replace every one of these engines that failed due to their shit design and engineering!   

[Eye of the Tiger]

Yeah, a dropped valve seat in number four cylinder is what killed my 1998 Escort commuter beater.

Ford should have been made to replace every one of these engines that failed due to their shit design and engineering!   

Just swap the motor out for a Zetec. It's easy.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Of course it's up to her if she wants to get a Miata.  It's not something I'd be thrilled about because occasionally, when one of our cars is getting an oil change or something, she drives the kids around in her car.  That would not be possible in a Miata. 

It's got a trunk.

[Laconian]

It's got a trunk.

[Lebowski]

I don't have a lot of experience with this sort of stuff (I'm not the boss of a bunch of people), but I know you don't want to start getting too personal with people you pay.  They start taking stuff for granted and it becomes difficult to fire them if they start slacking.  Also, selfishly, I don't want to start taking on emotional burden which comes with friendship.  I don't want her to think I'm her friend... I'm her boss.  I don't want to deal with stuff like if she asks me to cosign anything; which I won't. 

Will your kids be riding in the car?  If that's the case it's pretty normal for a parent to have an interest, at least insofar that it's safe and reliable. Hell, my brother gave their nanny a car (hand me down 4Runner) for this reason.


I get wanting to keep some separation, but this lady takes care of your kids.

You can have a rapport with someone and take an interest without being their best friend, and if they have an ounce of professionalism they'll understand the difference.  I do so with everyone who works with me regularly (lawn guy, contractor,  bug guy, house cleaner whom unfortunately I did have to let go recently, dog sitter, babysitters etc) and found if anything, it enhances the working relationship.