Dead car. What to do?

[Imported Memory]

So, my car died (for the second time) on my way to work this morning and now I'm stranded in Wasilla. 
I'm thinking I probably just need to invest in another vehicle altogether at this point.  My car has been slowly falling apart and having things die on it randomly ever since it was given to me.  What is the best way to go about seeking another car?  I'm always on Craigslist, but all the cars there within my price range are all American-made gas guzzlers or older and brokener (lol, I know that's not a real word) than my current one.

Are there other resources I could be taking advantage of in my search for another car that I'm overlooking?  What are your experiences in shopping for used cars without getting too ripped off?

[Im1ru1]

I talked to friends first and got them looking for the type of vehicle I wanted...then as they came to me with posibillities, I looked at and test-drove the ones that interested me, and finally decided on the one I wanted.  Understand that MOST people selling a used car list the price 200-500 higher than what they are actually WILLING to take for it...the Blazer I got was being advertised for $2000, and I paid $1500.

Herman

[Imported Memory]

What I do not understand is how my insurance company wouldn't cover my towing this time because it wasn't on my plan.  I accessed my account online, added the towing to my coverage for about $1/mo.  Called back... and presto — I'm all taken care of. 
Had I tried to do it over the phone, they would have added the fee to my account, but wouldn't have covered my towing for this instance.

Now I just need to take my lunch break so I can go put my key with my car.  If only I'd known I'd be in for a hike today, I would have worn better shoes for it.

[Oni]

Well glad to hear things are working better at anyrate....I wonder does that count as cheating your insurance company. LOL.

[Imported Memory]

It isn't really cheating.  If they let it work that way, anyone with an internet connection to access their account is better off.  I'm assuming they expect people to call needing a tow asap, calling from a cell phone in their stalled car, so they weren't willing to cover towing if I signed up over the phone.
It's just merely a loophole in their system.  One I am very very glad for.

I will say this much though, my insurance company hired the most idiotic company in all of the valley.  The driver called me twice to "find" my car.  The dispatch unit called me thrice to notify me that the driver was having problems finding my car and that they had no idea where the repair shop I specified was.

[Im1ru1]

Sounds like the tow operator is kinda stupid...you'd think they knew their way around the town they're from...

[Imported Memory]

How much more specific can I get than "On the left shoulder of the Parks Highway, heading west.  Just before the Seward Meridian Pkwy Exit."

Car's still dead.

[Im1ru1]

Is there anything I can do, hun?

[Imported Memory]

You can keep an eye on Aki till I can make it back out to Anchorage again.  Other than that, there's really nothing anyone can do.  The repair is setting me back quite a bit.

[Oni]

ROFLOL

You can keep an eye on Aki

*opps* was that out loud.

[Badinage]

On a note of possible relevance to someone's interest in this thread, heard an add on the radio about a massive abondoned car auction off on Dimond this weekend. 100's of cars and $100 min bids. Anyone back this up and have the scoop?

[Im1ru1]

Aki is welcoe to stay as long as need be, he is enjoying his stay, and I enjoy having him there to greet me when I come home.

[Imported Memory]

Car is running again.  But for how long is anyone's guess.

[Im1ru1]

Glad to hear it's feeling better

[lazydullard]

man, what the heck?

my car, and two friends' cars, broke down that same week.

i've sworn off cars completely and now walk 3 miles to and from work, but that's not really reasonable for you.