shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Apr 14, 2011 16:37:47 GMT -5
My mom used to want a little convertible sports car when she retired. Then they got a minivan to haul the go-kart my step-dad raced. Later they traded that in for an Element (she still drives one) and says small cars make her feel like she's in a death trap.
I get the wanting a bigger car to have room for the kids and their friends. Its also pretty handy as a home owner to be able to haul stuff. I don't know that I could spend $60k on a car (our Jetta @~$25k freaked me out), even a big one, but certainly go with quality, and get the bells and whistles if it makes you happy. We bought our Jetta at the absolute worst time - its a TDI, bought the year VW didn't make any diesels for the US due to changing regulations. So, we had to buy what the dealer had on the lot, and we didn't exactly have options for negotiating the price down. The car we got came with ALL the bells and whistles - heated leather seats, sunroof, etc. We looked at one of the other Jettas on the lot that didn't have the sunroof, and was therefor a few thousand dollars cheaper, but I HATED the interior - it had a color change that ours does not. I told DH, if I was going to be paying that much for a car, I needed to love everything about the car. If I hated one part of it, I would just resent him for making us spend that much on a vehicle. (I had wanted a little Nissan Versa.) So, we got the car with the sunroof.
The car now has just under 60k miles on it, and in the last 2 months, we've spent $2100 on it - $700 for new tires and just yesterday $1400 for a new throttle, replace the door harness, oil change, and the 60k mile check. I would drive it cross country without a thought. But that's also one of the reasons we bought a diesel. DH figures we have this car until its totalled or I bury him in it. And when we trade in our second car for a new vehicle (in a few years) we'll most likely get another diesel- either a wagon or SUV- and be done with buying cars.
So I say, get what you want. Get what makes you happy as long as you can afford it. Drive the kids around. Then have old reliable cars you can give them. Sounds like a good plan to me.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 14, 2011 16:40:39 GMT -5
I've read it. I drive the same type of car. This was going to be a big splurge for me. I do all the other things that MND says - I live in a small house, my kids are in public school, I don't hang out with showy nitwits, I don't have fancy gadgets. I save between 40% and 50% of my household income, I max out all of my retirement. My clothes aren't designer or super fancy. We never eat out. I have 401ks, IRAs, Roths, 529's, brokerages, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money markets, savings accounts, CDs and a hefty cushion in my checking. I have about 35% equity in my house, even after the crash. I have no credit card debt. I have no revolving consumer loans. My husband's student loan has an interest rate of 2.25%, otherwise I would have paid that off too. My household is in the top 5% for earnings and the top 10%. According to the MND wealth formula, I'm way ahead.
Yes, I can buy a 15 year old econovan with chipped paint and decent seat belts and drive around in it all day and all night trying to entice kids with free candy. And everyone on YM will bow down to me for my frugality. And I will keep an extra whatever in my checking. I never said I was doing this to become rich, or because I thought it was necessary. I totally understand this is ridiculous spending. I don't think I've made any statements otherwise.
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reader79
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Post by reader79 on Apr 14, 2011 16:47:12 GMT -5
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reader79
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Post by reader79 on Apr 14, 2011 16:48:17 GMT -5
ETA: picture link won't work...
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 14, 2011 16:51:52 GMT -5
What was it a picture of?
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Elizabeth
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"The inner mechanations of my mind are an enigma."
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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 14, 2011 17:03:42 GMT -5
Thyme- do you know anyone who was/is in the auto business? I ask because my uncle owned a car dealership when the economy was good, but he still buys cars at an auction and sells them on the side . Any car you want, smoking deal, but you have some sort of auto license to bid there. Maybe someone you know has a connection.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 14, 2011 17:04:49 GMT -5
Maybe you could introduce me to your uncle!
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Elizabeth
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"The inner mechanations of my mind are an enigma."
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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 14, 2011 17:26:28 GMT -5
I would absolutely be willing to! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I'm not sure where you live, but he lives in KS ,so you may have to work out arrangements to pick up or ship the car.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 14, 2011 18:41:25 GMT -5
I've read it. I drive the same type of car. This was going to be a big splurge for me. I do all the other things that MND says - I live in a small house, my kids are in public school, I don't hang out with showy nitwits, I don't have fancy gadgets. I save between 40% and 50% of my household income, I max out all of my retirement. My clothes aren't designer or super fancy. We never eat out. I have 401ks, IRAs, Roths, 529's, brokerages, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money markets, savings accounts, CDs and a hefty cushion in my checking. I have about 35% equity in my house, even after the crash. I have no credit card debt. I have no revolving consumer loans. My husband's student loan has an interest rate of 2.25%, otherwise I would have paid that off too. My household is in the top 5% for earnings and the top 10%. According to the MND wealth formula, I'm way ahead. Yes, I can buy a 15 year old econovan with chipped paint and decent seat belts and drive around in it all day and all night trying to entice kids with free candy. And everyone on YM will bow down to me for my frugality. And I will keep an extra whatever in my checking. I never said I was doing this to become rich, or because I thought it was necessary. I totally understand this is ridiculous spending. I don't think I've made any statements otherwise. So, you're not really hyperventilating over your husband buying this SUV. It's actually something you want too. If you can afford it then do it.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 14, 2011 19:50:59 GMT -5
Well - just because I can afford it doesn't mean I'm not hyperventilating over the thought of a sixty thousand dollar car.
I'm pretty sure we will tone it back.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 14, 2011 20:23:03 GMT -5
Car auctions are a good idea, my uncle has gotten cars for my mom, grandpa, and brother (and I'm sure countless other people) that way. It's amazing the deals you can find with the right connections. Other than that, I say go for it - driving a vehicle you really enjoy is worth it, IMO. As far as minivan vs. SUV, I'm partial to station wagons - my mom had a Volvo 240DL for 12 years, best car ever. And as we discovered at my 11th birthday party, you can haul up to 6 preteens in the hatch area ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Nazgul Girl
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Apr 14, 2011 20:57:09 GMT -5
Good Gawd ! Oh my goodness. $61,000 for a hunk of metal ? No offense, but I find that to be just funny ! And shocking ! Sorry. ![:o](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/shocked.png)
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qofcc
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Post by qofcc on Apr 15, 2011 7:51:29 GMT -5
If you decide this is really what you want and you're sure you don't want to still be driving it when it's 10 years 100K+ miles, then maybe you should have the dealers quote you lease terms as well as financing terms. The monthly payments would be less and you wouldn't have to worry about how to sell an extremely expensive used vehicle. I would still recommend renting one for your vacation or at least a weekend getaway so the whole family can drive around in it for a while and see if you really like it before you make your final decision.
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runewell
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Post by runewell on Apr 15, 2011 8:28:25 GMT -5
Here's the Ben Stein "Tax the Rich" video:
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Apr 15, 2011 9:17:36 GMT -5
Didn't read all the responses.... so... I know we all suppose to drive two-seaters and still fit the entire family and friends into it, and of course we are not suppose to have any material things, so don't need room for luggage, etc etc but I think you should buy it if its serves your purposes. You CAN afford it, so why not??? And all those arguments that "oh my 4 cars don't worth that much" and "oh I could buy a house for that much" hold no logic or sense what-so-ever. You can say the same thing to a person who is buying a $3M house - hey, that's my whole retirement plan. What does one thing has to do with another??? Lena P.S. I want to see pics!!! (in case you haven't noticed, I want to see pics of everything: weddings, new bathrooms, etc ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) )
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ameiko
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Post by ameiko on Apr 15, 2011 9:48:56 GMT -5
Sequoias are pretty huge (great name then I gues). Why does he want or desire so much truck?
I drive a nice Infiniti G37 with all the bells and whistles. I got a relatively good price IMHO but I was reviewing my expenses that it brought up recently: higher insurance, higher gas (needs premium), and replacing all four tires (the front and back are different and can not be rotated) and I'm not sure if I'd do it all again.
Nice things require significant upkeep so please factor that into your decision.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Apr 15, 2011 10:01:46 GMT -5
I think the only way I, personally, could send $60K on a car is 1. hit the lottery for over $300M; or 2. plan on driving the car until it's toast. ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Although if I did hit the lottery for that much, my Mom would get her beloved '58 tbird I think it is.
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Post by robbase on Apr 15, 2011 10:02:40 GMT -5
I've read it. I drive the same type of car. This was going to be a big splurge for me. I do all the other things that MND says - I live in a small house, my kids are in public school, I don't hang out with showy nitwits, I don't have fancy gadgets. I save between 40% and 50% of my household income, I max out all of my retirement. My clothes aren't designer or super fancy. We never eat out. I have 401ks, IRAs, Roths, 529's, brokerages, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, money markets, savings accounts, CDs and a hefty cushion in my checking. I have about 35% equity in my house, even after the crash. I have no credit card debt. I have no revolving consumer loans. My husband's student loan has an interest rate of 2.25%, otherwise I would have paid that off too. My household is in the top 5% for earnings and the top 10%. According to the MND wealth formula, I'm way ahead.
Yes, I can buy a 15 year old econovan with chipped paint and decent seat belts and drive around in it all day and all night trying to entice kids with free candy. And everyone on YM will bow down to me for my frugality. And I will keep an extra whatever in my checking. I never said I was doing this to become rich, or because I thought it was necessary. I totally understand this is ridiculous spending. I don't think I've made any statements otherwise. I guess I am wondering why you are hyperventilating than? ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) ?
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 15, 2011 10:08:45 GMT -5
I went home last night and said to him "I'm sorry, I just can't spend $60k on a truck."
He answered "Oh, good! I was testing you to see what you were really thinking."
Then we drank a beer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2011 10:22:27 GMT -5
lol - sounds like you are perfect for each other. Unless your DH said that he wanted to spend that 60k on a sports car . . .
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 15, 2011 10:55:19 GMT -5
Oh - $60k on a sports car - I could do that. No problem. ![](http://media.funsmileys.com/smileys/happy040.gif)
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973beachbum
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Post by 973beachbum on Apr 15, 2011 11:05:41 GMT -5
This thread got me thinking and just for shits and giggles I checked to see what a brand new truck for us would cost. Only $51000. ![:P](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/tongue.png) It does have zero percent financing for 5 years and 1.9% for six though. That makes it okay right? ![](http://media.funsmileys.com/smileys/tongue002.gif)
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Bob Ross
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Post by Bob Ross on Apr 15, 2011 11:22:57 GMT -5
Yes, I can buy a 15 year old econovan with chipped paint and decent seat belts and drive around in it all day and all night trying to entice kids with free candy. I'd do this, for the lulz.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 15, 2011 12:35:27 GMT -5
Actually, we did see an econovan from the mid-70's. It was bright yellow with a green stripe, and was beat to hell. The guy driving looked like a pot smoking hippy - unbathed, long scraggly hair, weird hat. The license plate was "FREECNDY." I laughed so hard I had to pull over so I wouldn't wreck the car.
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qofcc
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Post by qofcc on Apr 15, 2011 13:00:38 GMT -5
So what kind of soccer mom vehicle are you looking at now? If you hate your existing car that much and it's not meeting your needs anymore and you can afford it, might as well upgrade before the economy recovers and prices go up.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 15, 2011 13:06:31 GMT -5
We are still looking at the 7-seat SUVs that are available. I actually did see a used Seqouia with 20k miles on it. I might call and see if that is still available. It was $38k. It looked like it had no bells or whistles. I'm thinking $38k might not be enough of a discount, as we can buy a bottom of the barrel version new for $41k.
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nalto
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Post by nalto on Apr 15, 2011 13:11:11 GMT -5
Speaking of Toyotas, does anyone know why the Land Cruiser STARTS at $68k?
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Apr 15, 2011 13:13:07 GMT -5
Because people actually buy them?
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Apr 15, 2011 13:13:23 GMT -5
I say go for it if you can afford and that is what you truly want. My wife hates the idea of a minivan and she would rather buy an SUV/truck before she gets near a minivan. I said that too. I now have a minivan. While I cringe at the thought that I drive one, I have do admit it's functional. I only miss the SUV during and shortly after blizzards. This year, I got stuck in my driveway (it's about 1/4 mile long) in the minivan, and had to get the truck to get out. And I agree with you about the leather seats. I will never go back to cloth, especially since DS has this car sickness issue.....
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Apr 15, 2011 14:07:00 GMT -5
...:::"I know we all suppose to drive two-seaters and still fit the entire family and friends into it, and of course we are not suppose to have any material things, so don't need room for luggage, etc etc but I think you should buy it if its serves your purposes. You CAN afford it, so why not???
And all those arguments that "oh my 4 cars don't worth that much" and "oh I could buy a house for that much" hold no logic or sense what-so-ever. You can say the same thing to a person who is buying a $3M house - hey, that's my whole retirement plan. What does one thing has to do with another???":::...
Karma for this. I love it!
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