wodehouse
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 10, 2011 16:35:08 GMT -5
Posts: 786
|
Post by wodehouse on Jun 3, 2011 14:17:46 GMT -5
I bought a new car today. Yep, bran spanking new. Not the car I've long been dreaming of but it's a very good compromise. The "out the door" price with my trade-in was $40,743. I was very surprised at my trade-in value of $2700. I figured my car's value at a gentlemen's $500. I was pleased because I was starting to sweat thinking of several thousand in state sales tax. By coincidence my "new car purchase fund" held $40,710. 2011 Volvo S60 (the new model). More "YM" reporting later.
|
|
wodehouse
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 10, 2011 16:35:08 GMT -5
Posts: 786
|
Post by wodehouse on Jun 3, 2011 14:27:28 GMT -5
My old car was 12 years old, bought new. Didn't have that many miles on it but I was tired of the myriad of minor issues arising due to age: the wrecked upholstery on the driver's seat cushion, the driver's side sun visor with broken spring so that it wouldn't stay up (held up with string) ...the visor broke last year the week after I spent $3000+ for service and tires, the "Check Engine" light that's been on for 3 years (no one can permanently resolve this), the "Seatbelts" light with same issue, the LCD display on the dash for trip computer with unreadable burnt-out pixels, the headlining that had started to sag due to the foam rubber deteriorating with age, fading paint with peeling clearcoat, plastic trims/parts breaking apart, etc. It was still quite nice looking from a short distance and was quite reliable and fun to drive but it was like with my shoes...I tend to wear them so long until they are so bad that I am embarrassed even to go into the shoe store with them.
A good example of wear due to age and sun: as I was cleaning up the windshield last night I noticed just how deteriorated the rubber gasket was. The entire perimeter was worn, cratered, and pitted.
It also had a manual transmission and that was a big issue. My spouse hardly drives at all (her car is 7 years old and has 18,000 miles on it...mostly put on by me) and even with the best of intentions never learned to drive stick. This was always a potential problem as I've been medically incapacitated (chronic issue) at times while driving and if we'd been in my car there would have been a problem (remember Marlo Thomas as "That Girl" when her BF broke his foot and she had to drive his car with stick?). So the new car resolves that with an automatic.
In sum, it was great around town, and even for some recent trips of around 200 miles. But not the sort of car I'd want to take on a "road trip" for vacation.
|
|
Bob Ross
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 14:48:03 GMT -5
Posts: 5,883
|
Post by Bob Ross on Jun 3, 2011 14:29:18 GMT -5
I'll take "Things I would never admit on YM" for 500, Alex.
|
|
thyme4change
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 26, 2010 13:54:08 GMT -5
Posts: 40,762
|
Post by thyme4change on Jun 3, 2011 14:39:28 GMT -5
LOL - Bob, you crack me up.
Congrats wodehouse! New cars are fun. We bought one last week. We drove the volvo and really liked it - but it just wasn't big enough.
Have fun driving it!
|
|
wodehouse
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 10, 2011 16:35:08 GMT -5
Posts: 786
|
Post by wodehouse on Jun 3, 2011 14:42:54 GMT -5
I'm actually on a downward trend for my car expenses. Considering the purchases made after I graduated from university: 1985: $12,600 purch vs $26,200 salary: 48.1% 1992: $16,000 purch vs $41,200 salary: 38.8% 1999: $26,000 purch vs $67,320 salary: 38.6% 2011: $41,000 purch vs $200,000 salary/bonus: 20.5% I have no regrets. Ed: Bob...LOL! You know YM too well.
|
|
RoadToRiches
Familiar Member
Formerly "indebt"
Joined: Jan 4, 2011 11:08:00 GMT -5
Posts: 965
|
Post by RoadToRiches on Jun 3, 2011 14:59:47 GMT -5
Congrats! That's awesome. I like those cars. They look really good on the road.
Once I pay my debt off, I will start car fund. Probably end up with same thing I have now (5 series BMW) but I will buy used though.
|
|
wodehouse
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 10, 2011 16:35:08 GMT -5
Posts: 786
|
Post by wodehouse on Jun 3, 2011 15:04:11 GMT -5
car fund was nice to have. I elected to pay the full cash price. I thought about financing 1/2 at low rate but in the end didn't pursue it (no time, no energy, little reason). Now I still have my car fund to save up for next vehicle in some years.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 6:53:07 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 15:11:10 GMT -5
I was very surprised at my trade-in value of $2700. I figured my car's value at a gentlemen's $500. Never trust the trade-in value they give you- they make it up with less of a discount off the sticker price of the new one. But if you're happy with the out-the-door price, it was a good deal for you and you've certainly bought a respected brand. Enjoy the new car smell!
|
|
wodehouse
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 10, 2011 16:35:08 GMT -5
Posts: 786
|
Post by wodehouse on Jun 3, 2011 15:14:33 GMT -5
Point well taken about the trade value. It really was worth more than I figured (I was too intimate with the perceived problems).
I had done much much research and comparison pricing and shopping, and they knew this as well, and I am confident in the pricing. I found Truecar.com to be a valuable pricing tool.
It's not like when we bought my wife's car and the dealer had VIN engraving on the four windows...for $800! What a joke that was.
|
|
Bob Ross
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 14:48:03 GMT -5
Posts: 5,883
|
Post by Bob Ross on Jun 3, 2011 15:27:16 GMT -5
1985: $12,600 purch vs $26,200 salary: 48.1% 1992: $16,000 purch vs $41,200 salary: 38.8% 1999: $26,000 purch vs $67,320 salary: 38.6% 2011: $41,000 purch vs $200,000 salary/bonus: 20.5% Pfft. My last car was $43k. My new(est) one cost $5900. I also eat only ramen and live in a shoe. You guys can crown me your king now. I'm waiting.
|
|
reader79
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 30, 2010 8:48:07 GMT -5
Posts: 1,053
|
Post by reader79 on Jun 3, 2011 15:28:04 GMT -5
I wish I could buy the car I want new - 2011 Dodge Charger, but I am 'settling' for my dad's 2004 Intrepid instead. We plugged the specs into the calculator on Edmunds for a fair price.
|
|
strider
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 29, 2011 12:41:49 GMT -5
Posts: 682
|
Post by strider on Jun 3, 2011 15:58:21 GMT -5
Nice, wodehouse. Been thinking of purchasing a Chevy Cruze recently. Don't know if I'll pull the trigger on it but it's got alotta bang for the buck.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 6:53:07 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 16:05:47 GMT -5
Wodehouse
I drive the S80 (2009) model
Very pleased with model....
Grats on your new car, and thanks for helping out the economy
Now we only need 9.6 million more sales lol
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 6:53:07 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 16:12:56 GMT -5
Congrats, Wodehouse. But I still like my 2006 paid-for Toyota. It was new once upon a time (I even bought it new), but like me is a little older. I sure wish I looked as pretty, though. "She" got the deluxe package at the carwash this weekend ($25 plus tip).
|
|
zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
Posts: 47,910
|
Post by zibazinski on Jun 3, 2011 17:39:05 GMT -5
SS, you are as teacher, right? Must be the "teacher car." I have a 2005 Toyota, paid for. Runs like a dream and has 61k miles on her. I'm driving her at least 2 more years and am shooting for 10. Got new tires for her and other than the regular stuff, that's it.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 6:53:07 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 18:16:52 GMT -5
I had done much much research and comparison pricing and shopping, and they knew this as well, and I am confident in the pricing. I found Truecar.com to be a valuable pricing tool. Yeah, the Internet is fantastic. I hope I never have to buy a car again- I hate the process- but I know that the Internet is a powerful source of information. DH bought our last one when I was in India- he did the research, he bought it from Enterprise Rent-a-Car after our mechanic looked it over, I arranged a 2.75% HELOC, and all I had to do was express opinions on the e-mailed options (with pictures) DH sent me. DS got the old car, so no trade-in. He picked me up at the airport in the new car. Painless.
|
|
iono1
Familiar Member
Joined: Jan 6, 2011 8:58:24 GMT -5
Posts: 570
|
Post by iono1 on Jun 3, 2011 18:21:34 GMT -5
Congratulations! It's good to see someone spending over $40k on reliable safe transportation rather than buying a beater or settling for a Fiat or Hyundai to save money when they can afford better. I traded my 10 year old Audi A4 in last December for a Mercedes C 300. Nice cars are still nice cars for a long time. Ever see that Hyundai ad where they tell you they'll guarantee the trade in value if you buy a new Hyundai? I'd rather have 1 Mercedes, Volvo, Audi etc for a decade than 3 new Hyundais during the lifespan of my car.
|
|
azphx1972
Familiar Member
Joined: Mar 2, 2011 22:08:36 GMT -5
Posts: 809
|
Post by azphx1972 on Jun 3, 2011 19:15:22 GMT -5
The S60 is nice! 40k for a daily driver is a hard pill to swallow though, but if you're making 200k I guess it's no big deal; just not something I would brag about on YM (or anywhere, actually). I know someone whose place is getting foreclosed on and will probably be auctioned off for 25-40k. Life is so weird sometimes.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 6:53:07 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 19:19:37 GMT -5
Yep, Zib. I have to admit, though, that most of my teacher friends drive Lexus and BMWs. It isn't that we are paid that much; they are all married to business owners who need them to work for the insurance and retirement benefits.
Lol.
|
|
schildi
Well-Known Member
3718 and no text
Joined: Jan 14, 2011 1:38:58 GMT -5
Posts: 1,837
|
Post by schildi on Jun 3, 2011 21:56:39 GMT -5
I think I would have waited for the new VW Passat that comes out in August / September. That would have cost you half the money.
But: it sounds like you really can afford it. So: Congrats!
|
|
bobosensei
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 11:32:49 GMT -5
Posts: 1,561
|
Post by bobosensei on Jun 4, 2011 2:39:19 GMT -5
I've been looking at the new S60s for quite some time now. I think they are fabulous cars. But DH and I are not in agreement. I would like to buy a new S60 and he wants to save for a downpayment on a vacation home that we will likely never be able to use for the next 15 years. I expect we will just blow through this money traveling around Europe for the next few years instead, but who knows.
|
|
txbo
Familiar Member
Joined: Apr 1, 2011 4:07:47 GMT -5
Posts: 547
|
Post by txbo on Jun 4, 2011 3:38:26 GMT -5
I buy cars that I really like and keep them forever. In 1967, after I came back from Vietnam I bought a new Olds 442 and still own it. In 1994, I bought a new twin turbo Supra it has only 26,830 miles and still own it. In 1999 my wife wanted a new MB E430 Sport, now has 59,000 miles. My newest car is a 2007 FJ Cruiser with 28,000 miles. The 442 and Supra are used for car shows.
|
|
dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
Posts: 10,659
|
Post by dancinmama on Jun 4, 2011 9:38:51 GMT -5
There is almost nothing that I'd rather NOT do than shop for a car. Our last was an unexpected event after my Crown Vic was totaled, and it was NOT FUN!! I had no idea what I wanted because I just never spent any time thinking about it. I REALLY wanted another Crown Vic (guess it's a good thing I didn't do that with the price of gas), but I ended up with a luxury cross-over SUV cuz that's what DH wanted. To tell you the truth, I liked my Crown Vic better than this "fancy car". Now my car is over 10 years old and has low mileage for its age. In spite of that, sometimes I make myself think about what car I'd buy if I needed a new one and it's mostly a waste of time.
|
|
Gardening Grandma
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:39:46 GMT -5
Posts: 17,962
|
Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 5, 2011 9:31:13 GMT -5
There isn't much that I hate more than buying a car. Our 2000 RAV4 has 140K miles on it and I'm hoping to get another 2-3 years' of driving before we have to replace it. I've never understood newcaritus, although DH gets it from time to time.
|
|
Gardening Grandma
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 13:39:46 GMT -5
Posts: 17,962
|
Post by Gardening Grandma on Jun 5, 2011 11:56:07 GMT -5
I dread buying one also, all the games they play. I just want to know what it costs and you can't pay sticker or get took, and try to get it down. Generally if you add all the numbers up afterwards you find they just shift them around. They will get what they want for it no matter what.
Isn't that the truth!!! If at all possible, I try to buy from a private party for this very reason.
|
|
steph08
Junior Associate
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 13:06:01 GMT -5
Posts: 5,503
|
Post by steph08 on Jun 5, 2011 20:51:03 GMT -5
I bought a new car today. Yep, bran spanking new. Not the car I've long been dreaming of but it's a very good compromise. The "out the door" price with my trade-in was $40,743. I was very surprised at my trade-in value of $2700. I figured my car's value at a gentlemen's $500. I was pleased because I was starting to sweat thinking of several thousand in state sales tax. By coincidence my "new car purchase fund" held $40,710. 2011 Volvo S60 (the new model). More "YM" reporting later. Please, please, please tell me that you did Volvo Overseas Delivery? I am dying to do that! I drive a 1996 Volvo 850 with 186k, and would love one of the new S60s. Or C70 or XC90 or XC60....we are a Volvo family if you can't tell!
|
|
Mardi Gras Audrey
Senior Member
So well rounded, I'm pointless...
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:49:31 GMT -5
Posts: 2,087
|
Post by Mardi Gras Audrey on Jun 5, 2011 21:02:45 GMT -5
I love my car (a 5 year old prius bought brand new). I am hoping to keep in forever but I would also like to have an Audi TT (??) convertible. They seem like they would be a lot of fun. I test drove a volvo convertible once and it was very nice (Didn't have the $$ for it though ). I do miss having a manual transmission though.. I wish toyota would make the prius with a manual. I am guessing it wouldn't work with the hybrid system but I think it would be fun to drive.
|
|
2kids10horses
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:15:09 GMT -5
Posts: 2,759
|
Post by 2kids10horses on Jun 6, 2011 7:53:07 GMT -5
Congrats on the new car. (The one you traded sounds a lot like the ones I BUY! LOL!!!) No, seriously, we can't buy new. No, not because we're YMers. It's because of the "new car smell". You DO realize that's all toxic poisons? Formaldehyde, PVCs... Well, my wife is EXTREMELY sensitive to that kind of stuff. Makes her sick. So we have to buy a car that is at least 3 years old to have all that stuff outgas. And we've found that the European cars are the worst. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, VW, Audi all use the same dashboard materials. My wife's sister has a nice Benz, and my wife just can't tolerate it. So, we generally go with the Japanese brands, and we've had good luck with Hondas. But, even Hondas, new, are toxic to my wife. She gets chronic fatigue from chemicals. We didn't always know what brought it on. But, we finally had an "aha moment" when we figured out when during her life she had the fatigue. Usually, it was whenever she had new carpeting! Carpeting outgasses formaldehyde. And she's extremely sensitive to it. Most new cars have carpeting... so, no new cars for us. Ever! Our last car buying experience... ugh... we need a "new for us" 3 year old minivan. So, we found one on ebay motors, sold locally at a BMW dealer that was a trade in. We went to take a look, and it great! No odor, clean, reasonable miles. We were paying cash, so Done! We went in to do the paperwork. While we were in doing the paperwork, (which STILL took over an hour EVEN THOUGH WE WERE PAYING CASH? ) they sent it to the detail crew (we didn't know they were doing this) and they sprayed the inside with "new car spray"!!!!!! OMG!!! My wife about fainted when we got inside to drive it home! We almost took it right back to say no deal. We didn't, thinking that since it was just a spray, like an air freshener, it would dissipate in a day or so. NOooooo.... it took WEEKS! She couldn't tolerate it until about 3 months later. GEEZ...
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 5, 2024 6:53:08 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 7:59:19 GMT -5
I dread buying one also, all the games they play. I just want to know what it costs and you can't pay sticker or get took, and try to get it down. Generally if you add all the numbers up afterwards you find they just shift them around. They will get what they want for it no matter what. Isn't that the truth!!! If at all possible, I try to buy from a private party for this very reason. Why don't you try internet buying? I just bought a car in february. Requested quotes from dealers and then had the dealer I wanted to work with match the best quote that I got (which was below what Edmunds said was the price I should expect to pay). Also got 4 free oil changes thrown in. I also bought my previous car this way. No haggling, no hassle.
|
|
Jake 48
Senior Member
keeping the faith
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 16:06:13 GMT -5
Posts: 3,337
|
Post by Jake 48 on Jun 6, 2011 8:10:57 GMT -5
|
|