Pop quiz . . .

Your current car is 9 years old with 145k miles on it and you want to buy a new car but pay cash for it. You could do one of the following:

A. Purchase a really nice car that is not exactly what you want but still a nice ride that you can get this year.

OR

B. Wait three years, hoping your current ride makes it, and save the money needed for your ultimate dream car of all dream cars.

Which do you do?

(Note: Answers from genuine car lovers and geeks and those capable of answering a hypothetical question appreciated. I really don't wanna hear nuthin' about not needing a car or spending that much on a car or any other such bs. If that's your inclination, then maybe this thread's not for you. However, an exception for any and all discussions about cock or ass or both will be allowed. Thanks!)
[Edited 1/15/10 5:27am]

if you think your current car will hold up for 3 more years without putting a dent in your cash, you know for minor repairs and stuff, I'd say wait....

Well...
My car is 15 years old with about 170K miles on it. I've held out for a car I reeeeally want. Gettin' the new Camaro in the spring (not payin' cash, tho).

I say wait for what you really want instead of settlin', as long as your present car is hangin' on there.

The thing is I've put sooo many miles on my car which is freakin' ridiculous since I've been working at home for 8 years.

I'm looking at another 45k miles at least and by then the car will be almost 12 years old with 200k miles. Currently average maintenance and upkeep is around $3-4k a year which I'm used to. I'm concerned that something major will jump off before I get to the 3 year point.

I would wait for my dream car.

A. Purchase a really nice car that is not exactly what you want but still a nice ride that you can get this year.



And then I would continue to save for the " Dream car "

I desire to have a really reliable vehical so UNLESS your old car is that then I would not wait 3 more yrs for a new one

That's just me though

SCNDLS said:

Good luck with that. It's only a matter of time before this thread will be about cock. Or Ass. Or both.

I'd hold off and save for the dream. If your current car gives up the ghost in a year or so you can look at your options then.

I say B, wait. I'm going through something similar and have decided to push this bugger around for another 3 years (making it 10 total) before going for exactly what I want. My car fund should be pretty decent by then.

my knee-jerk response is B, but every time i save up money with a big goal in mind, something unexpected comes along to drain my savings.

mcmeekle said:

I've edited the post accordingly.

SCNDLS said:

And GD is back in balance!

SCNDLS said:

My Dad's a mechanic, so that has helped me.

SCNDLS said:

I would imagine that a 12 year old car with 200k miles on ther clock would be pretty worthless?
and if it's gonna cost you 3-4k a year to keep it on the road for 3 years surely trying to finance your dream car now is the best way forward financially

I don't know how it is in America but here in the UK they are pretty keen to sell new cars so maybe you dont have to wait (just tell yourself that you are saving money in the long run )

I would wait the 3 yrs.

If u can hold out.....do so. U won't regret it.
If u don't hold out.....u will regret it.

I would go with A... Get a reliable one thats really decent, then in 3 years use it for a trade in for your dream car... your not gonna get squat from a car with over 200k in miles...

Since you do so much driving are you able to claim the use of your car and the mileage on your taxes? That should help defer the cost of gettin one to just get by..??...

endymion said:

Well, that maintenance is standard when there's nothing wrong with it. That's just the cost of driving a bimmer. In fact, I'm keeping my current car even after I get the next one. Financing the dream car is not even an option cuz the interest paid would be ridiculous and I avoid interest like the plague.
[Edited 1/15/10 7:50am]

chocolate1 said:

Now that's the ticket! I have no such hookup.

tinaz said:

I'm not doing a trade in so that's not the issue. I do write off some of the mileage but it's such minimal tax advantage that it's not even a factor. Fuckin' IRS.

Graycap23 said:

True.

endymion said:

not necessarily...trade in value, sure...but higher end cars, like her BMW, that are well maintained, sell rather well on the private market...

SCNDLS said:

HATE them! Got my husbands w2 assholes took 25 percent of his wages for the year!!! 25 PERCENT!!!

thejason said:

See this is why I am at a fundamental disadvantage I know bugger all about cars

Actually I don't know WTF I am even doing in this thread I will get my coat

I take choice B for 300 Alex.

I say wait and continue to save up for the dream car...if that's what you really want.

I have a similar dilemma. I want the dream car, but I don't want to pay the amount you have to pay on the maintanence for the dream car...so therefore, I'll probably be getting the economically nice car. But I will be keeping my current car for at least 5 more years, if I can hack it. I just finished paying off my car this year and I hate car payments.
[Edited 1/15/10 7:59am]

thejason said:

I think it's gonna be a classic too. Rare color, one of the first of the new model redesign in 01 which is why I'm not selling it. The last time I took it for some work, I was asking my service dude if he thought it would last 3 more years. He pulled out his wallet and showed me a pic of one of his cars and it was a 40-year old bimmer that he recently drove from Cali to Texas.

It gave me hope but I'm not looking forward to coming outta pocket. It's always something cuz all the sensors are tuned to go off when anything wears down a fraction below spec. That's a good but costly feature.

endymion said:

It's okay, have a seat

tinaz said:

When I get paid W2 they take about 30 of mine off the top.

So what is your dream car?

missfee said:

Car payments are THE worst. I'm taking Suze Orman's advice to heart about not financing a car unless you can pay it off in 3 years. Hence why I refuse to finance at ALL. Interest pisses me the hell off.

tinaz said:

well... if it's that Maserati she's always swooning about then she better save some xtra scratch for the maintenance...

either that or find a Maserati Dealer/Mechanic to shag...