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car buying dilemma

B

burntfish

Senior member
I got my eye on this Acura that I've been wanting for a very long time. The price is right and the mileage is low. I have no problem paying it off the monthly payment and insurance. It all comes down to practicality, need vs want.

My current situation is that I'm a 9-5 Monday - Friday corporate monkey. I drive my Dad's car on the weekend which is the only time I really drive. Half of me believe there is no reason to own a car. I can always drive dad's when I need it on the weekend. I'll be throwing money away 5 out of 7 days when the car is parked in the garage. The other half argues this is the car you always wanted and you've waited too long to drive it. Plus picking up dad's car is a hassle because we live a good 5 miles apart. I have to rely on his car to do my weekly grocery shopping. I'm going to be on the road almost every weekend during the winter months to the slopes. I can finally take my gf to Maine for lobster week and not have to worry about Dad grilling me about why I put 1k miles on his car.

What would you do in my shoes?
 
I wouldn't buy the car, or buy a cheap car to use.

From what you said it seems you barely need a car, driving far just seems like a bonus/extra
 
Originally posted by: BassBomb
I wouldn't buy the car, or buy a cheap car to use.

From what you said it seems you barely need a car, driving far just seems like a bonus/extra
Click to expand...

Seconded. You can get a pretty decent daily driver for $6000, give or take. It won't be super new but it'll still probably last a good long while, and you won't have to rely on your dad's car.
 
Well, financially, I agree with your half about not buying, especially considering I am accountant. lol.

But I'd definately get a car I want. First, 5 miles apart is not too far, but not too close either. Second, if you have car, you will be able to do something during weekdays as well. It seems like you only drive a car during weekend, since it's hassle to pick up your dad's car during weekdays after work.

Anyway, that's just if I were you 😛

Added: I wouldn't do what BassBomb and AstroManLuca suggest. The only reason OP is considering new car is because it's the car OP wanted, not because OP is in need of transportation, obviously, since he commutes fine without car based on what he said. I'd rather buy the car I wanted, or not buying at all. Buying cheaper car is not a good option for OP to consider, I think.
 
yea I'm pretty much set on 05 Acura MDX. The one in questions only got 21k miles on the engine, clean carfax, and the dealer is only asking 17k for it.
 
think about the hours you have to slave at work for it takes for you to pay the car off, and whether you really need it or not. if you want independence, why not a beater?
 
Buy the car

begging for the parents car is not a situation I would ever want to be in and you are buying a sensible & practical auto that will benefit you in many ways.





 
Originally posted by: burntfish
yea I'm pretty much set on 05 Acura MDX. The one in questions only got 21k miles on the engine, clean carfax, and the dealer is only asking 17k for it.
Click to expand...

That's quite good price for MDX with such low miles. It would be even better if you make a deal for 16k 😉 lol

Anyway, since the car is more than just a mean of transportation to me, it's hard for me to understand the others saying about getting beater when OP clearly said it's the car OP wanted.

$ 10 wallet from Walmart would do the job, but I'd gladly spend $ 200 for Gucci wallet, and I think same goes for a car. It's not that I don't understand people who think car is just transportation. But since OP is considering new car because it's the car he wanted, shouldn't we suggest based on HIS preference, not yours?

Another my $ 0.02.
 
It would be more economically feasible to get a less expensive car, drop the payment savings each month into an interest earning account, and when you will be driving more often, sell it & upgrade.

But I'm a strong believer in the fact that life is short and you can't take money with you to the grave. A sweet car brings me too much enjoyment to miss out on that 😉
 
17k for an Acura that you really like (and will drive more than just when you have to because of this) and the car will hold its value pretty well because it's an Acura. I'd say unless it's a stretch financially, go for it. If you find that it's not as practical or as fun as you thought, you can always sell it for a slight loss. The only thing that may get you is gas prices because it's an SUV. If prices go shooting back up again that's going to devalue the car more quickly and you'll be eating more of a loss when you sell it. Something to bear in mind.
 
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