New (used) car... or stick with my current

[Sidekicknichola]

Situation -
* Bought the IS250 awd with 60k miles, was driving 100 miles a day to/from work, but recently got a new job in Minneapolis and now am going about 20 miles a day. MPGs were a big deal before, not so much now.

* In the move to the cities my fiance's new job is about 2 blocks from our condo, so she does not have a car here, so will occasionally drive whatever I have before/after work or if I am away for work.

IS250
Pros: almost paid for, AWD, MPGs, it is a toyota so it should last for another 100k
Cons: Small, slooooooow, getting older, miles are high - but won't add up as quickly

CLS500
Pros: payment would extend - but be reduced, more get up and go, bigger
Cons: MPGs, Benz maintenance costs, RWD


Am I stupid for considering the switch?

 

[dbk]

very

 

[desy]

If you can afford it and like the car buy whatever floats your boat
Figure out your priority, if its economics stick w the Toyota if its other things then explore other choices

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Its more of me getting bored with the IS2 than anything else.... my payment would drop but extend for another two years (but the car would be two years newer with 60k less miles).
I've owned a bunch of Cadillacs up until the IS2, and kinda miss having a V8

The CLS is beautiful and roomy... those are honestly my top factors right now, which when I type/say it out loud is just stupid sounding.... my biggest draw back is my fiance with RWD + Snow.
Also future maintenance because of the Benz nametag


Also slightly considering an 335i or S4, but the styling is just sorta bland to me.

 

[Arkaign]

Yeah, that's a pretty bad financial decision. I love the CLS, but I don't understand why you're considering this. Your 'pros' in the CLS says 'payments would extend', ugh.

The best car is a paid-off car. The IS250, aside from being bland, slow, and a bit cramped, should still be fairly reliable and get okay fuel economy. Keep it. If you do decide to sell it, sell it private party after its paid off, and look for something that will only give you tiny payments if any. There are plenty of nice larger cars that don't break the bank. Given that you live up north, I'd advise you to look at the G37x Sedan. Much less expensive than the CLS, plenty fast, extremely reliable, and tons of options. All with AWD. Alternatively, you could look at CPO 535ix, which have a ton of power at all RPMs, also with AWD.

 

[A5]

20 miles each way is still 200 miles/week. MPG still kind of matters.

 

[Peanuthead]

IS250 almost paid for

That says it all. Get out of debt and stock the funds into an IRA.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

20 miles each way is still 200 miles/week. MPG still kind of matters.

I go 20 a day, 10 each way.

That says it all. Get out of debt and stock the funds into an IRA.

I currently owe 3k on my car, and zero other debt, anywhere else.... I mean absolutely none, no school loans, credit cards, mortgage, nothing..... figured I wasn't being a very good American carrying that little debt.

 

[Naeeldar]

20 miles each way is still 200 miles/week. MPG still kind of matters.

It's all relaitive. For the cars he is looking at he could probably care less about MPG. I do 42 miles a day round trip and average 20mpg and could care less.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

It's all relaitive. For the cars he is looking at he could probably care less about MPG.

I was spending $90 a week on gas at the old job and made peace with it.... so now being somewhere around $20 a week.... losing 3-5 mpgs won't really bother me

 

[Insomniator]

Nothing wrong with wanting to trade in a slow boring car that you aren't happy with, but why not something a LITTLE more reasonable than a 60k (when new) giant benz?

 

[Naeeldar]

I was spending $90 a week on gas at the old job and made peace with it.... so now being somewhere around $20 a week.... losing 3-5 mpgs won't really bother me

Exactly. I spend $275 or so a month. Just placed an order for a 2013 s4 and expect to go up to about $325. Not the end of the world.

I'd be more concerned with the MB Tax. You'll spend a lot more on maintenance in the long run. Don't let it get out of a warranty.