How many of you are...

[CharBaby]

...in a compelling argument stage of your life when it comes to large purchases?...I am! And the older I get, the more that purchases become that compelling decision, rather than seat of the pants.

For instance lets say, with vehicles. I love a small(er) car than what I currently drive, especially for everydayness. However, the money difference(after your best negotiation) is so close to between the midsize sedan and compact sedan that, I'd prefer to spend my money on the midsize car. The same goes for SUVs/CUVs. Or subcompact car vs the compact car/or hatchback.

I mean, we can manipulate the number$ any way we want or, justify one purchase over another or not. For example, I'd rather have the larger/better brother vehicle(sedan/hatch/SUV) that is better built, better interior, quieter/smoother for the similar money(or even a more negociable offering) even if I have to shave a few off of the larger price to get them close.

Another example: I'd rather have a base Camry for ~$25K rather than a more well equipped Corolla for the same money. Same goes for the Civic vs Accord or Sentra vs Altima, Cruze vs Malibu etc.

Now, I do understand that feature for feature between vehicles, there is a LARGE difference in price, $4K-$5K-$10K. So with that out of the way, how do members here feel and what is your opinion on this?

 

[CourierDriver]

Look up also Dave Ramseys advice on auto shopping......yesterday, we looked at cars again and for us,,age 72, there is not much I want anymore,, reached the age where new cars do not do much for us, but the if your in your 20-50 range,you most likely are in carpayment heaven and looking a lot more than me.... ah, the joys of youth and car payments and shopping....

 

[Astro14]

You mean: the point in one's life where rationality overtakes emotion in big decisions?

Isn't that what being an adult means?

 

[odotb]

At 68 years old, I sometimes think that I fear buyers remorse more so than the joy of a new purchase. What do I know, I am happy just to sit on the porch and sip a little whiskey in the evenings.

 

[Mantooth]

Wife and I are facing a very large financial decision in the near future. We are preparing to purchase 15 acres of land near our current homestead. We are also looking to build a new home on that land. Here is my dilemma, I don't want to go that far into debt again! That's not to say that I am in huge debt now, cause I'm not. We have zero car payments and carry no reoccurring credit card debt. Our only long expense is a house payment, short expenses are paid at the end of the month. Our current house is close to being paid off and I am thoroughly enjoying seeing the light at the end of the house payment tunnel. However, our family of four have outgrown our current living arrangments.

So there lies my conundrum, I want a newer-bigger home but want nothing to do with the debt that comes with it.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
You mean: the point in one's life where rationality overtakes emotion in big decisions?

Isn't that what being an adult means?

Heh, I'm still looking forward to that age. Emotion plays a part in way too many of my decisions.

Originally Posted By: odotb
At 68 years old, I sometimes think that I fear buyers remorse more so than the joy of a new purchase. What do I know, I am happy just to sit on the porch and sip a little whiskey in the evenings.


I've had that for the last few years. I just wish it'd stop--sometimes I kick myself for stuff I did twenty years ago. Not very helpful. But insightful for future decisions.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: Mantooth
Our current house is close to being paid off and I am thoroughly enjoying seeing the light at the end of the house payment tunnel. However, our family of four have outgrown our current living arrangments.

So there lies my conundrum, I want a newer-bigger home but want nothing to do with the debt that comes with it.


Right there with you, I've got 7 years left to ownership, but desperately need to build or move. But I hate the thought of taking on another 30 year mortgage, not sure I want to assume I'll be gainfully employed at my current pay level once I hit 60.

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
Look up also Dave Ramseys advice on auto shopping......yesterday, we looked at cars again and for us,,age 72, there is not much I want anymore,, reached the age where new cars do not do much for us, but the if your in your 20-50 range,you most likely are in carpayment heaven and looking a lot more than me.... ah, the joys of youth and car payments and shopping....

CourierDriver,
With all due respect, (and respectfully Thank You for your service),

If you followed Dave Ramsey, you should be able to pay cash/check for a car and not worry about payments.

Back to topic:
I tried a small car with all kind of "giants" around me for 10 years...
I bought a medium size car , almost-new, for a lot less than my new small car...

Probably is called adulthood, but the most important is as we get old, maybe sometime we look for a bit better quality and maybe comfort, even in spartan life mode....

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
For instance lets say, with vehicles. I love a small(er) car than what I currently drive, especially for everydayness. However, the money difference(after your best negotiation) is so close to between the midsize sedan and compact sedan that, I'd prefer to spend my money on the midsize car. The same goes for SUVs/CUVs. Or subcompact car vs the compact car/or hatchback.
For me, safety comes into play. Despite all the IIHS rating, if you're in a small car and collide with a larger vehicle, your chances of walking away unharmed or with only minor injuries are smaller.

Other than that, small cars are more fun to drive - they are more 'tossable'. Larger cars with longer wheelbases make for better hwy cruisers. So it really depends on what you want/need.

 

[AirgunSavant]

Good points.
Cars are becoming another tool to me in the garage.
Instead of many though, the dream of one is what I think about.
Also car ownership no longer matters to me. Owning does nothing for me although I own all of mine now.

In the future 3 year leasing makes sense to me and I'm getting tired of working on machinery too. Get a great lease deal, drive it, turn it in, and that will simplify my life.....

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I'm looking at a used Maserati quattroporte 2008 47K miles. Ferrari engine ZF 6 speed trans. New $108,000.00

now $19,900 - excellent condition. Supposedly very reliable. HA

I am looking though.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I'm looking at a used Maserati quattroporte 2008 47K miles. Ferrari engine ZF 6 speed trans. New $108,000.00

now $19,900 - excellent condition. Supposedly very reliable. HA

I am looking though.

Make sure you have another $19,900 set aside for repairs.

 

[JHZR2]

I'm not sure one is ever too young/old for such thought processes.

 

[AirgunSavant]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I'm not sure one is ever too young/old for such thought processes.

Agreed!

 

[CourierDriver]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
You mean: the point in one's life where rationality overtakes emotion in big decisions?

Isn't that what being an adult means?

 

[Sierra048]

Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
Look up also Dave Ramseys advice on auto shopping......yesterday, we looked at cars again and for us,,age 72, there is not much I want anymore,, reached the age where new cars do not do much for us, but the if your in your 20-50 range,you most likely are in carpayment heaven and looking a lot more than me.... ah, the joys of youth and car payments and shopping....


Courier,

Although 7 years younger, those are my sentiments as well.

As a child growing up, and into early to mid adulthood, I had very little dispisable income and accomplised alot by makeshift means. Through sheer determination I was able to achieve most of my goals and retired with more than I could have imagined and I'm not what most would consider "wealthy". Just debt free. I went through a phase where if I needed something to do a job, or wanted something I could have lived without, within reason, I would go out and buy it. Glad to say I'm well past that phase. No death wish here but I'm already talking to my wife aout what to leave our boys and downsizing to make life a little simpler as we age.

 

[CharBaby]

Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
Look up also Dave Ramseys advice on auto shopping......yesterday, we looked at cars again and for us,,age 72, there is not much I want anymore,, reached the age where new cars do not do much for us, but the if your in your 20-50 range,you most likely are in carpayment heaven and looking a lot more than me.... ah, the joys of youth and car payments and shopping....


Well, I am retired, in my 60s and care less & less about new vehicles and all of their STUFF. A nice preowned vehicle will suit me just fine and that's another compelling argument, e.g., new Camry vs used Lexus ES.

 

[SonofJoe]

I think one of the great dilemmas of life is that when you're young, you can't afford all the things you want and when you're old, you can afford everything but don't particularly want it anymore.

It's not just buying cars either as all the appetites seem to diminish!

Or maybe it's just me that has an advanced case of 'what's the point?' disease.

 

[nickaluch]

I went through the same issues a few years back. My wife wanted a bigger house I wanted no part of it just payed off the current one. I explained to my wife we have two daughters going off to college really soon so space will free up and it definitely did.

 

[CT8]

Wisdom.