are your neighbors buying nicer cars?

[veronak]

Yep everyone I know seems to own a BMW, Audie, Acura Lexus you name it but me I drive an old 89 Camry sometimes I am disappointed but I know I have to live like no other in order to live like no other (good 'ol Dave Ramsey). You know I opened up a new car account and I just deposit funds into this account so when the time come I can either buy use cash or have a really nice down payment so that my payments can be extremly low

[robex]

We have older vehicles but my best friend has a beamer convertible and a new Durango. They're awfully fun to drive in! Her husband drives a brand new Jeep Cherokee. However, they can afford their cars. We would never be able to spend that much on vehicles.

My new next door neighbours are going to be fun to watch, though. They just got a boat and a beer keg for their garage...I'll keep you posted on what's next!

[Ima saver]

Well, I don't think we should judge anyone. My husband enjoys new cars and if you saw how he kept them up you would believe that. He spends 2 hours washing our car, several times a week. When I traded in my 7 year old red camero rally sport, people thought it was a brand new car.
We like new cars, no headaches and under warrenty. We never lease a car, bad idea.
When I paid off my husband's van, i still take that payment each month and save it in a car account to pay my car off early.

[DivaJen]

We have a set of neighbors who are very likely the type profiled in The Millionaire Next Door. They just got a new to them (late model) car after owning their last car for 10 years (and it was used when they bought that one). They are good role models - they travel, they eat well, but they aren't flashy. I bet they've got lots of cash in the bank.

[tomkat]

I very much detest a car note!!!!

I'm not a car person...I just need something to get me from point A to point B. My neighbor drives a Lexus, but she's also a bank vice president, so she can probably afford it! I've also seen some PT cruisers, Acuras, Mercedes, Infinitys, and big SUVs in my neighborhood. I say more power to those who like fancy cars, especially since I'm not the one stuck with the big note! My husband and I own three cars. I bought my Olds Alero new in 2000. I got it at a good price because I got corporate discounts and other rebates. It's paid for, and I plan to drive it until it falls apart, which I hope won't be for at least 4 or 5 more years--an optimistic view since I already have over 100,000 miles on the car and it's American made. I've decided that my next car will probably be a Corolla or a Civic...something small and easy on the gas. Hubby bought his Honda Accord new in 2002, and paid it off in two years. That's not his primary car, so it should last many, many years. It's only driven on weekends and for out of town trips. Hubby also has the car he drove in college--a Toyota Corolla. It's 14 years old, has 215000 miles on it, and is still going strong. That's the car he drives every day. He'll drive it until it falls apart. So, we're not in the market for a car, and hopefully won't be for a very long time. Hubby likes to look at new cars, though, and is ocassionally tempted to buy one, but it doesn't take long for him to dismiss the idea.

[PRICEPLUS]

I am told that Warren Buffett, one of Americas richest people, drives a beat up old Chevy. As far as I am concerned he has got the right idea. I bought two Toyotas and I will emulate Mr. Buffett on this one. It is just a means to get you from point A to point B!

[Haku]

Pretty close. According to Forbes Auto, Warren Buffet drives a "2001 Lincoln Town Car Signature Series". They mused why the need for the Signature series instead of a Crown Vic, but you just have to love his license plate, "THRIFTY"!

But yes, for a multi-billionaire who could afford luxury submarines if he really wanted to, driving around a Lincoln is very frugal. I too aim to follow his footsteps.

[PRICEPLUS]

Really. My wife used to work out in Nebraska where he lives. She told me he drove an old beat up Chevy. I guess he is coming up in the world. Still kind of thrifty if he still has it. He is very thrifty so I am told.

[Ima saver]

Also, I might mention that my car was a present for our silver anniversary. Of course, it was a present for both of us. Since it did not come in, in time, we waited and got the next year's model. I will always remember that anniversary!

[Ima saver]

Wonder what I will get this year?

[asha]

I don't think the psot was meant to be judgemental or superior.

When you start examining capitalist culture and your finances and the alternatives: delayed gratification and selective fugality, it becomes really apparent what is going around you that you never noticed, before.
I try to give my perspective to friends... I want everyone to be on board.

IT is impt i think to consider how we have changed and such scenes as described help us to reflect on our change.

[flash]

You know, I have no idea. We have a 1992 and a 2001, and both are fine. I don't think of a car as a status symbol. My MIL is extremely wealthy, and they always purchased used. Not going to pay for depreciation. I think that's one of the finer points of maintaining wealth: know your priorities and don't waste assets.

[Ima saver]

The only thing I really care about a car is that it is sporty looking!

[Russell]

As some of you aleady know my veins flow 30W oil and I used to race cars (not drag racing or roundy-round but real racing ). However, in the last 5 yrs I've toned down my cars and my spendings on such things. I gave up racing after the DD was born. We drive decent, newer cars but nothing exotic and they're all paid for. However, lately DW has been hanging out with people at her work that drive fancy cars and sport fat rocks so she's been wanting a nice sporty car. The other day, she mentioned she wants an EVO MR...which is practically a race bred street car. All of a sudden the 2004 accord we bought brand new doesn't cut it for her afterall her friends are sporting brand new BMW 5 series and Inifiniti G20s etc...

I've been nicely trying to convince her that we're better off with what we already have but I feel uncomfortable pushing too much since I don't want her to feel I'm stopping her from something she really wants...which usually makes you want something even more and introduces negative feelings. Deep inside, I want a nice fast and fun car too but realistically I'd rather save that would be $40k and put it towards our daughter's and our future.

[shelbylovesmelby]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

.
We like new cars, no headaches and under warrenty. We never lease a car, bad idea.

That's the only reason my dh & I like to buy new when we can. But I'm ok with used as long as it's in good shape, low miles, & less than 5 yrs old.

I was really sad when my dh traded my Impala for an Odessey. I know we needed the van, but I really loved my car