Wants vs Needs

[LuxLiving]

Joan, when I have a question about whether or not our tires are getting down to the nub, I will ask 1)my step-dad who is a professional car guy and/or 2)my mechanic. Neither of these guys are selling tires so I trust their opinion about the road-worthiness of the tires.

[myrdale]

My best advice about "wants" is never rush to buy anything. Think good and hard about it. Is it worth the money you will pay? Is it something that you will use for years or will it get trashed in 6 months?

Especially on cars, spend alot of time figuring out what you really like. Find a car that is really you (and really your budget!!). Once you buy that car think of it like a marriage. Fall in love with your car. Have it, hold it and forsake it for no other. In 6 years, I have seen no car that comes anywhere near comparing to my little yellow Frontier. I love it, I love it, I love it!!

Yes it is only a truck and in 40 years it will be in a scrap yard, but it is mine. I am amazed by people who buy a car, then spend the next year complaining about it only to buy another and do the same again.

As for me? A freshman in college, I could have had a new truck on day one. Instead I put it off for a year and ahalf until I found exactly what I wanted. And if you didn't catch the hint above, I ain't looked back once.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Lux, I consider it my own personal failing in life to have no friends who are mechanics. Gosh, I'm looking for a smilie of a shade tree mechanic throwing extra engine parts out from under the hood! Heck I'd settle for a lawn mower mechanic, but I don't know if the smilie for that would be as cute.

[flavor]

I drive a honda accord, 5 years old, with only 17,000 miles on it. Since I'm a stay at home mom, and hardly drive anywhere, I'll probably end up driving it another 50 years. Can I afford a more expensive car? Yes. Do I really need one? No. Do I want another car? Sometimes I say yes, but when I really think about it I always go with a big no.

The reason I somethimes want a new or better car, is because I see all these other moms driving expensive suvs. But listening to their financial stories, I know I'm better off then they are. My house is paid off, my car is paid off, and believe it or not I have 0 debt.

Waiting to pick up my child from preschool, I couldn't help but overhear one pregnant mom saying to another mom, that they'll continue living in their one bedroom rental apartment after her second child is born so they can save some money. As we walked out of the building, I noticed the pregnant mom had parked right next to my honda. She was driving a very new huge Lexus suv.

[maat55]

Originally Posted by flavor

I drive a honda accord, 5 years old, with only 17,000 miles on it. Since I'm a stay at home mom, and hardly drive anywhere, I'll probably end up driving it another 50 years. Can I afford a more expensive car? Yes. Do I really need one? No. Do I want another car? Sometimes I say yes, but when I really think about it I always go with a big no.

The reason I somethimes want a new or better car, is because I see all these other moms driving expensive suvs. But listening to their financial stories, I know I'm better off then they are. My house is paid off, my car is paid off, and believe it or not I have 0 debt.

Waiting to pick up my child from preschool, I couldn't help but overhear one pregnant mom saying to another mom, that they'll continue living in their one bedroom rental apartment after her second child is born so they can save some money. As we walked out of the building, I noticed the pregnant mom had parked right next to my honda. She was driving a very new huge Lexus suv.

That is so sad. I would be embarrassed to get out of a lexus to go into an small apartment. Better financial priorities taught at an early age, is just as important as getting an education. One of my daughters gets it, the other I'm working on.

[Tim_1983]

you are better off sticking with an old car and saving the money to pay for the rising cost gas!

[m3racer]

Originally Posted by m3racer

Good point maat55. Maybe I should start thinking that paying off my student loans is a want.

Sorry to bring this thread back from the grave but I couldn't help it. The good news is that I paid off $100k in student loans this year. The bad news is that I felt nauseated after making that payment. I know it was the right thing to do but I feel like I've got nothing to show for it. I still owe ~$99k in SL and I still haven't purchased a new "used" car. Of course I just spotted the car that I "want" at a stealership. Life sucks!!!!

[maat55]

Originally Posted by m3racer

Sorry to bring this thread back from the grave but I couldn't help it. The good news is that I paid off $100k in student loans this year. The bad news is that I felt nauseated after making that payment. I know it was the right thing to do but I feel like I've got nothing to show for it. I still owe ~$99k in SL and I still haven't purchased a new "used" car. Of course I just spotted the car that I "want" at a stealership. Life sucks!!!!

At a boy.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Congratulations!

[snafu]

Because I live in the snow belt similar to Buffalo, NY, I want a Hyundai Sante Fe. [ it's cheap, well made, and heavy]. With all the changes being planned [electric, propane] I don't choose to replace my car at this time