Do you enjoy your car payments?

[msomnipotent]

Meh. I'm ambivalent about it. I have never bought a used car, and I don't want one unless it is a 1964 Thunderbird. It isn't that I care what people see me drive or any image I want to project. I just want what I want. We usually pay cash for our cars, but we were in a hole and my crappy minivan wasn't going to make it through the winter. I needed something with good gas mileage that can tow our kayak/camping trailer. I also needed a backup camera due to neck injuries, and I wanted the car to be able to stop by itself because I hate the way my husband drives. That narrowed the choices pretty dramatically.

Even though I really hate my car, it has already stopped my husband from causing 3 accidents, so I think it has paid for itself. The payment is on auto-pay so I don't even think about it. And to be really honest, that money would just be spent on other crap. We already contribute to a 401K, a savings account, an emergency fund, and 2 college savings accounts. I'm already saving for another car, and this one should be paid off in April so I'm not sweating it at all.

[DaveInPgh]

Meh. I'm ambivalent about it. I have never bought a used car, and I don't want one unless it is a 1964 Thunderbird. It isn't that I care what people see me drive or any image I want to project. I just want what I want. We usually pay cash for our cars, but we were in a hole and my crappy minivan wasn't going to make it through the winter. I needed something with good gas mileage that can tow our kayak/camping trailer. I also needed a backup camera due to neck injuries, and I wanted the car to be able to stop by itself because I hate the way my husband drives. That narrowed the choices pretty dramatically.

Even though I really hate my car, it has already stopped my husband from causing 3 accidents, so I think it has paid for itself. The payment is on auto-pay so I don't even think about it. And to be really honest, that money would just be spent on other crap. We already contribute to a 401K, a savings account, an emergency fund, and 2 college savings accounts. I'm already saving for another car, and this one should be paid off in April so I'm not sweating it at all.

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just get a new husband? Just teasing.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Even though I really hate my car, it has already stopped my husband from causing 3 accidents, so I think it has paid for itself. The payment is on auto-pay so I don't even think about it. And to be really honest, that money would just be spent on other crap. We already contribute to a 401K, a savings account, an emergency fund, and 2 college savings accounts. I'm already saving for another car, and this one should be paid off in April so I'm not sweating it at all.

I think we have the same husband and the same car for similar reasons. I sadly am going to be continually paying for the same husband but it sounds like you are at least buying and keeping the same car. Still I figure it's a lot cheaper than divorce and I do like him.

I don't know why we don't transfer the cash to our checking account. I guess laziness. We don't keep a lot of cash previously on hand. We mostly keep our money invested and figured if we ever needed money we'd liberate our investments. I guess we're very much riskier planners.

[TexasHusker]

Cheapest based on purchase price? How much were they?

I sold each for more than I gave, so they were essentially better than free.

Any time someone asks me the cheapest car to own - it's a Ferrari hands down. If you can afford it.

[GoodSteward]

Goodness, these husband comments are getting real. Maybe we need to start a new category on here called "Financing Husbands."

I sure hope you guys are not sharing a husband or this is going to get messy.

[TexasHusker]

Ahhh, so there are differences in men and women besides the private parts...don't tell the femi-nazis. 😜

[JoeP]

That's quite a list.

Hey, we all have our vices. If yours is cars and you can afford them, go right ahead. I'm curious, how many have you owned at one time? There was a point where my family owned 6 cars for 4 drivers (and a motorcycle). I don't even remember exactly how that ended up happening but it was a bit much.

Besides purchase price, there is certainly overhead: insurance, sales tax, registration, maintenance, inspections. Some cars require special profiles and ratings for tires.

Some people just love having many different cars, and are ok with frequent change.

[scfr]

I also have $0 car payments - love 'em.

[FLA]

Ahhh, so there are differences in men and women besides the private parts...don't tell the femi-nazis. 😜

your humor bowls me over

[bigdaddybus]

I don't mind car payments, as my last several have been 1.9% and 1.7%. I have always earned more in my investments so I live with the payments rather than paying them off with savings.
Saying that, I have paid my last 2 vehicles off early with annual bonus checks. Even though I know I could very likely earn more investing the money, deep down I like those payments gone!

And like a couple others on here, I consider my vehicles both transportation and a hobby. Do I need a modified twin turbo car that is finicky with fuel, goes thru tires like candy, rides firm enough to feel every crack in the road, and corners just amazing.... Nope, but it makes the little boy in me smile and that is why I have it.

[Spiffster]

My Volt will be paid off in 13 months (0% financing). At that point my transportation costs will drop to (almost) zero since I can charge up at work for free! Not to mention we make our own fuel (solar PV system)...

7 years ago we started a dream car fund... thats up to $70k. So we could pay cash but at finance rates we see today we will just finance and keep the $ invested.
Looking at used Aston Martin Vantage.

[greenskeeper]

At that point my transportation costs will drop to (almost) zero since I can charge up at work for free! Not to mention we make our own fuel (solar PV system)...

fuel costs, not transportation costs will approach *zero*. You still have maintenance and wear and tear items to deal with.

[disneysteve]

fuel costs, not transportation costs will approach *zero*. You still have maintenance and wear and tear items to deal with.

As well as insurance, registration, etc.

[Spiffster]

Both good points... maintenance is pretty low on the Volt though. Tires, the occasional oil change. Brakes will last damn near forever with mostly regen to slow car down. Insurance / registration are dirt cheap, but still a factor, yes.

[Leo]

Nope. I don't like car payments. I hate bills. Don't get me wrong, I love cars. I bought my first brand new car more than 3 years ago , but I paid off within 2 years because I don't like the bank getting $300 on my checking account monthly. I don't like debts in general.