$170 investment

[scfr]

If image is important in his job, would switching cars help? Let him drive the Corolla and you drive the Focus?

For what it's worth, we personally know several successful business owners who drive cars that are pretty much beaters ... Once you reach a certain level of success, you don't have to give a you-know-what what others think of you. Our former next door neighbor owned a nice internet business, and he drove a Ford Focus. Not because that was all he could afford, but because he was smart enough not to throw his money away on a depreciating asset, and since he owned the company there was no one to look down on him.

[Tree0164]

Even if you replace the car in a year it is only a $15 a month cost for the stereo adapter. That is better than a $250-$300 monthly car payment.

As far of the image thing, I really don't give a rat's you know what. Both my husband and I drive older cars. I buy clothes on sale and clearance and we look decent.

[FrugalFish]

My DH has worked in many jobs, in several fields, and it's always interesting in which ones people are concerned with image, and which ones you find the frugalites.

The most image conscious jobs he's been at have all been the lowest paying- is that strange? These were the jobs where everyone had to drive a new car, wore designer clothes, and went out to dinner as a group a couple times a week. The eating out was the thing that bugged me. It gets expensive, but it's a social investment; if you don't go with the group off work, you aren't really part of the group at work. You don't advance without belonging, so I understand the pressure and that it can have some impact on work performance.

[noppenbd]

Do you ever do this? Spend stupid money on something dumb just because it will make you keep something longer? Like a couch cover because you are tired of your couch, but it's still good? Or a new car stereo when the factory is fine?

I figure we'll keep the car only another 12 months, then replace it, so I'm a bit irked that we spent the money. But I couldn't take the whining anymore.

What do you think, a fair compromise?

I think it was a great investment if it really makes him happy enough to keep the car for another year. In a similar vein, we like to have our cars detailed from time to time since it gives them that "new" feeling and lets us keep them that much longer. Also, this summer I bought a bunch of replacement parts for my grill so I can keep it a few more years. Probably didn't need to replace every piece that I bought but it satisfies my urge to spend a bit.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Definitely about the eating out. I think part of the porblem is he views cars as liquid investments. That he doesn't care if it's a bad investment, he just sort of likes it.

Example, we were watching football, and there was an ad for LEASING a VW for $260/month. He got very excited and said he could do that. I reminded him that we just got him a new car stereo.

His rebuttal is that leasing a car for what his car is worth say 3 years at $250/month would be great. That way if we have kids and the car doesn't fit our lifestyle just trade it in and get a new car. Arrrgh.

Why can't he just wait and let it go? Figure out what we need and then get something at that point in time. I'm not against a new car, yes not even a used car, but I just want to wait and see what we need.

We might have 2 parents living with us watching our child. In which case I want a minivan with 4 adults, one baby, and 2 dogs full time +/- extra people. I think it's reasonable.

[disneysteve]

Example, we were watching football, and there was an ad for LEASING a VW for $260/month. He got very excited and said he could do that.

His rebuttal is that leasing a car for what his car is worth say 3 years at $250/month would be great. That way if we have kids and the car doesn't fit our lifestyle just trade it in and get a new car.

I've learned that it is nearly impossible to have an intelligent conversation with someone who thinks that leasing a car is a good idea. It's like they're brainwashed. They spout off all of the supposed advantages of leasing over buying, none of which makes a darn bit of sense when you run the numbers. I've given up trying to convince anyone in my life why they shouldn't lease, though I'll certainly continue to preach against it here in the forums.

If he doesn't see why a 3-year rental is a phenomenal waste of money, you've got your work cut out for you. Good luck.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I've been preventing it for now. And leasing can make sense in terms of business owners. I've asked multiple CPAs and business owners and it can be a good idea.

Yep, I've been slowly pushing off the leasing car idea as a good one. I hope to push it back using these positive reinforcements.

[disneysteve]

leasing can make sense in terms of business owners. I've asked multiple CPAs and business owners and it can be a good idea.

True. I was only referring to personal leases.

[DebbieL]

I drove a Nissan Micra until my daughter was 10 years old and it fit carseats, etc. just fine. I totally don't understand anyone thinking they need a minivan just because they have a kid or two.

PS - DH is 6'6" and all leg, and had no trouble fitting in my Corolla. I actually know someone about his height who drives one of those Smart cars (they're tiny if you haven't seen them). Apparently they are roomy inside.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My roomie can't drive my corolla and is 6'4". He's all legs. Our roomie tried out the Honda Fit and Smart Car and didn't fit. They are very roomy I feel.

Minivan would be bought because it would be 1 child + 4 adults. Also two dogs and potentially extra guests.

[scfr]

Minivan would be bought because it would be 1 child + 4 adults. Also two dogs and potentially extra guests.

How often would you really have all of the above in one vehicle at the same time? Could you not occasionally take 2 cars? Or, if the potential guests showed up, could you not rent a minivan for a short period of time?

[disneysteve]

How often would you really have all of the above in one vehicle at the same time? Could you not occasionally take 2 cars? Or, if the potential guests showed up, could you not rent a minivan for a short period of time?

I'm sure if there are 4 adults living in the house, there would be plenty of times where all 5 went out together (maybe not with the dogs). Many cars that seat 5 do not seat 5 when one is a carseat. In my Camry, the carseat only fit properly in the center position of the rear seat which made it very uncomfortable for anyone else to sit in the back seat. So if there were more than 3 of us going anywhere, we needed to take the van.

Also consider that if you plan to have more than one child, a large vehicle becomes a necessity since kids are in carseats or boosters until age 8 so you will most likely have 2 or even 3 kids in carseats at the same time.

[maat55]

When our daughters reached school age, a mini-van was the way to go. DW had that van packed with the kids and their friends. They are smaller but seem to hold as many people as big SUV's and get a little better gas mileage.

[disneysteve]

Vans are also important for cargo space, not just seating space. When 4 of us drive to Florida for a week's vacation, there's no way we could do it with our car unless we hitched a trailer to it or shipped stuff down. We need the space in the van for suitcases, cooler, etc.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

My parents and in-laws scfr would be LIVING with us (Eeeck!) not even sure I'm ready for that. They are definitely staying for at least months after birth.

I am pretty sure that a minivan would be a necessity not a want. 4 adults in most cars and 1 car seat would be pretty tight. And if my grandma (who already lives with my parents most of the time), comes to then it's 5 adults + 1 baby + 1 wheelchair for grandma.

I am sure if it's just my mom, even then my grandma is likely to come stay bits with a wheelchair/walker. She is only 80, but if we're going out for the day we need it. When she visited in May I had a wheelchair in my trunk for her.

My DH of course hasn't considered this. Although he has considered that a baby seat is rather large. Friends like I said have been trying to sell us their BMW and Lexus because it doesn't fit the car seat in the back seat.

I was planning on a second kid in 2 years and then we'll see. I'd like 4, but we've agreed to try 2.