I am in a conflict with MYSELF!

**Mom23boys** · 07-06-2005, 12:48 PM

Last week I drove by a car dealership, which is easy to do in the town we shop in since they are everywhere, and saw a Dodge Durango. I really liked the vehicle and one part of me wants it and the other part doesn't.

I have a Mercury Sable now which isn't that old. I purchased it a few years ago and this month (JULY) I will make my last and final payment. It will be mine! Paid off!

I don't know if I want to start making car payments again or not. There is really nothing wrong with the vehicle I have. I just like the Durango, but will I like it in a few years after I have to keep paying for it? I don't know.

I am just trying to talk myself out of it. If I weigh the pros and cons I think the cons would win.

Pros:
newer vehicle
fewer miles
Lower ins. rates??

Cons:
have to make payments
raise ins. rates??
gas mileage would be less than what I get

I am sure there are more pros and cons, but I can't think as I am a battle with my own self. Of course, DH just says do whatever I want to do. He always lets me do whatever I want. I wish one day he would actually say yes or no.

Now if this was your case scenerio what would you do? I know I can always count on my Village friends to help me end my conflict!

**homesteadmamma** · 07-06-2005, 01:01 PM

I'd think long and hard before I did. I'd want at least one year, possibly 2 without having to make any payments. And I'd never purchase a brand new vehicle again, ever!!!!!

Also is your dh getting regular hours again?

Will this mess up your plans for becoming a SAHM in the future.

Michelle, these vehicles always look great on the dealer's lot. As soon as they leave the lot, they depreciate a huge amount. Within a few months, they aren't looking so hot when you have to make the payments and the cost of running them is more. Here a new vehicle's insurance rises a huge amount rather than going down.

**Mom23boys** · 07-06-2005, 01:11 PM

I think it would more than likely raise our insurance because of it costing more and if something where to happen and they had to replace it.

DH's has been working 40 hours a week for the last 4-5 months. (Somewhere in that range.) He also got a raise so that helps, but I keep thinking in the back of my head that I don't want to dish out money for something I already have and will work just as well.

I am sure this would mess up any plans of me ever staying home in the future because I would be working to cover the payments as I always have.

DH just got a new vehicle a few months ago and I don't know if I want to continue to pay for two. The only reason we purchased his vehicle, which I will admit he needed, is because we knew mine would soon be paid for.

The more I think about it the more I say no. I don't really have to keep up with the "Jones". I don't really want the extra debt.

I just guess I needed to hear it from someone else.

Thanks CJ for your input. It is greatly appreciated!

**Darlene** · 07-06-2005, 01:12 PM

I'd keep what you have. Snowball your old payments into a "someday I'll need to buy a car" fund.

I too drive a 94 Sable and it's still doing well. It's been one of my fav cars.

**tbs727** · 07-06-2005, 01:12 PM

Don't do it Michelle!!! Of course this is only one persons opinion. But imagine what you can do with the $$$ you save? How about putting that $ back in a savings account to acrue interest? Then, when you have a good reason to purchase a car (slighty used would be best, that way you won't lose money driving off the lot) You have MAJOR buying power with CASH. You can earn interest (you will actually be making money on your money if it is in an account that earns interest), you won't be paying interest (you're going to save around $1000 just doing that) no payments in the FUTURE (just in case of job loss or another terrible thing happens) plus you will have money saved back for any emergencies that might come up. Please carefully consider waiting and letting this urge pass you by...

**Mom23boys** · 07-06-2005, 01:17 PM

Thanks for your input Darlene and Tiffany! I needed your honest opinion and great ideas!

**Michelle** · 07-06-2005, 01:33 PM

Honestly if it were me, I wouldn't buy a new one! I would love it if we didn't have to make a car payment. I'd take the money you would pay for a monthly car payment and put it in a savings fund or save for something really fun--or like someone else said, put it aside for a new car someday.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

**forestdale** · 07-06-2005, 03:22 PM

Work out how much the new car will fully cost you. The car + the interest payments over those years it will take to pay off. Then don't think of paying monthly car payments, think of the total cost. That is what you'll be saving. And if it's say .... $20,000 how long would you have to work in your job to pay that?

The shine soon goes off a new car. A couple of months after you've had it it'll seem just like your current car.

I hope you make the right decision for you.

**daddys3chicks** · 07-06-2005, 03:43 PM

Your car insurance will definately go up. Newer car = more repair cost and higher rates. SUVs have higher rates in most places because of the damage caused to the other car in wrecks. Also, don't forget that your property tax on the vehicle will go up as well since the value will be more.

**Mom23boys** · 07-06-2005, 07:23 PM

Those thoughts just make me cringe. I think I better stay with what I have. I keep thinking DS#1 is graduating at the end of this coming school year and I know he wants to go to technical college. I am sure that is where the "saved" money will end up going or I will have to come up with something else to pay for it.....getting into more debt. UGH!!

Thank you ladies for clearing my head. What was I thinking??

**momof42003** · 07-06-2005, 10:28 PM

Not only would your insurance go up because of being a new car, but I *think* that Durangos are considered a recreational type vehicle because of being 4-wheel drive...Not sure if they are all 4-wheel drive, but I know that it does cost more for just being 4-wheel drive, and I know for a fact the gas mileage is awefull.... Don't do it and think of all the money you will be saving in the long run.

**Michele Annette** · 07-07-2005, 10:07 AM

I wouldn't do it Michelle. Especially after reading that the new car gets less fuel milage on top of another series of payments.

We have only bought used cars and I agree with CJ that new cars depreciate so much after you drive them off the lot.

I do understand how it's tempting for you to want a new car, especially if the one you have you don't love at the moment. But I would just take a deep breath and enjoy no payments for the next few months. Put that money into your savings, EF or to pay off debt and then see how you are feeling about the new car and the new payment, higher fuel prices and insurance. Give yourself a bit of time to adjust with the extra money you will have.

**Mom23boys** · 07-07-2005, 10:32 AM

You ladies have such great advice and wisdom. I knew I could count on you.

I have decided to stay with what I have since it isn't that old anyway and after this month's payment I will start snowballing it onto another debt.

**Early Bird** · 07-07-2005, 11:40 AM

Oooh! You drive a SABLE! We have had Tauruses? Tauri? Anyway, we're on our 3rd Taurus, which is closely related to the Sable (only the Sable has a reputation for being better built):

Here's our history with the Taurus. Your Sable should do well too:

* #1 Taurus we traded in when it had 120,000 miles on it. It was a great car -- and I wish we'd hung on to it longer! (bought new in '87, traded in in '94.)

* #2 Taurus -- my wagon. Bought new in 1989. (made payments). It currently has 98,999 miles on it. Still going strong, except for the paint job.

* #3 Taurus -- sedan. Bought new for cash in 94. Now has about 80,000 miles on it. We'll keep driving it till it bites the dust. But the paint job is fading on that one too.

It is very economical to drive paid-up cars.
We bought DH a new SUV (with cash) in 2003. I currently have almost $2000 for when we replace another car. We'll save up and pay with cash again -- but not till we need another car.

repeat this to yourself each day:
It is very economical to drive paid-up cars.

**Michele Annette** · 07-07-2005, 01:49 PM

Michelle, I'm glad you are staying with what you have, as long as you are happy with your decision! You will feel so much better when you see the money going elsewhere.