we're going to drain the accounts and buy a new(er) car

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-21-2010, 10:56 AM

Ack!

DH and I have been planning this for a while, putting money aside and we are ready to go and DO IT! The old grey mare ain't what she used to be: our 12 year old wagon has over 180k miles and is starting to cost more than it's worth. We have been renting cars for weekend trips because we don't dare drive it outside the city for fear of getting stranded on the highway.

After we pay for the car we will have about 2 month's worth of living expenses in our EF. It's making me nervous, even though I know we can recoup it within 6-8 months if we are careful with our spending. I guess I just don't like living that close to 'the edge' (though we can stop worrying about the wagon dropping dead on us.)

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-21-2010, 11:21 AM

I bet that is nerve wracking, but so is the thought of your car leaving you on on the side of the road. It seems as if you all have planned this very well. Like you said you aren't totally emptying your savings and you plan to build it up again.

Congrats!!!

**Libby** · 07-21-2010, 11:48 AM

Wow such a choice! Are you able to put off the used car purchase for another few months til the fall so you can maybe have 3-4 months of living expenses saved? Or does your current car really cost too much to run?

Good on you for having that cash saved up though! Does it feel good that you can pay for it with cash?

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-21-2010, 12:06 PM

Libby: DH wants to take the car for our week long trip in August, rather than get another rental. Our current car doesn't cost a lot to run daily, but it needs $700 in repairs right now, and who knows what will go next? We're going to keep it as a 2nd car for me, for short grocery trips and the like.

We *could* wait a few months, but come winter we'll need a car with heat.

**Mom2-3** · 07-21-2010, 12:07 PM

Sounds like a great plan. I bet it's scary to take that much money out of savings! It will be worth it though. Keep us posted on your new to you car

**nodmicks** · 07-21-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

Libby: DH wants to take the car for our week long trip in August, rather than get another rental. Our current car doesn't cost a lot to run daily, but it needs $700 in repairs right now, and who knows what will go next? We're going to keep it as a 2nd car for me, for short grocery trips and the like.

We *could* wait a few months, but come winter we'll need a car with heat.

Your describing our situation right down to including a trip in August! We kept my car also. We just bought a new one Saturday. We found they were sure offering some great deals on almost new cars when cash was a factor!!! Happy hunting!

**Libby** · 07-21-2010, 03:13 PM

Hmmm...thats a tough call. Whats worth more - saving the money on a car rental in Aug or your safety? However....I'd keep your eyes peeled for a new to you car now so you have options when you're ready to make the leap. I'm sure you've already been watching the deals.

I read somewhere last year that the car deals are better in late Aug b/c thats when they try to trap the 'kids' that are returning to school away from home. OR their parents give the kids their car and get a new one. Not sure if thats how it works where you are but there may be better bargains to be had with more potential to negotiate?

**nuisance26** · 07-22-2010, 09:55 AM

~Two months expenses is the lowest I've ever wanted to be with our savings too. But we also can't stand the stress of an unreliable car. Our Kia Sportage was the worst and always had me on edge. So glad to have traded that piece of junk in!
You have a plan and the money saved so go for it!~

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-22-2010, 10:35 AM

Went and looked at the car last night. Or tried to, the car we wanted to see wasn't even available any more (had me a little ticked off about that) but we drove a different car of the same model and they are pulling a car just like the one we wanted from a different lot. It will take a few days to get it here and through inspection (since it is coming across the state line) and then we will drive it and see....

**Mom2-3** · 07-22-2010, 11:12 AM

What kind of car are you looking at? I thought the end of the year was the best time to buy a car? They are trying to make their sales quota for the year (Christmas bonuses too)

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-22-2010, 07:37 PM

It's an Accord. Not many discounts on those. We found two in town with low miles, both below Blue Book value.

I did notice, looking at some other dealerships they have started marking down the 2010 models a little bit. Not enough to keep us interested though.

**Greebo** · 07-22-2010, 07:42 PM

Look into some Toyotas - you can get some great deals because of the hysteria over the gas pedals.

**Contrary Housewife** · 07-23-2010, 12:11 AM

We did. Actually contacted a Toyota dealer to look at some Corollas and Camrys last week, still waiting to hear back from them. Hate the Matrix/Vibe. Test drove a used Camry for about 45 minutes. Nice car, but we liked the Accord better. It's much smoother on the acceleration and braking. We might try out a Corolla too, but for about the same money I think the Accord is a nicer car.

**Palooka** · 07-23-2010, 12:50 AM

I agree with you on the Honda Accords. Very nice cars.

What dealers have you been too? Have you tried Noland road or Kansas dealers?

**Libby** · 07-23-2010, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mom2-3

What kind of car are you looking at? I thought the end of the year was the best time to buy a car? They are trying to make their sales quota for the year (Christmas bonuses too)

Good point about end of year bonus but they also fold at the end of the month! You also have all the sales through the fall til into the new year and so on.

DF got his matching vehicle to mine on the 31st.

He went in 2 wks prior, inspected the car, played the dealership's lil back and forth game and got his price turned down. He went back in on the 31st and played the game again and gave an even lower price and got it.

They wanted to include as many sales as possible for the monthly stats and well it was the absolute last day that they could.