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If an average joe is purchasing cars every year, then he is neck deep in debt and I am assuming they dont care about things like retirement/nest egg or atleast postponing the thought of such(since they are never payment free). :P
Ofcourse, I know that everybody' situation is different. I am fully capable of pulling the trigger but I choose not to since (how should I put it?) ahem new car is not a priority right now.
Retirement is a luxury, not a necessity. Many people want it all, now, and won't be able to afford to retire. Some people live like a hermit and sock enough money away to retire by the time they're 40.
I try to take a path somewhere in between those two extremes, enjoying today while planning for the future. I have been self-employed for most of my working life, but I do have a Roth IRA and some taxable investments.
Who says it's expensive? I've made money on one, will make a little money on another one... lost $1200 on one car that I drove for 7 months last year... that's with sales tax etc. etc. I just lost $600 on another one that I bought wrong... it happens.
I don't know what you drive, but it's likely that you have more money sitting on the curb than I do.
I max out my 403(b) as well as both of our Roths. I will also buy a new car next year for $14 or so, if all goes to plan... 3 years down the road, it'll be worth $11 and change and I'll sell it. GMAC gives me $500 a year to help out through the GM Card.
I've been doing this sort of thing for years, I find it fun and interesting, and I think it's a lot cheaper than buying a new Taurus every 6 years. I've also never paid a dime in interest except for my mortgage.
-Mathias
Geez, you are making a lot of assumptions.
Maybe there are some people who max out their retirement savings and can buy a new vehicle each year.
For years, I rented a house for $100 a month. No, I did not miss a zero. And my boss wondered why I refused promotions to Manhattan where I could rent a closet for 10x the amount.
In other words, some people on this forum pay 10% on housing and others 40-50%.
I have a few friends who buy a beater a year. They head out in the country, buy a 1988 Chevy and drive it for 18 months until the 1st major repair. Repeat the process.
Personally, I am always looking to buy a new car ... however, when it come time to write a check, I just can't see spending for than $6-7k on a vehicle.
For some reason, American cars seem to be all over the map, inc. different models from the same mfg. i.e. some GM models are supposedly very reliable; others horrendous.
I dunno, I use CR, & when I follow it, things seem to work out with the cars I buy. When I don't, like when I once bought a Passat, or with my infamous Range Rover purchase, the vehicle usually has had tons of problems.
I'm curious, if CR and JD Power both are not good guides of quality/reliability, what should the consumer use as a guide?
Personally, I like the idea of *socking enough money away to retire by the time they're 40*. Better yet if you can do that & still afford to indulge your hobbies, if even to a moderate degree. :-)
*Retirement is a luxury, not a necessity*
No more Motel 6 for me... Bunking with my buddies has my 401K bulging and a Rolls Royce in the driveway..
regards,
kyfdx
P.S.: Corvette.. give it another 20-25 years... you'll be singing a different tune.. :surprise:
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You wouldn't be the first person from Cincinnati to do that ... just make sure that you don't expect me to cook and to pick up the check too ...
I don't plan on working forever, but I think that may be the plan for some people--and others may not have a choice.
With that said, we are up in VA Beach checking the area out and they have this awesome apartment complex about a block from where I might be working. It's $2000 per month for a 3 bedroom apartment with 1200 sq. ft. That's twice what we pay for our house near metro Atlanta ... but it's right across the street from PF Chang, Cheesecake Factory, and they give you complimentary Starbucks coffee.
Sounds like a nice location, close to retail establishments... Do the apartments have optional garages?
If he were unsure of the title transfer process, or if the whole process frustrated him, it would have been worth it to sell it to Carmax. It depends on what you think is important--people make the choice to pay for convenience all the time.
I don't know how you define "rolling in dough". I don't think I am. I hope I'm normal (but not really sure of that, either).
Anyway, I manage to max out the 401k and Roth every year. I don't make a ton of money, but the mortgage is also only $600 per month. Plus I have two roommates, which helps out A LOT.
I've also only bought one brand-new car in my life, a 2000 Intrepid. Other than that I haven't paid more than ~$3500-4000 for a car ever. I could probably afford to buy a new one every year or so if I really wanted to and had an eternal car payment, but I'd rather save up for the financial independence, paid-off house, early retirement, etc.
I've had my license now for almost 20 years, and in that time I think I've had 16 cars. Although I'm sure that's chickenfeed compared to some of you CCB'ers!
It looks in pretty good shape and has only 57,000 miles. I walked around it last night but it was dark and they were already closed up.
They only own it for 1,700 dollars!!!! Man that is tempting I am probably going to try and swing by there monday and see how it drives.
The best part is the previous owner lost the title so they can't do anything with it for a few weeks till they get a duplicate title. That gives me a chance to make up my mind and convince my wife that we need a beater jeep.
She doesn't need to know that I plan to make it into a trail vehicle....
Having the original title and the payoff notice might have helped, though. Which reminds me, I better look around and see if I actually have a clear title on my Intrepid, or just the original title and a payoff notice. I've been saying that I don't want to buy another car until the summer of '08, when my driving record is squeaky-clean again, but I'm kinda pissed at my Intrepid right now.
I went out to change the oil and the pcv valve. Oil was no trouble, but with the pcv valve, the little rubber hose that connects into it had rotted and literally fell apart when I was trying to wrestle it off. I found some old heater hose in my grandparents' garage and was able to rig something up so that it at least seems to run okay. The check engine light doesn't come on or anything.
I know it's kinda dumb to get bent out of shape over a little piece of hose that's probably under 10 bucks at the dealer. But it does drive home the point that this thing ain't a new car anymore, and I'm starting to wonder what else is just waiting to fail. :mad:
Also I have no idea what the condition of the car is. I haven't driven it and the only note in the file is the lost title.
I saw it in pitch black night so it could have bald tires, no brakes a bad clutch and every warning light on in the instrument cluster.
The used car manager in that store is also very good at his job. He could probably sell ice to eskimos.
We drove the TSX. It averaged 30-31 MPG the entire trip. Not bad considering it hasn't really broken in yet and we had the AC on the entire time. The NAV also proved itself worthy of the extra $2000. It allowed us to find a Steak-Out franchise on the way up and on the way back down. We also arrived at our hotel and the front desk clerk would not give Gee his military discount because he was not active duty. So they wanted to double the room rate and would not give us our AAA rate. Thanks to the TSX we were able to find another hotel 5 miles away that only charged us $90 for the entire stay.
Strangest part of the trip is that the gas in the VA Beach area is $2.59 per gallon. Also found some places in NC with $2.54 gas but the lines started as soon as you got off the exit ramp.
In my personal car I have BMW's nav system. While it's integrated into the car (which makes for a much cleaner look), I can't really say the maps are any more accurate than the NUVI. Of course, the one integrated in my car has a lot more functionality, but for strictly maps and directions, the Garmin units are hard to beat.
Does it have voice and turn by turn directions for Canada and US. How do you update the maps, and does it provide good alternate directions if you run into constructions?
Not sure about map updates. I'll have to play with that. Best thing is being able to slip it in your pocket when you go somewhere, as it's about the size of a PDA. Leave a visible nav system in your car and you're asking for a breakin.
-Jason
North American maps are already pre-loaded. If you want to update the maps, or the firmware/software, you download from the Garmin site hooking the unit up to your computer via USB cable. I'm not certain of this, but I believe the map updates cost $$$. Firmware/software is free, though.
You can have the NUVI give you alternate routes, too....if you run into traffic jams. It does not have "real time" traffic updates (at least my 350 doesn't), however.
Very easy to use. Text to speech is very understandable and the screen is very bright.
woody....I'll admit I'm a tech geke, but the GPS systems that are integrated into the car these days are very good. Mine offers speech recognition (most 3rd party units do not). So, I can just bark out an address and the unit will find what I'm looking for. Mine also controls my blue tooth cell phone. All names and numbers are downloaded from my phone. All I have to do is say "call home" and the number is automatically dialed and the conversation is handled via the microphones and speakers in the car. It's great since you don't have to take your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel to control anything regarding the GPS or your cell phone.
Hopefully, I'll be as lucky tomorrow with a power seated car!
The Sandman :sick:
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To make this post (semi) relevant, my daughters' ION has the AUX jack for the iPod, while my wife has the FM transmitter for her VUE. Wife rode up with the daughter and commented on the way home that the AUX jack was WAY better than FM when it came to the sound quality.
Hmmm, wonder if there is a way to add an aux cable to her existing stereo?
So, no CCB'ing for us.
Plus, college is costing the proverbial arm and a leg!
According to Mapquest, the airport isn't that far away...which is a good thing! Now I just hope that I can get a "back friendly" rental from Alamo.
The Sandman :sick:
Hmmm, wonder if there is a way to add an aux cable to her existing stereo?
I was looking at Ipods the other day, but the only way I can use one in my truck is through the FM transmitter since I don't have an AUX jack. What bugs me is hubby's Dodge has the AUX jack and its the base model stereo (single CD am/fm). My truck has the upgraded 6-disc in dash CD changer/am/fm infinity system and I don't have the AUX jack. What gives?? My Titan had it with the Rockford Fosgate system although I never used it.
Guess I'll have to stick to CDs with my truck.
http://www.autotoys.com/x/cust/home.php?cat=39
Looks like the AUX jack is standard on the 2006 Vue--don't know if the radio would be a direct swap, but you might also be able to find a 2006 head unit on eBay.
growwise: The TSX is smaller, has a firmer suspension, and has a higher performance engine than the 4 cylinder Accord. The V6 Accord is faster than the TSX however. The TSX has more luxury features like memory seats, HIDS, better stereo, and in my opinion better interior materials. The Acura has a better warranty and roadside assistance but is more expensive than the 4 cylinder Accord and probably more expensive than a V6 Accord considering the deals on Accords right now. As for the noise level the TSX is much quieter than our 04 Accord EX-L. It's a tough call between the Accord and the TSX. It just depends where your priorities are.
My priorities are simple
1. Car should be good looking (its important if you plan on keeping a car for a while). Great colors with gorgeous interiors top priority.
2. It should seat 5 comfortably for long hauls (think roomy back seat)
3. It should ride softly (no hard suspensions thank you but at the same time not wallowy ).
4. Whisper quiet ride (nothing says luxury more than this).
5. Should cost a reasonable amount (say little less than 30k).
6. Should have short front overhang for parking in tight spots etc.
7. Last but not the least - reliability.
Any suggestions?
--Buick Lucerne
--Accord
--Impala
--Avalon
--Ford 500
--Chrysler 300 (non Hemi...although, they're cutting deals on the Hemi, too)
--if you like the look, Dodge Magnum (although I guess technically, they're station wagons)
You might even be able to locate a Lincoln LS for that amount of dough. I've seen them advertised for less than $30K around the southwest OH area. I've also seen base Lincoln Town Cars advertised for around $30K.
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That's the one option that's nearly impossible to get up here. On the Alaska bound Dodge Rams its not even offered, you read about it in the brochure, but its not an option on the order sheet. Apparently most car navagation systems don't work in Alaska.
Same goes for XM Radio and Sirius Radio, they don't work here either. I ended up with a $195 credit on the invoice for my truck since it came with Sirius but it doesn't work up here so they deleted it.
I would have loved to have gotten Nav with this truck since we travel a lot and plan on traveling into the lower 48. Ah well, I've got my laptop, its map software, and little GPS.
I wonder if Land Rovers SAT NAV will work in Alaska... I know it works in Iceland and most of Scandnavia.