I’m at what I think is an interesting crossroads. There comes a point where the car you own starts to need little things fixed and then you get a sign that something major may be on the horizon, so you have to make a choice to either invest in it, fix it up and hope that’s it or say screw it and get something new.

After 6+ years and 104,000 miles that’s where I am with my car. It still runs well and still looks good (when it’s clean), but it’s starting to nickel and dime me and there are signs that something big is coming down the pike.

Therefore, I’m researching cars. I’m at a point where I think I deserve and can afford something a little nicer than anything I’ve ever driven. But there’s just something in my DNA that will not let me pay more than $30,000 for a car. I just can’t bring myself to do it. It’s odd too because jews will usually spend money on cars because we like to show off how much better we are than everyone and how we control everything, and of course nothing says that more than a Mercedes or a Lexus or a BMW.

So I thought I’d compromise and check out used luxury cars. There are a lot out there now that are a couple years old with low mileage and looking sharp. The car I’ve been leaning toward most is the Acura TL. They’re nice, and if you’re willing to forgo the navigation system they’re pretty cheap, relatively speaking.

On the other hand, for even less than a used Acura, you can get a brand new, nice, fuel efficient (did I forget to mention the higher-end cars I’ve been looking at require premium unleaded gas?) car like the Mazda 3.

I’m stuck between luxury and practicality. Do I want a car based on how it makes me feel or do I want a car that does its job? I won’t use this car for much more than commuting to work, going to the gym and taking my kid to various sports practices and whatnot. And do I care what people think of the car I drive?

In the end, I’m pretty sure I’m going with practical. The truth is, the only thing I really care about in a car is a driver’s right-side arm rest, which the Mazda 3 has (and cars such as the Honda Fit does not), and the ability to pass a semi on the highway. Nothing else really matters to me. So what do I need a luxury car for again?

Thank you, blog, for working this out with me.

And the good news is that when it comes time to get rid of this car I should be in full mid-life crisis mode and will probably go completely batshit insane with my next one.