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.
Off-topic: I don’t have Showtime so now I’m watching all the old seasons of Weeds on DVD based on you saying how great it was. I am loving this show so much!!!!!
Ha. I guess this latest season is about half over and it’s gone in a completely different direction, which is good because Agrestic was getting old. Also, I just found out the show’s creator, Jenji Kohan, is a white chick. I thought it was like an indian dude or something.
I watch all the shows no one else does. Not only Weeds, but Penn & Teller: Bullshit is good again after sleepwalking through a couple seasons. Dexter is coming back at the end of September and The Venture Brothers on Adult Swim rules. Still trying to get caught up with Generation Kill though.
Not liking Generation Kill. DH is addicted, but maybe because I don’t speak military, it goes right over my head.
Ha, you’re funny.
You sound like you’d be happier with practical in the long run…
Or you could compromise and get an almost new BMW or Lexus, or whatever your dream luxury car might be. It would be damn near brand new, so you wouldn’t have to worry about anything major going wrong for a few years, but you’d be saving a few thousand from what you’d buy new. You’re a responsible bread winner who tries to set a good example for his kids, doesn’t break the law on a regular basis, etc etc…. Reward yourself!!
Evolved: I’m thinking you don’t have kids. When I think about buying big ticket items, no matter how easily I can afford them and regardless of how little they’d impact my overall budget, I still equate them with how they’ll affect things with my kids. For instance, the difference between a Mazda3 and an almost new BMW or Lexus, or whatever, ranges anywhere from 3-5 years of summer camp. Or a couple vacations. Or karate and dance lessons for the next 10 years.
It’s like when I walked out on a car salesmen when I was looking to buy a car last time I was in the market for one. He was determined to get me into a car payment that I said was the most I could pay and would not get through his thick skull that just because I said that’s the most I could pay it didn’t mean I HAD to pay it. Just because I can buy a nearly new beamer doesn’t mean I HAVE to buy a nearly new beamer.
But don’t think I’m all that selfless. Trust me, I’m not. I just get my rewards in other ways.
HA! I know 2 middle aged asian men who own mazda3’s. You know what that means, right? Tha you are turning into a middle aged asian man.
I mean srsly did you not consider the cr-v?
I didn’t want an SUV, or a compact SUV, or a Cute Ute, or a crossover, or whatever they call cars that are bigger than cars these days. I just wanted a car.
you mean you wanted a station wagon. That old asian men drive.
I kid.