My mini?
My faithful old Toyota, Jezebel, has served me well since 1991. I first borrowed her from my dear friend Maxine, and then I purchased her in 92. I used her to go over a mountain to a nearby city to visit my son when he was in the hospital recuperating from his head injury.
Now she's 23 years old, her paint has faded, her seats have holes, the rear view mirror is broken and hangs uselessly, and she has so many creaks and groans and pending work to be done that I fear she will die any day now. I spent 500 bucks on her recently and realized I shouldn't have...but I couldn't let go right away.
I want to buy a new car, which is something I've never done. I've been paying down credit card debt in order to do so, and living a rather austere life these last few months. Now I'm wondering whether I can wait to pay it all down or if I should just go for it before she falls apart completely. I know that car payments and insurance will definitely be a serious expense for me. I would have to pay down the rest of my credit card debt slowly, and end up paying more interest. I worry that my health will deteriorate and then I'll be left with my car payments--although someone said I could re-sell the car. I didn't even know one could do that. I suppose they could take over payments or something.
I've considered doing the sensible thing and maybe buying a used car in the 8-10,000 range with lower payments. I put about 1500 miles a year on my car, probably more if I had a new one, maybe 2500, so a used car would last me forever. But I've never been able to enjoy a new car and in my heart of hearts I want a cute little mini. The only used ones I see are more expensive and I want to pick my features--for instance, I don't want leather.
In my mind, I had to give up my dreams of owning a house when they passed the 500,000 dollar mark, I can't move to an area with cheaper houses because I must keep health care in place, and so why not buy a car instead? Of course from my renounced Hare Krishna days a tiny voice in my head is whispering "that's so materialistic" but I am trying to drown it out.
So I'm pondering, and if anyone reading this knows a lot about car buying and has tips I'd appreciate hearing them.
Now she's 23 years old, her paint has faded, her seats have holes, the rear view mirror is broken and hangs uselessly, and she has so many creaks and groans and pending work to be done that I fear she will die any day now. I spent 500 bucks on her recently and realized I shouldn't have...but I couldn't let go right away.
I want to buy a new car, which is something I've never done. I've been paying down credit card debt in order to do so, and living a rather austere life these last few months. Now I'm wondering whether I can wait to pay it all down or if I should just go for it before she falls apart completely. I know that car payments and insurance will definitely be a serious expense for me. I would have to pay down the rest of my credit card debt slowly, and end up paying more interest. I worry that my health will deteriorate and then I'll be left with my car payments--although someone said I could re-sell the car. I didn't even know one could do that. I suppose they could take over payments or something.
I've considered doing the sensible thing and maybe buying a used car in the 8-10,000 range with lower payments. I put about 1500 miles a year on my car, probably more if I had a new one, maybe 2500, so a used car would last me forever. But I've never been able to enjoy a new car and in my heart of hearts I want a cute little mini. The only used ones I see are more expensive and I want to pick my features--for instance, I don't want leather.
In my mind, I had to give up my dreams of owning a house when they passed the 500,000 dollar mark, I can't move to an area with cheaper houses because I must keep health care in place, and so why not buy a car instead? Of course from my renounced Hare Krishna days a tiny voice in my head is whispering "that's so materialistic" but I am trying to drown it out.
So I'm pondering, and if anyone reading this knows a lot about car buying and has tips I'd appreciate hearing them.