If a car makes you happy, spring for you have wanted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can save $1500 per month, OP, then why not wait a year then pay cash for a $40,000 car? Make it a 41st birthday present.

40k saved I would rather buy real estate, rent it out and get 1% car loan

OP: great minds think alike - I did that already. not sure that I want another.

I think you can afford it. Would you enjoy a more expensive car? Can you think of another way to spend $15k-$20k that you would enjoy more? If not, buy the car. I'm not a car person, so I wouldn't do it myself.

Anonymous wrote:If you can save $1500 per month, OP, then why not wait a year then pay cash for a $40,000 car? Make it a 41st birthday present.

40k saved I would rather buy real estate, rent it out and get 1% car loan

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:39-yr old female, about $140K annual income, $380K net worth, about $1500 in excess (income less expenses) a month. I have $21K target-saved for a new car. My car, an economy japanese vehicle, is at the end of its useful life, plus I'd like to treat myself for my 40th bday. How much money would you spend on your new car in my position?

I would buy a Prius if I were environmentally conscious, a VW Bug if I wanted fun and a convertable and a Honda CRV if I wanted an SUV.

Put the money to make sure you are maxing out 401k and put some towards a traditional IRA and/or travel fund.

What are your retirement $$ goals? Do you have a pension?

OP here. I'm really not looking for car model recommendations. Just the amount of money to be spent on it.
Also, while I appreciate your concern about my retirement, I'm not looking for suggestions on how to improve my personal finances.

All of those are $25-$30k.

OP, I am the one that asked you the earlier questions. Without knowing you, it is tough to recommend something. I have a few more questions that would help you define your needs:

1) Do you want a car for your needs today or for 10 years down the road?
2) Do you have kids; if not, do you plan to have kids?
3) Do you foresee yourself towing something?
4) Do you do a lot of outdoors stuff (biking, camping, etc)
5) Is there a style of vehicle you have ruled out?
6) Any make of car you have ruled out?
7) Do you need all wheel drive or is front wheel drive sufficient?
8) Do you have a dog, if so are you ok with him/her in the back seat or rather it in a separate space from passengers?
9) When you say you'd like to treat yourself for your 40th birthday, you need to clearly define what that means to you. Does it mean a brand new shiny car, a "new to you" (used) car?

Once you've clearly defined what you "need" out of a car, that will define how much you should spend. From what you've stated, you have the ability to not have your budget compromise your needs. Obviously, you don't intend to spend any more than necessary.

Anonymous wrote:If you can provide a little more information, such as:
1) MPG desired
2) How utilitarian you need it to be
3) Number of people you typically need to transport
4) etc

That would help people understand what you "need" and subsequently the amounth of money to be spent on a car.

Also, are you open to used or just new?

Thanks for the relevant quesion!
1) as efficient as possible without sacrificing performance. Hate gas guzzlers.
2) moderately utilitarian. I don't drive to work (Metro), so car use is limied to evenings-weekends.
3) 2-4 people.
4) reliability is paramount. Can't spend any time dealing with unexpected car repairs.
5) due to limited driving I keep my cars for a really long time