The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: mustache on September 14, 2016, 12:13:35 PM
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We currently own Suzuki Kizashi 2012 AWD.I will own the car end of year(loan ends). My wife stays home and takes care of our 2yr old son. Next year we are planning Pre-K and with 2nd baby plans we began to think if we need a SUV or another Car. I considered these options
1. I wanted to sell my car and get another SUV but Suzuki no longer sells cars in US so not much resale value.
2. Given my current car to wife and us public transport for work, but with 2nd kid and in-laws dropping by my car will not enough
3. Keep current car(only 40K miles in 5 years), buy another used SUV to fit all. But additional insurance costs ? :(
I understand you can't have it all. But wondering what other mustachians did when they faced similar dilemma.
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Why do you need an SUV for a family of four? We'll have five in our C-Max Energi next year.
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1. I wouldn't make (increased cost) changes to cars due to "2nd babby PLANS".
2. Do whatever it takes to minimize expenditures on things and their upkeep that go down in value (within the constraints of being able to live reasonably comfortable).
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I'd buy a used minivan myself. But I like have multiple cars around, and see no issue with having an "extra" car.
What is the resale on the Kisashi anyways? That could impact the answer here.
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Are you planning on using the backseat for any reason other than containing two carseats? I was surprised at this discussion of not being able to use more than two seats in the back of some very roomy-seeming SUVs!
http://thecarseatlady.com/2015familyvehiclebuyingguide/
Also: http://thecarseatlady.com/what-to-avoid-when-buying-a-new-car/
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Why do you need an SUV for a family of four? We'll have five in our C-Max Energi next year.
Are you planning on using the backseat for any reason other than containing two carseats?
Our parents or in-laws plan to come once in an year for few months to help.
I'd buy a used minivan myself. But I like have multiple cars around, and see no issue with having an "extra" car.
What is the resale on the Kisashi anyways? That could impact the answer here.
Resale is around 12-14K. I bought it for 32k in 2012 Jan. My car is in excellent condition. People still think it is a new car model :). I see other people with 2 kids using an extra car esp. for dropping kids at school etc.
http://thecarseatlady.com/2015familyvehiclebuyingguide/
Also: http://thecarseatlady.com/what-to-avoid-when-buying-a-new-car/
Thanks for the links
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We're in a similar predicament. We have a 1yr old and another on the way due next year in Feb. Currently we have a 2009 Rav4 and an old crusty Camry 93 that I barely drive anymore. I started WFH the beginning of the year and my wife quit work back in Feb and went full-time SAHM. We've been wondering if we might need to get a different car for a while. We learned the Rav4 middle seat is *awful* for any carseat - it just doesn't work out well in the long-run despite the center being preferable for carseats. We ended up having to move the car seat over to the side, where it's more secure. The Camry just sits out in the parking lot and I move it once a week to keep the battery from dying and also from getting it towed from being in one spot for too long lol... I've been thinking about our next car and have given a lot of thought to the Mazda 5 - I think that would be ideal in our case. My oldest brother has this for his family of four and they see to really like it. I like how it's pretty compact (feels spacious inside yet is roughly the same dimensions as the Rav4 - doesn't feel like a huge minivan at all.
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The Kisashi is an interesting case. I can't think of a car right now that you can get more for less money in the same age range. It makes it difficult to predict what its going to do depreciation wise--since it is an orphan and not a GTO, it probably will continue to fall. Unless you really love that car, I would personally sell it, buy a used minivan (a lot of good options here), and also buy a used wagon (Legacy/Outback, Mazda6, Mazda5 (the mini-minivan), Magnum...).
I would make sure that child seats can fit in the back of the Kisashi in the first place though. That may just force your hand.
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If you did not have any cars, would you buy the Kisashi for what you can sell it for?
Do you plan on driving with both kids and in-laws every day for months on end? Or the occasional drive out to a restaurant together? How often do you really need to seat all of them? Is it worth spending thousands extra on depreciation, gas and insurance to have a more expensive car for those occasions?
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We have 3 kids and make it work with 1 vehicle. Between transit, Car2Go (or similar), bikes, walking, and just... knowing that we only have one car available and scheduling our lives accordingly, we manage to make it work.
My opinion only, but there is a lot of societal propaganda about what we "need" to have for our families. You could consider waiting until the baby arrives and living with one car for a few months before making the final decision on whether a second vehicle is a true must-have for your family.
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We have 3 kids and make it work with 1 vehicle. Between transit, Car2Go (or similar), bikes, walking, and just... knowing that we only have one car available and scheduling our lives accordingly, we manage to make it work.
My opinion only, but there is a lot of societal propaganda about what we "need" to have for our families. You could consider waiting until the baby arrives and living with one car for a few months before making the final decision on whether a second vehicle is a true must-have for your family.
I agree with your opinion. My wife and I don't "need" even one car. It probably isn't even the best financial option to have a cheap beater (ours isn't either). But it is just easier to have a car, and easier still to have 2. For us anyways. It always comes down to time and convenience.
*I will throw a caveat out there and say that I *do* need one car to get to my side gig and my related hobby, which does not pay for the car.
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We currently own Suzuki Kizashi 2012 AWD.I will own the car end of year(loan ends). My wife stays home and takes care of our 2yr old son. Next year we are planning Pre-K and with 2nd baby plans we began to think if we need a SUV or another Car.
Our parents or in-laws plan to come once in an year for few months to help.
To make sure I understand:
You are currently a 1 car, 3 person family. You work outside the home and drive your car to work, currently your wife walks or takes public transit with the 2 year old.
When Baby #2 arrives you will be a 4 person family, but actually a 6 person family > 6 months/year. 6 people will not fit in your current car. Also, your 2 year old will start preschool and needs to be driven as there is no good public transit option. The grandparents did not help with the first baby, so this is new territory (or did the 5 of you fit in the Kizashi?). Also, grandparents will be flying in rather than driving, so they're not bringing a car of their own. Grandparents are unwilling to rent a car for months-long visit.
I think your option #2 is fine if the grandparents can drive themselves somehow. I'd also propose option #4, keep the Kizashi and get a second car (better fuel economy, possibly higher insurance costs?) for the few times you need to get 6 people somewhere all at the same time. They don't all have to be in the same car.
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From the info provided I would not advise getting a new car, especially not an SUV - a 4 person family does not need an SUV - and I definitely wouldn't advise having 2 cars. If you have some family visiting (even if it is for a few months) the cost of a second car is WAY more than renting a car or using Uber as needed when all 6 of you absolutely have to travel together. Buy a car for what you will use it for most of the time, not the occasional things like need to transport visitors or large items - that's why rentals exist!
Also, why are you wanting to get rid of your current car? Seems like you're just paying it off so you actually own it and I didn't see any thing the OP had against the car other than thinking that he needed an SUV for a 4 person family, which you definitely don't.
Lastly, it sounds like you got an auto loan for your current car - if there are circumstances that aren't clearly delineated that actually do require a 2nd car or an SUV (this would be a hard sell and would have to be some pretty extraordinary circumstances), then you absolutely should NOT get another auto loan and definitely shouldn't buy a brand-new vehicle.
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. I've been thinking about our next car and have given a lot of thought to the Mazda 5 - I think that would be ideal in our case. My oldest brother has this for his family of four and they see to really like it. I like how it's pretty compact (feels spacious inside yet is roughly the same dimensions as the Rav4 - doesn't feel like a huge minivan at all.
One of the few van options I will keep in mind for future. Thanks.
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The Kisashi is an interesting case. I can't think of a car right now that you can get more for less money in the same age range. It makes it difficult to predict what its going to do depreciation wise--since it is an orphan and not a GTO, it probably will continue to fall. Unless you really love that car, I would personally sell it, buy a used minivan (a lot of good options here), and also buy a used wagon (Legacy/Outback, Mazda6, Mazda5 (the mini-minivan), Magnum...).
I would make sure that child seats can fit in the back of the Kisashi in the first place though. That may just force your hand.
I & My wife love the car. 2 car seats fit well in our car, but 3rd person can't sit in between. My wife will have to sit in the front. Thanks for the options.
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We have 3 kids and make it work with 1 vehicle. Between transit, Car2Go (or similar), bikes, walking, and just... knowing that we only have one car available and scheduling our lives accordingly, we manage to make it work.
My opinion only, but there is a lot of societal propaganda about what we "need" to have for our families. You could consider waiting until the baby arrives and living with one car for a few months before making the final decision on whether a second vehicle is a true must-have for your family.
I agree with your opinion. My wife and I don't "need" even one car. It probably isn't even the best financial option to have a cheap beater (ours isn't either). But it is just easier to have a car, and easier still to have 2. For us anyways. It always comes down to time and convenience.
*I will throw a caveat out there and say that I *do* need one car to get to my side gig and my related hobby, which does not pay for the car.
True. "Need" should drive a buy. Guess I will wait until the baby arrives and see how it goes.
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I think your option #2 is fine if the grandparents can drive themselves somehow. I'd also propose option #4, keep the Kizashi and get a second car (better fuel economy, possibly higher insurance costs?) for the few times you need to get 6 people somewhere all at the same time. They don't all have to be in the same car.
Thank you. It is a good option - Keep the one I have and a buy a small fuel efficient one, may be an electric in future.
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From the info provided I would not advise getting a new car, especially not an SUV - a 4 person family does not need an SUV - and I definitely wouldn't advise having 2 cars. If you have some family visiting (even if it is for a few months) the cost of a second car is WAY more than renting a car or using Uber as needed when all 6 of you absolutely have to travel together. Buy a car for what you will use it for most of the time, not the occasional things like need to transport visitors or large items - that's why rentals exist!
Also, why are you wanting to get rid of your current car? Seems like you're just paying it off so you actually own it and I didn't see any thing the OP had against the car other than thinking that he needed an SUV for a 4 person family, which you definitely don't.
Lastly, it sounds like you got an auto loan for your current car - if there are circumstances that aren't clearly delineated that actually do require a 2nd car or an SUV (this would be a hard sell and would have to be some pretty extraordinary circumstances), then you absolutely should NOT get another auto loan and definitely shouldn't buy a brand-new vehicle.
Thanks for the advice. I agree there is no immediate "need" and I am not sure of future need as well. Guess I will figure the future part in future.
I too hate loans. I got a 0% one and should be done with it in 5 months. Even If I buy a car in future I will buy used and pay cash :). Once bitten twice shy.
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Once bitten twice shy.
Haha - I feel ya there - I definitely made some not-so-wise decisions before discovering MMM. :)
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uh, you should wait until you see the first ultrasound. I was in your situation 5 months ago... now I have TWINS cooking! So that obviously changed the focus of our car shopping.
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Our parents or in-laws plan to come once in an year for few months to help.
I'd buy a used minivan myself.
I see other people with 2 kids using an extra car esp. for dropping kids at school etc.
Having 6 persons in the family for several months a year, would tend to get my vote to change the car to a 6 seater.
"Other people"... please realize that unless you are more than a mile from the school, other people with 2 cars often do not have a stay at home parent that can take the time to walk to / from the school with kids (when you don't switch up who has the car that day).
A second car would be a pure luxury. No problem if you can afford it and choose to, but I like FIRE more than having a second car (we routinely put our second one in storage).
I highly recommend a mid size "regular size" minivan, with 6 seats for you. e.g. Dodge caravan, USED, (not extended body)... When it is just the 4 of you, fold down the rear seats for lots of storage. more people? that's ok. less storage or use the roof rack as the manufacturer intended... $14k will get you a pretty nice one.