Author Topic: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?  (Read 1186 times)

babymoney789

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30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« on: March 02, 2022, 02:26:14 PM »
Started a new job working from home making 55k per year. I currently have credit card debt (6.4k in total) with 2k in savings. I got laid off during the pandemic and went back to school, which when I finish I'll have around 16.5k in student loans.

I purchased a beater car that is constantly needing repairs, fixes, and maintenance to it. Since I致e purchased the car, I've had to put about 3k into it and its currently at 208k miles. (Original purchase price $1,500)

I'm thinking of  just getting rid of the car at this point and getting something more reliable.
Problem is currently every car I see on the market has gone insane in overall pricing, and I want to take care of this debt asap.
I知 wondering what is the best course of action is? My car is going to need new shocks and tires soon.

Should I just bear through it, and continue to try and save money (for a house) and then buy a car? I知 single no kids and really at a loss for what to do?

Ecky

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2022, 05:41:49 PM »
Any chance of doing repairs yourself? Shocks are relatively easy. RockAuto has shocks for most cars for <$100. I can get on-brand tires for mine for $50 a piece, and they're good for around 60,000 miles.

PMG

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2022, 05:57:27 PM »
With the used and new car market the way it is, and with your debt and low savings, I壇 say it would be good if you can keep that car going for a while longer while you get stable. Pay off that credit card debt!  Build  up an emergency fund. Then save for a car. How quickly can you do it?   Join the race to 10k saving thread here for some companionship and inspiration. Set yourself some goals.  Get the work done to make your car safe. Those are routine things, not catastrophic failures that mean you have to replace it. Clean it well and get a new air freshener for it so it feels good when you get in and then baby that thing a while longer.  Soon you値l be in a better place and hopefully the car market will even out and you値l be in a good position to buy.

Glenstache

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2022, 06:33:01 PM »
Any chance of doing repairs yourself? Shocks are relatively easy. RockAuto has shocks for most cars for <$100. I can get on-brand tires for mine for $50 a piece, and they're good for around 60,000 miles.

Shocks are easy if you don't have to deal with compressing the big springs around wishbone type suspension. If that is required then special tools are needed to safely compress them to remove the struts. Unless you have some mechanical background, then it is worth paying someone to do that.

Reliability is an issue that is a bit of a gray area. If the consequences of breaking down are low, then nurse that car along until you've got other financial goals under control. If the consequences are high (remote stranding, etc) and likely to happen, then it may be worth moving to a more reliable vehicle or renting for just those trips if you are in an area where that is feasible. That will depend a lot on your location.

My personal rule of thumb is not to have a car loan if at all possible. There are situations where it may be necessary as a bridge measure, in which case it should be kept as low as possible. Get the least amount of car possible to do what it needs to do. The auto industry has made it very easy and tempting to throw a lot of money at vehicles... which comes at huge opportunity cost to future-you.

babymoney789

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2022, 07:46:47 AM »
thxs for the input
I hear what you're saying about the auto industry. I think I'll just keep the car and make it mine and just own it. I do have some tools that I can do the shocks, i've looked at some youtube videos and theres plenty for this model.

With all the work I've since put into it the engine and transmission is pretty sound, and being an older car it is a lot easier to work on than the newer ones. Guess I'll load up on some car fresheners ha.

SweatingInAR

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #5 on: March 03, 2022, 08:22:55 AM »
What is the interest on that credit card debt? If it is near 20%, it costs you ~$100 per month! Sweeping $2k into that would "earn" you $30+ per month.

How long is the $3k on car maintenance spread out over? If that is all in the last year, that is not good. If that spans multiple years, you're ahead of the game in my opinion. If a car costs me less than $1k per year in maintenance or depreciation, I don't complain.

From another angle: How much do you drive? Are you close enough to walk or take public transit to the grocery store? Can you:
  • Sell your car now for a profit
  • Get out of debt
  • Walk, bike, bus, and rideshare for a few months
  • Save up $5-10k to buy a nicer car for cash

sonofsven

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2022, 09:11:37 AM »
What car is it? I ask because I would dump money into a beater Japanese make in most cases but would hesitate on many others (Gmc, cough, Chrysler).
Also if your cc debt is at anything above 0% try to find a new card with 0% for (x) months, 12-18 generally. These offers usually have a 3% transfer fee up front which would be $192 in your scenario.

Laura33

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #7 on: March 03, 2022, 09:49:35 AM »
Why do you need a car since you work from home?  Can you walk/bike to grocery stores?  If you only need a car once every week or two, are there other options, like Uber or Zipcar, that you can use, or a friend you can ask for help for a short-term period?  IOW, do you actually need a car, or are you just used to the convenience of having one? 

IMO, the #1 priority is getting you back into the black, meaning get rid of that CC debt and get an emergency fund funded before taking on more debt.  The car is an annoyance and periodic cash drain, yes.  But the best way to handle car problems is not to need a car in the first place; the second-best option is to need it as infrequently as possible.  So rather than fixing your problem by throwing money you don't have at another depreciating asset (which is going to come with its own set of extra costs as well), get creative in finding ways to reduce how much you actually need that depreciating asset, and see how much of your problem solves itself.  Meanwhile, throw everything extra at the CC debt, so that by the time your car throws a rod, the debt is gone. 

I bet that if you really focus on it, you can get the CC debt paid off within no more than 6 months, at which point you can turn your attention to (i) saving the extra money towards a new(er) car and (ii) taking your time shopping for a reasonable deal. 

LightStache

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2022, 08:13:59 AM »
thxs for the input
I hear what you're saying about the auto industry. I think I'll just keep the car and make it mine and just own it. I do have some tools that I can do the shocks, i've looked at some youtube videos and theres plenty for this model.

With all the work I've since put into it the engine and transmission is pretty sound, and being an older car it is a lot easier to work on than the newer ones. Guess I'll load up on some car fresheners ha.


Yep! If you make decisions like this for just a couple years you'll be swimming in money. It's not easy to separate from the herd, but it's so worth it.

Dicey

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #9 on: March 04, 2022, 08:26:54 AM »
In my accumulation days, whenever I was jonesing for new different used car, I'd calculate the sales tax. Without fail, the answer was to keep my current vehicle. The other relatively cheap cure was to have the car detailed. Made it feel like new. Good luck with your decision.

Also agree to kill the CC debt asap. Can you chase zero percent balance transfer deals?

WSUCoug1994

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2022, 09:12:59 AM »
Great suggestions above - If the motor/transmission are sound then I would encourage you to keep it and bike when possible.  Do the work that you can safely do yourself.  My car is old with a lot of miles but nothing makes me want to keep it more than if I do a serious detail.  I got into some of these youtube videos getting expert advice on how to do a professional level detail on my car (interior/exterior) and when I complete one of these details the car feels brand new to me.  Just an idea to keep your love for the vehicle, break a little sweat and learn something new.

Glenstache

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2022, 10:56:52 AM »
thxs for the input
I hear what you're saying about the auto industry. I think I'll just keep the car and make it mine and just own it. I do have some tools that I can do the shocks, i've looked at some youtube videos and theres plenty for this model.

With all the work I've since put into it the engine and transmission is pretty sound, and being an older car it is a lot easier to work on than the newer ones. Guess I'll load up on some car fresheners ha.

If it is stinky inside, see if anyone in your network has a bissell little green machine or similar portable steam cleaner. They do absolute magic on car interiors. If you're in Seattle you can use mine.

clarkfan1979

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2022, 01:34:11 PM »
Started a new job working from home making 55k per year. I currently have credit card debt (6.4k in total) with 2k in savings. I got laid off during the pandemic and went back to school, which when I finish I'll have around 16.5k in student loans.

I purchased a beater car that is constantly needing repairs, fixes, and maintenance to it. Since I致e purchased the car, I've had to put about 3k into it and its currently at 208k miles. (Original purchase price $1,500)

I'm thinking of  just getting rid of the car at this point and getting something more reliable.
Problem is currently every car I see on the market has gone insane in overall pricing, and I want to take care of this debt asap.
I知 wondering what is the best course of action is? My car is going to need new shocks and tires soon.

Should I just bear through it, and continue to try and save money (for a house) and then buy a car? I知 single no kids and really at a loss for what to do?

If I was in your situation, I would keep the car, get roommates and try to live on 30K/year. Once your credit card debt is gone and you have 8K in savings, use 3K for a newer car. Assuming you can get $1500 for your current car, your budget would be $4500. I would recommend a 2010 Pontiac Vibe with 150K miles. Toyota and Pontiac did a partnership on the car from 2003 to 2010. The Pontiac car actually has a Toyota Engine. It's #1 on some used car lists for "best value"

If you cut your expenses and live on rice and beans, you could upgrade your car in 6-9 months.

alsoknownasDean

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Re: 30yr new job torn between a new car or not?
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2022, 09:28:12 PM »
With $16.5k of student debt and $6400 in credit card debt?

Get rid of those first. By the time that's done hopefully the used market has settled down and you can get a solid used Civic for a reasonable price.

The interest bill on the two current debts are likely higher than you'd have to spend on maintenance for an old beater.