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Regardless, I would be curious to see a spreadsheet showing the overall cost of paying the loan at 3.4% while investing in tax-deferred accounts (likely 28% tax in this case), vs paying the vehicle off and delaying investments until that was complete.
don't forget to factor the depreciation over time as well. The depreciation will outweigh any other math calculations, including the ridiculous 3.4% auto loan that you justify.
It's your life, if you want to pay that steep penalty for a car, go for it.
Since you are more interested in standing on your soapbox while preaching your superiority to everyone else, I will do you a favor and provide the information you did not bother to read from my post.
'98 Toyota Corolla, paid $3k, drove for a few years and gifted to a family member
'86 Toyota MR2, paid $1k, drove for 3 years, sold for $1500
'98 Toyota Tacoma, paid $5k, drove for 3 years, frame rusted out and Toyota bought it back for $12,194.50
'91 Toyota MR2 Turbo, paid $7k, spent a lot on, still have 6.5 years later (this is my toy, 260k+ miles).
'91 Toyota MR2 Turbo w/blown motor, paid $1k, didn't have time for the project, sold for $1200
'05 Toyota Tundra, bought 3 years old with 36k for $15,995, sold 3 years later for $13k (could have had $15,500 but I made a bad call on the sale, thought I could get more at the time as book was $19k)
'04 Subaru Forester XT, paid $7394, was a toy for ~18 months (performance parts installed which added some to the cost), sold for $8200
'02 Suzuki SV650, paid $500 (needed significant motor work, which I did myself, and paint, done by a buddy for a fair price), sold a couple of years later for $2100
'91 Toyota MR2 project, paid $1500, didn't have time for the project, sold for $1500 (after finding $150 Toyota shop manuals inside..score!!)
'04 Cadillac CTS-V, paid $12k, drove for 2.5 years, sold for $13k
'99 Tacoma, paid $4500, drove for 2.5 years, sold for $5500. 282k miles.
'97 Lexus LX450, my trail/expedition rig, paid $7200, drove for a year, sold for $7500. 213k miles.
As an automotive enthusiast, I find my "depreciation" to be acceptable in exchange for enjoying a hobby that I love.
Presenting your point is fine - I understand. However, in the process, don't completely disregard the information provided by the person with which you are having a discussion.