Before starting the ERE / FI / MMM path - my prior car was a Lexus LS430. Loved the ride, the comfort. Hated the gas bill.
For a while - I just accepted that was "the cost of a nice car ". After starting the FI journey, over the last year or so - I eliminated lots of other expense and waste areas, and finally was ready to go after car expenses.
Test drove a prius ( not a fan ), held off for a while, then became aware of the Lexus hybrid : Ct200H. Having been a Scion Xa owner, the space considerations were not an issue. 90% of my use for a car involves driving in a 20 square mile area ( too dangerous to bike ) with just rcamp Jr and I.
After a test drive or two - I then tested the used market... bingo ! Found a model with the amenities I preferred.
So, yesterday - I took the LS430 over to the lot, test drove ( again ) the CT200h and liked it. After the trade in - paid the difference in cash - and am now driving a vehicle that gets 43mpg city, 40 highway. The last owner only kept it for 8k miles, and took care of that depreciation for me ! I picked up last years model, for ( doing a quick # check in my head ) a little over 30% off the new sticker price.
So smiling after that - I also smiled as I read in detail the maintenance manual... for the next 98k miles .. my maintenance is oil, rotate tires, inspect the obvious - and check fluid levels. FAR less than the LS430 called for.
The wife, as she did with the Scion - mentioned "thats an awfully small trunk" - to which I just smiled. When we had the Scion we made do just fine .. but just in case MMM has already shown the way for that - and maybe for Christmas I'll ponder bumper storage options.
Now back to pondering how fast to obliterate my mortgage :)