I have a dilemma. I really want a different car, but I can't decide if I should actually get a different car. I have a 2000 Honda Civic EX, and I don't like it very much. The Civic was originally my wife Karen's car, but I got it when our son James was born. I used to have a 2002 Ford Escape XLT 4x4, which is now Karen's chariot. The Escape makes it much easier (and safer) for us to carry James, his stroller, and all of the stuff that you have to tote with you when you have a baby. Taking back the Escape and giving Karen back the Civic is not a consideration in the least.
Pros: The Civic is a great car, albeit a small utilitarian car. It gets great gas mileage and it costs almost nothing to maintain. It has only 68K miles on it, and it has never even been in the shop for repairs other than to replace the tires. (I do all of the routine maintenance myself, including brakes.) The car will last me another ten years if I want it to, and cost almost nothing to operate.
Cons: I really don't like the Civic. I feel like it is a high school or college kid's car. It is in good shape and the paint is shiny, but I am a little embarassed by it. I really feel like a kid driving it, and I wonder if people giggle at me for driving it. I find myself eyeing all of the other nicer cars around me while I am out in traffic. I totally dig the newer Nissan Altimas and Maximas. I also like the look of the new Mustangs, I really dig Lexus, Infinity, and the German go-fast imports, but I am either not having a mid-life crisis or I don't want to spend that much on a car. Cars are horrible investments, you almost invariably lose a lot of money on them.
Note: I am 31 years old and have achieved a relatively decent level of success in my opinion. I can afford a much nicer car, I just can't decide if I want to do it enough to take the plunge. I am usually pretty good at decision making, but this one has left me scratching my head for a long time. I have a hard time getting rid of a car when the only reason I want to get rid of it is because I am a whiner.
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3 comments:
I was just about to point out that every con has to do with image. For some people, it's worth it to get into another car payment for the image factor. You just have to decide if that's true of you. For me, I know I'll drive each car I own until it's unsafe to drive, because having a "nice" car isn't important to me. Which one are you?
I'd keep the Civic, man. Resist the pull to spend money on cars that you could put into your house......maybe a new 60 foot tower...LOL
I get to RG at this house like mad. It is a two story with a big back yard. loads of room for a tower! Karen just told me "no way!" to having a tower in her back yard. This may get interesting...
I am still deciding on whether or not I need a new car.
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