"Affordability" and a new car

[Koolau]

Well, I don't think I ever thought about it in terms of percentage of NW or WR. Also, I not a car-gal, and have driven some amazingly run down vehicles (formerly known as bombs) back-in-the-days-of-next-to-no-money. I have always paid cash. My general guidelines are:

- pay cash;
- have liquid cash available in case there is an urgent need to purchase a vehicle;
- look for something safe and reliable.


Words to live by. Of course we all have different car "tastes." One of the advantages of having a bit of extra money in the stash is to buy what we want during FIRE. Personally, I want reliability more than any other feature but YMMV.


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[Out of Steam]

At age 66, I am looking less at "affordability" and more at "this could be the last car purchase I ever make", as I tend to hold onto cars as long as I can.

I'm just slightly younger than you, and figured that my recent purchase is probably my second-to-last car buy.

 

[GrayHare]

Before getting a new vehicle, I usually wait until Dave's 1972 Chevy Impalas!!! The World's Most Famous 72 Impalas! Arizona Car Shows!

 

[Koolau]

Before getting a new vehicle, I usually wait until Dave's 1972 Chevy Impalas!!! The World's Most Famous 72 Impalas! Arizona Car Shows!

Now that's a fun site. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jekbrown]

I just want reliable transportation and a long warranty so I don't have to deal with unexpected major expenses. Currently have a 2012 Kia Soul. Thanks to some recalls the warranty is good to 150k miles and I'm at 120k now. We plan on buying another Kia when we get a year or two from retirement. It'll be nice to not have to worry about getting a car until again until we're social security age. I could easily afford a much "cooler" car, but since cheap transportation is all I want it for I don't see the point in that kind of investment. If a rich Uncle died and left me millions, sure, I'd buy that Ariel Atom, but I doubt that's going to happen.