Looking at getting a new car!

DH and I are in need of a little more room in our car so we've been talking about getting a new car. Right now we only have 1 car payment and that car will be paid off in January. So we planned to buy after that.

Then DH started looking online and talked to a few dealerships. We really like the Subaru Outbacks. We've heard good things about fitting car seats in them and what not. When we travel now; our poor DD is packed in tight with the luggage!

So this one dealership DH has been talking with is clearing out the 2011 models and therefore trying to sell them cheaper. Plus they have a decent interest rate going and all that jazz. The problem is now we want to go look NOW but we aren't sure if it is a better idea financially to buy now or to just wait till January when we have the other car paid off.

Now we could take money from savings and fully pay off the car...but I'm not sure I like that idea either. Having 2 car payments would tighten things a bit for us right around Christmas and our DD's birthday.

I wish I had a magic mirror to look into the future and see which decision is best. We are both afraid if we go look; we will buy. But we know just because the bank says you can afford something doesn't mean it's a good idea...

Having two car payments would suck but if you have the ability to pay off your current car out of savings and not have it strap you down then Id probably do that. I only say that because from what I know about buying during 'clean outs' you can get some killer deals. It all comes down to how strapped you would be with two car payments or how long it would take you to build your savings back up if you used it to pay off the current car.

If it were me I would basically make a checklist of pros and cons of buying now and waiting to buy and go from there and see which one looks better on paper. Also the other thing to look at is that while a salesman will say what they can to get the sale is it in black and white that you specifically can get the deal they are offering and they arent just spewing stuff. Sometimes you can even get a better deal. When BIL went and bought his new truck he thought his initial payment was gonna be so much and when he bought the truck his payment was actually less and still had a great deal on it.

You can't go wrong with a Subaru Leigh Ann.

Personally, I never buy a "new" car (new to me, I prefer used) until I have cash for it... which is why my first car was so cheep-cheep, and why my current cars are from 1995 and 2001, heh! So the idea of a double-debt is not too appealing IMO.

You can save a tiny bit buying a last year model new, but then you lose that money you saved on resale, especially if that new model year had significant changes. End effect is you really didn't save anything.

Why not look at used vehicles? The first year is a MASSIVE depreciation on a new car even though its still barely used, and there are plenty of great repos or leases or people that simply purchased a vehicle beyond their means and better THEM take the hit than you. That market is absolutely fantastic right now, whereas new vehicles are lukewarm at best as production has been reduced and Toyota and Honda are having supply issues.

^^^ Speaking of resale value..I find it horrible and atrocious that a 100th Anniversary limited edition model Harley Davidson F-150 had a lower resale value than a freakin Hummer.....Sorry story behind that but needless to say I could still kick Df in the head for selling his 100th Anniversary Harley Truck AND Harley motorcycle...GRRRR

I hear you, Mooch....we're doing that, too. We'd like to wait until spring, if possible.

We're looking at the Hyundai Tucson or the Hyundai Sonata. I'm leaning more toward the Tucson; Rick is going for the Sonata. I still like the LaCrosse, but can't justify that much money on a car. And now the 2012s are out.

I hate the thought of going back into car debt; we paid Rick's Tundra off quickly because it was used. Plus we do have a nice downpayment as I've been saving money all year.

I don't buy used cars. The last used car I had was a Chrysler Sebring and it was the worse car I ever owned in my life. I had it for a little over a year and hated it with a passion. Completely soured me on used cars and I'm not going there. Rick is OK with that; I tend to keep my cars for at least ten years, so he doesn't care that I prefer new.

I'm torn. Clarence is 11 years old now (bought him new) and still only has 140,000 miles on him, but this year he's been in and out of the garage quite a bit (although most of that is for chewed wires...I've posted about that before).

Good luck! We may be buying our vehicles around the same time!

You're not going to trade your current almost-paid for car on the new car, are you?

In that case, you might want to put either put down a little extra, just to get your payments down, or you might want to put the money in savings and just use that account to pay the payments until your current car is paid for.

When I bought my current car (a 2011 Malibu), I looked at the Scion Xb, and I wish I had bought that one. Oh, well.

I'd keep the current car, pay it off, and learn to pack lighter! Then save up money each month and buy a new(er) car in a few years without worry. There's no rule saying you must have a house and car payment at all times! It is SO freeing not to have to worry about a car payment!

Honestly, your days of "mega packing" for trips will ease as your daughter gets older. She will need less stuff (and probably doesn't need it now)! And if/when baby #2 comes along, you won't have the energy to pack all that stuff anyway!

Think about the "no buy" option. I don't think you would regret it!

Cally

I'm not certain if things are the same in the US, but here in Canada January is a good time to buy a car. The dealers are anxious to get rid of the last of the previous year's stock, and it's a slow month for them after Christmas when most folks are still getting out from under their holiday spending.

Unless you have a trusted mechanic or can do the job yourself, I'd advise against buying a used car - been there, done that and ended up paying more in repairs than I saved.

My SO's son and his wife just had the same issue - they had a baby in January and needed a larger vehicle and one that was easier to get the baby in and out of. They ended up getting a vehicle like mine - a VW Tiguan - and are thrilled with it. I'm again not sure how much these vehicles cost in the US but they are rather expensive here in Canada and may be out of the price range you are looking to pay. Mine was just over $38,000 and they bought the model one up from mine so I'm guessing theirs was over $40K.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

You're not going to trade your current almost-paid for car on the new car, are you?

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No we would trade DH's car which is almost 12 years old. It has been paid off for years. The car I drive now would become his car to drive to work (we drive mine on the weekends) and have had it since October 2005; an 06 Nissan Sentra. It's a nice car; but DH is 6'2" and we can't put any car seat behind him. Even an infant seat won't give him enough leg room up front.

Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires

I'd keep the current car, pay it off, and learn to pack lighter! Then save up money each month and buy a new(er) car in a few years without worry. There's no rule saying you must have a house and car payment at all times! It is SO freeing not to have to worry about a car payment!

Honestly, your days of "mega packing" for trips will ease as your daughter gets older. She will need less stuff (and probably doesn't need it now)! And if/when baby #2 comes along, you won't have the energy to pack all that stuff anyway!

Think about the "no buy" option. I don't think you would regret it!

Cally

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By the time I can stop bringing a pack-n-play, stroller and all her stuff I'm going to have another! I don't even let DH pack extra underwear anymore! Part of the problem with the Nissan is it came with a nice stereo that wastes trunk space. Fine back when we got it...not so fine now! Unfortunately we do at least 2 long distance trips a year since neither of us are from this area originally.

I was thinking of used. But it would have to come certified with an excellent warranty. My step-dad is a good mechanic; but I will not constantly ask him for help. He works a lot and should be enjoying his downtime when he can. He's done A LOT for me with my cars over the years.

If you are doing those long distance trips to see family, would be A LOT cheaper just to purchase a few large items--pack n play, umbrella strollers, high chairs and leave them with your family members!!!! Garage sales are great for finding bargain gear!

We bought a Nissan Altima (2011) a few months ago. We also keep cars a LONG time! We had a Honda Accord for 16 years, and when we bought the Nissan we sold our 1999 Accord (11 years old) We also have an '06 Saturn. It's a nice car, but nothing like the Japanese cars. We almost bought a Sonata, but went with the Altima. I had said we'd never buy a new car again, but never say never!! If I were you I'd wait to have only one car payment. Two would make me very nervous -- actually I don't even like one payment, but this one is just for 2 years, as we were able to do a big down payment.

Good luck with whatever you chose!

Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires

I'd keep the current car, pay it off, and learn to pack lighter!...

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When your car is paid off, put the same amount in your savings each month and watch your money grow. By the time your car quits working, you could probably pay cash for a new one. I'd advise not to touch your savings now and stay far away from debt because of the bad shape of the current world economy - debt makes you a slave. Like you said, you never know what's down the road.

Enjoy your paid-off car!

I am looking for a new car too, although I will most likely be going new to me, but thats because Gary knows how to do everything on cars, and if he doesnt know then we have friends that do. I honestly dont remember the last time I paid for a mechanic... growing up I had my dad, and now I have Gary or a few friends its very nice!
Right now I have a 95 Nissan Sentra, its the first and only car I've ever had... Got it when I was 17, and I'm 24 now...) I have been putting a whole lot of thought into getting an SUV, because that way I could keep the car and it could become my mom car. Plus the fact we have a very impracticable car ('79 MG B), A sporty car (Honda S2000), a AWD winter car (Subaru Impresa RS), and Gary is getting a truck this week to replace Big Red (89 f150) (yes... we like cars, also all but the s2000 are paid off, and that has 2 months left on it)
The vehicles I am in love with right now are the Mazda CX7s, The Volvo X90, and the Kia Sorento. I know a lot of people are OMG KIAS SUCK! no, no they dont. They have made HUGE HUGE HUGE improvements over the past years! I prefer that all of those have a sporty look to them, but are still very family friendly! Although I have to say, I really do like Audi a4 wagons and the Volvo V50.

Honestly with you already saying that you are thinking about another kid in the future, I would highly suggest a SUV or maybe even a van. That way you know you will have room to expand, and yes packing light in theory is great, and buying stuff for inlaws yeah thats great too. But if you ever go places that dont involve family it may become a huge issue. Think about future family vacations to the beach/disney/theme parks, ETC! Plus I am a strong believer in packing a bit extra just to be safe.

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

The vehicles I am in love with right now are the Mazda CX7s, The Volvo X90, and the Kia Sorento. I know a lot of people are OMG KIAS SUCK! no, no they dont. They have made HUGE HUGE HUGE improvements over the past years! I prefer that all of those have a sporty look to them, but are still very family friendly! Although I have to say, I really do like Audi a4 wagons and the Volvo V50.

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The Kia, as with the Hyandai, has really come a long, long way. I like the Sorento, but I don't need that big of a vehicle. I think the Tucson is just a wee bit smaller than the Sorento, but I'm not sure. I like the Volvo X60, too.

I'm not really a fan of really big vehicles. Esp as the gas mielage goes down! DH wants something with a roof-rack for his canoe he got earlier this year.

Last year when we went to visit my in-laws we used my sister-in-law's playpen for my DD. It was a NIGHTMARE!! I've found a way to modify it for DD that will get her to sleep better in it and I always bring my mother's ultra-lite stroller So that helps. But there is deffinitely not room for 2 car seats in this car either way. Just for the fact that DH wouldnt be able to sit to drive comfortably makes it necessary. As it is with DD behind the passenger seat he has to drive because his knees are in the dash board if I do.

Originally Posted by Winchester

The Kia, as with the Hyandai, has really come a long, long way. I like the Sorento, but I don't need that big of a vehicle. I think the Tucson is just a wee bit smaller than the Sorento, but I'm not sure. I like the Volvo X60, too.

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Check out the sportage then! Its a little smaller but has a lot of the same styling features! I tested out a Kia Forte a few months back and loved it! The features that came on it vs other companies was awesome! As well as the warranty and the fact that the car just felt nicer because I wasnt paying as much as I would have been with say a Honda

I know alot of times here when you buy a new car there is no payments for 3 mths.

That might be worth looking into as well, then you wouldnt have to start paying for it until after your other car is paid for.

My SO is looking at a KIA.

Originally Posted by MoochNNoodles

I'm not really a fan of really big vehicles. Esp as the gas mielage goes down! DH wants something with a roof-rack for his canoe he got earlier this year.

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I'd look for any deals on a low mileage diesel VW Jetta Sportwagon. My sister's has a roofrack that's just used for this giant supplemental aerodynamic suitcase so they have massive capacity for long trips, but it will do bikes or kayaks or whatever.

42mpg is hard to beat, even with diesel being a bit more expensive, and diesel powertrains are dead reliable and should easily give you 200K miles of service.

Its the interior capacity of your average SUV, it just doesn't have the ground clearance. Still, most SUVs don't even see a blade of grass and aren't exactly fording rivers, and so the really tall stance just makes them top heavy and handle poorly.