Going to the dealership today

So today after work BF and I are going to go talk numbers at the car dealership with the intention of purchasing a car. Over the past month we’ve been carefully weighing out the pros and cons, gotten opinions from various family members, and have done a ton of research on the internet. We went to test drive a couple of cars last week and I think I’m ready to commit. I know that some of you support the idea, and some of you don’t. But for our lives over the next 3-4 years (I will be taking 0% financing over 4 years), we both think this is a smart decision.

Reasons why I’m getting a new car over an old car? There are a lot of reasons. This car model is only 4 years old, so even finding used cars is tough. There are no other brands or models I would consider at this point – only 2 cars fit all the requirements that I want and are in my price range. And with the interest rate on a used car being much higher than the 0% I would get for the new car, I would almost be paying the same amount for the used one when it’s all said and done. But the main reason is because the 2010 has so many more improvements that I think it’s worth it. Depreciation and resale value on the car don’t really mean anything to me because I don’t plan on selling it.

Financially, if I reign in my variable spending, I will still be able to save about $1,000/month quite easily. That means no more $600 hiking boots or buying that Soia & Kyo coat I was lusting over, or going out to eat as often, but I’m okay with that. I’ll probably also cut back on a couple weekend trips I was considering for next year. I’m lucky because I have the freedom of being able to make room in my budget for something that I really want that will make my life easier and less stressful, and still save as much as I’ve been saving in the past. And that was a very big consideration for me when I was going over the pros and cons about buying a new car. I can maintain my current lifestyle AND save as much as I’ve been saving, just by cutting back a little in other categories. That kind of sealed the deal. But it does now mean I have to be more aware of my budget to make sure that I’m saving as much as I know I can.

So hopefully the negotiating goes well and I will have a new car. :)