I know… one of THOSE threads. This is sort of unlike me. Usually I know exactly what I want and why… But now I just don’t know what to do. I’m mostly thinking out loud; definitely rambling for the first bit.
My goal: I’m trying to get out of a car payment.
Right now I’m driving a 2012 Range Rover Evoque. It’s a swell car, drives great, comfy, easy blah blah blah. I’ve had it a year. I owe about 32 on it; another ~42 months. I’ve gotten trade quotes at 35.5-37. In the last couple months I’ve been on this zero debt kick and trying to pay it off quicker, so I inflated my payments on it to 325. Weekly. (that’s ~1400 a month :pale: ). Between that and the 10 grand I’ve got in my pocket available for this, that would have me paid off in about 17 months. Mid next year. I want to do better.
So at this point I’m considering trying to get into a car in the 20-25 range. That puts me into a position where I can pay it off in about 6 months. I’m just thinking of all the cool places I could go with an extra 1400 bucks a month…
OK… SO… Now what… @Beck has been very helpful and patient with me looking for cars… but even I don’t know what I want. (I was trying to get into a new Touareg TDI, but that’s just a lateral shift and won’t save me dick)
My criteria for a 20-25K DD (less would be even better):
Semi interesting… not so much to drive, but just interesting… the way a Range or G-Wagon is interesting, but without getting into some old rare thing with monster maintenance cost. Bonus: high school chix get boners. :{
Cargo space is a plus, at least on paper. (It’s rare that I’ve had my range packed up with no room, except for Ikea runs)
Here are thoughts I’ve had:
VW Golf TDI
Used 3/5 series
Used Touareg TDI
Used STi (I think if I go this route I’d pick this over WRX, also, I’m 33 now, haha)
But shit, there are a zillion cars out there and the only one I can think of right now is a Pontiac Aztek.
There are plenty of semi-interesting DD cars in that price range, but if you do decide to go the VW Golf TDI route, shoot me a message. Mine is still possibly up for sale, 5k less than your lower bounds, and in better shape than the ones at the dealership :tup:
I have no input except smart move. I’ve been talking to @XwalkerX about this, and although it’s slowly been killing me the last few months, and i’m having 0 fun… the debt free idea is my main priority for the next year.
-You understand the brand already (kitty sti)
-awd turbo for the winters
-new 15 wrx is nice inside and is under warranty
-if you want to kill the warranty there is power on tap via Mike at Innovative, whom i’m sure you know very well.
:shrug:
Staying along the VW line… CPO R32? Are they even in that price range IDK… probably not.
I feel like you’d be a fool to step back into a FWD car.
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Plus: Newer engine, minimal depreciation and no doors means more two by fours in the back…
Minus: have to wave at all jeep owners, people make it must be a jeep thing comments for everything, compare to a range and the interior noise is embarrassing, gas mileage of a barn door in a wind tunnel, mod budget keeps growing
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Toyota FJ as well for low depreciation and in the price range. Plus I am sure Beck can source one.
If I am going to get a “performance” car, so to speak, emotionally I need it to be at the higher end of the spectrum. Hence why I couldn’t get a WRX, I’d want an STi. Or why buy a GTi when there is a Golf R.
This is a cool suggestion, but every time I see these cars I think “what a weird looking car”… I don’t want to think that all the time, haha.
I went through the same debt reduction process a few years ago. It was the best decision I ever made. The free cash is way more fun than having a nice car. My suggestion is to buy a 7-10k car with cash that you can live with for a year or two and sell the Rover outright. I’m thinking Accord, Legacy ect… Bank some cash and re-visit fun in a year or two. You won’t mind it until spring hits, at which point you can play with the E30 or just stare at cash.
Since then I’ve been putting the car payment money into an account which has accumulated enough cash to buy a low mileage C5, and a low mileage 05 Sti that has owes me nothing and some stocks. I’ll probably sell the STi when it comes out of storage in the spring. If that’s what you’re looking for shoot me a PM.
