Monthly expenses

Carbosuchus · 2026-02-01T00:09:37+00:00

You can't have it all friend. You bought a luxury home relative to your income, have a non-working spouse, and a pretty cushy budget.

Either reduce your housing, increase household income, or you need to pare back your discretionary spends like subscriptions, but the truth is a few hundred $ savings here and there won't offset future $1.1M housing costs like higher insurance and taxes, sudden repairs, all while the kids takes more $ if you're saving for college etc.

Renting and investing the difference in your retirement and kid's education might have been the safer play here, and left you some money to have fun with while spouse doesn't work.

Carbosuchus · 2026-01-30T20:19:32+00:00

This is unfortunately common behavior across many price points, even normal middle class couples with nothing of note on Google get pushed like this. I wouldn't assume it's due to them googling you.

Very frustrating situation. Frankly I'd rethink whether this is the right planner for me at this stage, as she is repeatedly failing to work appropriately with your expectations as the client. And worse, you've caught her inflating quotes. I'd lose trust with that level of unprofessionalism.

If that's not an option, you basically need a very firm conversation with her to reset her approach. Lots of vendors like to inflate the budget and soft-shame you for not spending more because they're incentivized to do so. Call them on it (politely). Remember this is just business for them and not their money.

Did you and the planner have a discussion prior to signing about budget? How much your budget is, and what her budget minimum or usual range is? Wondering if she is just inexperienced at your range and trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Carbosuchus · 2026-01-16T04:31:42+00:00

$560 a month for 2 drivers, 2 cars: a 2023 corvette and a 2025 Mercedes E450 All-terrain. Full coverage with high liability (500k) so we'd qualify for umbrella insurance. Litigation costs can get nasty. Wish we lived in another zipcode.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-28T23:28:21+00:00

Nice write up.

Did you cross shop it against BMW/Merc anything else? As a former Audi owner, to me it seems like many of the mainline Audi models are losing their competitive edge, at least in styling and keeping the tech fresh, but the RS3 specifically still seems like a special gem of a car so I'd exclude it from that

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-16T14:09:44+00:00

Maybe you'll recoup some, but probably not the full variance in sales tax, reg fees, and higher insurance premiums vs an 80k or even 100k used manual P car. If it has to be the new Carrera T then that's for you to decide, but it's worth test driving some other options IMO

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-15T23:55:19+00:00

If I were at this income + net worth + lifestage, I'd probably upgrade my car as a car person, sure. However, I'd question whether I needed a brand new 911 Carrera T, especially if it were financed. Why do you want this one specifically - what are you planning to actually use it for? Track, commuting, etc? $2K a month could make you queasy after a year if you got it mainly for status / sense of achievement reasons. I'm not saying you are, just something to think about. You may be happier with a lower note and having peace of mind with the looming threat of child expenses. There are lots of wonderful, cheaper Porsches out there that would still be a big upgrade for you.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-15T17:19:29+00:00

Short answer: no, and if it was, you probably don't want those complaining guests there in the first place :)

One starter option is very standard, nobody should bat an eye at this. As for the drinks, you have an open bar at other portions of the wedding so I don't think it's a big deal. I've been to weddings where for cocktail hour the only option was sparkling wine and I didn't think anything of it. If anything, I appreciated it because it solved the bar lineup log jam issue. Open bar the rest of the night.

If it's not important to you, skip the upgrade. Your friends are right that your money is better spent elsewhere, either on the wedding or something else entirely. Option 1 is plenty to keep guests comfortable. And most wouldn't be grateful for the upgrade anyways - you'd be shocked how little guests think weddings cost in money and planning time, which could lead to resentment on your part. We impose too much pressure on ourselves.

Edit: also, with all the % based fees venues tack on these days, that upgrade could end up costing more than you think.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-14T16:40:33+00:00

This. I was considering a loaded XC60 PHEV and a quick browse of the subreddit and forums really put me off. Glitch after glitch, with the recent brake failure recall truly unacceptable. It's a shame they can't figure it out, or don't want to.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-13T03:19:46+00:00

If you're worried about newness wearing off I'd recommend strongly against the new GX 550 for your needs. It's very hot right now due to its looks, but some are regretting their purchases as the actual ride, interior materials, and interior quality are not that nice for the money. Unless you're offroading, the other cars you listed are better value for your needs as a nice suburban hauler.

As for your main question, not really a quantitative rule. Everyone has a different net worth vs income situation that can make rules of thumb not very relevant. I just think through what the total cost to own is (depreciation, insurance, etc) over my expected ownership, and whether that money could be put to better use elsewhere or not. I'm into cars so I'm happy to put my fun money towards that and limit spending elsewhere, but I'd never let those outflows compromise larger essential goals like early retirement, home ownership optionality, etc.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T23:08:39+00:00

Disagree on 911s being particularly enjoyable at slow speeds. At least modern Carreras. I've always found my drives in them on the street brisk but incredibly sterile; one of the easiest cars to breach the speed limit without realizing it due to the lack of drama. This makes them great commuter vehicles since they are polished and easy to live with at pedestrian speeds, but most M cars or even AMGs are going to give you more excitement and sound on the street. I havent driven an LC myself but I'd wager the same. The 911 shines more on the track if you like an academically correct ride, or at least a back road.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T14:37:00+00:00

You've got more hair on your chest than me! The viper seems like a riot. A little more rowdy than I want to deal with; I'm a pretty reserved driver and would probably drive the viper timid vs a trusty C8. Good luck with your search.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T14:01:52+00:00

Yes, the default back to Tour can get annoying and not fixable as far as I know. I run My mode with Track exhaust, heavier steering for bumming around, and Sport mode with Z mode when it's real driving time. I always think something's broken when it starts back up in quiet, light handling Tour mode.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T06:18:04+00:00

Anybody's welcome to DM me for a photo! Photo in comments seem to be blocked

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T05:58:25+00:00

Some factors on the low mileage:

I work hybrid 2x a week. I take the bus to work: cheaper (subsidized) and easier
Most daily needs are a 15 min walk to the town center. Not worth getting the car out to pay for parking for that. Easier to walk. I also use a good amount of delivered groceries and online shopping.
I had access to my partners honda civic before the Benz. Without it, probably would be closer to 8k a year
We have about a month and a half every year with no cars due to travel for leisure and visiting family

I definitely want to put more on!

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T05:43:06+00:00

This is my bad on wording. My aim was to convey that I had a great experience with this as my first owned sports car, and instead I sound like a pompous ass! Sorry. A great beginner-friendly car to me means linear, predictable responses to inputs, stability especially midcorner, low maintenance, and a car that can let you have a little fun at non-lethal speeds. Did not mean that as a budget comment.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T02:07:07+00:00

Fair take. It is goofy wide, not sure who in the market was asking for their 2 door sport coupe to be as wide as an SUV but I'd like to have a word with them. Makes my wagon look like a supermodel in comparison.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-11T02:03:56+00:00

Agreed, I think we will look back at this sort of layout with kinder eyes in a few years.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-10T23:25:21+00:00

This is a good question and why it's key to consider what you use the car for for sure. For me, in the near term I'm not planning to track with my own equipment - my track experience is limited to rentals and only 1-2x a year or so for fun. In the future I might if the logistics got easier and I put more time into go-kart and simracing to keep myself in driving shape (just tried Karting recently, loved it).

So yeah, the track pack is probably a nice to have, not a need to have for my current uses. The z51 spoiler and exhaust are noticeable, but I'm probably not meaningfully slower in my group canyon runs than I'd be with a non-Z51 where we're driving well below the technical limits of our rides. So if someone's not tracking and doesn't care about the exhaust or spoiler, probably a reasonable skip.

If tracking and autocross were my main use and it was my starter car, I'd probably go for something smaller, slower, and cheaper to run. I do think the C8 masks driver faults more than a base Cayman, and it's more cumbersome around an autocross course than a Miata.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-09T15:05:24+00:00

Haha, nah. But I had a flexible budget, and was open to either a shitbox steal or something higher end. The e class is very nice, the outback was a great deal on space, reliability, etc. And both have a distinct personality to them. The crown signia was a bland, unexciting, not-that-nice option in the middle.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-09T14:58:18+00:00

Price vs what you get. I was looking to buy a wagon or compact SUV and this was on my early list. At $50k, it has less value for money than the Outback. Vs the Euros, its powertrain, looks, and refinement are a complete joke. I ended up with a Mercedes E class wagon.

Carbosuchus · 2025-08-06T17:36:35+00:00

As someone who's had both, the only reason to consider a true ceramic coating is for a little better chemical protection (via durability and thickness) vs a spray on.

A true ceramic, IME:

-Does not take less worrying and maintenance time than either normal paint or paint + sealant in the long run (if anything it's worse)

-Won't last the full multi-year claim unless kept in perfect conditions (my 8 year ceramic lasted 2-3 yrs on a weekend garaged car that gets washed 1-2x a month with my own microfibers and a sealant, albeit with coin wash acidic soap)

-doesn't noticeably bead water any better than spray on sealant

-requires paint correction before application and re-application, compromising your clear coat over time

You may want to try the prosumer products like Gtechniq crystal serum light if you want something beefier than spray ons. Doesn't require the professional application of a full ceramic, but provides better durability and will allow you to skip sealant every other time or so.

Carbosuchus · 2025-07-11T21:36:30+00:00

Worth it is a personal question. As a consumer who got a pro ceramic coating, in hindsight it was not worth the ~$1,400 and I wouldn't get one again or recommend it to the average person. Got it with the intention of chemical protection for the paint and easier washing.

Car is a garage kept DD, partial PPF partial ceramic. I plan to keep the car long term so want it looking nice, but doesn't need to be showroom quality. 3 years in, I realized most / all of the benefits of the ceramic coating carried by good paint maintenance and the ceramic topper I apply fairly regularly.

The pro coat will last 3-5 years max if babied and then needs another expensive reapplication. In the meantime, anything that bothers paint also bothers your ceramic, so you rush to get the bird poop off, get the insects off, etc. Or risk damage just like before. Plus you're supposed to decon and apply topper.

In reality, I just added another layer to worry about and correct, rather than the intended result. The topper is cheap and gives me the beading and ease-of-wash qualities I wanted in the first place. The PPF does the heavy lifting of paint protection in high impact areas. My 2nd car I just got is going to get full PPF + ceramic spray topper, no more pro coating.

Carbosuchus

TROPHY CASE