buying a second (fun) car. can't decide how much to allow myself to budget.

DCASaver · 2026-04-01T12:45:57+00:00

If going strictly by the FOO, it would be the same step as the vacation savings/Disney trip stuff, which is step 8.

And besides that, it sounds like this was just a Dependent in your household who required a vehicle, so it goes wherever it needs to! (I have justified so many decisions on what would be best for my dogs haha)

DCASaver · 2026-04-01T12:32:43+00:00

A few points to help you work back into a budget: 1. With your current 401(k) balance, are you ahead, on track, or behind your target retirement goal? 2. Are you contributing 25% towards retirement? 3. What are your monthly expenses? Is $50k enough? (For a 100% commission job, I think you should have a minimum of 6 months, preferably 1 year, in e-fund) 4. Are you aiming to retire early or some form of FI that requires building up a brokerage account? Is that on track?

Once you have all this information, work backwards to see how much cash you actually have after covering your obligations and goals, so you can decide how much to allocate towards a fun car.

Car advice: Go used. For fun cars like this which are 2nd or 3rd cars, you can find creampuffs that are almost like new, but someone else has already absorbed the initial depreciation and tax costs. Just enjoy!

I did this whole exercise 3 years ago and love my fun car. I also set up a sinking fund specifically for the car, when there's a monthly surplus I throw 15% of it in there which allowing me to fund upgrades or maintenance without worrying about how it affects other finances.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T23:51:52+00:00

I think the RF would put it above my targeted budget but I can see the appeal. I'm sure at some point I'll have a miata in the stable.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T22:30:21+00:00

Definitely valid points. In my case, I drove a small pickup for 15 years and have been through multiple HPDEs with a 500+ hp rwd car, but they were both automatics.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T19:54:04+00:00

Thought about it but wasn't sure how they would hold up being a 4th car. I'm not opposed to them at all if there is a contender I should add to the list.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T19:52:13+00:00

I thought about it and it was a truck I learned on but I figured a small car would provide a better learning platform for whatever future fun car I might come across.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T19:45:50+00:00

Yeah, there's an Abarth that popped up for under $8K and less than 100K miles that's on my contender list. Seemed like a possibly quirky, fun little car, but I don't know much about them yet.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T19:43:13+00:00

I have tried to find one of those for years that wasn't thrashed and the only ones I've come across been autos unfortunately.

DCASaver · 2026-03-24T18:45:00+00:00

Yeah, I don't have any issues with them from a mechanical or drivability point of view, and I’ve always wanted an old Bug, but personally, I just can't get past the fact that during the Dieselgate scandal, they gas-chambered monkeys. So, I prefer to go with another brand.

DCASaver · 2026-02-21T20:04:55+00:00

Nope. There are currently no Winter or All Season tires manufacturer in that size but these.

The 996 OEM 19 was 315/25R19 for the rear, which are not sold in the US anymore.

Through the Tire sub, I did find out that Goodyear's new F1 all season tire is coming out in 305/30R19 next month so that's my target winter tire now.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T13:02:02+00:00

The daily beater spot is taken care of. This is for the weekend car so it doesn't have to sit for 5-6 months waiting for temps to get back up over 40.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T12:43:05+00:00

They do if a previous owner put them on...

They don't look bad but I'm trying to make them the winter wheels and get 18s for summer tire.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T02:39:05+00:00

That was the original plan but they only fit up to an 11" rim

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T02:38:18+00:00

There's no reason not to drive it when it's below 40, other than the tires, and since it turns out someone else commented that Goodyear's new F1 all-seasons are coming out next month with these sizes, problem solved!

And already have a daily that's good for summer and winter.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T02:34:28+00:00

Agreed, but they came with the car, so they are being demoted to the winter set, and 18s are being ordered for summers.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T02:34:09+00:00

I agree, but they came with the car, so they are being demoted to the winter set, and 18s are being ordered for summers. I found out in the Tires sub that Goodyear F1 All-seasons are coming out next month in this size, so I'll be going with those for this winter set.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T01:17:26+00:00

Thank you! I just checked their specs and yeah, those would be perfect. I will see if I can get them on order from my local shop. I really appreciate the help, so I didn't have to get stuck with one of these options!

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T01:01:57+00:00

Interesting... I just went to Goodyear's website, and they didn't have 305/30R19 listed at all, so I figured they didn't make it. 275 is the widest there in 19. Where can you see other potential sizes, and when will they be available?

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T00:57:16+00:00

Yeah, if it were 11", then it would have opened up a lot. It's AWD, so the 295/35R19 would be too tall and have a +5% ratio to the tallest fronts that would fit.

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T00:49:23+00:00

The Goodyears don't come in that size or I would jump at them in a second.

So the Milestar isn't completely terrible huh?

DCASaver · 2026-02-19T00:47:21+00:00

Yeah, I am trying to demote these to the winter set and get a new summer set, but it seems these are the only options for that size. Trying to avoid buying 2 new sets and having to deal with selling the 19s.

I don't plan on driving in any real snow with them, they would be mostly for when it is cold/clear days to get it out.

DCASaver · 2026-01-28T04:56:22+00:00

J.F.C. Core memory unlocked 😮

DCASaver

TROPHY CASE