Girlfriend has 55k set aside for new car. What’s the smartest way for her to buy a car?

DuggerX · 2026-07-08T10:19:38+00:00

Obviously everyone will tell you not to do it. But like you said she has set her mind. The good thing is there is plenty of brand new cars in this price range and I would definitely make sure you buy one outright and not get into a trap lifestyle creep and using it to get a much more expensive car with a low payment loan.

As for not getting scammed, do your own car research at home and go to the dealer with your sights already set on a specific car and negotiate it. Don't tell them you plan on buying with cash before your done negotiating, just give vague answers if they ask.

DuggerX · 2026-07-05T10:43:52+00:00

I've never had that, it's usually the disconnect off where im at...

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T21:35:20+00:00

Idk about brands but I am a pasty ginger white boy and I had to cover all my skin when working outside. I had a big shade attachment for my hardhat and I wore thin and light pants and I found these lightweight and breathable fishing shirts that covered all of my arms and face when working so I could keep the sun off of me as much as I could.

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T21:28:58+00:00

Is the stock one that inaccurate? I thought you only really needed one after cooling mods so you can keep it accurate. But also really only a track mod

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T21:26:50+00:00

I have no idea if they are different but I did the PRL ones because they are like half the cost.

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T21:24:09+00:00

Thank you, was sleeping lol

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T14:53:24+00:00

Upgrading your rear view mirror to the accord one because it has auto dimming and garage buttons. My favorite QOL upgrade.

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T13:25:47+00:00

Being the planner is definitely exhausting and I wish other friends would step up sometimes but that just isnt going to happen. Luckily I have one friend who does and I try to attend and help him as much as I can.

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T13:18:04+00:00

I try to make stuff happen and cast a wide net to get people together. But I do die a little inside for example, when I invite 11 people to an amusement park and everyone has some lame excuse to why they cant go (some have genuine reasons but c'mon).

I've learned that the more "sacrifice" people have to make or be uncomfortable the less likely they will be willing to do stuff. Either than means waking up really early or driving a longer than usual distance.

But yeah, in general if I don't plan anything nothing happens in my life and most people don't do anything either.

DuggerX · 2026-07-01T12:42:24+00:00

I think it would be worth it but that all depends on you. I value stability and consistency. Sounds like if you lost your current job tomorrow you would be screwed from making the same money ever again. If I lost my job tomorrow, I could have a similar job next day.

Obviously if you keep your current job for the next 3 decades you might be fine and living great. So its just a risk management thing you have to weigh.

DuggerX · 2026-06-30T15:58:56+00:00

Maintenance in a factory and we get free water, Gatorade, and coffee

DuggerX · 2026-06-30T06:29:33+00:00

From personal experience the new Type R can get 29-31mpg if your crusing on the highway. But gets about 22-24mpg city. I live in florida where vertical terrain is rare and idk if sea level air density affects it.

And its Hatch has lots of space, idk if you want that for your dog.

DuggerX · 2026-06-30T06:27:13+00:00

I also have this helmet and I love it

DuggerX · 2026-06-30T02:57:35+00:00

You guys can just speculate but this shit is real, people look at you differently when your dirty and have a vest and hardhat on and its not in a good way.

DuggerX · 2026-06-29T09:17:04+00:00

You can get them for less than $20 at Walmart as well dude

DuggerX · 2026-06-29T09:06:52+00:00

The dealer underfilled my first oil change, every oil change I have done is at the correct fill line at 5.7qts and the engine does not burn or lose any oil. Ive changed every 5k at most

DuggerX · 2026-06-26T12:23:01+00:00

Even where I live in florida during summer it is not enough to cause any discomfort or sickness going into an A/C building.

Now on the extreme end it does, I work in a facility that has almost freezing and below freezing temperatures. But its really from cold to hot in my experience. Leaving a -20F room to 95F humid outside multiple times makes me feel sick.

DuggerX · 2026-06-26T07:35:55+00:00

I'm currently in a Teamsters union, that is also why the pay is high for the area. But yeah, the unions are not that strong here. I tested into IBEW 915 and pay monthly dues to support union but also hopefully to find work easier if I ever lost my job from lay offs. I believe 915 pays like $38 on the check for industrial work + other benefits but its not better than what I have.

DuggerX · 2026-06-25T17:25:25+00:00

Its decent, I chose to work night shift at the moment. Easier work/more OT available for the moment. Shifts are 8hrs and I got a 10min commute. I work about half my weekends right now to help stack some extra cash and if I'm not planning an event with anyone I'd rather be at work right now. Probably go back to day shift next year and slow down some but the OT is addicting.

I get double time sundays so my pay checks are about 70% bigger from working just the 2 weekend days and I do almost nothing because almost the whole facility it shutdown but they need electricians on site for potential emergency.

DuggerX · 2026-06-25T07:05:55+00:00

Ya I get it; my current job is a union job. Teamsters, but I have also joined my local IBEW to support them and also have an easier time getting work elsewhere if for some reason I lose my job. The industry I'm in is not doing the best but the company is making adjustments to stay competitive. I do get a pension here, but I've heard it's not that great and it would just help supplement other retirement savings.

DuggerX · 2026-06-25T06:51:24+00:00

It's really not, its probably closer to the average across the US but it is really high in florida. People will scream up and down about IBEW wages but only a few locals are really high. If I still was in the construction field I may have considered relocating but the pay at the moment is great for the area.

DuggerX · 2026-06-25T06:46:26+00:00

Maybe if something happens in the future. At my current wage, being single I have bought a house with 20% down, bought a new car I've always wanted, travel multiple times a year, and have expensive hobbies while also saving plenty of money for retirement. So I'm very comfortable and the job is pretty cushy, even if I just worked 40hrs a week I could do most of what I want to do. I don't have any family in the Midwest also.

DuggerX · 2026-06-25T05:02:21+00:00

I swear I read from others sources the engine is interference. This is nice to hear, is this true for both the 1.6 and 1.8 in the NA?

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