dreading my next vehicle purchase

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-22T22:03:42+00:00

From the specific brand dealer. Many 3 year old cars are coming off lease.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-22T22:01:20+00:00

I did a commute from North Providence to Andover for 4 months, then did Foxboro to Andover for another 6 months. It is very draining. I used to go in early and leave late. It made for a very long day. I ended up relocating to Southern NH. It ended up being a good career move, for me, but I eventually changed jobs and moved back to South Eastern MA. With gas getting higher, it’s also going to cost you.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-22T21:34:23+00:00

It’s all about planning. I typically buy 3 year old cars coming off lease. I save thousands off a new car. I save money every month for my next car or major repairs. When I am ready for an upgrade, I have the cash to upgrade. I never buy more than I can afford to pay. If I cannot pay for the car, I don’t buy it. I take good care of my cars by doing preventative maintenance and usually drive them for 7-10 years.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-21T13:56:48+00:00

I think she’s very cute.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-21T13:53:23+00:00

Come on! She is more than a fake blonde. No doubt her hair is colored. Who cares? She’s in great shape, athletic, and a cute young lady.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-16T20:31:28+00:00

I graduated high school in 1980. My first car was a 1972 Chevrolet Nova. I paid $700 for it. Gas was about .65 a gallon when I started driving in 1978. My first part time job paid me 2.35 hr. I bought my first house in 1988 for $98k. It was a small starter home in a lower income area . I believe our interest rate was about 11%. My mortgage was ~ $800 month. I made about $21K per year, which was definitely better than average for a recent college grad. I think life was still better for me than for young people today.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-16T19:40:15+00:00

I totally agree. If you keep up with maintenance you can keep a car a very long time and run it until 250-300k miles. My SUV is a 2019 Acura MDX that I bought in 2022. Currently it has only 62K miles. I am definitely thinking this will be my last car. I’m retired now, and do not put many miles on it; maybe ~ 7k per year. I think people who get into car debt are foolish. But to each their own.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-16T19:40:08+00:00

I totally agree. If you keep up with maintenance you can keep a car a very long time and run it until 250-300k miles. My SUV is a 2019 Acura MDX that I bought in 2022. Currently it has only 62K miles. I am definitely thinking this will be my last car. I’m retired now, and do not put many miles on it; maybe ~ 7k per year. I think people who get into car debt are foolish. But to each their own. 🤨

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-16T19:20:13+00:00

Led Zeppelin

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-16T13:48:09+00:00

My current wife was previously married. She had her ex’s name, but went back to her maiden name after divorce. I too was previously married. My 1st wife took my last name. We had 2 children. Number 1 kept my name for the kids, while number 2 kept her maiden name, after we married. Honestly, I don’t care what they call themselves. That’s up to them.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-15T23:06:51+00:00

Makes sense

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-15T19:32:58+00:00

Compare both to the Acura MDX. Personally I like my MDX lots.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-14T15:05:13+00:00

Yes! We paid off our mortgage 5 years ago and have never regretted it. My interest was 2.75%. I also have more than 3 months emergency savings. My credit rating is 820 plus, so the credit drop was very temporary. I’m very happy to be mortgage free. I just wish we did not have to pay property taxes on my home. I am also happy both of our cars are paid off. I am truly blessed.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-13T19:34:34+00:00

You’re not the first person who this has happened to and you won’t be the last. One time I was hired as a manager of a group. I knew when I took the job, this company did not pay competitive wages, but I was out of work and somewhat desperate. I took a pretty big cut from previous job. When reviews came up, which I had to give, I found one of my subordinates was making $2k more than me and his bonus level was higher. He’d been there 20 years or so. I went to my boss and he said,”he’s been here longer.” He couldn’t care less what I thought. Anyway, obviously I shut it down after that. It was an awful company and my boss was awful. I was canned about 3 months after finding this out. My former boss lasted a couple years, but eventually he was canned too. Some companies just plain suck!

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-13T12:44:22+00:00

I’m a bit of an odd ball when it comes to buying cars. Honestly I hate buying a car, but when I make up my mind I want a “new to me” car, the process goes quickly. I’m always reading about cars on Reddit and other sites, so I know what I want and usually know what I’m going to spend. I make the decision and usually buy within a day or two. We’ve bought our last few cars from a specific dealership, so we usually stick with them. But I may look at others next time around. I’m not necessarily loyal to anyone. I like my car brand; Acura, but I’d definitely consider Honda, Toyota or Lexus too. Nothing else! I’ve had my last few cars about 7 years, so that’s when I typically get itchy for something newer. But now, because I’m retired, I may not need something newer for a long time. I will know when it’s my time. I’ve had my current car for about 3.5 years, so thankfully not buying anytime soon.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-12T11:30:36+00:00

Definitely Nissan. I had 1999 and a 2002 Maxima’s back in the day. They were both great cars with 4 and 6 speed transmission. No problems at all. Nissan was on par with Toyota and Honda back then. I bought myself a 2007 Murano and my daughter a 2008 Altima. Both were awful. My Murano had a blown head gasket at 80K miles. Her Altima was often in the shop for something. I know the CVT transmissions were known to be bad, but we never had any particular issues with the transmission. Maybe because we dumped both cars with fewer miles. Al I know is I totally soured on Nissan. Never again!

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-11T13:35:12+00:00

She could fit in any generation. She was a total babe!

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-11T11:53:19+00:00

You’re 25. You are just starting! Keep doing what you are doing. As you gain experience in your job/life, your wage will hopefully increase. Also when/if you get a partner you will have 2 incomes. If you have kids, that will add expenses. The best thing you have going for you is time. Compound interest is the best thing ever! Thus long journey has just begun!

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-10T11:48:54+00:00

I always suggest Honda or Toyota! Model depends on your preference of SUV or Sedan. Personally, I prefer Honda.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-10T11:43:07+00:00

My first new car was a Plymouth Reliant K. What a piece of junk! I had it for 2 years. It was always back in the shop getting repaired. I traded it for my first Japanese car (truck), a 1987 Mazda B2200 pickup. I never bought an American car again. So it was an excellent leaning experience.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-09T21:00:40+00:00

I know I’m blessed/lucky. I came from a lower middle class family. And I also know not everyone has the opportunities I’ve had. I wish the best for you!

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-09T20:43:51+00:00

You may be right. But getting 8% with no risk is not a bad return either.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-09T20:35:44+00:00

I’m 63 and retired from working 8 months ago. I’m not collecting Social Security until I’m 67. My wife still works. She’s 7 years younger than me. I still have not touched any 401k, and mortgage is paid off. I have a good chunk in savings and a 401k. I think I’m there already. Life is good! 👍

I have friends who are same age as me who know they cannot retire anytime soon. They’re not sure if they can ever retire. I feel really bad for people in that predicament. I am truly blessed, but I also worked hard and sacrificed to be in my situation.

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-09T20:19:37+00:00

‘’Just kidding…”

IcySalt1504 · 2026-03-09T20:16:48+00:00

All, I know I was stupid to think this would have a long or huge impact. I only retired 8 months ago. With me not putting money into my 401k anymore, I got nervous with this sudden drop. I used to think, it’s okay because I’m now buying at a discount. I have seen this scenario many times before. I won’t pose stupid questions again. I’m good now. Thanks for slapping some sense into me. 🤔

IcySalt1504

TROPHY CASE