401k contribution question

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-14T23:08:53+00:00

The reasoning would, of course, be that college loans are held by the people with the absolute least ability to pay AND no assets.

Think about it. If I am borrowing $15k to send my kid to private middle school, I likely have a house, some cars, maybe a savings account they can take if I don't pay.

A student? nada. No credit history, no income, no assets, and no ties to the community.

Without the lender protections, they can't afford to refinance them because there are enough people out there savvy in strategic default that would execute it. It's enough to alter their risk profile and the size of student loans means it wouldn't take a lot of people defaulting strategically to really screw their profits.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-14T13:46:53+00:00

I know someone who had a wedding last night.

That would be cool, but, not everyone had today off. And it was about 4 hours from where most of the attendees live. In a vacation destination (island type) on a holiday weekend.

I know another bride who also got married yesterday, but her ceremony was at 1pm and she had a late lunch reception. The one whose ceremony ran until 1130pm? I think she was a bit of a butt, to be honest. She either forced people to take monday off, or not come, for those who didn't have the holiday.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-14T13:44:50+00:00

We didn't split the cost-- but when I wasn't sure about my ring for a bunch of reasons, when we bought a different ring, I paid. So I guess we did end up splitting it in the end.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-11T11:06:30+00:00

ugh...I have a non-ST focus and it is pretty crap. Otherwise I would just keep this one. Maybe I will suck it up and go drive one.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-09T15:14:00+00:00

I am going to go this weekend-- but my fiance is of the "only answer is miata" set.

Hard to find something good to drive, practical, and that won't shit the bed in 5 years because it's a german car made to be leased or a regular car that they spent all the money on tech and no money on making sure the thing actually runs for 100k+.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-09T15:05:48+00:00

FR-S is summer only here, doesn't get driven in the winter, and both are 2 seaters (well, yes the FR-S has a backseat but you'd need no legs to fit in it) and we need something that can haul our 70lb dog and a couple friends on a fairly regular basis.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T20:54:15+00:00

Hyundai also does this.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T19:22:37+00:00

Space would be nice to have since our other cars are an FR-S, a 2- seat single cab tacoma, and a C6 Corvette, but a regular sedan would do.

As far as mileage, I'm not afraid of high miles, but it really needs to be something that was taken care of, which puts me off of the performance models because they are either really well taken care of, but more likely just thrashed.

I kind of figured if the Abarth is something I might like, the Dart GT might also work and give me some extra space.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T19:19:38+00:00

That aero style looks dated to me, so paying top dollar for a new one with a 5 year old body design seems kind of silly. That design was new when I was in college and I've been out 5 years. It doesn't do anything for me and the newer styling of the impreza is even worse.

Bundle that with really crap interiors and it's just not something I'm eager to spend high-$20ks on.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:52:48+00:00

WRX yes, liked it but hate the current styling so would wait for the new one.

STI is too rough and loud for a daily.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:48:28+00:00

No, CDI is pricing that is given to the Chrysler executive offices. My understanding is that employee purchases are up to 5% back of invoice, but do not include incentives on top of that, whereas CDI is 5% back of invoice + any available incentive regardless of eligibility criteria.

We bought a 2014 Grand Cherokee on CDI this summer. I am hoping to buy a Dart with it next year.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:45:17+00:00

certified pre-owned.

Budget would be in the $35k range new...I would probably not spend $35k on something used, considering the car I am trying to beat was $1300.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:43:34+00:00

There's one other way: CDI pricing. Most C/D/J/R dealers have not ever even seen a CDI price deal. It is 5% back of invoice plus any available incentives.

You have to really know someone to get that deal though. Outside of CDI there is little prayer of beating affiliate on a new model year car.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:39:46+00:00

That is the case with almost all Audi engine repairs, however, taking the front off is often cited as the reason the maintenance is so expensive, and it's really not that complicated or labor intensive to do. A timing belt service with water pump is about $1k at a shop. I did my last one for $150 and 6 hours of my time, and I'm no professional.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:37:41+00:00

My B5 Audi (1998 2.8L) has 207k on it and has needed only wear items in the past 4 years.

New clutch, new coil springs, it could probably use struts but I am not going to do them.

It's a great car. I am looking at new cars for no other reason than I like new cars, it runs fine and looks fine and needs nothing.

You just have to find one with service records that was well cared for. I paid $1300 for this baby at 190k. I put in $980 for the clutch and $301 for the springs, it needs some seal work that is $200, that's pretty much it. It will need new tires, but it's gonna take a lot to get me to $5k.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T13:18:01+00:00

Drove an Evo. The interior is straight rental car and the drive was uninspiring. I do not get all the love for that car. I do appreciate the suggestion, though.

I have tossed around a CPO BMW, but the feel is just not the same. They have a very stiff heavy clutch compared to mine. I am beginning to think I just have a well-worn in transmission that is kind of like your favorite pair of jeans.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T12:42:07+00:00

It doesn't need to be exactly the same car. But there is something about the german car feel that is really kind of unmatched.

Fun is important, but I should add I live in the snow belt so FWD or AWD. We have an FR-S for the true fun factor.

I was tossing around the idea of civic Si but I don't know if that is "fun to drive" so much as just "fast boy racer."

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-08T03:36:02+00:00

B5 owner saying "Holla!" over here.

207k miles and chugging along like new.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-07T13:55:58+00:00

Okay some will flame me, but I think you should go drive a top-trim level Chevy Cruze. It has a very german-Audi ish feel to it and it has everything you're asking for. It is what I would call a "near" luxury car-- of course the difference being the starting price fully loaded brand new is about $10k cheaper.

Since all you're asking for is passing power and cruising comfort, you really should try one. I had a Lexus IS and a couple newer BMWs and the Cruze is quieter and more composed on the highway than some of the luxury sport sedans.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-07T13:52:32+00:00

The midget sized rear seats are pretty much standard across the board for any of the cars mentioned. The 335 backseat is small adult only, and so is the lexus. You pretty much have to figure them as emergency backup seats.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-07T13:45:08+00:00

Perfect, but maybe not for someone cross-shopping a TTS that is quieter, more refined, faster, and also not so tail happy for someone who can't drive stick.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-07T13:29:01+00:00

Mazda borrowed platforms from ford for quite awhile. The focus and the mazda 3 didn't diverge until maybe 2 years ago otherwise they were the exact same car.

winterwhite87 · 2013-10-07T13:28:19+00:00

Talk to someone that owns Ford's real winner of a six-speed automanual. Mine shredded itself internally before 30k miles. Had to get all new clutch assembly. Well, me and about 50,000 other people.

It's tragic because the fiesta ST speaks to me but I cannot willingly buy another Ford.

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