What do you do when you feel like getting a new car?

[96ToyoCam164K]

I live in a neighborhood where just about everyone has or has been getting a new car. And most everyone is married too LOL. I know envy is not the way to go, but sometimes I'm just like ugh...for all the work I have to keep putting into mine makes me want to. And it also doesn't help that people keep referring to my car as 'old' and 'thing'.

My advantage is I have time to do whatever needs to be done, and I don't have enough saved or to even put a down payment on something. I actually do like working on my car and having knowledge that when I first bought I didn't have a clue about anything and had to run to a mechanic for every little thing.

Last time I really got the feel for a new car is when I rented a Charger the other year. It was so bad ass.

Do you ever have those days? You spend all week working on your car then you think you wanna get something else?

[uuuuu]

I think about the 300-500 per month that a car payment costs. Repairs don't come close to that.

[Eye8Pussies]

if your car is an automatic, do a transmission swap

if it's an i4, od a v6 swap

if it's a v6, then supercharge it


it'll make your car feel like a new car for a good while after that

[xpeed]

I just take my weekend car out for a spin or I just take a drive in my DD and those thoughts disappear instantaneously.

Of course, I still think about getting one so I'm constantly looking around at new cars that came out.

[hill8570]

Maybe move to a neighborhood where nobody can afford a new car? Rent's cheaper there anyhow.

[gogopuertorican]

im feeling like that now...im in the same situation, everyone is buying new cars. But im saving up to put a down payment on something i really want. Which is an audi. So ima be with my camry for atleast another year.

[xpeed]

^ That's a good choice. I'm actually staving off in buying a new car so that I can have enough for a down payment on a condo or small house.

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Originally Posted by 96ToyoCam164K

I actually do like working on my car and having knowledge that when I first bought I didn't have a clue about anything and had to run to a mechanic for every little thing.

Last time I really got the feel for a new car is when I rented a Charger the other year. It was so bad ass.

I can totally relate to the above statement. I'm one of those idiots that like to kiss 100mph with every car I rent for roadtrips. Man, nothing like the power and handling of a new car.

But I like older, beater cars because that allows me to not be so anal about things. I would have a heart attack if I were to get a brand new car and then have some idiot dent it or scratch it. Plus, the cost to insure/register a new/newish car is enough to cut a few holes in your wallet. The more money I can save by continuing to drive my paid-for Camry, the sooner I can retire and not have to deal with the morons at work. I'll gladly sacrifice the niceties of a brand new car.

It comes to down to money and peace of mind for me. I'm perfectly happy with my family's fleet of Toyotas.

[96ToyoCam164K]

Originally Posted by xpeed

I just take my weekend car out for a spin

Well, yeah that does help. But mind you my 'spins' are more like 400+ mile road trips once a month. And next month I'm focusing on driving from Denver to Vancouver. If I can get this awful rattle to go away Last month it was Denver to Portland Oregon and no issues except for glazing of the rotors.

Originally Posted by xpeed

^ That's a good choice. I'm actually staving off in buying a new car so that I can have enough for a down payment on a condo or small house.

well, I have some money set aside but I'm using that to get my teeth fixed. I've never really been happy with my smile and even though the thought of a new car is tempting, I have to get this done.

Originally Posted by Owner_of_2_Camrys

I would have a heart attack if I were to get a brand new car and then have some idiot dent it or scratch it.

Oh tell me about it! I'm even anal now about mine. Black paint? Shows everything. Sprinklers drive me nuts, bird poop not as bad but when I lived in Florida you can actually see where the seagulls left some permanent marks.

[ghettosled]

i get the the feeling too from time to time - especially since my camry is the 'worst' car in the parking lot at work.

3 things tend to pull me back from running out to buy a 'new' car -

1. this car is uber reliable and its strange to see my co-worker's new ford fusion, audi A6, saab 95... that are less than a year or two old going into the shop.
2. obviously - no monthly payment. extremely nice since i have 2 young kids, 1 in daycare and the other in summer camp.
3. door dings/scrapes/wear and tear. a friend just picked up a nasty door ding on her car. my co-worker just had someone scrape the back bumper on his new accord when parked and didnt leave a note. not to say i dont care what my camry looks like, but dings and scrapes dont phase me on the camry - especially when i have a spray painted bumper and other non-perfect bits.

[mail2_jb]

This is a great post. I am in a very similar situation. I have been looking for a suv or car () for couple of years now. I've saved enough to put down a payment.
1. Since I have two small kids, wife wants a suv (somehow I convinced her to not go for van, or will let her cut my nu...off). I have a long commute to work and almost everyone i know says don't get suv, get a van (WTF).Their argument is van ride is much more comfortable (2 of my friends traded their highlander and subaru to get an odyssey) and safer etc...I hate vans
2. I haven't ridden a bimmer to merc for long (just couple of blocks on my friend's bimmer). Sometimes I feel like get a a used bimmer (~12-15K) and sell the camry. However the reviews (and i have many friends who own bimmers who says they will never get another bimmer) and the very poor reliability makes me wonder if this is a good choice either?. My camrys are going strong even after 11 and 9 years.
3. Both cars are paid off and I really don't want to get another loan.

So when I feel like, man, i need to get new car, I go to craigslist and browse for highlander or bimmer or merc and after sometime I feel like "damn, i don't want another loan. lets roll with the good ol' camry for now" and this cycle continues...

So far I can't make up my mind...oh ya, i hate going to car shopping...and hate stealerships too...

[houra]

I am thinking to buy a new camry gen 6, but because the DIY of generation 6 is not like gen 3,4(great DIY for gen 3,4) so still i like to keep this car and maintain it.

[EDman0142]

I feel you man, I have a love hate relationship with my camry sometimes. Just last week i was ready to torch it when i couldn't figure out its starter issues (sometimes would get stranded places)...but after i got that fixed, got new suspension I'm back on good terms with my car and its made it feel like new again. As much as i want a new car now, I've just come to accept my camry for now because i know my next car will be something nice (and at least 200hp ). One more year in college and maybe ill have the money to treat myself. either way ill keep the camry as long as it last.

I think you should just save and be patient.. I'm sure it will pay off for you in the long run... and screw those neighbors that talk smack about your ride...im sure theirs wont last that long without issues.

[White95Cam]

I just went though a period at work were all the 20 somethings decided they all had to trade cars, good cars! They all ended up with huge payments and insurance bills. A few also ended up with speeding tickets.
My Camry is getting old but I have taken extremely good care of the body as well as the mechanical end of it. There are only two small door dent in it and I had the windshield replaced and the front repainted about five years ago because of rock chips. I drive to California twice a year and to Key West twice a year without any fear of breakdown.
The best part is when the new car people make their payments I make a deposit into my new car saving account. After 12 years without a car payment there is a good amount of money in it. I can pay cash for just about anything on the road except a super car but I don't need one because of my trusty old Camry. I occasionally go my the dealer where I bought it in 1995 and the staff still try to buy it from me because it is in such good condition.
W95c

[cf99]

Originally Posted by mail2_jb

I have been looking for a suv or car () for couple of years now.
1. Since I have two small kids, wife wants a suv (somehow I convinced her to not go for van, or will let her cut my nu...off). I have a long commute to work and almost everyone i know says don't get suv, get a van (WTF).

Don't get either. Get a used Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon! Beats the Ferrari while hauling the wife, kids, and a load of bricks from Home Depot...