Car or kitchen remodel?

[Marmee]

Which would you choose? Looks like we can get 1 or the other but not both this year. The car would be more obviously but we'll have to do that one eventually (probably w/in 5yrs) meanwhile the kitchen is not ever "necessary".

Details:
DHs car runs great & but is falling apart (aesthetically like the trim & minor things like power locks)...he's kind of embarrassed to be driving it to work...interns have nicer cars. Lol. He'd get my Pathfinder & I'd get a new bigger (8 passenger SUV). I'm fine driving my Pathfinder indefinitely but a new car would be nice. I have no commute & DHs is 15min. We don't live in our cars at all but it'd be a nice upgrade for both of us.

Kitchen would be a minor remodel. Replace laminate counters with Quartz, floating floor with tile, paint & a nice backsplash. The main issue functionally is a leaky faucet we could obviously replace. Appliances are almost all already new and cabinets are nice so those are staying. Also our small laundry room would get redone (this is needed)...it's a small room next to kitchen & get same floors, painted & new cabinets to match kitchen. So also an aesthetic upgrade but not much in terms of functionally.

[illgetthere]

Could you get him a nicer car but not a big 8 passenger SUV while you keep your car? That would be a lot cheaper and allow you to do the kitchen quicker. I would do a need before a want.

[Marmee]

Jul 30, 2014 9:48:59 GMT -5 illgetthere said:

Could you get him a nicer car but not a big 8 passanger SUV while you keep your car? That would be a lot cheaper and allow you to do the kitchen quicker. I would do a need before a want.

We now have 4 kids & live in CO so any car we buy from now on we want to work for both of these. Right now he just has a regular car & it's a problem that he can't fit our entire family in it & it doesn't have 4WD. This is actually another big motivator for getting another car. If one breaks down &/or has to go in the shop, we'd have another viable option. Luckily my Pathfinder has never broken down in 7yrs but I assume this will happen as it gets older. We found a good deal on a car we really like, it's as good as we'll get for a slightly used SUV (7 or 8 passenger).

[hbomdiggity]

Car.

The described kitchen reno doesn't seem worth it to me. I would wait until you can/need to do more.

[Deleted]

I barely cook and I commute 2 hours/day, but I still get more joy out of my kitchen than my car.

[h]

Kitchen. But I couldn't care less about cars beyond safety and reliability, and I care a lot about how my house looks. I will pick spending money on a house project over most anything short of retirement or child's education any time.

[lime]

I've had an 11 year old car that looked like crap that my CWs made fun of. IDGAF. I was actually rather financially happy that I could drive it into the ground.

Do you need to have all of your family fit into both cars? Could he get something small and fuel efficient to commute with?

[Deleted]

Jul 30, 2014 10:07:19 GMT -5 @crackhabit said:

A car sounds far more practical.
I would choose the kitchen.

Ditto. The kitchen redo will be more fun and you'll probably get more enjoyment out of it. If DH is ok with keeping the car longer, it would be hard to pass up the remodel!

[msmerymac]

I personally wouldn't replace my car because it was an "embarrassment" if it as still functional, but YMMV.

[curbsideprophet]

I would lean towards the kitchen since you will spend more time there.

[dr.girlfriend]

I would tend toward kitchen, but what happens if your DH's car does crap out? Will you be stuck for a replacement if you spend the $$ on a kitchen remodel? That said, the kitchen remodel does sound pretty cheap.

[lys]

A car is a depreciating asett - so I would pass on that until absolutely necessary - and then buy a slightly used AWD vehicle (Not 4WD and Not New)for better price and gas mileage.

Kitchen will add to the value of your home or at least not lose the money put into it.

Heck, DH's car is now 13 years old and still running great (Subaru), but it is not looking the best any more. He has no plans to replace it because of it's aged appearance, but will wait until it needs to be replaced due to mechanical issues.

[barefootcontessa]

I would probably get the vehicle. It will be easier to haul the kids and their stuff, plus you have a back-up vehicle should you need repairs.

[doctorsbaby]

I would go with the car as you both having vehicles that the whole fit in is important to me. I would maybe look at doing the kitchen in smaller pieces as you can cash flow it. Maybe the floors as one project, then the counters & back splash, laundry room, etc.

[CloudBee]

The car. Hands down.

You can make minor updates to the kitchen over time, as you really don't need a major overhaul. Save up for counters and tackle those in a year or two, and do the backsplash yourself.

The laundry room shouldn't cost much, either.

[CloudBee]

Take into account that a larger SUV may up your monthly gas costs.