WWMMD car-related

[thegooser]

I have a 2007 Mazda3. Worth $6100 trade-in, $8300 private party sale. I really think I made a mistake buying it. I don't really like the car, although it runs great. My major qualm with it is that it is a compact sedan and not a hatchback. My previous car was a hatchback and I got used to being able to haul things in it. I also have a large dog and we plan to have kids soon, so having a third row for doggo would be good.

Other considerations: I'm allergic to my dog, so I'd prefer leather seats so that I can wipe them down when I have her in the car. We have leather couches and it makes a big difference.

The car I really want is a Subaru Outback. I'd like to pay what my car is worth and not take out any extra loans. I only owe $3k on my car and plan to pay it off in the next month when DH gets backpaid. I'd have to downgrade to a 2004 with similar miles to mine in order to get what I want (sunroof-- I use mine until it's about 40 degrees out, leather, heated seats, all of which tend to come in the same trim level) at that price point.

So the question is, would you swap out a used car that you know runs well for an older model that meets your needs better? Needs being hatchback/family car, wants being leather for allergies and AWD, bonus points for sunroof and heated seats.

In the interest of full disclosure, my DH drives an XTerra so I do have access to a car that does the above when needed. However, DH loves his car and hates to swap because he hates my car (he thinks it's super girly and calls it the Tampon Mobile). He WILL swap, but I can't really drive the XTerra regularly or anything. And sometimes I don't know that I need to haul something in advance. My car is just so tiny, and I just don't like it. But strictly speaking, I can make do.

[pitterwoo]

I wouldn't, at least not yet. Having a car that runs well and I know the history on is worth a lot imo. I would drive the car paid off for a while to get more value out of it and save for the next vehicle. Figure at least a year until you're hauling a kid around, so save some money in the meantime.

eta: for the dog, can you put down a dog blanket when he's in there and then throw it in the wash? Or do you have him in the car too often for that?

[thegooser]

To be clear, I've only had my car a year. I did not buy it new or anything and I wouldn't really say I know the history except it hasn't broken down in the past year.

Yes to dog blanket. That's typically how I roll, although she gets fur everywhere anyway.

[livinitup]

I LOVE not having a car payment. If I was about to pay-off a car, I would be so delighted that I could bank my usual car payment for cash to the next one that I wouldn't even notice that my back does not hatch.

[thegooser]

Sept 25, 2012 20:09:47 GMT -5 livinitup said:

I LOVE not having a car payment. If I was about to pay-off a car, I would be so delighted that I could bank my usual car payment for cash to the next one that I wouldn't even notice that my back does not hatch.

The idea would be an even trade. Have no car payment on either car option. And I won't be banking payments for my next car; we need to pay off DH's car and move down the list of financial goals.

My question is about reliability- would you go to an older model but higher quality car that suits you better, for the same price? Subarus are generally pretty reliable.

C'mon people, enable me!

[rubytue]

Ok, I'll play with enabling. Depends on the mileage and maintainence. Like my ILs had an old Subaru that was impeccably maintained and was given to BIL. Its still going strong. Actually, I lost my V-car in BIL's 89 Subaru that was still running in 2007. We have an 02 Subaru still going strong. My friend's 02 went to 250k miles before the engine blew up.

OTOH, trading in a 5- year-old car for and 8-9 year old seems rather silly. I don't think I could do it. But when our 02 dies, we will be in the market for an 02-08 Forester (before they changed the body style), bc it turns out, it is the perfect city-driving construction vehicle for an electrician.

[livinitup]

Sept 25, 2012 20:14:20 GMT -5 thegooser said:

Sept 25, 2012 20:09:47 GMT -5 livinitup said:

I LOVE not having a car payment. If I was about to pay-off a car, I would be so delighted that I could bank my usual car payment for cash to the next one that I wouldn't even notice that my back does not hatch.

The idea would be an even trade. Have no car payment on either car option. And I won't be banking payments for my next car; we need to pay off DH's car and move down the list of financial goals.

My question is about reliability- would you go to an older model but higher quality car that suits you better, for the same price? Subarus are generally pretty reliable.

C'mon people, enable me!

Is it an even trade? Is this a real car, or just a general idea of what you can get?

An "even trade" certainly seems worth it, right? I mean, it's even and you get everything you want.

I guess I'm wondering if its really "even".