Many of us seem to be getting new cars this year. What are your plans?

[Vinsanity]

The Benz.  It's a real coupe...and I much prefer the interior.

it does have moar pistons...

[Raza]

The Benz.  It's a real coupe...and I much prefer the interior.

It's also a very expensive C class with E class styling. 

[Raza]

it does have moar pistons...

The A7 has the S4 motor.  Trust me, it's fast. 

Although its real competitor is the CLS550.  Those are the two cars my mom was looking at when she was shopping.  And we know how that story ended.  E class coupe is a money grab, don't fall for it.

[nickdrinkwater]

The Benz.  It's a real coupe...and I much prefer the interior.

Almost, but not all of the side glass disappears unfortunately

[Vinsanity]

The A7 has the S4 motor.  Trust me, it's fast.  

Although its real competitor is the CLS550.  Those are the two cars my mom was looking at when she was shopping.  And we know how that story ended.  E class coupe is a money grab, don't fall for it.

Interestingly, though they're quite different cars, the A7 and E550 coupe are both about the same price brand new. I agree that the A7 seems to be a better value, but the E550 has that beast of a motor under the hood.

[AutobahnSHO]

Plans complete..

http://www.carspin.net/forums/index.php?topic=27030.30

[Atomic]

What would you like? Is it in reach?

Me? I ordered my Volvo as most are aware.

It is my dream car. In reach? Well, I will struggle some, but have no regrets.

UPDATED: July 22, 2012

Well, the car is in! I am getting gun shy...

Only the thought of writing out the check and getting that first ding...

It will be ready on Wednesday and I probably won't see it until then (not far, but in the opposite direction...) being that I will leaving to see family today. The Volvo dealer has it locked away inside...

I am really excited, but I will really miss my dad's Accord that I am gifting to my niece... My dad worshipped her and it will be emotional for her... She was with him when he died and their bond was unbelievable close...

That eases the loss and has made it easier not having a trade or money from selling a car to buy the new one... It will be sweet having the Accord EX sedan in the family for many reasons...

One minor change between the 2012 and '13 Volvo XC60 T6 R-Design is the change from Soft-Beige to Off-Black headliner... With my color choice of Off-Black premium sports leather with Soft-Beige leather inserts. Something I was hoping for after talking with a buddy citing a problem with the tan headliner in his Audi causing an annoying reflection against the tinted windows... I never thought of this occuring, I just like the darker, richer color with the primarily deep color leather interior of my Volvo R-Design.

I will keep you posted!

[dazzleman]

My car is 6 years old, but I have no immediate plans to replace it.  I have 49,000 miles it, it's running well, and there's no payment.  Until it starts requiring some major work, I intend to keep it, probably in reality for 2-3 more years.

[Rupert]

Wow, Dave, that's pretty... middle class of you.

[nickdrinkwater]

We need pix !!

[Atomic]

My car is 6 years old, but I have no immediate plans to replace it.  I have 49,000 miles it, it's running well, and there's no payment.  Until it starts requiring some major work, I intend to keep it, probably in reality for 2-3 more years.

Change from the NYC auto show, Dave? Thought you were narrowing down choices.

[3.0L V6]

Wow, Dave, that's pretty... middle class of you.

There's a reason why he's where he is. Smart man.

Anyway, I recently purchased a new beater for myself in late May - a 2001 Mazda Protege.
97k kilometers (60k miles), automatic (beggars can't be choosers), $3500.

Have put a new thermostat, accessory drive belts and oil pan into it so far (the old oil pan was oozing oil due to corrosion). It needs a new A/C condenser, as the one currently is finished, and probably some exhaust work, but hopefully that can wait until next year.

[Morris Minor]

Lots of economic uncertainty in the Minor household at the moment. So I'll be holding onto the Pilot through its tenth birthday. It's paid for and maintained.

[Lebowski]

My car is 6 years old, but I have no immediate plans to replace it.  I have 49,000 miles it, it's running well, and there's no payment.  Until it starts requiring some major work, I intend to keep it, probably in reality for 2-3 more years.

That's smart. I'm increasingly amazed at ppl who replace cars every 2-3 yrs.  My 4runner is 2 1/2 yrs old and still feels brand new. My C6 is 6 1/2 yrs old, and is just as much fun as ever and is still very reliable.

[MrH]

Well, I just bought the BRZ.  I'll probably pay it off by spring of next year.  The plan is to keep it indefinitely until one of the following happens:

-A somehow get a giant promotion that makes me LOL-money.  Pretty unlikely.
-STI version comes out that's substantially better than my current BRZ.  It's probably at least 2 years off.

I don't see myself wanting to sell it for anything else until that happens.  A second car 3 years from now is pretty likely if either of the things above doesn't happen.  Probably a used Honda Element or Tacoma or something.

[Xer0]

That's smart. I'm increasingly amazed at ppl who replace cars every 2-3 yrs. 

Aren't most new car purchases leases?  I guess that would kind of force them into a new car every few years (unless you buy it after the lease period, but then if you leased you probably aren't interested in buying).

Personally, my Civic has 10 months left on it.  After its paid off I don't have any immediate plans to get something else.

[AutobahnSHO]

Aren't most new car purchases leases?

Probably not. We have a friend couple who asked how we could afford 2 cars. Lessee, we used to always buy with cash (tax refund) and then we financed $5k of minivan after putting $3k down. $100/month payments.

Meanwhile they were buying new- everytime the warranty ran out. They still usually owed more than tradein value, so they were like $20k upside down with their last purchase a year or two ago. Finally they bought a $2k beater because he was having issues getting to work.   (I can't imagine only having one car!!)

[AutobahnSHO]

Anyway, bought the Miata, still have paid-off Subie and Minivan. Absolutely blows my mind that I have a "fun" car and 2 other cars..

[Vinsanity]

I'm constantly going back and forth as to whether I want to hold out to trade in for a boss/baller status car in five years, or get an enthusiast-approved second car in two.

The enthusiast car would be fun, but the boss car would be boss.

Good thing I have a lot of time to decide.

[dazzleman]

Wow, Dave, that's pretty... middle class of you.

I've always been middle class by background and way of thinking.

[dazzleman]

Change from the NYC auto show, Dave? Thought you were narrowing down choices.

I go back and forth, but I think I'll stick with what I have for a few more years.

[dazzleman]

I'm constantly going back and forth as to whether I want to hold out to trade in for a boss/baller status car in five years, or get an enthusiast-approved second car in two.

The enthusiast car would be fun, but the boss car would be boss.

Good thing I have a lot of time to decide.

Take your time man.  And make sure you really are a boss/baller before you get a boss/baller car.

[Vinsanity]

Take your time man.  And make sure you really are a boss/baller before you get a boss/baller car.

Thanks for the advice. Being hood rich is pretty unfulfilling. 10-year-old Bangle-butt 7-serieses and McMansion-looking apartment buildings wear off their coolness pretty quickly

[dazzleman]

Thanks for the advice. Being hood rich is pretty unfulfilling. 10-year-old Bangle-butt 7-serieses and McMansion-looking apartment buildings wear off their coolness pretty quickly

Damn right.  Not only that, but pretending is pretty expensive, and can actually prevent you from becoming a boss/baller.

Besides, you're doing pretty well with cars already, man.  You have good taste in sneakers and cars....

[Atomic]

I go back and forth, but I think I'll stick with what I have for a few more years.

I think many of us always look... Part of the fun... I admire your self control, bro. I get the bug often but am really happy with my new car purchase. For me it was necessary to buy when I did.

I always wanted to gift the 2006 Honda Accord EX (7,000 miles when I took ownership in 2010!) that my dad bought before the cancer hit hard. Her big and safe Pontiac "Bonnie" that her dad restored finally gave out with about 150,000 miles on it. This prompted me to order a brand new car for me and post vehicular, I decided on the Volvo.

Speaking of the New York City show and Volvo, I inspected the Passion Red XC60 T6 R-Design there closely knowing that would be the car for me but not the first color of choice. I decided beforehand that my new vehicle would be this model but it was in NYC that I really got psyched.

The crew would gladly HELP YOU spend your money at the 2013 show 

[dazzleman]

I think many of us always look... Part of the fun... I admire your self control, bro. I get the bug often but am really happy with my new car purchase. For me it was necessary to buy when I did.

I always wanted to gift the 2006 Honda Accord EX (7,000 miles when I took ownership in 2010!) that my dad bought before the cancer hit hard. Her big and safe Pontiac "Bonnie" that her dad restored finally gave out with about 150,000 miles on it. This prompted me to order a brand new car for me and post vehicular, I decided on the Volvo.

Speaking of the New York City show and Volvo, I inspected the Passion Red XC60 T6 R-Design there closely knowing that would be the car for me but not the first color of choice. I decided beforehand that my new vehicle would be this model but it was in NYC that I really got psyched.

The crew would gladly HELP YOU spend your money at the 2013 show  

Haha, there's no shortage of people who want to "help" me spend my money.  My cousin keeps badgering me to put in a pool.  Stuff like that.  Funny that most of the people who want to help me spend my money have none of their own.  No point in taking financial advice from people who are bankrupt....

I'm really not having trouble controlling myself.  I'm past the point in my life where acquisition of material goods is important.  I have what I need.  I'd rather spend the money on travel at this point.  In a couple more years, I'll seriously consider another car, only because I have no patience with taking the car in for a lot of repairs.

I agree about looking, though.  It's fun to look.

[Atomic]

Haha, there's no shortage of people who want to "help" me spend my money.  My cousin keeps badgering me to put in a pool.  Stuff like that.  Funny that most of the people who want to help me spend my money have none of their own.  No point in taking financial advice from people who are bankrupt....

I'm really not having trouble controlling myself.  I'm past the point in my life where acquisition of material goods is important.  I have what I need.  I'd rather spend the money on travel at this point.  In a couple more years, I'll seriously consider another car, only because I have no patience with taking the car in for a lot of repairs.

I agree about looking, though.  It's fun to look.

Great life philosophy and ambition to travel, Dave. I am getting the bug to see more of the U.S. and Canada and if not for looking after my mother (early dementia) I would leave the United States and Canada to explore The Great Barrier Reef, Australia and other "must see" places throughout the world. I like your priorities, good man.

[dazzleman]

Great life philosophy and ambition to travel, Dave. I am getting the bug to see more of the U.S. and Canada and if not for looking after my mother (early dementia) I would leave the United States and Canada to explore The Great Barrier Reef, Australia and other "must see" places throughout the world. I like your priorities, good man.

Forgive me for butting in, but you should hire somebody to look after your mother while you're gone, and go.  Caretakers need breaks, and you can be a better caretaker over the longer term if you take care of your own needs too.

[Lebowski]

Aren't most new car purchases leases?  I guess that would kind of force them into a new car every few years (unless you buy it after the lease period, but then if you leased you probably aren't interested in buying).

Sounds like another good reason to avoid leasing

[dazzleman]

Sounds like another good reason to avoid leasing

Exactly.  Leasing is not a smart move in most cases, IMO.