My wife wants a new car

My wife wants a new car

Jordan SutherlandBusiness Member
Realtor · Lubbock, TX · Member since 2016 · 86 posts · 119 votes

Hey guys, I would love to hear some opinions on my personal finances. I'm a 23 year old fireman in Texas. I make a decent salary and my wife is able to stay home with our two kids. We are able to live confortably because we have no debt ( besides our home and our two rental properties), but we still have to stick to a budget to make ends meet. We just got into real estate investing last year and I would like to keep the ball rolling.  We have about $40k in the bank and in moderately aggressive mutual funds not in retirement accounts. We are expecting our third child in June and my wife says she needs a new car to accommodate our whole family. She currently drives a 2008 impala that could hold our whole family, but would be very inconvenient with 2 babies and a 6 year old in the small back seat. My car is even smaller than hers. My wife wants a used SUV in the $15,000-$20,000 price range.I told her that she should keep her current car, because it will help with our long term financial goals, but she is adamant in getting something newer and bigger. I feel like we are doing very well for our age, but I feel like if we spend too much money on cars and other liabilities it will severely compromise our financial future. The money we would spend on a car could be used as a down payment on  another rental property in my local market.  Even a small car payment of $300/month will not fit in our budget at all, as  our income is nothing to brag about. What do you guys think we should do? Make my wife happy and get the car or try to remain frugal in our personal finances and continue growing our investment portfolio? Thanks for any input!!

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Natalie KolodijBusiness Member
Moderator
Tax Strategist| National Tax Educator| Accepting New Clients · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
9y

Just from the standpoint of someone's whose first career was mechanic- I'm shocked that impala has made it 10 years and likely will start giving you some spendy issues soon. So ...keep that in mind as well. 

You can look into a used Honda cr-v that may hit closer to the $10k mark and be a little bigger, not break the bank, and be reliable. 

You've got to figure out a way to balance both frugal and happy wife. A new car is definitely cheaper than a new wife.

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  • Jordan SutherlandBusiness Member
    OP
    Realtor · Lubbock, TX · Member since 2016 · 86 posts · 119 votes
    9y

    Wow! It is just amazing to have 75+ people respond to this and give me their 2 cents. I didn't expect more than a few replies, but you guys just overwhelmed me with great opinions. BP community, you guys are the best! Me and my wife are definitely going to sit down and discuss all of the different things y'all talked about. Thank you all very much for all of the help!

  • Laveen, AZ · Member since 2016 · 584 posts · 528 votes
    9y

    Sell that Impala and buy an import van CASH.  You can find reliable vans in the 5 to 10k range.  Don't go in to debt 15-20k for a few more cubic feet of space.  I've bought and sold over 7 vehicles cash, never spending more than 7k for any and they all were reliable.

    If that won't work, momma may be itching to experience the new car thrill and that's a new discussion.

  • Real Estate Investor · Frisco, TX · Member since 2015 · 40 posts · 4 votes
    9y
    I went through this exact same thing 2 years ago but on our second child knowing we would likely gave a third. I went back and forth but eventually caved and got my wife a used 2012 Honda Odyssey with 36k for $21k. Best decision ever. My rationale was this. There are similarities as to how I manage my rental properties as I manage my family. I will do preventative maintenance on my properties to ensure the calls I get are around minor repairs versus something major like an AC going down in the middle of August. Especially being all my properties have kids in them. I don't mess with the Texas heat. The result of which has been all my properties have long term happy renters in them. I knew that if I got my wife a reliable car with the utility to accommodate a growing family, I should not be getting years of phone calls and nightly debates about the car being safe enough, breaking down, the stroller not fitting in car, not being able to go on a comfortable road trips, and the list goes on and on. With the low amount of miles she drives this minivan will likely last me 10+ years of blissful silence. Yes it put me on hold for a bit but two years down the road, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Good luck on your decision.
  • Charlotte, NC · Member since 2017 · 13 posts · 3 votes
    9y
    Who is in control of finances? Do what's smart if it's not in the budget, it's not in the budget. I know she would respect you more if you make the right decision for the family. Think logically don't be emotional about it.
  • Charlotte, NC · Member since 2017 · 13 posts · 3 votes
    9y
    Also wouldn't advise working overtime on your job just to pay for a bigger car payment. Let the rentals you buy pay for the car, not your time. Your relationship will probably stress also if you do work overtime.
  • Investor · Leesville, SC · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    9y

       I would never buy a new vehicle, the value depreciates way too fast. I have driven cash cars my whole life. Most cars will go close to 150000 mil before they giving you problems. You can get great cars with 60-70K mils on them for a good price. I go for older with lower miles. I've been doing this it this way for 30 years and it cost me about $1000 -1500 a year, and when you sell roll that cash into the next car every 2-3 years. Also I save on insurance by only having to have liability. 

  • Investor/Realtor · Hoover, AL · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 459 votes
    9y

    @Jordan Sutherland..I'm frugal, but it sounds like she needs something bigger.  Happy Wife, Happy Life!!!  Of course, you can find it cheaper.  Look for used cars/SUV/Crossover by 1 owner.  Tell everyone what you need, and you will find a deal.  I recently found a 2003 125,000 Toyota Camry in great shape for a friend..$3000 BAM!!!! Older couple in their 90's..daughter purchased a van and car basically idle...

  • James MasottiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Washington Township, NJ · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 976 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Tim Freeze:

       I would never buy a new vehicle, the value depreciates way too fast. I have driven cash cars my whole life. Most cars will go close to 150000 mil before they giving you problems. You can get great cars with 60-70K mils on them for a good price. I go for older with lower miles. I've been doing this it this way for 30 years and it cost me about $1000 -1500 a year, and when you sell roll that cash into the next car every 2-3 years. Also I save on insurance by only having to have liability. 

     I think it entirely depends on your situation. As you mentioned cars can go 150k plus miles, but when you're like me and you drive almost 25k miles a year the equation changes I bit. I think it also matters what kind of car you buy. When I bought my Accord I negotiated hard enough with the dealer and had a decent trade in that I could have actually sold the car for a profit a year later. If you buy something like a Mitsubishi (non Lancer Evo) then don't be surprised when you lose 50% of your value driving off the lot. But...if you buy a Toyota Tacoma...the used prices are only 1-2k cheaper than the new prices...I'd rather buy new for the $2k price difference. 

  • Lake Jackson, TX · Member since 2013 · 119 posts · 34 votes
    9y

    careful 

    happy wife happy life 

    Can become 

    happy wife broke life

    real quick 

    Look in autotrader.Com I've bought about 11 veichles from them thru out my life.older models but  with low milage the way I like to go good luck

  • Sherman Oaks, CA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Jordan Sutherland:

    Wow! It is just amazing to have 75+ people respond to this and give me their 2 cents. I didn't expect more than a few replies, but you guys just overwhelmed me with great opinions. BP community, you guys are the best! Me and my wife are definitely going to sit down and discuss all of the different things y'all talked about. Thank you all very much for all of the help!

    You should be able find a car/van/suv for under 10k that suits your needs. Keep in mind you can rent out a car on turo to others in your area that would produce more initial cash flow than two SFRs. Good luck!

  • Investor · Plattsmouth, NE · Member since 2017 · 7 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    do some research.  How many miles does she drive? Is leasing a better option?

    Buy things that go up in value, borrow things that decrease in value!

    Remember when you buy a car, you instantly lose money!

    I agree with those who say leverage your savings for another property that will pay the lease or payment of a car loan. Perhaps motivate her to find a hell of a deal on a property and the deal is done baby! Win / win.

    It sounds like you are afraid of debt. It used to be a bad word for me too. I now know it is all about the ROI.

    But knowing something about that model of car....you definitely need something else.

  • Jordan SutherlandBusiness Member
    OP
    Realtor · Lubbock, TX · Member since 2016 · 86 posts · 119 votes
    9y

    @Patrick Hein You are totally correct about me being afraid of debt. I have never had a single dollar of debt, besides my 3 properties. I have 2 credit cards and I've never used them! And my credit score is 790! I really don't want to open Pandora's box and start accumulating debt in non-assets. I just feel like we've done very well so far, because we have avoided all types of debt, except good debt. I don't want to dip our toes in the water now and then next thing I know we're waist deep in debt. But this forum has made me consider getting a small car loan with a much lower interest rate than the ROI I'd get with another property. But another thing, I really want to get her a good, reliable minivan, because compared to full size SUV's (which is what she wants), a minivan is soooo much cheaper and efficient, and just about the same size. I talked to my wife about that, but she will not budge! She say she only wants a full size SUV and that you can't find a good one for near $10,000. She just will not budge on the matter and i don't know what to do. From what I've looked at, a few year old minivan with 100,000 miles on it as compared to a full size SUV within the same parameters is literally HALF of the price!!! It just makes so much financial sense. I don't care if we don't look cool driving it. My cool days are over. I'll be a father of 3 in a few months. But my wife doesn't care. She is very firm in not wanting to drive around a minivan. I want to make her happy, because she deserves the best, but I don't think we should give in to instant gratification. I'm still so torn.

  • Rental Property Investor · Ramapo, NY · Member since 2016 · 243 posts · 108 votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @John Wielgolinski:

     Need is a strong word.  There isn't anything mechanically wrong with the vehicle.

    https://blogs.babycenter.com/products_and_prizes/0...

    Car seats are far cheaper...

    Can be done.  Less safe.  Come on.  Unsubstantiated argument.  One of the safer passenger cars according to C&D, KBB, etc.

    Still would be buying someone else's castoff without knowledge of history.  Could breakdown the next month...

    Again, maybe the right choice to buy another vehicle...  But there are cheaper alternatives.

    In the interest of full disclosure...  I have two adult children.  We had a Chevy Corsica and a Firebird as out two vehicles while the kids were seat bound.  I've also been on the other end of buying a lot of vehicle - two new vehicles and a new boat at the same time....

    Interesting link and a fair point. I'd still like to see how easy it is for someone to secure that third seat in a row... nevertheless, I'll stick with my point that the OP should carefully consider the logistics of this.

  • Specialist · Honolulu, HI · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Originally posted by @John Wielgolinski:

    I totally agree with your general premises! "Happy wife, happy wife" is absurd. It almost always implies that the man has to cave, lower his own quality of life, be the 'bumbling idiot' we see in these gynocentric commercials, or be a human wallet. Doesn't make any sense.

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    9y

    @John Wielgolinski  ya well somehow we got talking about section 179...

    and I think it related to buying expensive heavy vehicle for your business.. IE contractors buying large trucks to ride around in and getting a nice write off.

    then you have developers and builders like myself who have interests in many different markets and private aviation is something that is almost a must to run our business efficiently.  And while you use said aircraft there is tremendous tax advantages and time savings.

    Not to mention beating other investors to the deal when we can be there in an hour as opposed to our competition having to drive there.

    One of my buddies in Oregon is a big hud broker.. he flys to all the little dumpy rural towns and snags the HUDS before others can get to them..   It has its advantages.

  • Investor · Plattsmouth, NE · Member since 2017 · 7 posts · 9 votes
    9y

    I hear you John. I have a wife and she makes similar demands. I do what I can to keep her happy. I bought her a couple of vehicles and it was a disaster. (minivans) I then looked for vehicles and bought a VW Passat that was previously leased.  Leased cars are usually a bargain, they are used and have low miles. The problem was the hit to my credit. She now is asking for a new house. NOT HAPPENING. I have to pay down the car first.

    It is a conundrum, it is a liability but gotta have it. If my credit score was that good I wouldn't even flinch and get her that vehicle AND buy another property. Good Luck buddy.

  • Investor · Savannah, GA · Member since 2016 · 79 posts · 62 votes
    9y
    If Mama ain't happy, no one is happy.
  • Laveen, AZ · Member since 2016 · 584 posts · 528 votes
    9y

    @Jay Hinrichs I think dude was mad at you because here we are having a discussion about the debate and stress over buying a 15k minivan and then you chime in with the trials and tribulations of buying a 400k AIRPLANE with a mere 2400/mo payment (more than many people earn a month working) hahaha. 

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    9y

    @Rodney Sums  I hear ya we got to talking section 179 and there are a lot of folks on this site that kill it and can afford whatever they want and many might not know of the tax benefits of private aviation.. if there was not significant tax bene's you would have way less private jets.

    cars are a personal choice for sure.. you see apartment dwellers with their 100k cars in the parking lot all the time.. LOL  and you see very wealthy folks driving their beater.

    one of my friends from SF who owned if not millions but probably 100's of millions worth of income property in SF  drove the company service van to and from Napa for the weekend.. LOL 

  • Laveen, AZ · Member since 2016 · 584 posts · 528 votes
    9y

    @Jay Hinrichs

    Good points there, prime examples of money working for the investor rather than working for the money....and luxuries working for the investor as well!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Lubbock, Texas (TX) · Member since 2016 · 63 posts · 36 votes
    9y

    So, a full-sized SUV in West Texas is synonymous with a pickup for a contractor. It's definitely a status symbol in this region, and IMO not nearly as convenient to load kids into as a minivan, and not as cost effective. You have gotten tons of good advice on how to get a deal on a car, so I suggest you and your wife have a discussion about the type of life you plan together. It sounds as if she might be focused on status symbols for the short term and you might be more focused on financial stability.

    Better to iron this out with some long term joint goal setting before purchasing anything.

    I am a bit offended that almost all the responses you got talk about buying things "for" your wife as opposed to making an informed financial decision as a team. If you treat your spouse as someone who is driven completely by emotion and is not capable of planning finances, you will keep having this struggle throughout your marriage.

    Just my opinion.

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