I had an '02 S that I had to sell several years ago in order to get my house and start my family but want to get another '02 or '03 Berlina.

I have a savings account in a different bank for big ticket items that money gets direct deposited into each paycheck and about 2/3 of my bonuses go into. I put away a large amt of money but every time I make some headway towards buying an S something else pops up.

First off I'll state that I don't like being in debt. For the past 3 years I've never had a balance on my credit card for more then 2 months. I also paid for my last car in full when I picked it up and plan on doing that for all future cars I get.

It just seems like it's one thing after another...

Wife wanted back deck screened in. Sounds like a good idea, close to $3,000 spent last spring doing that. I do not regret it though!

I know I need to replace my wifes car in the next year and a half or two. No biggie, I had already planned to do that before getting an S.

Some wood around the house needs to be replaced. Not that big of a deal as a local handyman can do it for a few hundred (hopefully).

Then her car needs new tires and other work totaling about $1,000 (yes the work is worth doing).

Then we are going to take my daughter to Disney next year. Sounds like fun, I have friends that go a lot so I have an idea how much it would cost. Except it was decided that we are going all out and the price of this trip keeps shooting closer to $4,000 and farther away from the $2,000 I thought it would cost.

Now my wife wants to put our daughter in pre-school. She isn't even 2 yet! Most kids don't start preschool till 3 or 4, right?
Thats a good $2,000 a year and isn't but a few days a week.

My wife is a stay at home mom so it feels like I work hard and am constantly spending money on others and there is never any money left over for myself.


I would never put a car in front of my family but it's just so frustrating.

Concerned that by the time I can afford one it will be hard to find an '02 or '03 in good shape and parts will be hard to come by.

Sorry about the rant

 

hey i only saved up $4700 to get my 03

 

It is going to be a third car.
As such it would be considered a "toy" by both my wife and myself.

I'm not willing to take a loan on a "toy".
Trying to save up $17,000 to get a good low mileage example pay taxes and get it inspected and tagged.
Don't mind throwing a new set of tires on the credit card if need be but thats about it.

 

lol i meant i bought my s2k for $4700

 

seams like the wife costs you a lot of money. shes a stat at home wife but wants to put your daughter into preschool? Seems a little too much for me.
Maybe its worth it to take out a small loan for the s and pay it off quickly?

 

I think you need to have a talk with the wife. Don't put it in a "wah wah I never get any toys" way, just that you have been trying to save for one to no avail... Surely she'd work with you on a separate account just for your S2K not to be touched... The daughter going to preschool at 2 seems a little crazy to me, but I've never had children and maybe they can retain something at that early of an age. If it does happen, I don't think it'd be too much for your wife to get a job, at least part time. Sounds like you've been a "good husband" and have kept your priorities straight, but I think everyone should be able to buy a toy every one in a while... What's the point of working if you never buy yourself something nice?

I noticed you said you never keep a balance on your credit card and you don't want to be in any debt. It's better for your score to keep a balance other than 0 on your cards, but the lower utilization the better. My bank offers interest rates on used cars as low as 2.99% depending on your score, which will cost some interest but the amount shouldn't be a big deal. If you get one on a loan, I think it'll be a lot easier than trying to put money aside for the car since it'll be a part of your budget that needs to be paid...

You are right that time is running out to find low mile examples. I would have liked to buy a house, but I figure the sooner I get an S, the more likely I'll be able to get a "mint" one and keep it fresh. By time I pay it off, not only will my credit score be higher (and interest rates lower), but I'll probably be making more money...

 

OP, I know how you feel. I too save up for my dream car but real life keeps getting in the way and the money keeps having other priorities.
but, it's better than the alternative....

 

Maybe since she's a stay at mom she can watch the baby till he/she is about 4 then do preschool. Preschool is a waste of money anyway to be honest, kids don't get much from preschool.

 

I got a loan for my "toy" and I don't regret it at all

sometimes its frustrating when I want or need to get something for it and something else demands attention first....like the dishwasher crapped out so there goes some fun money I had put aside....

so a little different, but I still get it

 

As the wife is a stay at home person she can keep her current car and that money could be used.