A few months back I got a new job that required transportation (previously we owned only one car because I was able to walk to work). I don't know what exactly I was thinking at the time, but we ended up purchasing a 2002 Lexus LX470. Now, I have to say this is one nice vehicle... having never owned a luxury car before I was completely taken by the leather seats, wood steering wheel, 54 speaker surround system (or whatever it is), DVD and navigation, sunroof, etc. So I got the car and a nice big monthly payment to go along with it. I have to admit, it was very fun to drive around, but over time the newness began to wear off and I began questioning whether the $75 fill ups, monthly car payment, and high insurance were really worth paying for something that I spent only about 1 hour a day driving to and from work in. I also had this nagging and very annoying feeling (partially exacerbated by my wife and super-frugal accountant brother) that I was living beyond my means, being wasteful and unnecessarily polluting our already very polluted environment here in Utah county. So, with these factors in consideration I sold the Lexus this past week (at a $2500 loss I should add) and purchased a 1999 Honda Civic for $2800. So here are a few things I have taken away from this experience:1. Lexus vehicles are really nice!
2. Big car payments are a pain in the a
3. High gas prices are also a pain in the a, especially when your vehicle only gets 13 MPG
4. I don't feel right driving around a nice car that I don't even own
5. Honda's get better gas mileage
6. Small Hondas and Toyotas are the vehicles of choice for liberal weinees
7. Buying a car with cash feels really good and responsible
8. Now I can brag about being frugal, responsible, protecting the environment and above all feel superior to other people who are not
9. I'm now doing my part to fight global warming
10. I'll probably die if I get in a serious car accident with a larger vehicle
11. When you bring home a nice car, it really gets your neighbors talking and wondering where you get your money
12. My ultra-frugal accountant brother is going to be very proud of me (although he'll probably rub in the fact that this is what he told me to do in the first place)
3 comments:
Excuse me...but why does the ultra-frugal accountant brother get all the mentioning here.
And why does the wife (notice there are no adjectives to describe her) only come across as nagging.
I resent the fact here that the wife didn't play a bigger roll in trying to prevent you from buying the Lexus in the first place and that no credit was given to her when you ended up having to sell it.
And that the only reason the ultra-frugal accountant brother had anything to do with the decision making was that the nagging wife called him to let him know what the ex-conservative, all of a sudden environmentally aware husband was up to in buying such an unneeded vehicle.
Since when are you "environmentally friendly" and so worried about global warming? Since you've become new buddies with Obama?
I am glad you had this experience and hope you always remember it, especially when you are out looking for a new plasma tv that you don't need.
I am very proud to call you my financially aware husband since you have made such an awesome decision.
Dittos from one pestering mother-in-law. And how come I didn't get any credit either?!
Another thing to take away from your experience, you are following tradition by driving a Honda. Dad is proud Im sure! I need to get one too.
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