The Internal Conflict Is Strong

**dawnwes** · 04-13-2016, 01:28 PM

Do you like the Mercedes? Could you drive it for 10 years? It isn't that expensive of a car, and you would have several years with no payments and something to sell and make money on when you are finished. Or you could drive it for a very long time and really save.

Ultimately, it is up to you.

If you don't get that car, what would you want to get?

I am going to just say that unless your work is covering the cost, I never see a reason to lease, BUT that is my opinion, and why I really can't comment on the leasing idea.

**Fishindude77** · 04-13-2016, 01:32 PM

I'll bet you can find some middle ground that will make you happy to have the nice new vehicle, while not throwing away money too stupidly.

Maybe pay cash and buy a low miles year or two old American made SUV such as a Tahoe or similar. It's a real sweet ride, it's new to you, costs a whole lot less, you won't have monthly payments, and you won't have to worry about babying it mileage over-run, etc. that they will charge extra for. Probably cheaper to insure too.

**Singuy** · 04-13-2016, 01:34 PM

See I don't know...

If our mindset is to keep a car for a very long time(which has proven to us to be okay)..then the Toyota or the Mazda are probably better suited for that purpose. You know how people have range anxiety with electric cars? I have mechanical break down anxiety with expensive German/British/Swedish cars. Changing out a water pump can be 2-3k..a timing belt can be 3-4k..who knows when they charge like $400 just for the 10k service fee.

I probably equate a Mercedes to a lease. Once the warranty is up..I probably feel like getting rid of the car just so I don't have to deal with the repairs(like broken sensors and crap).

This is something I most likely don't have to deal with in a Mazda or a Toyota. They probably use timing chains with super simple electronics and can last me 150k miles with nothing more than some oil/tire changes.

On the other hand, you got to pay to play...

The above story is just an example of how I think. I am sure there are other people who also struggles with similar problems. It's an under spending behavioral problem vs an over spending behavioral problem.

**snafu** · 04-13-2016, 02:00 PM

1st, if yanking a stroller, or any awkward item from a vehicle, you need to look at 'lift-over' whatever vehicle you look at. 2nd, I suggest looking at back seat, baby /tot/tyke seat installation and how easy or difficult to place or remove a child [or 2]. I'd check Lemon-Aid ratings for vehicles, 2 years old with modest mileage. There a several car.com type agencies who find suitable cars, letting you know the reasonable price point variants. Just insists the warranty transfers at no cost to you. If you're going for status, chose TESLA. Mercedes has lost a lot of cachet since putting out cheaper models. Lexus seems to have more genuine luxury.

Before settling on a specific make and model, check with your insurance agent as to favorable, less favourable rates. Some have weird cost points, fall into unexpected category

**Singuy** · 04-13-2016, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by snafu View Post

1st, if yanking a stroller, or any awkward item from a vehicle, you need to look at 'lift-over' whatever vehicle you look at. 2nd, I suggest looking at back seat, baby /tot/tyke seat installation and how easy or difficult to place or remove a child [or 2]. I'd check Lemon-Aid ratings for vehicles, 2 years old with modest mileage. There a several car.com type agencies who find suitable cars, letting you know the reasonable price point variants. Just insists the warranty transfers with the car [at no cost to you]. If you're going for status I suggest TESLA. Mercedes has cheaper models and therefore loses cachet in the groups that count. I see more genuine luxury in Lexus.

Ha ha, Tesla. I wish. Don't want to spend 70k on a car that will depreciate like an apple smart watch.

If Lexus SUVs weren't so ugly...

**tripods68** · 04-13-2016, 02:31 PM

Singuy,

Trust your instinct. You know and I know leasing is DUMB, DEBT is DUMB (hope that helps). It helps me if I use useful guide, steps to follow to make logical decision that makes sense.

Step 1:
Determine the budget for buying car/SUV....How much can you save enough money to Pay Cash? If you need a month extra to save $20K with your income you can do that easily in a month or two.

Step 2: You can begin to look for SUV in that price range. Never look more than that price range. If so, that's just blows your budget and sanity.

FWIW: I've had numerous family car over the year. But the best family vehicles are Minivans. Yes. Minivan! Very practical useful in every way!
Good Luck!

**Singuy** · 04-13-2016, 03:02 PM

We actually saved up 43k to pay cash for the Mercedes. So whatever we buy will be a cash purchase...but leasing is not off the table. We are not leasing because we can't afford some monthly payments or we want to buy something over our means.

**tripods68** · 04-13-2016, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by Singuy View Post

We actually saved up 43k to pay cash for the Mercedes. So whatever we buy will be a cash purchase...but leasing is not off the table. We are not leasing because we can't afford some monthly payments or we want to buy something over our means.

German cars especially Bens SUV are notoriously expensive to maintain. My friend had a GLK with 70K miles on it suspension went out. It cost him 7K to replace the suspension with new tires.

I'm pretty cheap, I like cars/SUV that are easy to maintain (mainly Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyotas).

**Singuy** · 04-13-2016, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by tripods68 View Post

German cars especially Bens SUV are notoriously expensive to maintain. My friend had a GLK with 70K miles on it suspension went out. It cost him 7K to replace the suspension with new tires.

I'm pretty cheap, I like cars/SUV that are easy to maintain (mainly Honda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyotas).

Yes, make sure you stay away from air suspension at all cost..unless you are leasing

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 04-13-2016, 04:49 PM

I'd lease it and be done with it. Everyone does things for personal reasons and it is what it is. Is it any different than say you wanting to pay for private school for the kid because you want to? Nope. Different strokes for different folks.

Do I need a nice expensive 4 bd house? No. Do I want one? Yes. Will I buy one? Probably. Should i? Financially makes most sense for us to buy a 3 bd house and use more money towards investing or real estate investing. But I want a nicer house with bigger lot. Sooo.....

**Nutria** · 04-13-2016, 05:26 PM

Dodge Grand Caravans are great. Dual sliding doors and rear+middle seats that fold into the floor. Literally made for mothers with strollers.

The only question is whether your wife can stomach the alleged embarrassment of driving something as middle-class as a minivan.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 04-13-2016, 05:48 PM

Wish I had a minivan but it was too expensive for us at the time. But my practical heart loves them everytime we "rent" one because we have family in town. They are great. But too much for us to justify. Now maybe in the future.

**QuarterMillionMan** · 04-13-2016, 07:28 PM

I agree with LAL, lease it and be done with it. With $350,000 a year, you could easily afford to lease. It's those people who make say $50,000, leasing is not a good option. I had an uncle who was a dentist (ret) and he'd lease a new Cadillac every couple of years and I don't think he made even half of your income.

**tripods68** · 04-13-2016, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by LivingAlmostLarge View Post

Wish I had a minivan but it was too expensive for us at the time. But my practical heart loves them everytime we "rent" one because we have family in town. They are great. But too much for us to justify. Now maybe in the future.

We love our 06 Odyssey with DVD entertainment for our kids. Its been to Canada 3 times, Seattle, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, San Diego, up and down Pacific coastal highway with very little mechanical trouble. I just replaced the battery this weekend, getting ready to drive the family to San Diego this weekend approaching 180K miles.

The Internal Conflict Is Strong