Comments on: A bump on the road to financial independence. http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/ Living Less Large in Central MA Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:28:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Frugal in the Fruitlands » Everything unexpected and unpleasant in my financial life has to do with cars http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Frugal in the Fruitlands » Everything unexpected and unpleasant in my financial life has to do with cars Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:44:04 +0000 http://www.electric-monk.net/lise/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/#comment-408 [...] Since we do have another vehicle, we may be able to delay the purchase until we can afford it. Unfortunately having one car is just not a viable option for us long-term, as we live in an area with unreliable public transport and there are days when I need to drive separately from Matt, for doctor’s appointments, classes, etc. Believe me, I wish it weren’t so. I hate driving and maintaining cars in the worst way. [...] [...] Since we do have another vehicle, we may be able to delay the purchase until we can afford it. Unfortunately having one car is just not a viable option for us long-term, as we live in an area with unreliable public transport and there are days when I need to drive separately from Matt, for doctor’s appointments, classes, etc. Believe me, I wish it weren’t so. I hate driving and maintaining cars in the worst way. [...]

]]> By: Chad http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-246 Chad Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:12:23 +0000 http://www.electric-monk.net/lise/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/#comment-246 Cars can be like computers. Buy the one that's going to get you the most life at a reasonable cost, and then understand that the value goes down from there. Unlike computers, you should by a slightly used car, so that you aren't paying the 'new car markup'. Also, you usually get better value from a private transaction than at a dealership (I've done both, so I'm clearly a loser one way or the other. *grin*) Most things in life depreciate over time, it's just a question of frugal - getting the full value of the money in utility/time. I know it galls you to sink that much money into something that loses value, but it's no different than clothes or appliances or food in that regard. (And a 5 year old car is far more pleasant than a 5 year old tomato!) Cars can be like computers. Buy the one that’s going to get you the most life at a reasonable cost, and then understand that the value goes down from there. Unlike computers, you should by a slightly used car, so that you aren’t paying the ‘new car markup’. Also, you usually get better value from a private transaction than at a dealership (I’ve done both, so I’m clearly a loser one way or the other. *grin*) Most things in life depreciate over time, it’s just a question of frugal – getting the full value of the money in utility/time. I know it galls you to sink that much money into something that loses value, but it’s no different than clothes or appliances or food in that regard.

(And a 5 year old car is far more pleasant than a 5 year old tomato!)

]]> By: Chad http://www.frugalfruitlands.net/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/comment-page-1/#comment-245 Chad Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:07:29 +0000 http://www.electric-monk.net/lise/2008/01/23/a-bump-on-the-road-to-financial-independence/#comment-245 Brake line makes sense. I had something happen once on my old VW. The line to the rear brakes had become loose, and rubbed against the tire until friction wore a hole through, and suddenly my brakes were soft at best. No pressure==no brakes. IIRC, the cost wasn't too much, as essentially they're just replacing a little high pressure hose. Parts are minimal, and labor is relatively easy compared to replacing rotors, etc, as there is less to dismantle and reassemble. Ask the mechanic for a quote. And then ask another mechanic for a quote. Brake line makes sense. I had something happen once on my old VW. The line to the rear brakes had become loose, and rubbed against the tire until friction wore a hole through, and suddenly my brakes were soft at best. No pressure==no brakes. IIRC, the cost wasn’t too much, as essentially they’re just replacing a little high pressure hose. Parts are minimal, and labor is relatively easy compared to replacing rotors, etc, as there is less to dismantle and reassemble. Ask the mechanic for a quote. And then ask another mechanic for a quote.

]]>