One thing that I always hear about living simply in a financial sense is to drive an older, paid-for car. I do this. The car I drive was made when I was 7 years old. We have no car payment on it and that's a great thing to not have to worry about. However, my car WILL die and probably within the next couple of years. Here's where I start thinking that a car payment wouldn't be such a bad idea, and I'll tell you why.
1) Maintenance on the car can end up costing more than the car is really worth. The radiator exploded about a year ago - and I do mean exploded. There was fluid shooting out of any part under the hood where it could escape. We paid for a replacement, which ended up costing only $200 less than the car is currently worth.
2) The car continues to act up in various ways. It will occasionally sound as though metal is grinding, or there's a belt slapping against something. It will sometimes shudder its way down the road, or the engine will simply turn itself off when I come to a stop. Sometimes when I step on the gas pedal, the car will hesitate and then rush forward. Sure...that's totally safe. These things are never constant and the car rotates through which issue its going to have one at a time. These things make me wonder if, when I turn on the engine, it will be the last time it ever runs. I also refrain from driving anywhere in this car that isn't in our immediate area because I'm afraid the car will die and I will be stranded an hour away with two small children.
3) It is a gas guzzler. This car is a beast - which is probably way its lasted as long as it has, but seriously....."road boats" do not get the best gas mileage. Even the minivan that we rented for a trip got better gas mileage than my station wagon. Not cool, man.
4) There's no air conditioning, it has a terrible turn radius, and it is old. Not exactly the most stylish for a hip, young mom on the go. Now, these are selfish and are not reasons to buy a new car (unless you live in in Texas or Arizona or somewhere where you really do need AC in your car).
So here's the dilemma: Do we wait until the car kicks the bucket? Or do we avoid the most likely inevitable event of the car dying mid-intersection and purchase while it still runs? This is one instance where living simply gets a little tricky.
