Car Ponderifications

[orikes]

So, I've been spending a fair bit of time researching cars and visiting dealerships to sit in said cars to decide if I like them enough to do even more research. I've narrowed things down a bit, but I'm still faced with a pretty big either/or decision.

The car I would LOVE to get is the Nissan Rogue. It's a crossover SUV. That basically means its got some SUV qualities, but it's built on a car platform. It's at the high end of what I think I can afford, but I do think it's in my range. It's also an absolutely gorgeous car. I sat inside it and just went, "ooooooh."

The problem is, it IS in the high end of my range. Depending on what kind of interest rate I can wrangle on my sketchy credit, I might be looking at a car payment that is a bit more uncomfortable than I want to see. I've never been the greatest with money, and while I'm pretty sure I could afford it, I'd have to be more frugal than I have been the last year if I go with this car and the monthly payment is what I think it's going to be.

On top of that, it is a crossover SUV. The gas mileage isn't horrible, especially for its class, but it's not the greatest either. Gas at some stations around here is already at $3.60 a gallon. Am I prepared to get a vehicle that's going to cost me upwards of $70 a tank to fill?

So, I could get something cheaper and a bit more economical on gas. The Kia Spectra5 was a pretty nifty little car and would definitely be more comfortable in my budget. It also comes in a really cool shade of orange. It would definitely be nothing to be ashamed of.

So, do I go with my heart and try for the Rogue, or go with my head and aim for the more practical Spectra5?

Comments

[fleetfootmike.livejournal.com]

Gas at some stations around here is already at $3.60 a gallon. Am I prepared to get a vehicle that's going to cost me upwards of $70 a tank to fill?

Welcome to our world.

My Vauxhall Vectra (think Chevy Cavalier sized hatchback) costs me £60 to fill. That's $120.

Gas here is $2/litre.

[profbutters.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm not always the smartest with money--really. But I don't think gas is going anywhere but up.

On the other hand, interest rates have been falling a lot, too. I'm assuming that you're looking into an actual car loan and not just thinking about getting financed by the dealer? "Financing" is where they make their money. Sometimes there are credit unions associated with your workplace and they can offer good loans.

Mileage and safety are the two things I look for first. I wish I had been able to afford a Prius, but oh well. How much driving do you do? I live in SoCal (awful prices) but I also live about a fifteen minute drive from work.

Also, call your car insurance agent because those two cars might have very different rates, especially on comprehensive--and while you're talking to them, find out if you're eligible for any discounts for being a non-scary lady driver.

Good luck. Big financial decisions make me nervous, too, but once this is settled, think how nice it will feel.

PB

[toastsims.livejournal.com]

when it comes to cars I always think smaller is better. easier to park, better milage, not pumping as much shit into the atmosphere, and anyway I think they look cuter. and you can use the money you save for a new computer to play Sims 3 on! :D

[tnp.livejournal.com]

Gas is projected to keep going up. That $70 now may be $80 or $90 by the end of summer. There's also the environmental factors to consider and just what gas guzzling cars mean to our political situation.

An LJ friend recently introduced me to the Mini Cooper. It's a cute little car and one I wouldn't mind owning. I don't know how it stands as far as crash tests though.

Whatever you do buy, keep in mind all the dealers now offer pre-owned certified cars. Basically used but guaranteed to be in good condition and come with free Carfax reports.

[goweli.livejournal.com]

I think go with the Spectra. Unless there's some great pressing, actual need for the Rogue. But I would also 'me too' with regard to the person who mentioned insurance.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

The only real pressing need on the Rogue is that it makes me drool. There's also a certain degree of me wanting a 'grown up' car this time around. One that doesn't make me feel like I'm driving a clown car when I've got my brother and father in the car (6'5" and 6'4" respectively).

But... Gah. Decisions, decisions.

[robinoli.livejournal.com]

I can't say a lot about car shopping (my choices for cars consist of Grandma's Old Car From the Early 90s, Grandma's Old Car From the Early 90s, and, oh, maybe Grandma's Old Car From the Early 90s? and that's when I get signed up for driver's ed, which I have been asking about for probably close to a year, but I'm starting on a bit of a rant now so I'll stop talking about that), but I'd go with the Spectra5. Pretty cars are nice and all, but getting a car that'll be practical is more important.

[ahrubyblue.livejournal.com]

I've only ever bought used cars (you can get some great deals on cars that are practically new) so it's usually been a balancing game of money versus milage for me. My dad and brothers have drilled it into my head that the moment you drive that car off the lot it depreciates in value and that new cars technically lose the most. Anyway, igonoring all of that and ignoring all of the environmental stuffs, I think I'd go for whichever car was the better price. And I'd check out what the insurance rates would be for both. It wouldn't be much fun to have a new car but not have enough money to actually drive it anywhere.

You have some time to think about it, right? I'd suggest sleeping on it for a while. I think it's important that you feel confident about your decision.

[toastsims.livejournal.com]

see, here's where we're different, because I have always especially relished forcing tall men to ride in the back seat of my Beetle. >:)

[ndainye.livejournal.com]

I can't add much at this point, I'd probably end up with the Spectra while regretting that I didn't get the Rogue. I'd look into the financing and the insurance on both though before making a final choice. Insurance on the Rogue is bound to be higher than on the Spectra but how much higher is the question.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

It's about a 20 minute drive each way for me to get to work. so that's not too bad. My dad and brother both live in New England, so it would be nice to have a reliable car so I can go visit them. On top of that, I do like to go to conventions, so it's important to have a car to get me from here to whever (farthest is currently Indianapolis - about nine hours).

Unfortunately with the financing, my credit sucks big time. I've never been good with money, and I currently have some bad stuff on my credit report that's not going anywhere any time soon. Ultimately, I'm not sure if I can get a traditional bank to give me a loan for a car, whereas I know the dealer financing can sometimes be a little more flexible if you go in with a decent downpayment.

I'll give my insurance company a call tomorrow.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

The Rogue isn't THAT big. But I think anything I'm going to get this time around is going to be at least a little bigger than my Neon. :)

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

The mini-cooper is really cute, but it's soooo tiny. Though, I have a friend getting an even smaller car. He's picking up a Smart Car tomorrow.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

Well, it is kind of funny watching my brother squeeze into the back seat of my car. It was like watching the Neon give birth as he squeezed out of the back seat.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

The Rogue actually isn't too bad as far as practical goes. http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?logtype=6§ion=summary&aff=rochestr&call=crp&makeid=36&year=2008&modelid=4082. Most of the cars I looked at are of a similar type. It's just of them all, this is the prettiest one I looked at.

I shall continue to waffle for while more. :)

Oh, and there's nothing wrong with Grandma's Old Car From the Early 90's, as long as it runs. :)

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

Right now, it's looking as if I can get into a Rogue for about $20k and a Spectra5 for about $18k. If that's all the difference there is, I may push for the Rogue. I guess it all depends on what kind of financing I can get.

[orikes13.livejournal.com]

One thing I learned is that with bad credit, they're more likely to give you a loan for a new car over a used car. That way if they have to repo it, they're more likely to be able to make some money off of it. And, unfortunately, I have bad credit. :}

[cori-chronicles.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything worthwhile to contribute, except it's cool to live vicariously through you! :)