I finally decided on a new car, but obviously it wasn’t with out feeling of doubt, concern and an overall confusion. I am not very good with change, and for some reason I have a hard time knowing exactly what I want when it comes to cars. Actually, it’s not always about what I WANT, it’s a battle between, want and need, and the looming question of “can I afford it?”. In the end, after all the back and forth I ended up with the same type of car I have had for the past 6 1/2 years….The Nissan Altima. (Silver with black interior! Like the picture!) See? I told you I had trouble with change!
I was very lucky in the fact that when I turned 16 my parents bought me a brand new red Pontiac Sunfire. I loved that car, and was very blessed to have a new car. I know a lot of people can joke of stories of their old and crappy first car, but I was lucky. Once that car died, and I was left to choose and pay for my own car (I was an adult now you know) I ended up choosing the Nissan Altima. I chose to lease my first adult car because I was tired of dealing with all the headaches and older car can bring. I decided to look at my car as an expense, and I knew that I didn’t want to deal with cars anymore, and I just wanted a new car every 3 years. And to this day I was happy with my decision. I leased that Altima for 3 years, 3 months, and then I did the same after that when I got a 2nd Altima for 3 years 3 months. I have been nothing but happy with car.
That brings us to now, when we decided to start looking for a new car. When The Captain asked me what I wanted, I told him I wanted a crossover. It just seemed right because we wanted a family, and I thought that I would need more room. I wasn’t ready for the bigger cross overs, I was just ready for the smaller ones. Ones like the Rogue, CRV, CX7, Tuscon. The frugal side of me knew that I DID NOT want to spend more than I currently am paying. As a matter of fact I wanted to spend less. But I knew that would be difficult due to the residuals on the crossovers. See the problem is that I am spoiled…my past 2 cars have had heated leather seats, BOSE sound system, blue tooth, sunroof…and pretty much all you could ask for except Navigation. And I really would be fine with less things, but I didn’t want to pay more for them just because the car was a cross over. Do you see the dilemma? If I am going to lose features, I want to pay less??
As I was going back in forth in my head, the idea that I really did love my current car kept creeping in. It drove great, Nissan has been wonderful, and I really was comfortable in it. Do I really need a crossover? We don’t even have kids that…screw that I’m not even pregnant yet! Not to mention that I truly believe that other than those crossovers (of that size) being higher, and a hatchback trunk, it is the same square footage inside than my current car. So why rock the boat? ESPECIALLY since the deals I am getting to go to another Nissan are beyond good. What to do?
Captain Awesome wanted me in a crossover. He said he felt safer for me, and our future child in a bigger car. We REALLY liked the Hyundai Tuscon (brand new) andwould you believe that in this economy they are sold out everywhere? And that there isn’t a deal to be had ANYWHERE on Long Island? That is true! I told my husband that we were waiting on a car that we didn’t even know when we could get our hands on one! The dealers also had this cocky attitude like they were doing me a favor by selling me the Tuscon. No way honey! I’m in sales and rule number one is to make the customer feel that you care about their business!
So I think I digressed a bit..lol Bottom line was that I am a huge complainer about a lot of things, but one thing I NEVER complain about is my car…so why change it? In the end I leased another Altima, but this one has NAVIGATION! As well as every bell and whistle it comes with…and the better part??? It’s a lot less money per month than I’m paying now! My frugal self still wags a shameful finger at me. That self says….you should’ve gotten a MUCH less expensive car. And my frugal self is right. But we are not in debt, and we can afford it, so I think we were still pretty responsible. I do my best to think ahead at the days when I hope to be a Stay at home mom…but we aren’t there yet. So why not have a few luxuries right? Lease New Car??? CHECK!!!
We recently had a similar problem only it was my hubby who couldn’t make up his mind. We finally settled on a used 2001 Impala.
Visiting from SITS!
Thank you for stopping by! I feel like it’s such a large decision! especially when you drive your car every day..
fun, congrats!
did you get to choose a fun colour too?
we didn’t have much of a choice because we got such a good deal and needed to choose from the ones they had on the lot .So I got silver with black interior! ?
There’s no shame in enjoying some luxuries. I remember the time of heated leather seats.
Once the kids arrive it just seemed we needed the cash in different places.
Now 6 years in, I’m ready to go back.
Congrats on the new wheels!
I am sure I will feel the same way with our next car. I figure I have this one for about 3 years, and after that we can reevaluate priorities!
Good for you! Sounds like you make decisions like I do! And with the same rationale! Def. enjoy it while you can! And it still sounds like a great deal! Enjoy! ?
PS – been loving your back and forth blogs b/t you and CApt Awesome! Men! lol
haha thanks! I think The Captain likes writing them! ? I just have to bring up a topic that makes him “inspired” enough to write!
Ya I really try to be rational, and think responsibly. I fail sometimes, but its the thought that counts right?
While I would have loved for my sons to have cars like your parents gave you, my husband and I opted for clunkers because we wanted them to “hunger” for something better, making them want to work hard at school or jobs. Our second son picked out a truck he has to fix up (a $700), so he can learn how to take care of a vehicle and by putting all that effort in it, he would value it more.
Sadly, now he’s balking, “All my friends have nice cars.”
I am excited about your new car! It looks wonderful! One day, I want a Ford Convertible Mustang in Ice Blue! But that won’t be for about 6 years:)
Alot of parents opt for the same thing. Maybe because it was how I was brought up, but I still truly was taught to value money.(in other ways) I think you are teaching your sons a lot:) I think more americans need to do the same.
I always used to want a mustang convertible but I don’t like that they switched back to a muscle car. (I liked the girly ones)
I would LOVE a convertible one day!
Ooh, I love the new car smell. ? I got a new car last year after ten years with my old one…and my hubby says I’ll be driving this one into the ground, or at least until Molly can take it over at 16!
I love new car smell too! I hope your car lasts you a long time. I know in my head that that’s the right thing to do with a car…I really do. I just can’t stand to deal w/ the car. And for me, the finance costs are more than my lease payments? So in my rational i’m saving money! ? (i know I know after 5 or so years you will not have a car payment and I always will lol)
We looked at leasing my car, but seeing as how we somehow manage to put oodles of miles on our cars every month (upwards of 2000 sometimes!) it just didn’t make sense. However, now that I’ve eliminated my commute to work, it might be a viable option. That’s a new point. ? (And isn’t it funny that we live IN the city and somehow I ended up with a job OUTSIDE of the city? It’s always funny to have to factor in the commute to our decisions…)
True, leasing sucks if you are giong to be driving a lot. My first leased car I had to turn in 8 months early cause I still had so many miles…I still think I won out though when I got my next car. but who knows. I definitely drive less now.
We have a Hyundai Santa Fe and I love it. It is a bit bigger than the Tucson, which I wanted to buy just because it is named after the city I live in (Tucson, AZ)! But either way, you have to buy what works for you. You will make whatever you have work for you! Congrats on your new purchase, it’s always exciting.
The new Tucson is no where to be found right now! It’s crazy! (nice car though) so then I looked into the santa fe, but they told me the leasing options were bad right now (b/c of risiduals) Maybe next time! ?
I think I told you this before but we are looking at both the Tucson and the Santa Fe but whats weird is that here there are TONS of them on the lot (both!). In fact I didn’t even know they had redesigned the Tucson until we drove past the dealership and there were at least 50 of them on the lot! I think we’ll end up with the Santa Fe because the financing they have right now actually makes it cheaper than the Tucson. Enjoy the Altima (again!) – we looked at it too but I REALLY want a crossover ?
they had a bunch of Tucson’s? wow Well with my husbands pushing I probably would’ve ended up with one if there were any to be had here! There were waiting lists! Good luck with whichever car you choose!
Congrats on the new ride! I’ve never leased but often wondered if it might be a good option in the future-I always start to get nervous once I leave that 3-year warranty period!
I know that’s why I lease…I hate dealing w/ stupid car stuff. And I hate to trust mechanics! I am very PRO leasing!
That is great on the new car. And that your parents bought you a car when you were 16. NICE! My parents always owned a Buick and my husbands parents always owned a Buick and now…we own one haha. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree I guess.
That’s funny! All anyone really needs is a reliable car. I actually am a fan of the buick enclave..maybe next time!
My favorite saying is “And in the end you will always go back to those that were there for you from the beginning”…in your case …it’s the Altima =) Glad you got a new car! You should drive to NJ in it!
so true!! ? It has treated me well! I forgot that you are pretty close to me!
I think Altima is a great car and you will have plenty of room for a kiddo or two! ?
Stopping by from SITS! I think it’s a great time to enjoy your car and spending your money how you want to before you have children! Good for you!
I love your choice, indulge while you can.
Buying a new car is always stressful. That’s why I bought my last car on eBay.
Hey a new car is a new car!! Congrats and enjoy your navigation!!
My most recent vehicle was a Toyota Rav4 (which I think is close to the size of the Tucson?) and we have two children in carseats. We had to trade it in close to a month ago due to having moved out of the city a lease no longer made sense (mileage) and we had chosen it before finding out we were expecting again (surprise!) and the payments were just becoming too much for our budget with me being a SAHM. My husband is now driving a Matrix, which for anyone out there looking at them is wonderful as a couple or single person vehicle, too small for a family vehicle, and I am driving the Altima that he had. Here are my thoughts on the Altima as a family car;
It has plenty of room and no one feels squished
The kids can already almost get themselves up into the car
The kids seem to be able to see out the window better in the Altima, which they enjoy.
Lots of cargo room in the trunk
It is harder on your back to lift them into their car seats and do them up. It is also more likely that you will occasionally knock their heads on the door frame when getting them in.
Although I haven’t tried it yet I have a feeling getting the stroller into and out of the trunk may also be a little more difficult and hard on my back.
Bottom line the Altima can totally be used as a family car with little to no discomfort. The smaller sized SUV’s are a little easier on your back and have a bit more space but cost a bit more in payments, gas and insurance! By trading in our Rav4 we are saving approx $200 a month in the assorted expenses and we OWN the Matrix which means that we don’t have to worry about overages on mileage.
Sorry for the long comment and congrats on the new car! I really do like the Altima and I also have almost all the bells and whistles, just no navigation.
No thank you so much for your long comment! I love well thought out comments and truly appreciate them! Especially ones with insite! ? I totally see your point about carrying the car seat…I figured it would be easier getting it in cause I didn’t have to lift up, but I forgot that when getting them out I”ll have to bend… but I guess people have been putting kids into cars for years…I mean I know my parents didn’t have crossovers! ? But since I want to be a SAHM in the future I am sure I’ll have to make similar decisions like you. Our next car we’ll have to figure it all out.