I wouldn't replace my current car unless if it became uneconomical to run.
This. I'm my crappy Tata until it needs serious repairs.
I wouldn't replace my current car unless if it became uneconomical to run.
It's your money dude so you can do whatever you want with it.
Personally I wouldn't spend 30% of my salary on a car, irrespective of whether I'm saving 20% for retirement. I'd look at the bigger picture and consider all factors.
If I were your age, I'd be thinking that at some point I'd like to buy my own place - I mean it's difficult to fsck a chic if you're still staying with your mom, and having your own place is probably more of a turn-on than having a flashy car. And having your own place comes with it's own set of expenses apart from the bond - levies, rates, elec etc.
So if you do have money to spare after saving 20% for retirement, save the rest for a property deposit. And when you decide to buy, factor in the living expenses that go with it incl your bond repayments. Whatever is left of that can go towards a car...
Still driving the tazz I was driving from when I first started working 12 years ago. We paid cash for it at the time and it is largely the reason I am in any kind of good financial shape. Cars destroy so much wealth in SA. I am almost debt free and after that I will consider upgrading it to something a little nicer, like a Honda Balade or Jazz or something.
Unless the car is costing you a lot in maintenance or is very unreliable and hence impacting on your job I would not recommend replacing it. If you do look for reliability and cost effectiveness.
Get the meanest, fastest rear wheel drive 2 door car.
Drive it like you stole it.
If you survive the experience?
Awesome.
Once you are old you can't buy your youth.
Having owned a Porche, Mazda MX5 and 6. Nissan 350Z, Toyota MR2 turbo. BMW 330D and some quick scooters eg. 1100cc jobs.
The best fun was the MX5 followed by the MR2 turbo T-top import.
The car I drive is no reflection of my income or wealth.
Wife will only get a replacement car in three years as her 2006 Atos is still running 100%.
It is safe, reliable and gets me to work the same time as my neighbours with their premium cars.
I paid off my car last year and was tempted to buy a second hand Mazda MX5.
But man... I can't bring myself to part with that much money again. I'd have to take out a loan for probably R100k. It is just too much money.
I think I prefer not having a vehicle loan to owning an MX5.
13 years ago a friend of mine bought a brand new golf 5 GTI for 250k, at the time I purchased a 1992 Opel Superboss for 30k cash
fast forward to now, a few years ago he sold his car for 150k, highly upset that he "lost" 100k, my Superboss I haven't driven in years has at the very least maintained its value (if you can find a superboss for 30k today)- I doubt I will sell it or ever have the need to sell it.
That's worth at least 250k. One in a showroom somewhere last I heard...everybody missed this - go and buy a COTY opel monza 1991! now!
everybody missed this - go and buy a COTY opel monza 1991! now!
My car is 7 years old now, has 199k kilometers in mileage. I'm seriously considering buying a new car, probably a Toyota Etios. I don't like driving my car anymore.
You don't like driving your current car, but you think you'll like driving an Etios?