Current car (mazda) is 8 years old with 80k miles. Generally its mechanically sound but a couple of things have popped up that are getting to about $1000 to repair. Also the suspension has gotten really noisy and the dealer says there's not much they can do about it. I can certainly drive this car another 1-2 years but don't feel like I'm going to keep it past 100k. Carmax offered to buy the mazda for $5,500.
I drove the Accord and CR-V but I have to admit I like the Acura TSX the best, at under $30k (similar offerings from Lexus are over $35k). No question that I can afford it, but I also know that new cars are just holes in the ground you throw money into. Like the Accord, the TSX holds its value too well so buying used doesn't make sense.
There's no question that paying $1000 to fix the mazda and driving it for another year is cheaper than buying a luxury car. But I'm getting to the point where additional investments in the mazda feel like throwing money away. Would be nice to have the additional safety features (6 airbags vs. 2) and other comforts from the newer car.
I drove the Accord and CR-V but I have to admit I like the Acura TSX the best, at under $30k (similar offerings from Lexus are over $35k). No question that I can afford it, but I also know that new cars are just holes in the ground you throw money into. Like the Accord, the TSX holds its value too well so buying used doesn't make sense.
There's no question that paying $1000 to fix the mazda and driving it for another year is cheaper than buying a luxury car. But I'm getting to the point where additional investments in the mazda feel like throwing money away. Would be nice to have the additional safety features (6 airbags vs. 2) and other comforts from the newer car.