by "If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
Published 04/08/2017 at 08:59
by "If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
Published 04/08/2017 at 08:59
No Tags
STARS: 1
Here’s my problem: I’m not particularly happy living where I am and am considering moving away. Thing is, if I move I lose my access to a free mechanic with free loaner cars*. This makes keeping the 528i possibly untenable.
As it is I’m burned out and emotionally unfulfilled. I need to find somewhere to live where I can get by with only one job and with enough people that I can find friends and maybe even love. I’ve already figured out where I can go and have worked out the budget, and the only unkown in it is my aging 250k mile german car.
The smart thing to do is lease or take out a loan for a newer car. That eliminates the worry of a breakdown that leaves me without a means of transportation. Only, the kinds of cars that I would be able to afford a monthly payment on would be a MASSIVE downgrade from the Beemer. We’re talking Sonic/Accent levels of downgrade.
As it is the BMW is currently only costing me gas and insurance but if something big breaks and I’m out on my own, I’m screwed.
My question is, is the peace of mind from having a newer car worth the added monthly expense and potentially being unhappy with whatever I’m in?
Before you ask, no I cannot afford a second car and I doubt I’ll find myself in a living situation that gives me two parking spaces.
I won’t be moving anytime soon, this would be after the summer at the very earliest.
*My mom runs a garage.
"Sovande" (sovande)
04/08/2017 at 09:06, STARS: 10
My advice is that you only get one shot, so you might as well be happy where you are. Take the BMW and if it breaks in a way that you can’t afford to fix, get something else. I wouldn’t let access to free car work (though an awesome perk) dictate where you live. Go out and explore. Take some chances. Don’t be afraid to fail. Keep looking for the things that make you happy. Take it from an old guy who started too late.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 09:10, STARS: 0
I live paycheck to paycheck. If/when the BMW breaks I can’t just “buy a new car” just like that.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
04/08/2017 at 09:15, STARS: 2
Fellow old guy here - great advice. Follow what truly makes you happy, rather than getting hung up on what you’re afraid might make you unhappy.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
04/08/2017 at 09:23, STARS: 3
Let’s plan a bank heist. This will solve your problems if it all goes well.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
04/08/2017 at 09:26, STARS: 4
If you are living paycheck to paycheck, that could make moving difficult. It costs money, even if you move yourself. Not to mention you’ll need a new job, and need it fast. I say wait till you can save up a 6 month emergency fund. Then you aren’t so stressed to find a job, and can evaluate your options instead of just taking whatever you can get in a week.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 09:33, STARS: 0
I have enough saved to put deposit/first/last on an apartment and my mom owns a box truck. As far as work goes I can transfer to my company’s location where I’m thinking of moving with no interruption to my income. The actual act of relocating will be stress free.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
04/08/2017 at 09:37, STARS: 5
Well in that case do it. Moving to new location is fun. Figuring out the area, the best places to eat, new things to do, etc. You can always go back.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 09:38, STARS: 0
What percentage of bank heists would you say actually go well?
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 09:42, STARS: 0
My dilemma is, is my car going to bankrupt me and will I be happy with the solution that prevents this?
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
04/08/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 3
As it is the BMW is currently only costing me gas and insurance but if something big breaks and I’m out on my own, I’m screwed.
Start, starting today, to save the difference between what a lease+gas would cost you and what the BMW gas/insurance currently costs you. That way you’ll have a bunch of money to pay for whatever the BMW needs, assuming nothing catastrophic happens too soon.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
04/08/2017 at 09:48, STARS: 0
100% when I do them
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/08/2017 at 09:50, STARS: 0
Count me in
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 0
100% of 0 = 0%
"Nibby" (nibby68)
04/08/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 0
23/23=100%
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/08/2017 at 10:29, STARS: 0
Living on vacation island is tough huh?
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 0
This is a place you visit, not live. The middle class here is abysmally small. You’re either just scraping by or this is your third home.
"MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow" (myjeepgetsstuckinthesnow)
04/08/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
So what’s the problem?
"Tapas" (tapas)
04/08/2017 at 11:15, STARS: 0
Move. Just do it.
But you don’t have to buy a new car. Theres many used luxury cars you can buy that are also reliable for around 10k. Like Lexuses/Lexii, Infinitis, Acuras..
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
04/08/2017 at 11:18, STARS: 2
I’d say move, and don’t worry about the car. It won’t last forever anyway and you sound like you need some major life changes to be consistently happy. Either dump it now and lease a new shitbox later, or keep it until mechanical failure and then sell it off for enough to lease a new shitbox.
Sometimes you have to do what’s necessary so you can get to a place where you can do what you want. I promised myself 7 years ago that I’d get another motorcycle after I finished college. Been out of college 5 years and still no bike. Am I happy with that? No. But I’ve focused on other things and I’m much happier overall.
"MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow" (myjeepgetsstuckinthesnow)
04/08/2017 at 11:23, STARS: 0
Yo, it’s only a 528i. Cars come and go. There are lots of nice cars out there to try out and you can love each one along the way.
If you are worried about affordability then that is a different problem. Sounds like fixing your income and debt situation would eliminate your problem. First you need to be happy with you (just you). Then you need to find a life situation you like (location, job, etc...). Then you need to fix your finances. Life is too long to live paycheck to paycheck. Fix that shit. Your an adult now damnit.
If the new location is really where you want to be then that is ok but don’t limit your relocation based on being able to transfer jobs.
"MyJeepGetsStuckInTheSnow" (myjeepgetsstuckinthesnow)
04/08/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 0
Do you have feet or can get a bus pass?
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/08/2017 at 11:36, STARS: 0
Prioritizing your emotional well-being supersedes all else. May I recommend a 90s Corolla until you get footed into your new life? Plenty of time left to make a major automotive decision.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/08/2017 at 11:37, STARS: 0
23/23 also equals .999999999
"Sovande" (sovande)
04/08/2017 at 11:44, STARS: 1
You won’t know until you try. In my experience I have found its better to live and learn than wonder what if. If it sucks, move back, regroup and try again.
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
04/08/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 0
As it is I’m burned out and emotionally unfulfilled. I need to find somewhere to live... with enough people that I can find friends and maybe even love. I’ve already figured out where I can go and have worked out the budget
Wow. I’m right there with you right now. I hope you can find the happiness you’re looking for. I moved into a suburban apartment I regretted after moving out of my parents’ house. Until I was laid off two weeks ago, I was finally getting ready to move into the city. Now I’ll be heading back to my parents’ house instead. Feels bad man. But that doesn’t matter beyond me explaining why I totally get it.
Lease vs. buy is a matter of calculating depreciation costs. You are essentially covering depreciation for the dealership with a lease, and depending on which car you buy, it might cost you even more in depreciation than the lease to actually buy the car. IDK though, depending on how much you have (none of my business, purely theoretical) I’m wondering if you could swing a used car that was more reliable and cheaper to fix than an E39, and also more exciting than an econobox.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/08/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1
Yep. My old office probably designed a few of those third houses. My Allroad is laughing in it’s grave. It will be sad to see the BMW go
"Leadbull" (leadbull911)
04/08/2017 at 12:24, STARS: 1
As another person living the ‘90s German car life, I can totally empathize.
No reason to take out a loan for a new car. There’s plenty of reliable old Hondas and Toyotas out there. Just remember - occasional repair costs suck, but so does a monthly car payment.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 0
Worst comes to worst I could just deregister it and mothball it at my moms for a while. It WILL be making the Oppo rally though.
"unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins)" (unclevanos)
04/08/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 0
I mothballed my e38 for now. I took it off my insurance back in august.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/08/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 0
Yes the Allroad won’t
"E92M3" (E46M3)
04/08/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 0
Maybe learn to wrench yourself, or pick up a part time job for extra income?
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 1
The parts for this car aren’t bad, it’s the labor that kills you. With me getting free labor it’s cost me no more to run than any other car I’ve had but If I have to start taking it to the shop...
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 0
The reason I’m unhappy is because I work two jobs and have no time or energy left to try to enjoy my life. I can wrench to a limit but I’m not up to the task of trying to rebuild an engine by myself and the car is getting to an age where such an eventuality may be necessary.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
04/08/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 0
Welcome to adulting. You’ll figure it out.
"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee)
04/08/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
I wouldn’t mind doing the rally in convoy with someone though just in case something does happen
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/08/2017 at 16:43, STARS: 0
If you can afford a new car without selling the BMW, I’d do that.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/08/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
Also you don’t have to limit yourself to new shitboxes. you could get something like a early 2000's Celica or EK Civic that’ll be fun, cheap, and reliable.
Or an Integra ( ° °)
"VincentMalamute-Kim" (VincentMalamute-Kim)
04/08/2017 at 18:11, STARS: 0
“As it is I’m burned out and emotionally unfulfilled. I need to find somewhere to live... with enough people that I can find friends and maybe even love”
I’m a few generations older but I’m with you on everything. My plan is to move to Colorado’s Front Range (Fort Collins, Boulder) just to change things up in my life and see what happens. Since I’m older, I just retired and am not in the same financial situation. But if you look on the internet, you’ll find a lot of stories of people doing what they want with very little money.
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
04/08/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 0
Yeah I actually have two pistons from that motor on a shelf lol. They are very stout. My friend bought an E36 328is with a bent con rod and it still ran well enough to make it home. And yeah... working on that era of BMW is just so horrific.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/08/2017 at 20:47, STARS: 0
the focus should hold strong. I’m potentially closing on a house that week so I’m 50/50 if i’ll get to go
"CB" (jrcb)
04/08/2017 at 20:49, STARS: 0
Not this shit again.