I Hate Car Payments

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
06/02/2015 at 08:36 • Filed to: None

But I also hate breaking down. What would you do if you were me? I think theres something like $15k on my loan. I have a ‘14 Premium with 16k miles and looks like I can get at least $25 which would give me $10k to play with plus maybe a small loan ($5k?)

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The details:

loan vs reliability balance

Needs to comfortably fit the whole family (also safe)

I enjoy driving the WRX and don’t want to miss that too much

Boston had the most snow ever, so I could use something that can handle some snow.

Decent gas mileage (25)

If money wasn’t a thing I’d go for a Raptor.

Edit: the WRX has given me no trouble. When I refer to reliability issues I mean that if I got an older car with no loan, it will most likely be older and higher mileage, and with the comes more issues and maintenance.

DISCUSSION (78)

Cherry_man1 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:40

Taurus SHO?

TheBaron2112 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:43

I hate car payments too. If you can afford it why not just suck it up and keep paying the car off?

Opposite Locksmith > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:46

Keeeeep the WRX. Peace of mind

random001 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:48

Have you had reliability issues with the rex? Confused by this...

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:49

An older WRX STI?

Bobbyzoom > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:52

How much is your payment? Don't you think it makes more financial sense to pay $400~ a month vs blowing a lump sum of $15,000? Plus no warranty and peace of mind on the older car.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 08:55

I didnt realize the wrx was that unreliable. .because thats really the best I could suggest

Sweet Trav > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:00

This is why I lease.

I accept a car payment for safe reliable transportation and have a paid off fun car to get silly in

BigBlock440 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:04

Wait, you owe $15k on a car with 16,000 miles on it, and it’s unreliable? Subaru’s are worse than I thought. How do they have a reputation for being reliable if they’re that bad? Does it qualify for a lemon?

E92M3 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/02/2015 at 09:12

I think he means he hates payments, but is scared of the alternative (buying a car with cash that has high mileage and COULD be unreliable).

Opposite Locksmith > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:24

Also I own a WRX and love it so it's my job to make sure they stay in caring hands

OPPOsaurus WRX > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
06/02/2015 at 09:27

mine is fine, no problems at all. i’m thinking to get down to a smaller loan i’ll be going to and older/higher mileage car, some which are worse than others at the point.

OPPOsaurus WRX > E92M3
06/02/2015 at 09:28

100% correct.

OPPOsaurus WRX > random001
06/02/2015 at 09:28

E92M3 has it. “I think he means he hates payments, but is scared of the alternative (buying a car with cash that has high mileage and COULD be unreliable).”

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:29

I am basically you. Same car in silver. I look at it as a long-term investment. I drove my truck (almost) daily for 18 years, so I expect the WRX to give me at least 10. Any car you buy used will have a history which you may or may not know. Sometimes it’s better to stick with something you know instead of taking a chance with something you don’t.

Kinja'd!!!

The Dummy Gummy > Sweet Trav
06/02/2015 at 09:29

Paid off? You never own the car outright in a lease. I’m confused.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheBaron2112
06/02/2015 at 09:30

Its a cost I dont really want to have. We’re thinking about moving and it would help with that. We’re right at the edge of our over all budget so it would be nice to have some breathing room.

OPPOsaurus WRX > BigBlock440
06/02/2015 at 09:33

no, i guess i worded it all wrong. Its completely fine. If i trade it in for a no loan car it will most likely be older and higher mileage and with that comes repairs and more involved maintenance.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Opposite Locksmith
06/02/2015 at 09:34

I love the thing. I baby it, just waxed it Sunday. I was over by 55 miles on the last oil change. No clutch drops or anything like that.

Opposite Locksmith > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:39

Love it. I'm the same way! I bought mine used 4 years ago in September

uofime-2 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:40

can you refinance the car?

The Dummy Gummy > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:41

If you have to sell it, get the one model lower.

http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventory…

Closest I could find to Boston with manual. Kind of insane there are minimal manuals around. You’d walk away with minimal amount out of pocket although you’d have a decent expense coming up when you update timing belt/rear differential fluid/etc.

That car will run you to 200k easily.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/02/2015 at 09:43

Yea it just sucks having to write that check each month. Does your car blow air even when everything is turned off? Mine does, its really low but it still does it, even at the temperature on the knob.

OPPOsaurus WRX > The Dummy Gummy
06/02/2015 at 09:44

well thats also not a WRX so theres like a 100 hp loss. Also at 88k miles thats getting into timing belt zone and such.

jjhats > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:45

used mazdaspeed 3 gti or focus st. all of these would be pushing your budget but you can get the non sporty version of these cars for 15 easily but wont feel like your wrx

TheBaron2112 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:46

How would adding another $5000 to your expenses help your budget?

OPPOsaurus WRX > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/02/2015 at 09:46

That was one thing i’m thinking but I’m scared of what the previous owner did to it. I’m probably not the typical WRX driver as I don’t beat the hell out of it but the stereotype is quite the opposite.

E92M3 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:48

My advice is to keep it if you can. It’s nice to have a car you purchased new, you know the entire history of, and has a warranty. Used usually makes the most financial sense, but you’ve already bought it and been thru the highest part of the depreciation curve. If you didn’t have a car and were considering new vs used I would advise buying used or CPO.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Bobbyzoom
06/02/2015 at 09:49

its about $300 a month. I’d pay it off if I could but theres no money to do that. All my money has gone into fixing up the house. We bought it as a dump and totally redid the whole thing.

BigBlock440 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:50

Oh, so you want to trade your reliable car for a potentially unreliable car to get out of payments. Got it.

You can still get something decently reliable for 10K. I bought my current DD for $8k that only had 30,000 miles on it, though it was 7 years old. Just passed 100k a few weeks ago, and aside from a lower radiator hose that developed a pinhole early on (36K, possibly from sitting) the only thing I’ve had to replace was tires. Granted, now I’m probably going to have to do some maintenance that it’s over 100k, but $10K is enough to get something reliable if it’s a few years older. Age is a much bigger factor in price than mileage is.

OPPOsaurus WRX > TheBaron2112
06/02/2015 at 09:50

well selling the WRX would give me $10k in my pocket and the ($15k) loan paid off. If I then paid the $10k to a new car and only had a $5k (max) loan, my payments would be much much lower.

The Dummy Gummy > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:55

You said you wanted reliability and a fun car. It is reliable and almost as fun, but not as fast. As for the timing belt... that was in my original reply.

OPPOsaurus WRX > BigBlock440
06/02/2015 at 09:55

yea you get the idea. What did you get?

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:55

I’ve never tried that. The thing that drives me nuts is that when the defroster is on, the left vent still blows air (not the defroster vent pointing at the driver’s window, the dash vent). I also get annoyed with the auto-dim on the mirror. It never dims when I want it to, especially when a big truck is behind me with its headlights pointing directly through the back glass. If there was a button to manually dim it, that would be fine.

Mine also keeps losing the body clips for the inner fenders. I think they are popping off when water hits the inner fender as I drive through puddles. There’s no avoiding puddles in Louisiana.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 09:56

Ohhhh. That makes so much more sense. Half asleep JQJ needs to stay off the internet

OPPOsaurus WRX > Cherry_man1
06/02/2015 at 10:04

thats not a bad idea. the SHO’s get expensive tho.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:05

I’ve never had a car payment. I also don’t have children, and my wife has her own car, so I have those conveniences in my favor.

BigBlock440 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:07

‘05 Stratus, and now know why everyone was ragging on Chrysler for crappy interiors 10 years ago. Though I think it may have been a rental, which would make it even lower spec. I used to have a ‘98 Stratus that was pretty decent, but holy crap did they really cut cost in the 2nd gen. At least plastic’s easy to keep clean.

I’ve never driven a WRX so I’m not sure how much less fun a Stratus (or any other econobox) would be, but why put the long, salty miles on something special? I have my weekend car, it’s enough to keep me happy for now.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:09

Well shoot, time for a ‘96 Camry or Corolla. Did financial circumstances change from the time you first financed that WRX?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2015 at 10:10

yea twins are quite the hole in the bank account bucket.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:11

The term you’re looking for is “gifts from above!”

random001 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:12

Yeah, it makes sense now. Well, you have options. I think your best bet would be to find a Subaru owner. Maybe trade with cash for an Outback or Legacy? Might be able to find a well taken care of OXT or FXT in trade?

Cherry_man1 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:13

Look at 2010 and 2011 those should be cheaper

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:19

Get a Foz XT and upgrade the go fast bits.

And I’m not just saying that cause I own one ;)

And I'm not just saying that cause I'll trade you ;)

OPPOsaurus WRX > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
06/02/2015 at 10:22

haha i’ll walk before a 96 corolla. Finances are about the same, the wifes car is only getting older. I bought at the edge of my budget which probably wasn;t the best thing but is still manageable. I think i’m just annoyed at the moment and was intesred if any ideas popped up that could convince me to trade in the WRX. This had a lot to do with it too:

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/focus-st-repla…

OPPOsaurus WRX > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
06/02/2015 at 10:26

i think i’ve noticed yours on here before. I saw an STI (most likely a replica) Forester in NH and fell in love. Whats your year/milage/value?

TheBaron2112 > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:27

But the 10k would never be in your pocket because you’ve already allocated it to a new car.

Also, why do you need a NEW car? Just get a used car that’s less than 10k so that you then DO have spending money and your monthly payment is then eliminated.

Like this 9 year old Mazda 3.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

BigBlock440 > TheBaron2112
06/02/2015 at 10:30

He means new to him, not new to the road. $15k of the $25k would go toward the loan, the remaining $10k would go to buy a $10k car outright. No more payments and still have a vehicle in the drive.

BigBlock440 > The Dummy Gummy
06/02/2015 at 10:32

I think he means a 2nd vehicle, a vehicle that costs nothing unless he wants it to (i.e. don’t have to repair or fuel unless you want to drive it, not because you need to).

TheBaron2112 > BigBlock440
06/02/2015 at 10:32

Right. That’s what I advocated. But he also said getting a small loan for the car as well, which is more money that he admittedly doesn’t want to spend.

The Dummy Gummy > BigBlock440
06/02/2015 at 10:37

Makes sense. Need coffee ha

Bobbyzoom > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:39

If your interest rate isn't high, why pay it off? Why would you tie up $10,000 in a depreciating asset when you could invest that 10k, and pay $300 a month? That makes more financial sense to me.

BigBlock440 > TheBaron2112
06/02/2015 at 10:40

But it’s less “more money” and would be smaller payments. It would be 1/3 of what his current loan amount is. I don’t think he wants a $15k new car, but the difference between $10k and $15k on the used market could open up many more options for good/reliable/fun/etc. vehicles and it would still leave a little more each month.

/not the OP, just trying to help describe his argument as best I can. I could be completely out in left field though.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:45

Could do what I did.

I bought (in 2012) a 2007 Mercury Milan V6. It’s FWD and auto so it’s not the coolest around, but it’s safe, reliable as hell, and 220hp isn’t too depressing. 27mpg highway (though I’ve seen 30+ in the right circumstances).

I bought it for 11k back then with 45k miles on it. I’ve put 50k miles on it since to total me at 95k right now.

Things I’ve done: Oil Changes, Brakes, 1 set of Tires, and Wiper Blades.

That’s it.

It also has an ESP off button which allows me to rip my front tires for about 1-200 feet lol.

Also, I drive it in Michigan, the metro-Detroit area. I’ve driven it through 8-10 inches of unplowed snow with just All Seasons, I’ve never owned snow tires, and I’ve never gotten stuck/had to push it. The hills in Boston would make me recommend snow tires though.

Only thing better would be an AWD MKZ or an AWD Fusion Sport. MKZ/Sport get the 3.5L V6 which is .5 bigger than the Milan and the standard Fusion V6, solid motors all around. AWD is available on all of them though.

Grab Paddle > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:49

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/here-are-ten-o…

OPPOsaurus WRX > Grab Paddle
06/02/2015 at 10:56

the Audi wagon was looked into prior to buying the WRX. I was pretty much told I’d need another bank account to maintain and repair one of those. Same with a V70R.

Grab Paddle > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 10:59

Subaru Legacy GT sedan or wagons are pretty sweet and still tune-able.

Also, not sure where you live, but around here (NYC) you can’t get a car loan under 7k, so take that into consideration.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Grab Paddle
06/02/2015 at 11:03

o thats a good point. As much as I’d like to tune, the only way that would happen is when parts need replacing, i’d upgrade.

functionoverfashion > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 11:08

I love that style/color/everything about your car. I’ll buy it from you. Where are you located? You can have my 2003 bmw 325xi wagon. Also a great car. Just not a turbo.

Kinja'd!!!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 11:08

Mine isn’t all that exciting, I just upped the boost a little, it keeps the gas mileage around 23 and let’s the car do a ~5.8 second 0-60. The guys that swap in the WRX turbos and up the boost can get a Foz to match times with a STi easily.

I have a 2010 XT with about 70k miles, Subaru says it’s worth about $14k. The SG models (pre-09, 08 was the best year IMO) are selling private party for low teens.

(And as much as I’d love to have your Rex, my wife would probably leave me...while driving away in said Rex).

BeaterGT > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 11:13

My LGT does this as well, must be a Subaru HVAC thing. Mine was just fixed too!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 11:41

Never bought a car for more than 7k and never had any major issues with any of them.

But i do mostly all my own maintenance and such

yamahog > The Dummy Gummy
06/02/2015 at 12:04

He has a *separate* paid off fun car, leases a daily driver.

OPPOsaurus WRX > functionoverfashion
06/02/2015 at 12:08

I’m in MA. Hows the reliability of a 12 y/o BMW?

OPPOsaurus WRX > functionoverfashion
06/02/2015 at 12:09

also sick bike.

The Dummy Gummy > yamahog
06/02/2015 at 12:09

Thanks, got that from the other guy two hours ago. Thanks though.

yamahog > The Dummy Gummy
06/02/2015 at 12:11

Lol sorry, only saw Travis’s comment.

The Dummy Gummy > yamahog
06/02/2015 at 12:17

No worries. I needed some caffeine this AM. Clearly couldn’t think outside the box ha.

Dusty Ventures > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 12:23

It’s a Subaru thing. I’ve been in a half dozen Subies that do that. Dodge/Mercedes Sprinters do it too, along with a few others

OPPOsaurus WRX > Dusty Ventures
06/02/2015 at 12:24

yea it doesn;t seem like a big problems but yesterday I got in and since it was still blowing it fogged up the windshield so it was annoying.

Dusty Ventures > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 12:32

Kinja'd!!!

OPPOsaurus WRX > Dusty Ventures
06/02/2015 at 12:40

that forester looks awesome. I saw one just like that at Highland Mountain mountain bike park in NH. that can;t be stock is it?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Dusty Ventures
06/02/2015 at 12:45

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Subaru-For…

its tempting

functionoverfashion > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 12:46

I had an ‘01 before this one, it never once let me down. I owned it for 5 years and from 120k to 200k. It’s a little bit of a hobby replacing little things here and there. But it’s “reliable” in that if you do your homework and replace some obvious show-stopping failure-prone areas before they have a chance to fail (like the cooling system), it’s a great car. I’ve only had the ‘03 since last July but it’s at about 128k and is in great shape. It’s my family hauler, too - you can see our other one, my wife’s X3 - also a manual transmission. No autotragics allowed in this house!

Anyway I’m in NH. There’s a guy at work with a similar year WRX to yours, only pearl white. I love it. It’s the only car I would trade for, of all those owned by my co-workers. There’s a newer BMW 328xi wagon - with a manual, like mine! - but it’s bright red. Nope.

Also thanks, I love the bike. It’s actually the low-end Trek fuel ex5. But same frame as the ex9, just not-as-nice components. Which I’ll eventually upgrade, over time. I absolutely love it. Do you ride?

OPPOsaurus WRX > functionoverfashion
06/02/2015 at 12:57

yea, we’ve been discussing a trip to highland which if u havnt been then go. I have a mid level Specialized 29er hard tail. Most of the stuff at home is pretty flat and can;t justify the additional cost of a full suspension. I dont think i’d go after the BMW but if i decide to let the WRX go i’ll be sure to to let you know

functionoverfashion > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 14:33

Flat?! Everything around here is up or down. I didn’t use my middle front ring all last year. Never used the big ring. It’s climbing or coasting. There’s one place nearby with some flowy trails where you can actually pedal at a decent clip, I just went last week for the first time. As far as full suspension - everything is rocks and roots for the most part, too. I rode my old hardtail forever, but I’d never go back.

I haven’t been to Highland but it’s only about 25 minutes from me. I used to ski there, actually! I promised a friend I’d go with him this year, he coaches mt. biking at a local school. It’s hard to convince me to travel, when I can go up a local mountain with lots of little singletracks right from my front door.

I’m more joking than anything, about trading cars. I love the WRX but I also hate car payments, like you. I’ve never had one, and I don’t intend to start now, with two kids under 3.

OPPOsaurus WRX > functionoverfashion
06/02/2015 at 14:38

ah mine turn 3 this weekend. The biggest differnce between highland and whatever else your doing is that they carry you and your bike to the top and you just have to go back down, and they have maintained trails with jumps, berms, drops, bridges...... its worth the trip and you should rent one of thier bikes. they are $8k team bikes and are insane. I thought I was going to die the first time there on a hard tail. I also have trials behind my house but i think theres maybe 20 feet of elevation change from min to max.

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > OPPOsaurus WRX
06/02/2015 at 16:14

What about an Outback XT?

Here is one at Carmax, so you could also roll the extended warranty onto your new smaller loan.

http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/…