I am conniving to convince my gf to sign off on me buying a car sooner than she thinks I should (UPDATE: that was easy)

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
03/07/2016 at 12:10 • Filed to: None

I am in the process of consolidating down from my $$$$$$$ two car situation to a less-expensive one car situation. The cheapest way to do that is not what I really want to do, but I need to do a little leg work to get my gf on board with the fun way to do this.

Right now I lease a 2013 BMW 135is and own a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Hemi. I wasn’t necessarily planning to get 2 cars, but here I am. The lease on the 135is ends on June 29th. My lease payment is $447 and I took out a short-term loan on the Jeep that costs $235/month but is close to paid off.

If I really wanted to save money, I’d turn in the BMW, and just drive the Jeep for a while. But it’s really not my style. I’ve !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Since my original post thinking the G37xS looks good on paper, I’ve test driven a 2012 Lexus IS350 AWD (too small and there’s a stupid bump in the driver’s footwell from the awd system), a 2013 Acura TL SH-AWD (too high of a beltline making the view out the front like looking out of a tank and the top of the door card is too high for me to rest my left elbow on while holding the steering wheel + too crashy of a ride over sharp bumps), and a 2013 G37x coupe—not xS—which I rather liked, so I know I’ll like the G37xS even more.

So far, I’ve floated the idea to my gf that I’ll turn in the BMW in the summer, and drive my Jeep until next spring, making those sweet, sweet low payments, then buy the Infiniti next spring. If I spent around $25k on the Infiniti and made a decent down payment I’d keep the payments at about $375/month.

At first, I thought getting the G37xS in say, July, as opposed to driving the Jeep until next March, would cost about $1500 total extra money spent on payments and insurance. But where this gets interesting is, what if I sold the Jeep now and got the Infiniti when the BMW lease ends? Winter’s ending, so if I know I’m getting the Infiniti in the summer, there’s no reason to hold on to the Jeep.

Let’s say I still make the March payment on the Jeep, so it’s the April, May & June payments on it I don’t make. That’s $705 saved, plus whatever the insurance cost is. So really, the difference between rolling from the BMW to the Infiniti this summer vs. next spring is a few hundred bucks, and I’d have to buy the snow tires and wheels for it sooner, but that’s money I’ll spend eventually either way.

Since I just got done test-driving a few cars to arrive at this G37xS decision, but I said to her “hey babe don’t worry I’m just doing my research now so I know what I want later,” I should probably wait a few days before I share this brilliant sell-the-Jeep-now idea with her.

But yeah, I feel good about this.

UPDATE: I waited a whole day before I couldn’t contain my urge to share my idea with her, and she fully endorsed it. I didn’t have to do any convincing, just explained my plan same as in this post, and she said “sounds like a good idea.”

Kinda reminds me why she’s a keeper!

So...I will not be spending any time in purgatory of driving my apparently soon-to-be former Jeep as my one and only vehicle.

Anyone want to buy a 2005 Grand Cherokee Limited Hemi with a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and General Grabber AT2s?

DISCUSSION (27)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 12:14

$447... Good lord that’s a lot of monthly pocket change.

pjhusa > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/05/2016 at 12:20

Not too bad, but seems like a lot for a 1er.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > pjhusa
03/05/2016 at 12:22

Well, I should clarify and say it’s a lot for someone of perhaps my socioeconomic status.

pjhusa > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/05/2016 at 12:25

okei

Rico > pjhusa
03/05/2016 at 12:28

It's a 135is that's why it's more than say a 128i.

pjhusa > Rico
03/05/2016 at 12:28

I know. But still.

Rico > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 12:29

A friend of mine just picked up the sedan version and loves it, I say do it!

Gone > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 12:32

You still have to pay the $705, it’ll just come out of the Jeep’s value when you sell/trade-in. Plus it’s a pain to sell things private party with a lien.

If you can(?), turn in the BMW early, that’s $447/month to you. In 2 months you can easily pay off the Jeep’s lien using the difference ($896-$705), then sell it/trade on a G37. So your $447+$235 a month payments goes to $375 and then you can invest the difference of $307/month.

Jayhawk Jake > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/05/2016 at 12:45

That’s a lot for a lease.

yamahog > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 13:03

Respectfully, are you trying to convince yourself or her? Unless she’s relying on one of those cars for transportation or you have joint finances that would be impacted, it’s a “his money, his problem” situation in our household at least.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 14:07

You have my permission, but you have to do a comparo on the G37xs vs your 135is. I went from a G35 coupe to a 135i (with a Saaaab in between). I prefer the BMW, but I had the G35 for 5 happy years without a single problem (aside from self-inflicted idiocy). I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on the two.

Textured Soy Protein > yamahog
03/05/2016 at 15:04

I don’t need to convince myself, I’m already on board with the idea. I don’t really need to “convince” her either but when it comes to big financial decisions we like to be on the same page.

Textured Soy Protein > pjhusa
03/05/2016 at 15:05

Sticker price was $49,600. $447/month is a very good lease payment for that.

yamahog > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 15:13

Understandable!

d15b > Textured Soy Protein
03/05/2016 at 15:59

Step 1. Float idea to GF.

Step 2. Wait a month for April.

Step 3. Reevaluate situation.

Textured Soy Protein > Gone
03/05/2016 at 23:05

I could turn in the BMW early if I buy or lease new or certified BMW. I could also try to trade it in but I would need to get enough on the trade to cover the payoff on the lease, and that’s probably a stretch.

I know it’s not ideal to sell private party with a lien, but here in WI, people love relatively cheap old Jeeps. So for an old Jeep that I’ve done a bunch of maintenance on, I’ll get sooooo much more selling it private party.

Textured Soy Protein > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/05/2016 at 23:16

The 135is has better acceleration and steering, better sound deadening, and makes much better engine and exhaust sounds. It has better visibility out the back.

The G37x (I haven’t driven an xS yet) has less body roll and rides better, but that’s probably more due to the run-flats on the 135is than the suspension. The seats are more plush and there’s more room up front to spread out. Little practicality touches like cup holders and storage bins are more plentiful. It has better visibility in front.

The DCT in the 135is shifts faster than the 7-speed auto in the G37 but the G37's transmission is still pretty above average when looking at automatic transmissions in general.

The 135is desperately needs an LSD. The regular G37x puts down power fine and the xS adds a rear LSD.

Which one is better overall? I dunno. But for me, in Wisconsin, to have one vehicle year-round that I can keep for a while and hopefully not get stuck with high maintenance and repair costs, the Infiniti makes more sense. That second reson is why it also makes more sense than something like a 335xi.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/05/2016 at 23:19

Coming from the 350Z side of things, I’d have to agree they’re ridiculously reliable!

Textured Soy Protein > Rico
03/05/2016 at 23:20

The sedan would make more sense but I’m hung up on how the awd sedan sport package loses out on most of the good stuff like the suspension, brakes and LSD.

I actually thought about getting a rwd sport package sedan but for winter I really want the awd.

190octane > Textured Soy Protein
03/06/2016 at 11:35

Do it, I have a g37 and love it. Granted, I wanted a manual coupe and ended up an automatic sedan (marriage) but it's an awesome car.

Party-vi > Textured Soy Protein
03/07/2016 at 12:16

Good luck with those dealer service trips. Shit is expensive.

Textured Soy Protein > Party-vi
03/07/2016 at 12:30

I’m not planing to visit dealer service unless absolutely necessary.

mrbaits > Textured Soy Protein
03/07/2016 at 14:00

I turned in my G37S coupe last August when the lease was up, in favor of a 428i Gran Coupe. Make sure you try out the sport seats in the Infiniti. They are (to me) far less comfortable than sport seats in a BMW, and you may end up regretting your decision if you have not had a test drive.

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Textured Soy Protein
03/07/2016 at 14:08

Let me know how the G37 is. It was on the short list when I bought my 335xi.

I loved the sound the G makes, and it is a ton of fun In Forza, but I couldn’t find a good CPO one before I found my current car.

Also, if you can compare it to your 135is, that would be sweet.

Textured Soy Protein > mrbaits
03/07/2016 at 14:42

Good to know. I’ll see if I can find one locally with the sport seats. The only awd coupe near me didn’t have the sport package.

Textured Soy Protein > TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW!
03/07/2016 at 15:11

Someone else asked for a 135is/G37 comparison, so here it is , based on my quick drive of a G37x (not G37xS).

TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > Textured Soy Protein
03/07/2016 at 15:24

Thanks! I need to learn to scroll down before commenting!