How do I stop shopping for cars?

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/19/2019 at 15:31 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping

By this fall I’ll be ready to buy another car, in the meanwhile I can’t stop shopping for cars that fit my needs or my teenager’s needs for a daily driver. I find myself several times a week looking at craigslist and reviewing dealer websites for cars... I just ... can’t ... stop... even though I’m not going to buy anything for another 6 months and I don’t even know exactly what I’ll buy.

I’ve looked at everything from this 19 year old Subaru to 2019 Golf Al-tracks. I’d love a truck but don’t think I want to pay the money for one.

If it was september 2019 and I saw this legacy I’d give it a serious look.

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DISCUSSION (21)

Mercedes Streeter > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:35

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Hahahahahaha! You don’t.

I always have a window open to Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist even though I shouldn’t be looking for a scooter or motor bike.

Speaking of which...

Here’s a $200 Kawasaki Ninja! You can pop the seat with a flat screwdriver and get the key code from the seat lock cylinder, and thus you can get a new key for not a lot . And if the original seller isn’t lying, you’ll also have a title!

Kinja'd!!!

Shift24 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:39

As its been an hour and no one has commented, the answer is you don’t ever stop shopping.

While there is a clear distinction of window shopping and walking out the door with a car, the line between buying because its a deal/want (whether it be a low mile, price, or rarity ) and what you actually afford/need can get blurry.

TheRevanchist > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:41

Let’s take a step back. The opposite of buying cars is selling cars. You now have a second job!

Another case solved, gang!

Kinja'd!!!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:41

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Wait, I thought u nnecessary car shopping is a pre-requisite for Oppo membership.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Mercedes Streeter
03/19/2019 at 16:44

But you actually buy 75% of the cars/motorcycles you look at, I’m guessing you have a barn somewhere near where you live that curently has 34 Smart for two’s and 73 motorcycles.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheRevanchist
03/19/2019 at 16:45

I like this legacy I found, I could easily afford it now too...

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Shift24
03/19/2019 at 16:49

Kinja.. I “saved it” then published it so it was stuck in the past.

Mercedes Streeter > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:51

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:53

I have zero intention of buying anything motorized for a while.

Sat on my phone in bed last night for 30 minutes on autotrader.

It’s ok.

Shift24 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:57

Ahh, I hate that. I did that once and have just gone to scheduling everything to make sure im not screwing it up lol

NKato > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 16:58

It's known that it takes two weeks of sustained behavior to develop a habit, good or bad. You met that criteria and now you're boned with that habit. :p

TheRevanchist > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:01

Subaru is quite tempting. However, y ou need to stick with my idea, even though it’s quite impossible.

Kinja'd!!!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:06

I find myself several times a week looking at craigslist and reviewing dealer websites for cars

You mean this isn’t normal behavior?

lone_liberal > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:10

You’re asking us ? I won’t be actually buying a car until next year that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t all over cars.com carguru and a bunch of other sites last night because I was. Yes, my wife did sigh and shake her head.

66P1800inpieces > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:25

Does your state require you to pay taxes or sliding scale registration fee? If not you can buy cars and toy around with them and then flip them after a couple of months. In my state the registration is a flat $50 but you have to pay sales tax at around 7% on each transaction (without a dealers license) . So if I bought a 10k car, that’ s $700 automatically down the drain. I could probably sell that same car 6 months later for 10k but selling it for $10,700 would probably be much harder.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:26

I know exactly what you mean, and eluded to it in a recent post about * thinking about * my next commuter.

I can’t stop browsing for cars…and trying to justify buying them.

First it was when I sold my E30, trying to think if there were options I could replace it with. Once I finally sold that I car I was actually searching CL for a few months. Bought E46.

Cured the itch for a few weeks, and then started thinking “damn the Crosstrek is too tight for our family” so I started looking at replacements. Talked the wife in to selling it and getting an Outback, just did that a month or so ago.

And now I’m thinking “hmm Spark EV lease is up in 6 months, what should I replace it with?!”

I enjoy it, it’s a hobby of sorts I guess…but it is also starting to feel like an addiction and a waste of time. But I guess any hobby is technically a waste of time, simply one that brings you joy?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > 66P1800inpieces
03/19/2019 at 17:36

No sales tax here, I’d probably pay around $40 to register and plate a $3500 car.

Decay buys too many beaters > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:41

i’m just here to read the comments.

66P1800inpieces > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 17:58

If lived in your state I would have a driveway full of half running Craigslist project cars and 80s trucks.

cberg > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/19/2019 at 20:25

Buy a turbo 5 cylinder AWD manual wagon & you won’t actually want anything else.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > cberg
03/19/2019 at 20:28

My new car desires are the golf wagon with awd. Not as cool as Volvo but they have a 7/72k warranty now.