how much car can we afford?

Non-investing personal finance issues including insurance, credit, real estate, taxes, employment and legal issues such as trusts and wills.
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

mid 30s
300k total comp
net worth ~ 1.1M
assets in taxable accounts: ~ 650k
PFInterest
Posts: 2684
Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:25 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by PFInterest »

really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
H-Town
Posts: 5911
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:08 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by H-Town »

how much car do you need? maybe 15-22k for a reliable and reasonable vehicle.

how much car can you afford? maybe 10% of your annual net pay?

how much car do you want? that's the question for you.
Time is the ultimate currency.
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Jags4186
Posts: 8198
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 7:12 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by Jags4186 »

Looks like you can buy pretty much anything you want. Share pictures! Although I would just say that I think the new Accords are much nicer than the current gen 3-series.
msk
Posts: 1470
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:40 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by msk »

My rule-of-thumb for the past 50 years: all the family cars together should not be worth more than 6 months family income. Leasing or paying cash is not very material. I baulked at splurging on a Rolls Royce Phantom because of the terror I would have whenever and wherever I parked it :oops:
student
Posts: 10764
Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2015 6:58 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by student »

You can afford a $40,000 car on a $300,000 compensation.
The Wizard
Posts: 13356
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:45 pm
Location: Reading, MA

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by The Wizard »

We, meaning a couple, should probably have two cars, with staggered purchase dates.
Maybe every four years buy new and keep for eight years. Depends on how many miles per year you drive.

Allocate up to 10% of income for car purchase, so $30/year x four years equals $120k in cash to buy the next new car with.
But I personally wouldn't spend that much (on a Tesla, for example) unless I was FI.
I'd try to stay with something in the $60k to $80k range, or less if you want to play the Frugal card...
Attempted new signature...
livesoft
Posts: 86079
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:00 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by livesoft »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Buying that car means that you will not be able to afford other things that you might want.
Wiki This signature message sponsored by sscritic: Learn to fish.
The Wizard
Posts: 13356
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:45 pm
Location: Reading, MA

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by The Wizard »

livesoft wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:23 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Buying that car means that you will not be able to afford other things that you might want.
"Will" is a rather strong assertion to make, methinks...
Attempted new signature...
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

livesoft wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:23 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Buying that car means that you will not be able to afford other things that you might want.
sounds like you do not think i can afford this.
User avatar
ResearchMed
Posts: 16795
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by ResearchMed »

livesoft wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:23 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Buying that car means that you will not be able to afford other things that you might want.
Buying *anything* means - for most of us*, anyway - that we can't buy "something else".
That's just the way it works.

Some people prefer to spend their money on a car/cars.
Others prefer eating out a lot.
Others prefer travel (that would be "us" :happy ).
Etc...

* OTOH, folks like Gates/Bezos/etc., would have actual difficulty spending it all.

RM
This signature is a placebo. You are in the control group.
GoldStar
Posts: 959
Joined: Wed May 23, 2018 10:59 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by GoldStar »

Jags4186 wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:15 am Looks like you can buy pretty much anything you want. Share pictures! Although I would just say that I think the new Accords are much nicer than the current gen 3-series.
Unless maybe if he/she has 10 children and a $900K mortgage and $100K in credit card debt.
SevenBridgesRoad
Posts: 1184
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2018 12:14 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by SevenBridgesRoad »

The world seems to be divided into car people and non car people. I have friends who truly get enjoyment out of their sexier cars. I know others who insist on driving old pickups until they rust out and die (the truck, not the owner). In my case, I value high-reliability (I hate the whole car failing thing and sitting at the mechanic's shop), safety, and really I hate getting used to a new car. So I tend to buy mid-priced Japanese SUVs and hang on them them longer. We recently traded in our older, reliable Mazda CX9 and bought a new Subaru Outback because the new safety technology is significantly better. (Sensor tech and AI in late model cars has gone crazy good.) Our safety-value outweighed our hate-getting-used-to-a-new-car value.

So, within reason, it's probably not a ratio of income or net worth type of answer. It's more what you value.
HEDGEFUNDIE
Posts: 4801
Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:06 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by HEDGEFUNDIE »

Honestly BH should just ban these types of threads. It’s pretty much just trolling.

“I have $XM in net worth, can I afford [insert moderately priced item they can obviously afford].”

LadyGeek what do ya say?
sambb
Posts: 3257
Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2013 3:31 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by sambb »

TO the OP, i would spend 30-65k on a car. Great work.
Spirit Rider
Posts: 13977
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:39 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by Spirit Rider »

The correct way to look at this is as a budget item. Your total amortized vehicle costs (amortized cash up front + financed cost - ending value) should not exceed 5% - 10% of your budget.

The actual purchase price is then dependent on how often you change vehicles. If you trade up every four years vs. every eight years then obviously you can only afford a less expensive vehicle.

The purchase price in isolation is not a good metric to use.
User avatar
ResearchMed
Posts: 16795
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by ResearchMed »

Spirit Rider wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:53 am The correct way to look at this is as a budget item. Your total amortized vehicle costs (amortized cash up front + financed cost - ending value) should not exceed 5% - 10% of your budget.

The actual purchase price is then dependent on how often you change vehicles. If you trade up every four years vs. every eight years then obviously you can only afford a less expensive vehicle.

The purchase price in isolation is not a good metric to use.
"5-10% of budget" can mean very different things to those at different ends of the income spectrum, so "rules" like this aren't particularly helpful.

At some income levels, 5-10% wouldn't be missed (although it certainly might mean "not purchasing a few other things"), whereas at other income levels, it could mean choosing between food and rent.

RM
This signature is a placebo. You are in the control group.
KlangFool
Posts: 31527
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by KlangFool »

OP,

What is the price of your house? How much of your net worth is tied to the house?

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
Spirit Rider
Posts: 13977
Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:39 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by Spirit Rider »

Quibble all you want, but the purchase price in isolation is not a good metric to determine what you can afford.

I know people who buy a new car every two years or myself who goes 10 years+. There is a big difference in affordability.
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:01 am OP,

What is the price of your house? How much of your net worth is tied to the house?

KlangFool

Do you want the current market value or the price we paid for it?
User avatar
ResearchMed
Posts: 16795
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by ResearchMed »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:10 am mid 30s
300k total comp
net worth ~ 1.1M
assets in taxable accounts: ~ 650k
How about asking *yourself* what you think you can "afford", based upon not only your assets and income, but also on your general spending patterns and desires for other things/experiences?

Obviously you probably have (or "can have") considerably discretionary funds.

RM
This signature is a placebo. You are in the control group.
47Percent
Posts: 365
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2013 9:59 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by 47Percent »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:10 am mid 30s
300k total comp
net worth ~ 1.1M
assets in taxable accounts: ~ 650k
Wrong question -- at least in this forum.

The question ought to be ==> "What is the least car I can live with"?
KlangFool
Posts: 31527
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by KlangFool »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:19 am
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:01 am OP,

What is the price of your house? How much of your net worth is tied to the house?

KlangFool

Do you want the current market value or the price we paid for it?
The price that you pay for and your mortgage.

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:34 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:19 am
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:01 am OP,

What is the price of your house? How much of your net worth is tied to the house?

KlangFool

Do you want the current market value or the price we paid for it?
The price that you pay for and your mortgage.

KlangFool
we paid 880k 1.5 years ago (current value according to redfin.com 1M)
we owe 600k on it.
interest rate = 3.6% 30 year fixed

I actually didn't realize the value went up so much (just checked now first time in a long time) so our net worth is actually 1.2M using the 1M valuation of the house.

Roughly 400k of our net worth is from home equity or 33%
KlangFool
Posts: 31527
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by KlangFool »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:40 am
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:34 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:19 am
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:01 am OP,

What is the price of your house? How much of your net worth is tied to the house?

KlangFool

Do you want the current market value or the price we paid for it?
The price that you pay for and your mortgage.

KlangFool
we paid 880k 1.5 years ago (current value according to redfin.com 1M)
we owe 600k on it.
interest rate = 3.6% 30 year fixed

I actually didn't realize the value went up so much (just checked now first time in a long time) so our net worth is actually 1.2M using the 1M valuation of the house.

Roughly 400k of our net worth is from home equity or 33%
OP,

1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.

2) Do you save enough to reach your financial goal?

3) Can you save enough to reach your financial goal after spending X on a car?

Those are the questions that only you can answer.

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
Ervin
Posts: 175
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2014 7:59 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by Ervin »

47Percent wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:31 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:10 am mid 30s
300k total comp
net worth ~ 1.1M
assets in taxable accounts: ~ 650k
Wrong question -- at least in this forum. over

The question ought to be ==> "What is the least car I can live with"?
+100. A car is a liability, not an asset, hence the cheaper the better. There is a reason the IRS deducts 54 cents/mile for business expenses (i.e. $6500 over the 12,000 miles the average person drives a year), and it's not generosity.

I personally drive a car that cost less than 1% of our net worth when we bought it.
Last edited by Ervin on Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
RIP, Mr. Bogle.
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:22 pm 1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.
What point are you trying to make here?
runner3081
Posts: 5994
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:22 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by runner3081 »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
If you do that, don't buy the worthless 328i or the horrific 320i. Those are grocery getters. No need to pay a premium for a grocery getter!
KlangFool
Posts: 31527
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by KlangFool »

johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:39 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:22 pm 1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.
What point are you trying to make here?
johussman,

Most of your net worth is tied to the house. The house value is 1 million. Your net worth excluding the house is 800K. If the house's value drops to 500K, you are worth only 700K. If the house value goes up to 1.5 million, you are worth 1.7 million. Most of your money is tied up with the house. It could be a good thing or a bad thing.

If you take away the house, you are not doing as well as you think.

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
User avatar
HomerJ
Posts: 21282
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:50 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by HomerJ »

You almost never should buy all the way up to what you can afford. You should get that phrase out of your head. Salesmen LOVE to use that phrase, to get you starting at the top when making a purchase.

Start at the bottom of what you need, and maybe ease up a bit as you get older and richer.

OP, what are your expenses? How much you saving each year? You seem to be doing very well, based on your age.

You can probably justify a $40k car, if your other expenses are reasonable. Just note, that's probably your new bottom line for cars. You won't ever want to go lower than than going forward. And maybe your spouse will want something nicer too.

Note, pay cash for it. If you can't pay cash, you can't afford it.

And will it really make you happier?
Last edited by HomerJ on Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"The best tools available to us are shovels, not scalpels. Don't get carried away." - vanBogle59
Topic Author
johussman
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 4:18 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by johussman »

KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:12 pm
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:39 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:22 pm 1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.
What point are you trying to make here?
johussman,

Most of your net worth is tied to the house. The house value is 1 million. Your net worth excluding the house is 800K. If the house's value drops to 500K, you are worth only 700K. If the house value goes up to 1.5 million, you are worth 1.7 million. Most of your money is tied up with the house. It could be a good thing or a bad thing.

If you take away the house, you are not doing as well as you think.

KlangFool
A value drop in our house of 50% would be an extreme event. The fact that we will still have a 700k net worth even if this happens is pretty comforting! Was your example supposed to make me concerned?

If i took away the house, my net worth would be exactly what it is today with the house. If we sold the house we'd still have a net worth of 1.2M.
edge
Posts: 3833
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:44 pm
Location: NY

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by edge »

What does net mean here? Let's say he pays 100k in taxes so his net is 200k. He can only afford a 20k car? Or are you saying he can afford 20k in lease or car payments per year?
thangngo wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am how much car do you need? maybe 15-22k for a reliable and reasonable vehicle.

how much car can you afford? maybe 10% of your annual net pay?

how much car do you want? that's the question for you.
User avatar
Watty
Posts: 28860
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:55 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by Watty »

If you are married then you should more or less double your car purchase numbers since your spouse will likely end up with a car that costs a similar amount.

A lot of decisions like this is really about the "opportunity cost" (Google this) on what you spend of the car. If you bought something like a new $25K Camry instead you would have $15K that you could do something else with like going on several vacations over the next few years.

From what you have said you can afford it but the big question is what you will give up if you buy the BMW.
H-Town
Posts: 5911
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 1:08 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by H-Town »

edge wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:23 pm What does net mean here? Let's say he pays 100k in taxes so his net is 200k. He can only afford a 20k car? Or are you saying he can afford 20k in lease or car payments per year?
thangngo wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am how much car do you need? maybe 15-22k for a reliable and reasonable vehicle.

how much car can you afford? maybe 10% of your annual net pay?

how much car do you want? that's the question for you.
That's exactly what net means. If he spends more than 10% net pay, then he'll have to dial back savings, mortgage, traveling, education, charitable givings, food & dining, etc. Something gotta gives. Don't let it be your saving rate though.
Time is the ultimate currency.
sambb
Posts: 3257
Joined: Sun Mar 10, 2013 3:31 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by sambb »

Interesting that one has to make about 300k to afford a 20k car - a midlevel civic. This board is very interesting when it comes to cars.
User avatar
ResearchMed
Posts: 16795
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by ResearchMed »

sambb wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:28 pm Interesting that one has to make about 300k to afford a 20k car - a midlevel civic. This board is very interesting when it comes to cars.

Indeed!

:confused

And many other things as well.

RM
This signature is a placebo. You are in the control group.
gator15
Posts: 591
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2012 8:33 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by gator15 »

With your income and net worth I would be comfortable spending no more than $55k. The BMW you want is certainly within that range.
T4REngineer
Posts: 205
Joined: Thu May 31, 2018 9:50 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by T4REngineer »

sambb wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:28 pm Interesting that one has to make about 300k to afford a 20k car - a midlevel civic. This board is very interesting when it comes to cars.
X2.... but they get no value or enjoyment out of their transportation and we can not fault them for that just as they can not fault us for spending far more on a car then they would. Both sides generally agree that as along as you are saving enough to reach your other goals and you would rather spend your money on X ( car ) vs. Y, its a fine choice.

OP, FWIW I have much less income (180) a bit lower savings (550) but much lower net-worth (our home was 1/4 the cost) and the combined value of our 2 cars was 90k - worth it to us but I doubt many here have driven Top of the World in Moab, the mining roads in the San Juans or the forest trails in the Midwest so for us it has been just as much about the experiences with them then the daily drives (which are short!) .....and that 90k does not count the thousands of DIY work I have put in to make them "ours" - Money I will never get back! :D
livesoft
Posts: 86079
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:00 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by livesoft »

I wonder what kind of cars the OP drives right now?
Wiki This signature message sponsored by sscritic: Learn to fish.
randomguy
Posts: 11295
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 9:00 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by randomguy »

ResearchMed wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:34 am
livesoft wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:23 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Buying that car means that you will not be able to afford other things that you might want.
Buying *anything* means - for most of us*, anyway - that we can't buy "something else".
That's just the way it works.

Some people prefer to spend their money on a car/cars.
Others prefer eating out a lot.
Others prefer travel (that would be "us" :happy ).
Etc...

* OTOH, folks like Gates/Bezos/etc., would have actual difficulty spending it all.

RM
Bah it is easy to blow through 50 billion or so. Between buying the yankees, giants, and have some modest art work(you know monets, van goughs, da vincis, and the like) so that each room in my modest 20 bedroom house can be decorated, you are are alread up to like 10 billion. Sponser some vanity space programs and you can burn through cash in a heart beat.

But yes that is the basic summation of all these discussions. Pretty much everyone asking these questions can afford the item. They just have to decide if it is worth it or not and if they would rather do their consumption now or in 30 years.
blastoff
Posts: 402
Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2012 11:04 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by blastoff »

Assuming you save a good amount per year (maybe you inherited 3 million and spend more than you make!) AND would like the car (you're not just an indifferent car person trying to fit in) then buy it.

You can easily afford.
User avatar
ResearchMed
Posts: 16795
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:25 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by ResearchMed »

randomguy wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:56 pm
ResearchMed wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:34 am
livesoft wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:23 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:13 am
PFInterest wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:12 am really, you dont even say what you are looking at?
why is this a serious question?

you can afford a used Civic.
I'm looking at a BMW 3 series certified pre owned about 40k with 8k miles on it
Buying that car means that you will not be able to afford other things that you might want.
Buying *anything* means - for most of us*, anyway - that we can't buy "something else".
That's just the way it works.

Some people prefer to spend their money on a car/cars.
Others prefer eating out a lot.
Others prefer travel (that would be "us" :happy ).
Etc...

* OTOH, folks like Gates/Bezos/etc., would have actual difficulty spending it all.

RM
Bah it is easy to blow through 50 billion or so. Between buying the yankees, giants, and have some modest art work(you know monets, van goughs, da vincis, and the like) so that each room in my modest 20 bedroom house can be decorated, you are are alread up to like 10 billion. Sponser some vanity space programs and you can burn through cash in a heart beat.

But yes that is the basic summation of all these discussions. Pretty much everyone asking these questions can afford the item. They just have to decide if it is worth it or not and if they would rather do their consumption now or in 30 years.
It's more than just that (the odd $50B aside, of course).

Many (most?) of us here DO have discretionary spending money, even with appropriate retirement/etc., savings.
It's the *choice* that matters... more spent on the house, less for cars; more spent on cars, less for vacations or furniture; etc.

However, there certainly does seem to be a sub-group of BH's that find that almost anything beyond the necessities (and the most basic of those, too) is of the "there is no reason to ..." type of expenditure.

And this seems to be the case for that subgroup even if "budget" is NOT a factor.
It sometimes seems like some Puritan ethic, like "no dancing or singing allowed".

I certainly "get it" when there is a serious concern that buying the "X" (or a certain priced "X") will indeed jeopardize other finances, current or future.

But - dare I write it - IF someone wants a luxury watch (or engagement ring?), it's a "no no", regardless of financial standing.

<donning flameproof attire>

RM
This signature is a placebo. You are in the control group.
User avatar
Toons
Posts: 14467
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:20 am
Location: Hills of Tennessee

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by Toons »

You know what you can afford.
Purchase it.
Enjoy
:mrgreen:
"One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity" –Bruce Lee
smitcat
Posts: 13308
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:51 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by smitcat »

KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:12 pm
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:39 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:22 pm 1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.
What point are you trying to make here?
johussman,

Most of your net worth is tied to the house. The house value is 1 million. Your net worth excluding the house is 800K. If the house's value drops to 500K, you are worth only 700K. If the house value goes up to 1.5 million, you are worth 1.7 million. Most of your money is tied up with the house. It could be a good thing or a bad thing.

If you take away the house, you are not doing as well as you think.

KlangFool
He is mid 30's - he is doing great.
smitcat
Posts: 13308
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:51 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by smitcat »

Toons wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:10 pm You know what you can afford.
Purchase it.
Enjoy
:mrgreen:
Yes - agreed.
KlangFool
Posts: 31527
Joined: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:35 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by KlangFool »

smitcat wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:38 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:12 pm
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:39 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:22 pm 1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.
What point are you trying to make here?
johussman,

Most of your net worth is tied to the house. The house value is 1 million. Your net worth excluding the house is 800K. If the house's value drops to 500K, you are worth only 700K. If the house value goes up to 1.5 million, you are worth 1.7 million. Most of your money is tied up with the house. It could be a good thing or a bad thing.

If you take away the house, you are not doing as well as you think.

KlangFool
He is mid 30's - he is doing great.
smitcat,

Almost everyone in the 30s believes that they would be fully-employed all the way until retirement age. And, they will not be affected by the economic crisis, recession, change in the industry and so on. That was my belief too.

KlangFool
30% VWENX | 16% VFWAX/VTIAX | 14.5% VTSAX | 19.5% VBTLX | 10% VSIAX/VTMSX/VSMAX | 10% VSIGX| 30% Wellington 50% 3-funds 20% Mini-Larry
smitcat
Posts: 13308
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 9:51 am

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by smitcat »

KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:41 pm
smitcat wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 4:38 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 1:12 pm
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:39 pm
KlangFool wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:22 pm 1) So, your net worth excluding the house is 800K. It is less than the price of the house that you pay and the current value of your house.
What point are you trying to make here?
johussman,

Most of your net worth is tied to the house. The house value is 1 million. Your net worth excluding the house is 800K. If the house's value drops to 500K, you are worth only 700K. If the house value goes up to 1.5 million, you are worth 1.7 million. Most of your money is tied up with the house. It could be a good thing or a bad thing.

If you take away the house, you are not doing as well as you think.

KlangFool
He is mid 30's - he is doing great.
smitcat,

Almost everyone in the 30s believes that they would be fully-employed all the way until retirement age. And, they will not be affected by the economic crisis, recession, change in the industry and so on. That was my belief too.

KlangFool
I do not see how your thoughts are relevant…
- The OP saved over $300K for the home purchase
- OP has $650K saved in taxable
- Current income of $300K
In their mid 30's they are likely doing better that most folks on this board. They are young and flexible and in demand and they will be best served to have more of an offensive outlook on life.
ThePrince
Posts: 451
Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:15 pm
Location: U.S.A.

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by ThePrince »

Ervin wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:38 pm
47Percent wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:31 am
johussman wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:10 am mid 30s
300k total comp
net worth ~ 1.1M
assets in taxable accounts: ~ 650k
Wrong question -- at least in this forum. over

The question ought to be ==> "What is the least car I can live with"?
+100. A car is a liability, not an asset, hence the cheaper the better. There is a reason the IRS deducts 54 cents/mile for business expenses (i.e. $6500 over the 12,000 miles the average person drives a year), and it's not generosity.

I personally drive a car that cost less than 1% of our net worth when we bought it.
+1
User avatar
HomerJ
Posts: 21282
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:50 pm

Re: how much car can we afford?

Post by HomerJ »

randomguy wrote: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:56 pm Bah it is easy to blow through 50 billion or so. Between buying the yankees, giants
Ugh... why would one spend money on NY teams??

Oh wait, I get it. Buy them, then disband them! Brilliant!
"The best tools available to us are shovels, not scalpels. Don't get carried away." - vanBogle59
Post Reply