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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To buy a really fancy car?

81 replies

PrettySophisticated · 10/12/2016 20:15

Dh and I celebrate our 25th anniversary next year. First 10 years or so we were broke but things have improved due to a combination of hard work, good luck and continuing to live frugally despite improving circumstances - we almost didn't realise we'd started to become better off. No debts and good savings.

In recent years we've had newish standard family cars, perfectly functional and presentable. We live in a house that suits our needs in the nicer part of a rough town. I think most people in our position would use the money to move, but we don't have any great desire to.

The car we have in mind is probably three times as much as we've ever spent before and would be the "best" car in the street by far - I think this is where my uncertainty stems from, I'm concerned it would seem unbearably flash and/or draw attention to us as a target for criminals.

Anyway we're thinking of buying ourselves a very nice anniversary present. Would you?

Oh, should say neither of us drive much! Dh commutes by train and I work 3 miles away, so it would only be used weekends and holidays (which Di usually involve driving). We'd pay cash for the car

OP posts:
Hulababy · 11/12/2016 12:30

www.honestjohn.co.uk/crime/

Car Crime risk calculator - don't forgot to add your workplace, not just your home.

Cutesbabasmummy · 11/12/2016 12:32

Buy the car! Yolo!

LaurieMarlow · 11/12/2016 13:00

We're quite sensible about cars in that we only buy second hand and in cash as its a depreciating asset and new cars are always a loss maker no matter how you look at it.

BUT, many people look at new cars as things to enjoy rather than a financial asset and I think you should absolutely spend your money his you want.

BonnieF · 11/12/2016 13:35

I drive a BMW M135i.

I'm into cars in quite a big way, and my BMW is my toy. It's very, very quick and huge fun to drive. I didn't buy it to impress anyone and although it gets respect from fellow car enthusiasts, that isn't why I bought it and I really couldn't give a toss what anyone else thinks. If you want a nice car for yourself, go for it. Buying flashy cars to impress others is ridiculous.

In financial terms, buying nearly-new usually makes more sense than buying new. You then get all the benefits of a new car while allowing someone else to take the big initial depreciation hit. I bought mine when it was 14 months old and had done 18k miles. It was £11k below list price.

NicknameUsed · 11/12/2016 14:22

That's a useful link Hulababy. Fortunately we live in a low risk area and my car is not on anyone's shopping list, although OH's car is more popular with thieves. We will have to make sure his stays in the garage and mine on the drive.

Jengnr · 11/12/2016 14:29

Do it. I've had bog standard/budget cars for years. My last one was a dinosaur.

A twist of good fortune means I have a really nice car now and I LOVE it. :)

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