westernrvparkowner wrote:
You can make the "not buy or buy used" argument for any purchase. What you cannot factor into that equation is the value to you of that purchase. I recently bought a $1000.00 fly rod. I would catch more fish with a $10 Zebco Snoopy rod and reel set. I am sure that given enough years, that $990 difference could grow to millions. But I don't want millions on my 169th birthday, I want the feeling that rod gives me today. You can make the mathematically smart decision every day of your life and miss life completely.
I agree but that's why I prefer to use opportunity cost as the measure. Buying a four year old truck every 7-10 years is fine. I buy fishing gear, camera gear, or kids college with the savings. I love my truck but it's functional. I got a great deal on my F-250 Lariat possibly becuase it's green. I don't care.
I know folks that wash their car every weekend, read about cars, talk about cars, and get great enjoyment from it. That's worth a lot more to them than me. My truck gets me to the lake or mountains with my more expensive toys (relative to functionality) in it.
Back to OP, I need enough cash flow to sleep at night which is low or no car payments. I don't pay anywhere close on house or vehicles that a loan manager would say I could do based on percentage of income. But i also think some of those ridiculous ratios are what brought on the mortgage crisis in 2008.
