Should i buy my dream car - please help!

[MW 90]

Now i may as well clear-up the fact i'm 24 and my dream car won't be mentioned here as it's not really relavant for this discussion. It's not a supercar or even a peformance car, it's actually a 4-cyl 2.0L petrol car that i have been desperate to buy since it was launced in 2003 but obviously i couldn't afford it - or drive it! - back then. Now i know you may think my aspirations are pathetic, but i don't care. When i am older i will want a 911/Ferrari blah, blah. I am being realistic in my choice now not in the future, so i suppose it sould be a 'realistic dream car' Ok.

Now we have that out of the way, i am 24 years old living in my own flat - (rented) and have had a (good) job for 5 years+, although not amazingly paid mind you. I currently drive a VW Golf which i will sell and get £1500 for it. I have approx. £5000-£6000 savings sitting doing nothing. My bills including everything from rent to food, mobile, etc. leaves me with around £200-£250 a month.

The car i want can be had for as little as £3,800 or £5-6k for an amazing example.

Should i buy it and get it over with? I have watched this model depreciate for years, but with the recent recession i am a bit wary about spending that much of my savings - i won't be financing it. Also worried about the future of my job but it's ok as we speak.

What do you think i should do?

Please don't focus on the car more the decision please. The car in question is a 'PH' type car, and i can afford to run it, insure it etc. Just don't think it's relavant and don't want to turn it into a what car as i don't want any other car.

Insurance is around £600-£800 by the way and i usually pay it all at once.

Any advice as i will take on board.

Cheers

Mark


>expects to get piss ripped out of him<

[Speed_Demon]

If you can afford it.

Yes!

[varsas]

Welcome to the forum.

You could always buy it, keep it for a year, and then sell it. I assume it won't lose too much of it's value in that time, given it's already fairly old. All I would say is that you need to buy well. Spend plenty of time looking for a good example, and make sure it's a nice colour/spec.

[philmots]

Yes, you sound on top of your finances/not daft.

Is it a 172 Cup by the way? ;-)

[Groober]

Buy it!

You only live once.

eta, go on tell us what it is.

[fatvik]

Buy it!

[SteveS Cup]

Clio 182? Erm... Out of idea's as to what else could be a 2.0 16v in that sort of budget!

If it is that then yes... get one!

I havde a 172 and they're great little cars and relatively cheap to run.

If you can afford it then why the hell not!

Please tell us what car it is though!!!

[georgejoshington]

Do you really expect anyone on this forum to advocate the careful/boring route? Buy it! You do have to tell us what it is though.

[anonymous-user]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra70O9nps6E

[SteveS Cup]

PSBuckshot said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra70O9nps6E

Brilliant! Only watched 2 seconds and know what it is!

[paulrhodes]

MW 90 said:

It's not a supercar or even a peformance car, it's actually a 4-cyl 2.0L petrol car that i have been desperate to buy since it was launced in 2003

The car i want can be had for as little as £3,800 or £5-6k for an amazing example.


Please don't ****FOCUS**** on the car more the decision please. The car in question is a 'PH' type car, and i can afford to run it, insure it etc.
Cheers

Mark

>expects to get piss ripped out of him<

I'm going to say Focus ST170..

[fido]

Seems like you just want to spend the cash because it's 'sitting there' .. surely you've moved onto to a bigger dream by now? Soz, just my thoughts.

[anonymous-user]

SteveS Cup said:

Brilliant! Only watched 2 seconds and know what it is!

Love it.

[Mike 820]

My guess...VW Corrado?

If you can afford it buy it.;)

[idge]

I think your finances justify a purchase like that, leaving some of your hard earned spare just in case the worst happens with your job.

You won't lose a massive sum on a 7/8 year old car either so you may as well get it and enjoy yourself

[frosted]

I say it's a type r , however I wouldn't ever let myself skint because of a car . If your asking the question then you clearly know that by buying it it will let you poorer and some sacrifices to be made .

Actually , do what you want , I have me sensible head on today

[curlie467]

Mike 820 said:

My guess...VW Corrado?

If you can afford it buy it.;)

Launched in 2003?

[WeirdNeville]

Do it.
Buy a decent one that doesn't need anything doing and enjoy it for at least a year. It might cost you a grand in depreciation and insurance and stuff, but so long as you use it properly and get enjoyment out if it then you'll get your moneys worth.
If after a year it's no longer the car of your dreams then you can trade up, but if you're still enjoying it then keep it.

It doesnt matter what your dream car is, it's the fact it's a dream and something you've wanted for years that's important.

[monthefish]

Yes, absolutely do it.

[VladD]

I wouldn't spend all of my savings on it, but it looks like you can afford a reasonable one, so I don't see why you shouldn't. At some point in the future you'll have commitments to other things, so make hay while the sun shines.