Worldly Purchase?

[Valerie]

I've love VW Beetles since I was 5 years old-

This is the last year their making them-

Would purchasing (as I have to buy a new car soon, I had a great deal on a lease) a "Final Edition" VW convertible beetle be considered 'worldly'?

Hubby & I were discussing this- we have been looking at the reliable suv's out there now but oh, this bug!! I have a VW presently-I respect their products-

Just wondered- it's funny how we can 'rationalize' things- like I was thinking about when we drive to Holmes County how nice the roofless buggies are for couples as their horse drives them around the countryside

[steve-in-kville]

I've heard many plain folk comment how "its nice to have something new every once in a while."

Buying vehicles new or used can be debated to the end of the world and back again. Its your money. Go for it.

[Wade]

I bought a car for $450 a year ago and it is still running. Yes, I bought a new battery this week for $140. But if I would have bought a new car I would have spent much much more over the year and added costs to having to pay higher insurance. This has worked out really well because it has freed up money to be spent elsewhere that is valuable to the kingdom.
And when I am helping seekers with low finances they feel more comfortable relating too.

I may be biased since I used to use vehicles to build my self confidence (or rather fake confidence) for years.

I highly recommend reading Kingdom Focused Finances for the Family by Gary Miller before you purchase.

[steve-in-kville]

I see where Wade is going with this. I will honest, some day I would like to own a new vehicle. But not now, I can't justify it. The vehicles I've spent less than $500 are the ones I had the most fun with.

Honestly, whats the difference between buying a new car and owning a classic ('69 Camaro?) that's kept in the garage most of the year? Nothing. Its something you wanted and maybe your proud of. Or it holds some value to you. If you like the VW Beetle, go for it. It means something other than just a new car. That's how I look at it anyway.

[Valerie]

I see where Wade is going with this. I will honest, some day I would like to own a new vehicle. But not now, I can't justify it. The vehicles I've spent less than $500 are the ones I had the most fun with.

Honestly, whats the difference between buying a new car and owning a classic ('69 Camaro?) that's kept in the garage most of the year? Nothing. Its something you wanted and maybe your proud of. Or it holds some value to you. If you like the VW Beetle, go for it. It means something other than just a new car. That's how I look at it anyway.

I appreciate Wades viewpoint, and yours- I'm turning 61 Saturday- we've made all the family decisions in years gone by and so having one child & his wife in FL, and one child & her family in California (my only grandchild, Coral, is 5) we really don't have a lot to take into consideration in 'that' way any longer, our children are doing well. This VW is less than the SUV's we're looking at. I am THE drive in our house as hubby lost his vision to drive 17 years ago- he does not want a used car because he has 'trust' issues with them- a new VW has 7 years warranty- it gives him more peace of mind since if I break down somewhere, he cannot come help me these last 17 years. I did have a vw beetle for 11 years in the past( I've always loved bugs! I don't think its a pride thing I just think they are so cute!)- it was a great little car, - these get great gas mileage- this one- will hold it's value more than a lot of cars-so there is that
Is it Kingdomly wrong, if hubby insists on a 'new' car for good reasons and his peace of mind? I understand where he is coming from- either way- because we are "Costco" members we get a discount on new cars under invoice- we try to make our decisions by prayer & wisdom- so more often than not we talk ourselves out of things-

I appreciate you both sharing, I thought this would be a good group to throw this out to-

[mike]

I bought a car for $450 a year ago and it is still running. Yes, I bought a new battery this week for $140. But if I would have bought a new car I would have spent much much more over the year and added costs to having to pay higher insurance. This has worked out really well because it has freed up money to be spent elsewhere that is valuable to the kingdom.
And when I am helping seekers with low finances they feel more comfortable relating too.

I may be biased since I used to use vehicles to build my self confidence (or rather fake confidence) for years.

I highly recommend reading Kingdom Focused Finances for the Family by Gary Miller before you purchase.

Vehicles are a very good way to waste money. The newest personal vehicle I own is 15 years old, and the other two are 19 and 24 years old. However I am content with vehicles that need more maintenance and repair then what some people would be comfortable with, partly because I can do some of the basic maintenance myself and partly because it makes more financial sense to me to put my money against other obligations. I think it makes sense for those who need something more reliable to have newer vehicles though. After all I need somebody to buy new cars so I can buy them when they are finished with them.

[Valerie]

I bought a car for $450 a year ago and it is still running. Yes, I bought a new battery this week for $140. But if I would have bought a new car I would have spent much much more over the year and added costs to having to pay higher insurance. This has worked out really well because it has freed up money to be spent elsewhere that is valuable to the kingdom.
And when I am helping seekers with low finances they feel more comfortable relating too.

I may be biased since I used to use vehicles to build my self confidence (or rather fake confidence) for years.

I highly recommend reading Kingdom Focused Finances for the Family by Gary Miller before you purchase.

Vehicles are a very good way to waste money. The newest personal vehicle I own is 15 years old, and the other two are 19 and 24 years old. However I am content with vehicles that need more maintenance and repair then what some people would be comfortable with, partly because I can do some of the basic maintenance myself and partly because it makes more financial sense to me to put my money against other obligations. I think it makes sense for those who need something more reliable to have newer vehicles though. After all I need somebody to buy new cars so I can buy them when they are finished with them.

Yes, appreciate all you said-
I HAVE to get to work & back, I am THE one working in our household- cannot fall back on anyone or another car- Neil used to be able to fix our cars, not these days- minor things, yes-

[steve-in-kville]

I'd say at your age and your circumstances, you deserve it.

If you were 18 or young and married trying to raise a family, it would be dumb.

[ohio jones]

a new VW has 7 years warranty

You could look at one or two year old Beetle convertibles that might cost a third less but still have a good chunk of the warranty remaining. The savings would pay for an extended warranty plus a couple trips to FL and CA.

Before you do anything, though, ask Undershepherd's advice. He's the expert on this.

[appleman2006]

If you buy it and take really good care of it this might be a good investment. New cars rarely are but this one might. Maybe not in your lifetime but in the lifetime of you children.