I saved $1.1M for retirement, earn $128K and have $56,000 on my mortgage. Can I afford my dream car — a Nissan GTR?
Dear Quentin,
I’m looking to purchase a used Nissan GTR and spend about $80,000.
I’m 41, single, no kids, and have always been a big saver. I currently make $128,000 a year, and have a combined $1.1 million in my 401(k), Roth IRA, and brokerage accounts. I’m saving 15% of my pre-tax income with 4% contribution from my employer.
“ Can I afford my dream car? ”
I have $56,000 left on my mortgage of which I’m paying an extra $500/month towards principle and planning to pay off within 5 years. I have about $150,000 equity in my condo and about $22,000 in savings.
Dealership appraised my current car, which I paid cash for, at $6,500, but I may end up keeping it as there are some activities I don’t/can’t do in the GTR (e.g. parking in the city, transporting bike, moving semi-large / dirty items, etc.).
1. Can I afford my dream car?
2. If I can, how should I go about financing it? Should I pay it off? Loan?
Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for reading this.
Would-Be Dream Car Owner
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Dear Dreamer,
I don’t want to quash your dreams of owning the car of your dreams. (Like I did with this guy.) But your circumstances are different to that good fellow: namely, you are financially independent, and you are in a very comfortable position for retirement, notwithstanding any unforeseen circumstances. You have worked hard to have the car you want. Bravo, my friend!
But should you get it? Think on this: It’s more than 62% of your gross salary, and it will make you happy (for about five minutes). Yes, that feeling typically depreciates along with the value of the car. I don’t know what this model means to you, but I do know that — from what you say about your finances — you are not the type to give in to your impulses at the expense of your financial security.
“ The biggest and best dreams don’t cost $80,000. ”
It’s an expensive toy and it’s a pricey piece of machinery. Automobiles serve both functions: They get you from A to B, and they give you that Christmas-Morning feeling when you get the keys. Keep that in mind before buying. Alternatively, consider leasing the car first to see if it’s an everlasting love.
I haven’t said you should buy it, and I haven’t said you should not buy it, mostly because I think if you really knew it was the right move, right now, you would not seek a second opinion from The Moneyist. I will say this: It’s a relatively modest dream for a not-so modest price. Here’s a secret that should not be a secret: The biggest and best dreams don’t cost $80,000.
People should generally not buy a car with cash when the price exceeds their own liquid savings, and/or during a time when interest rates are so low. Given your $22,000 in cash, buying a car of this price with a low rate of financing would make more sense. But the cash vs. financing question depends heavily on the price. If I were you, would I buy it? No. For all of the above reasons.
And if you did buy it with financing? Even though you would still enjoy driving it, there may come a day when you owe more on this car than it’s worth.
All too often in America, that’s the stuff that dreams are made of.
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