Would you get a car? (Anaheim: 2013, rentals, insurance)

[Not Native]

Writing this from a throwaway account since I am a regular on this forum and I do not want to disclose my finances, even if my original account is still anonymous.

I live in Los Feliz and work in Hollywood. Commute by bus and the red line depending on my mood. Very easy. I use Uber to get around at night. I live in a walkable neighborhood and I get by easily. Two supermarkets nearby. Do not really miss a car that much. Looking for a car to get out of town during the weekends. I normally rent cars, but summer rates are always much more expensive. ZipCar is too expensive for what they offer IMHO. Plus I can move stuff with a car. Uber drivers hate that.

Was looking at used cars, but the market sucks right now. Two year old cars are going for close to new prices. I like late model year cars since I do not have to worry about mechanics.

Was thinking about getting a cheap Kia perhaps (~$15K), but I did not like it when I test drove one. Really like the Mazda that I test drove, but I feel silly paying $18K for a car that will sit idle most of the time.

Here is the kicker: I am not broke, just frugal. I make well over $100K and I have no clue how much money I have in the bank. Must be over $200K. I have been saving up for a house that never happens. Should I stop being stingy and get a better car? I am not a car person, but I understand the difference between the Kia and the Mazda. I might regret the Kia in a year (or maybe not), but the Mazda probably less so. But I rather spend $3000 on 2-3 mega vacations overseas than a car. I guess I do not have LA values! No car and I do not want to show off my money.

I guess this question is more a personal finance question and not a lifestyle question. I grew up poor, but obviously I no longer am. Still maintain that mentality.

Not looking for car model suggestions, more about the price range. Cheap used? Cheap new? Go all out with a really nice car?

[BoredRestless]

I would say shell out a few extra thousand for a car that will last you a long time. You can get a fairly new Camry cheap and it can last 20 years or so.

[RosieSD]

If you just want a car for the occasional weekend trip out of town, I'd just rent one when I needed it.

If you think it will make your day-to-day life easier and more efficient, then I agree with Bored: pay a little extra for a car that will last.

[BoredRestless]

Also, I would suggest definitely getting a used car. Even if it's just 1 year used you can save a lot. I got a 2013 for $18.5k when it was originally over $30 k and its seemed brand new to me..

[Not Native]

Originally Posted by BoredRestless

Also, I would suggest definitely getting a used car. Even if it's just 1 year used you can save a lot. I got a 2013 for $18.5k when it was originally over $30 k and its seemed brand new to me..

Sadly, not so for a the models I am looking at.

I decided to get a car since I am getting back into some hobbies that require transportation. Getting a hatchback for easy to carry stuff. No good deals on Mazda3s, Golfs, etc...

Does anyone else think it is weird that I have been living in LA without a car?

[ryanms3030]

I bought a car on Beepi. I recommend it as long as you don't need it immediately. I got a car with 50k miles for about 20% less than local dealerships were selling the same models with 100k miles for

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by Not Native

Does anyone else think it is weird that I have been living in LA without a car?

No. I see many people moving about on bicycles or public transportation every day. At least 50% of people here with cars don't actually need them, but drive nevertheless because it gives them something extra to do in between texts.

[Ceece]

It depends on your lifestyle. Many people like being able to go somewhere on a moments notice, in all kinds of weather and at all hours, and a car is a necessity for that type of thing. Others are content to live mostly within certain boundaries and plan excursions ahead of time. People who work in various places, various hours, also need reliable and immediate transportation while others are fine going to one place daily, during set hours, that's on a public transportation route.


It's not weird if it works for you but it sounds like maybe it doesn't always? Don't forget to factor in auto insurance.

[JohnG72]

Hi OP I know you said you're not looking for models, but under your circumstances...either use rentals on weekends(rates are lower on weekends), or consider a compact import like a Toyota Yaris. 35 mpg, 2010-2013 models go at under 10k, they last forever, it's easy to park due to size, and insurance costs are lower.

[harhar]

If you've been fine without a car until now, and you'd just be buying one to move stuff?

I loved the Los Feliz area, tons of restaurants, Gelsons and Albertsons nearby all within walking distance. My wife would take the bus to work, but I drove to Anaheim everyday...that was the killer.

Having at least one car was a necessity because, well I had to get to work., I'm from here and had a lot of friends in the surrounding areas. It sucks owning a car in a place like Los Feliz, but for us it was necessary. I had a used Civic at the time it was around 10k, and I think you could get a 2012+ Civic for around that much now. Those shouldn't break down at all.

You could buy it cash and sell it, a few years later for around the same price. There virtually is no savings on a 1-2 year old car. 3-5 year cars are much better deals and depending on the make not that much worse mechanically.