Well, I have a 2004 TL 5AT. It currently has 63k miles and I was offered another job which means I will finally be able to upgrade my car. Here's my dilemma ...

The car already has 63k miles on it, would it be pointless to invest hundreds + thousands of dollars on a car that has this many miles on it? I drive on average 400 miles a week and I'm really racking up the miles already (For the short time I've owned the car). Suggestions?

 

enjoy it while it lasts.

 

make a financially responsible move in life and keep the car, save the money and go invest it or put it into a 5%+ CD or mutual fund and let your money work for you instead of blowing it away for no reason.

the car is great and doing well for you, don't make a financially irresponsible move on another DEpreciating asset

 

TL's a keeper

 

Do you plan on keeping the car? How does it run? Do you know the original owner? Do you want to trade-in for a 4G 2009 TL - or something else? How secure is your job? What else will you be spending $$$ on in the near future? (college, house, girl, etc.) There's all sorts of factors that come into play here.

For example, I have a 2006 5AT with 17k miles. It's non-navi, and occasionally I wish I splurged the extra cash for the nav version. But I just look forward to the future when the 2009 TL comes out. I'm confident that it will look sharp, be powerful, and all make me a good omelette in the morning.

If it doesn't put out like that, I'll opt for the Audi I've always dreamed of. If the 2009 TL has only minor annoyances, like funky Maxima looking tail lights [that so many on AZ complain of :blindfold] then I'll just MOD it! Either way, I'll get what I like!

 

Take the advice above.

Keep the car and pay it off early with the extra salary (If still financed).
We were all your age once and I for one wasted 10's, more like 50's of thousands on vehicles until I got smart.. Took me until I was in my early 30's however..

Just because you will soon be making more money don't just jump into a higher car payment. Build some equity and/or savings so when you really need a new vehicle you can pay cash and skip the interest and debt. Set yourself up to succeed vs wasting money on the latest and greatest. May not seem like it now but you will be glad you did in the future. If I had started saving/investing at 20 yrs of age (and I could have) like I did from 30 on, I would be looking at a portfolio well over 7 figures.

If I was you, at your age no matter what the job, I would invest/save at least 25% of my income. What was left over after necessities I would consider a source for an applicable vehicle. Once you don't have a car payment, you realize just how bad you don't want another one...

Not trying to preach here , just giving some advice that someone gave me when I was your age... By the time I was 30 not to mention now, I only wish I had listened.

Best of luck either-way.

 

Aw man, driving a TL at 19... FINALLY, after all of those years of hard work, you can afford a car that doesn't suck! Just kidding...

I hate it when people use the word "invest" when talking about cars. A mutual fund is an investment. Stocks are an investment. Cars are NEVER an "investment". All of the money you spend on your car will eventually be lost.

Having said that, if you want to make the most financially sound decision regarding whether to buy a new car or stick with your current one, the answer is always this: if it costs you more to maintain your current car than it would cost to simply buy a new one, then it's time to buy a new one.

I doubt your 63k TL has so many maintenance expenses that a new car would be cheaper. Keep your current car.

 

Keep it.

 

Another thing about the keeping with what you got: I may not have navigation, but I did manage to pay off my first son's 529 college tuition before his 4th birthday! It hurts like hell right now, but in 15 years I [hopefully] will be putting my kids through college with minimal financial pain!

 

I agree, Keep it. IMO it makes no sense buying a new one since there are only minor differences between yours and the 08's. Take our advise, you'll thank us later.

 

Your in San Diego so you probably can't afford a house, might as well spend it on a new car.

 

It's an NBP...DUHHH...keep it bro!

 

Keep it and save some cash for a nice house down payment.

 

enjoy it man u have it use it abuse it....when u need n want something in life so bad that u gotta have it you'll have the money as well... otherwise the mind set wont b there. You wanted it you got it now u dont know what to do....listen to ur gut whats the right thing to do in ur position??

 

Take the advice above. Keep the car and save some money. There are not any major changes between '04 and '08.

 

Keep the car. Maybe get some 19's. And easy mods like debadge, tint. The wheels can

always get sold here if you like the 2009 version.

 

if i knew then what I know now, Id be a lot richer.

follow the consensus here. save the money and keep the car. I doubt the TL will give you headaches down the road granted that you take care of it. if you must throw some money on the car, make longevity improvements (regular maintenance) rather than outright modifications.

 

I wouldn't mod it beyond a set of wheels. They can be swapped back to stock when your ready for your next car. The only car that's an investment is a rare, collectible classic car.

People used to tell me not to throw so much money into my 95 civic. I thought what the hell it's paid for, atleast I'm not making payments. Planned to keep it forever anyway. Well needless to say I wish I would of listened.