| Isn't it nice when the government wants to give | | | | emotions involved with driving your brand new |
| you thousands of dollars to buy a new vehicle? | | | | car. This is usually why people buy new cars |
| Or how about when car dealers run fabulous | | | | before their old ones are truly "used up". |
| specials that you just can't resist?The Federal | | | | - Finances - When the repairs on your old "classic" |
| "Cash for Clunkers" program begs the question: | | | | start exceeding the cost of a newer vehicle, it's |
| when is a "deal" really a deal? | | | | time to move on. Or, perhaps it is simply time to |
| My sister and her husband recently faced this | | | | down-size to a less expensive vehicle. The need |
| question. Their 15-year-old truck decided to break | | | | and financial reasons seem pretty straightforward, |
| down again. They were faced with a decision - | | | | but how do you respond to an emotional desire |
| either spend money on an expensive repair or | | | | to buy a new car? When the new car bug hits, I |
| buy a new truck. When the "cash for clunkers" | | | | pull out my calculator and start to compare the |
| program started, their decision was easy. They | | | | cost of a new car to other emotional things in my |
| are now the proud owners of a brand new | | | | life. The vehicles I want to buy usually cost about |
| vehicle and really benefited from the $4,500 | | | | $300 more per month than keeping our old truck. |
| rebate. | | | | The lower maintenance and better gas mileage of |
| My husband also has a 16-year-old pickup truck | | | | a new car is quickly outweighed by the higher car |
| with over 100,000 miles on it. Only once did it get | | | | payments, higher insurance, and higher excise tax. |
| better than 15 MPG. The truck does not have | | | | By keeping the vehicle we already own, we save |
| much value on the used car market and certainly | | | | about $3,600 per year. Whenever I feel the "new |
| qualifies as a "clunker". Could this be a golden | | | | car urge" I ask myself if there are other things in |
| opportunity to take advantage of the | | | | my life that I could do with $3,600. When nothing |
| government incentives? But wait, does this make | | | | else tops the list, a new vehicle will appear in our |
| good financial sense for us? | | | | driveway. Until then, the thoughts of what else I |
| Deciding when a car deal is really a "deal" is usually | | | | can do with $300 each month tends to dim my |
| based on need, emotion, and finances. | | | | emotional desire for a new car. |
| - Need - Why do you need a new (or new to | | | | Rebates, tax incentives and "free cash" are all |
| you) vehicle? My sister had a definite need, since | | | | great. But never allow such promotions to diminish |
| the old truck was used for the family business. | | | | the need to carefully consider your needs, |
| Other needs might be caused by a new driver in | | | | emotions and your financial situation. If all |
| the family or new baby in a car seat. | | | | indications point to a new vehicle, happy driving! If |
| - Emotion - There is a reason most of us like the | | | | not, enjoy the money you are saving by balancing |
| "new car" smell. There are a lot of positive | | | | your desires with life's other pleasures. |