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Need some advice....

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by mcaldwe2, Nov 3, 2009.

  1. mcaldwe2

    mcaldwe2 New Member

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    Hi guys,

    As you can see I am new here...I have a dillemma and need some unbiased advice from all of you. Recently, I quit my full time job to go back to school full time to become and RN... I now work part time with a whole let less money being made. I own an 05' Infiniti FX35 that gets sucky gas mileage, about 18 combined. BUT I love this car its soo nice... I drive about 400mi a week and am spending like $200 in just gas alone a month. I don't owe a whole lot on the car. When I do get to nursing school I will not be able to work at all. And I can't expend my girl to pay for everything for me, just seems unfair to me...

    So my thing is I would love to get rid of my car and get a car with great mpg's and if I can get out of my payments it would be great. BUT I have a small boat and jet-ski that I take to the beach in the summer. So as much as I would love to have a prius it seems out of the question. What car's/small suv's that are fairly decent still can pull about 1500lbs and get good mpg's any suggestions? I've been looking online and nothing really catches my eye...
     
    #1 mcaldwe2, Nov 3, 2009
  2. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

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    You said the Infiniti is almost paid for and you love it. Keep it. If you buy another car the payments will more than cancel out any possible gas savings.
     
    #2 jburns, Nov 4, 2009
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Don't trade a working paid-for car for new expenses. Wait until you need a new car.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Nov 4, 2009
  4. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    Keep what you have, gas is cheaper than car payments by a whole bunch. When you finish school and find a great job buy a new Prius.
     
    #4 tumbleweed, Nov 4, 2009
  5. Rhino

    Rhino New Member

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    Do the math. You are getting 18 combined. Assuming the Prius gets 50 combined.

    100k miles, you buy 5555 gal for 18 combined.

    100k miles, you buy 2000 gal for 50 combined.

    at $3 per gallon, you pay an extra $10,000 per 100K or roughly $1000 per year. That's like 2 car payments. If you buy a Prius, you will be paying $6000 a year in payments vs. $1000 in gas. Better to buy gas than make payments.
     
    #5 Rhino, Nov 4, 2009
  6. San_Carlos_Jeff

    San_Carlos_Jeff Active Member

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    I love those Infinitis, but....

    If it was me I'd sell the Infiniti and buy a used 2wd truck that gets ok mileage. You could still tow your boat, you'd have money left over, and also lower insurance costs.

    Every thing I've read about RNs is that there aren't enough of them and it's only going to get worse. So once you finish up your schooling you'll get a good paying gig and then can buy a nice ride again.
     
    #6 San_Carlos_Jeff, Nov 4, 2009
  7. Jim05

    Jim05 Occasional Quasi-Hypermiler

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    Agree -- gas is cheaper than the new payment.
     
    #7 Jim05, Nov 4, 2009
  8. mcaldwe2

    mcaldwe2 New Member

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    Thanks, for the advice guys... I guess for now it would be cheaper to keep my car then get another car. Then you have to factor in taxes, tags, titles and fees on top of another car and they are already paid on my Infiniti. Me and my girl have been talking and were gonna swap cars sometimes since her car can get 30mpg's on the hwy. (06' Volvo S40)
     
    #8 mcaldwe2, Nov 6, 2009
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    That's a good solution. Try to remember that this stage of your life will pass rather quickly, and you are going to be busy with school. Good things will come with time.

    Tom
     
    #9 qbee42, Nov 6, 2009
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