How do you tell the difference from needing a new car and wanting a new car?

Question

My current car is 8 years old and have had a few stupid things wrong with it: throttle valve sticking (the car stalls coming out of the garage) and the key doesn't turn in the ignition. I am having this issue looked at this weekend. It is either a fix wth new keys or a new ignition.

Answer 1

When your car repairs cost more than a car payment, you need a new car.

Answer 2

ask yourself these questions:

1. do you live in an area where public transportation is readily available at a reasonable cost?? If it broke down would you have a way to get to work, etc.?

2. do you drive in high traffic areas? could the car stalling lead to an accident that might injure you or other drivers?

3. do you drive a great distance everyday in an unpopulated area? is it a safety concern that you might break down at night and be stranded alone?

if you do need a new car, don't buy brand new. buy program, like a 2005 that is still under warranty, let someone else take the majority of the depreciation on the vehicle

Answer 3

when the old one is so badly used up that it wont move under it's own power anymore, you need a new car. if it still runs, for the love of god save yourself some cash and keep it till it does go poof. some vehicles are worth pouring a few thousand c-notes into, namely classics. yours is probably just a generic early-90s beater, but if it still runs, keep driving it. dont buy the new one till you acually do need it, it's easier on the wallet and you can start saving now to afford the down payment on a real rocket like a corvette or mustang instead of another generic beater. most people would condemn my poor old truck to the crusher, but as long as i can fix it, i'm going to keep that thing rolling.

Answer 4

Any upgrade from the car you have now,is a 'need' and ' wanting a new car.' Believe me, all those little problems keep building up, and so does the money spent on car repairs.

Answer 5

Needing a new car = You are paying for it
Wanting a new car = Someone else is

Answer 6

If properly taken care of, your 8 year old car has lots of life left in it.

Answer 7

if your car still runs you don't need a new car
if your head blows or your underneath stuff goes and to fix it cost more then the car is worth then you need a new car

otherwise it is just want

Answer 8

If you can look back and say damn i've put more money in this car than its worth. Its time to get a new one. Or you've put so much money in it you could've got a better used one.

Answer 9

if it costs you more than a quater of the price of a new car in a year (more than 2.5 grand) then get a new car.

but thats if you buy new. i cant afford that so get the under a grand cars from auto trader.

Answer 10

My definition of need has always been "is the current car running?".

Want is "this thing is a pile of crap".

Need is "it won't start anymore".