If you earned $25,000 per year, would you buy a BMW X5 or a Honda Civic Coupe ??

Question

Hi everybody !

I took a test drive of a Honda civic coupe, a civic hybrid, a Corolla ( I drive a 99 corolla now) a RAV-4, and a CR-V. The coupe was a "PERFECT" emotional fit for me, it felt sporty and small-ish fun. I was thinking of buying a red one when a guy from work told me that's a "WOMAN'S CAR" and a man like me should buy a BMW X5 because all the women dig it.

But its a $85,000 truck, and I really don't think I could afford so much.

My question to you is: What would you do if you were me, a calm and reserved person?

Answer 1

Actually, i would hold off on buying a car until i make more money and i certainly wont buy a BMW X5 at that salary cuz if i do, i cant take any woman out to dinner or pay for gas.

$25,000 a year isnt a lot and there probably will be other stuff that i would need to pay (like credit card, cell phone etc...) Also, the Civc (hybrid and coupe), RAV-4, CRV, Corolla, etc... are "woman's car" A lot of guys drive them too. The color might be more for women, but not the brand.

If you really want to get a car, go with the Civic coupe (i would suggest getting a silver or some darker color one...red is kind of for women) cuz you like it and it wouldnt cost that much for a fill up.  

Answer 2

If you decide to buy an X5 on your salary, might as well sell your house.

You'll be living in the X5.  

Answer 3

I would be rational.  You're trying to decide if you should buy a Honda or a BMW SUV... these are philosophically and financially different animals.  You really shouldn't try to buy a car that is more than 3 times your salary.  You should actually buy a car that costs less than your annual salary, if possible.  I recommend the Civic.  A red Civic may be seen as a "Woman's car"... I'd go for a darker color, or white or silver.

Answer 4

Okay, the BMW is not an $85,000 truck. The 4.8 trim can't even be optioned that high. The base 3.0 is about $50,000. Either way, you don't make nearly enough to afford a new car. Financing a Civic for five years might bring your monthly payments into the 300s. That translates to possibly over $4000 a year.

The Civic is not a woman's car by any stretch of the imagination. It is so generic and has such a huge appeal that there's no gender specificity. I actually don't know any women that drive a Civic.

Oh and a lot of women don't dig a guy who's concerned with what women dig. Do you dig me? Take care of what you want (and can afford) then work from there. If you are emotionally connected to the Civic coupe, you won't be disappointed. The BMW has flaws galore and I know this from getting as far as putting a down payment on the X5 4.4i a few years ago. Once I heard the salesman himself telling me that perhaps there were better options for the money, I looked elsewhere. Nothing is more jarring than hearing a guy selflessly give up his sizable commission in lieu of a customer not wasting almost $74,000.

Answer 5

And this 'guy from work" has the BMW and women are hanging off him?  Ask yourself: what's wrong with your Corolla, what 'new' car do YOU want, can you afford it (including insurance - the more it's worth, the more you pay) and then do what YOU want to do.  If you need a snappy car to pull the girls you'll end up with a poser who wants you for the car and if that's what you want, good luck.

Answer 6

IF I earned $25K per year, I'd buy a $5,000 car.

Heck, last year I made $58K and only (yeah, only) bought a used $9,000 F150 SuperCab v6 XL for about 1/3 of the original sticker price!  I'll have it paid off next summer--but, I can handle $412/month to pay that thing off in 24 months (save .75% interest and $3,000 in finance charges) and I'm actually NOT upside down as it's worth basically as much or more than what I currently owe on it.

You certainly do not have to get stupid and overextend yourself for a new vehicle.

You very likely will be one of the next posters in the future to ask what to do when you can't pay off your vehicle, but don't want a repo on the credit report.

Answer 7

Go for a Nissan if you want a "man's car" but seriously a lot of guys I know drive a Honda Civic. One even drives a red one!

Answer 8

I'd NOT buy any car! If you buy a car with a $25,000 a year income you wont be able to eat or pay rent---I suggest getting a bike for free at the recycle depot thats where I got mine...and forget about insurance, gas, and car payments-its a waste of money!

Answer 9

I would buy a car that you like that also you can afford!!!! If you buy an $85,000 truck you will pay massive amounts of insurance, plus HEAPS in repayments... just think - everything you earn for the next 4 years (or there abouts) would go into paying it off. That is a silly financial decision.

buy a used car in good condition instead.

Answer 10

Honestly I would be looking at either purchasing a bus ticket, a bike or a Yugo. (unless you have a sizable down payment and reserved money for yearly expenses and other unpredictable costs.)