[USER]

Sold my 2017 blacked out F150 for 20k and purchased a 2012 Toyota Sienna because I figured that was the “right” move financially for $12k.

After registration and dealer fees and taxes, it was closed to $13k. Then dropped $2300 on an ac compressor.

Now having transmission issues. Pretty soon I’ll have spent as much on the mini van as i got for the truck and I’ll have an older vehicle without 4×4 and something I’m not excited about.

It’s difficult to complain to people because they tell me that I have a great paying job and lots of money.

That’s not the point though. I’m just incredibly upset because I thought I was making a decision that would be a “smart” choice. Because by making this one big sacrifice, all of the other smaller sacrifices would seem so insignificant and easier to make.

Anyways, really just came here to vent and maybe get some perspective. Because right now I’m seeing red and just blaming myself.

[Jack]

Personally, I way prefer foreign made cars – especially with the cost of cars these days.

In the almost 60 years since I’ve been buying cars, I’ve only had one US assembled one – an Isuzu Rodeo back in the 90’s.

I’ve had nary a problem (especially anything major) with my current two, one made in Belgium and the other in Germany.

[Eric]

Netting 7K for a vehicle that’s 5 years older just sounds bad from the jump

[Josh]

Cars just suck all around. Old or new. You’re paying somewhere. I currently have my first new car ever because a few year old Toyota or Honda was as much as a new VW.

I am so sick of repairing old cars. Sorry about your luck on this one!

[Josh]

So much for those saying, “Buy an old Toyota or Honda; they last forever”!

I would never sell a 2017 vehicle that I knew the history of for a 2012 vehicle regardless of the make, especially to net only $7000 BEFORE all the repairs.

Unfortunately, I’m sorry that you found out the hard way financially.

You, also, never said how many miles were on this 2012 Toyota.

[Trina]

The one financial splurge I give myself is a new or newer car every 5 years.

In nearly 50 years of driving my maintenance costs have been new sets of tires, fluid changes, spark plugs, a few brake jobs, and one water pump, but never been stranded or had a huge repair bill with my Japanese cars!

Hondas late 70’s to mid 90s, Subarus since then. And very financially conservative, but feel this is a good investment despite what some say and the trade-in value or private sale value has often pleasantly surprised me.

As I get older, I plan to keep cars even less number of years.

[Leslie]

I am sorry you are having trouble with your Toyota. In the future take a vehicle you are considering buying to a reputable mechanic and have him look it over for you.

[John]

Like any old timer will tell you. You win some and you lose some. Keep going forward

[Reen]

Yes, sounds like it was a stupid decision…but thankfully you don’t have any medical issues… they cost a lot and not much you can do about except to try to prevent it by eating healthy and exercising…

I’m not sure how we went from finances to car problems to how-to-be-healthy

Bottom line: Don’t worry about the car decision…

[Alex]

For sake of simplicity I lease EV’s. It’s cheap, no maintenance, and don’t have to deal with buying and selling

[Anca]

Don’t listen to the people to say “you have enough money”
But I totally get the sentiment about not being able to talk to anyone in real life

[Tony]

It’s all good, dont beat yourself up to much. I have made many mistakes, far more costly than this.

My father always tells me, this is the cost if your education

Learn from it don’t loose money making the same mistake again.

[Maxine]

Out of curiosity, why did you think it was a good decision in the beginning?

I’m not being judgemental, I’m actually just curious as to what reasons one would have for preferring a 5 yr older vehicle to the newer one.

[Ioana]

Unless you know a bit of car mechanics you can`t have a used car.

The majority of them are a money pit, while a steady payment and maintenance is a budgeted.

A household should have at least a reliable vehicle for long trips.

I am sorry for what happened to you.

[Adriana]

$2300 for ac compressor is robbery. You don’t owe shop’s anything. Get multiple quotes and make a decision based on price and online reviews.

If lowest is 1100 and only 3.8 obviously no go.

If middle ground is 1600 and 4.5 I’d go for it.

[Derik]

Did you have you mech look at vehicle at all before purchasing? If not This is kinda on you my dude.

[Jeff]

What would you have done differently knowing what you know now? I would say if you were talking about a fairly new vehicle with extremely high car payments that you could not afford, it would have made sense to get out from underneath it and buy something affordable.

I’m assuming you’re eight year-old Ford did not have obscenely high car payments, and possibly was paid for.

You had your Ford, and I’ll assume you knew the history of maintenance and driving style.

You sold that and bought a 13-year-old vehicle with unknown history of driving style and maintenance.

Since you have the Toyota now, I limp it along regarding maintenance costs, and when something goes out that cost more than the vehicle makes it worth, get rid of it.

Dave Ramsey recommends buying cheap cars for cash, repair as needed, and trade up on vehicle when you can afford it.

It sounds good in theory, but it’s easy to see how you can continue dumping money into a crappy vehicle.

Used cars are a crapshoot every time unless they’re a very recent model year with low miles.

[Daniel]

Personally, I don’t get the people who will risk having to dump $4-6k a year into repairs on a car when you can buy one new and not worry about repairs for the same price…

One of my few “luxuries” or “wasteful” spending habits is vehicles. I will always drive a nice vehicle.

My dad is 68 and retired, but my 3 uncles didn’t make it past 50. I’ve had a brother die at 16 and one at 51. I’m 28.

Who knows when my time will come… but I can say I’ve enjoyed driving my “nice” cars.

At the end of the day, forget what everyone else says. Keep your goals in mind, but you have to enjoy life while attempting to reach those goals.

[Author]

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