An alternative is to lease the car. I'm currently leasing, and my next car will most likely be on a lease, too. If you lease, you can get the car that your heart wants, right down to what color/options/body style and all that good stuff. Plus, if you have a business, you can write off the tax. Please don't flame. Just wanted to offer something else for you to consider.

i have not thought about a lease brefore...that may be something to look into. and yes i do own a business and have not taken that advantage before so maybe now is the time to do it. thanks.

Doesn't it cost a lot to insure a leased vehicle, though, rather than one you own?

Neither. Pick the car your brain tells you is best for your needs.

that is the practical answer, thanks.

If you can afford the car your heart wants, then get it. If you can't and you get it anyway, you may end up losing it, and that would break your heart.

that would break my heart...but i want it so bad...thanks

Do both.
When you choose something your heart wants, you will enjoy working for it; and you will do more to protect it.

However, don't go too 'too' much over what your pocketbook can afford, otherwise you won't be able to keep it.

thanks i like this answer. i have just about made up my mind to go an test drive the car my heart desires and then the one my pocketbook likes just to compare...maybe they will not compare and then i will have an easier decision to make. and i am a hard worker , that is my main problem. everyone says i deserve the one my heart wants because i have earned it thru my hard work. the problem is convincing myself that i deserve it.

Hey...if you work for your money....you don't steal...you don't cheat on your taxes......you deserve anything you buy.

Pay cash. Then you can afford it. Build from the frame up. Everything new, fresh. You can get EXACTLY the car you want, in every way.

Think of it as the ultimate used car rebuild.

thanks for the answer...do you mean have someone like a mechanic build me a car or build one on the car website with all the things i want ?

You'd be like the general contractor, or hire someone to do all that for you - particularly if it involves transporting large pieces. You might be surprised how relatively cheap the process is. And down to the very wires and fittings, how many coats of paint, type of safety glass, everything, is exactly what you want, though it is building up an existing car - so that, at least, pre-designed. But it is all cash, unless you take another mortgage, etc.

thanks for the explanation but i think that will take too much time so this is what i have decided to do: look a 3 vehicles, one low price, one mid price and the heart throb. i will drive all to see which i like the best...that way if i pick the heart throb i have given the others at least a chance.

BOTH, you need a car that is going to be easy on your pocketbook but its hard when there is that one car starring at you saying PICK ME!! totally take your time, the right car will "see you" and you'll "see it" if you choose that car that cost to much and you really cant afford it then you wil totally regret it later cause it will cause a lot of hardship on you, your family and your relationship (that is if you have that). be patient, it'll happen!

i have to go and test drive the one i really want just to make sure, theni will test drive the pocketbook friendly one to see if it says pick me too. thanks

buy the car your pocket book can afford. The best way is to pay cash. Most people don't.

i do have the cash to buy the pocketbook friendly car, but i still want the one my heart loves....maybe i could live with a small payment? i will have to think about this because i have not had a car payment in 5 years. thanks