$9k is a good budget. I spent $6.5k on a shitbox station car, had to select from less than ideal options, went for the safer option in the end. (Side airbags)
Yeah, under the $7.5k mark the options start to look dicey. The savings would not be worth the headache for me. I’d also like the car to be good enough for my niece to practice in when she gets her Ls. (She or her dad can pay for a car with all the latest safety features later on if they want)
I’ve kept the 10k from selling my last car aside and untouched separate to other savings, so I do have breathing room in that range. But I definitely have had to sit down and be realistic about my expectations esp after 3 months of not working. Sure I was spoiled by driving a late model hybrid car for work, but if buying something that nice now means I have to work my arse off for the next 2 years, I’d much rather have the financial freedom.
$9k is a good budget. I spent $6.5k on a shitbox station car, had to select from less than ideal options, went for the safer option in the end. (Side airbags)
Yeah, under the $7.5k mark the options start to look dicey. The savings would not be worth the headache for me. I’d also like the car to be good enough for my niece to practice in when she gets her Ls. (She or her dad can pay for a car with all the latest safety features later on if they want)
I’ve kept the 10k from selling my last car aside and untouched separate to other savings, so I do have breathing room in that range. But I definitely have had to sit down and be realistic about my expectations esp after 3 months of not working. Sure I was spoiled by driving a late model hybrid car for work, but if buying something that nice now means I have to work my arse off for the next 2 years, I’d much rather have the financial freedom.