Should I keep my 03 or should I go 05?
And idk why your payments were so high. The MSRP on our 08 was 42k and with $1000 down my dad is only paying $500 and some change a month, for a pretty expensive car. Granted, its only a 24 month lease with 12k miles a year, but it kept the payments pretty reasonable.
I drive 20K miles a year..so i needed it. More reason why leasing is just not for me.
OT: Leasing vs. Buying
OT warning!
From a long-term financial point of view (3+ years), leasing is always worse than buying. From a short-term view (1-2 years), leasing can be better than buying because you will have lower payments and the vehicle will always be under warranty. It might also make sense if you have less than perfect credit because leasing will probably be cheaper than buying if the loan has a high interest rate.
From a non-financial point of view, leasing is better than buying if you don't mind always having a car payment. You get a new/newer car that you can change every 2-4 years and the payments will be lower than buying/selling every 2-4 years. Mr. Janik Sr. fits into this category.
I leased my Mazda CX-7 for 2 years with the specific intent of raising up my FICO score. I didn't have bad credit, it was more of a "no credit" problem. I had no debt, but not enough credit history to show anything positive. I hadn't had a car payment in about 7 years, and I don't like or use credit cards much at all. I leased so I could show 2 years of on-time payments and it raised my FICO significantly. Got a very good loan from Infiniti and bought my G35 (the car I've wanted since it came out).
From a long-term financial point of view (3+ years), leasing is always worse than buying. From a short-term view (1-2 years), leasing can be better than buying because you will have lower payments and the vehicle will always be under warranty. It might also make sense if you have less than perfect credit because leasing will probably be cheaper than buying if the loan has a high interest rate.
From a non-financial point of view, leasing is better than buying if you don't mind always having a car payment. You get a new/newer car that you can change every 2-4 years and the payments will be lower than buying/selling every 2-4 years. Mr. Janik Sr. fits into this category.
I leased my Mazda CX-7 for 2 years with the specific intent of raising up my FICO score. I didn't have bad credit, it was more of a "no credit" problem. I had no debt, but not enough credit history to show anything positive. I hadn't had a car payment in about 7 years, and I don't like or use credit cards much at all. I leased so I could show 2 years of on-time payments and it raised my FICO significantly. Got a very good loan from Infiniti and bought my G35 (the car I've wanted since it came out).
On Topic.
OP, pay off the car you have. You owe about the same on your loan as the car is worth, it's 6 years old, and you have almost 4 years of payments left. You'll be lucky to get $6-$7K on a trade-in, so you'll be upside down on the new car too. I think your payment estimates for the new car are a little low. My guess is they'll be about $400. I know you want to do FI, but it doesn't seem to make much sense right now. Make $400 payments on your car for a while and get it at least paid down a little bit if not paid off.
OP, pay off the car you have. You owe about the same on your loan as the car is worth, it's 6 years old, and you have almost 4 years of payments left. You'll be lucky to get $6-$7K on a trade-in, so you'll be upside down on the new car too. I think your payment estimates for the new car are a little low. My guess is they'll be about $400. I know you want to do FI, but it doesn't seem to make much sense right now. Make $400 payments on your car for a while and get it at least paid down a little bit if not paid off.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 2
From: Puerto Rico
Well...today I went to see if the bank ( AA Credit union ) would finance the car ( the coupe I mentioned ). I ended up with a 4% interest and will be paying $276 a month. That's only $63 more a month and I solve a few of my problems...plus I get a coupe ( which are prettier imo although less useful ). Monday is the day. 
Now I have to sell my car. I'm in no hurry since I can easily afford both cars but I have no space to keep the other car so I guess I'm gonna have to leave it at my airport ( where I work )...LOL.
Now I have to sell my car. I'm in no hurry since I can easily afford both cars but I have no space to keep the other car so I guess I'm gonna have to leave it at my airport ( where I work )...LOL.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 2
From: Puerto Rico
Yeah, I was actually reluctant at first because I really do love the sedans but I also really loved coupes. I went looking for sedans but the 03.5's and 04's were all in horrible shape and the very few 05's I saw were way to expensive for what they offered. I just happened to sumble upon the coupe I'm gonna buy and it's so cheap ( for what they costs down here ) that it's really hard to say no.
So much for me being different...lol.
So much for me being different...lol.
I went from an 03-04 to 05 and it's a night and day difference in performance and interior and exterior styling. My 04 was a Nismo but the 05-06 is still better in exterior appearance. Just better overall.
My suggestion though is to keep the 03.
My suggestion though is to keep the 03.
Damn, your payment hardly changed at all! Well, other than the fact that you have 2 of them. Forget my previous suggestion and buy it. Hopefully you'll get enough in the sale to pay it off. You can probably move alot of your aftermarket parts over to the new one and get a head start on your modding. Good luck.
Damn, your payment hardly changed at all! Well, other than the fact that you have 2 of them. Forget my previous suggestion and buy it. Hopefully you'll get enough in the sale to pay it off. You can probably move alot of your aftermarket parts over to the new one and get a head start on your modding. Good luck.