Originally posted by: exdeath
If you are really stoked about the new car thing, then start taking it seriously now. If you had $550/mo to spend on a car payment, why not save at least a part of that for the next three years you plan to keep your current car? Then you are $18k ahead of where you are now, and I'm willing to bet once you have that cash, you won't want to use it as just a down payment, you'll want to wait just a little bit longer and buy it in cash. Then when you finally get your car, you'll suddenly free up $550 a month, or in other words, instead of being -$550 in the hole with a car payment you'll be +$1100 compared to someone who financed one You get the same car and gain +$550 as disposable income at the same time, while they get the car and -$550 a month to their budget
Not to mention $8,000+ saved in interest, and the feeling you get driving around in a new > $25k car with no weight on your back.