keep the car or move on... advice needed

[SykoraA4]

hey guys, i figured a few of you might have/ are facing a similar situation.

I'm a senior, about to graduate in may and enter the real world. luckily i already have a job lined up that will pay pretty well (no benefits, but still ahead of the curve in my field) I have been looking into getting a new car when i graduate. ive been looking at the allroad, but im concerned id spend way more money maintaining it then i want to, so im leaning towards a b6avant.
my big dilemma however is if i should even be looking/saving for a new car, or just keep my b5.
my current car has just over 121,000 miles and is still in relatively good condition for being 8 years old. big(ish) plans, if i decide to keep it, include a k04 (the scroll products sp51 rebuild) with the works and flat black or gunmetal vinyl, pending its cheaper then a respray. the paint is in an ok state, it did spend the first 6 years of its life daily driven on the dc beltway. on top of that little things here and there to get the car really where id like it as well as the regular maintenance for at least 3 or 4 more years.

is it worth it to spend the money to make the car reliable for another 50,000 miles with the mods i want or should i just start fresh with a newer car?

[Kyle H]

Keep the car, especially the way the economy is going.


living (well) within your means = more $$ to spend on fun in the future.

[Neelym90]

I agree ^. You don't want to take on something you can't financially afford. I'd keep your B5 until you have everything under control.

[SykoraA4]

thanks guys. as much as i want to keep the car and carry through with my plans, i cant help thinking with the money im spending to maintain it (not even modding yet) i could be paying off a newer car with lower maintenance (no longer considering the allroad). i had my cv boots tear about 3 months apart from each other and it was close to 700 bucks between the two. I know i can save money doing things myself, but currently i am more limited then id like to be. I know the maintence on these cars are going to be generally more, and im prepaired for that fact, im just trying to think in the long run.

[djwimbo]

hey guys, i figured a few of you might have/ are facing a similar situation.

I'm a senior, about to graduate in may and enter the real world. luckily i already have a job lined up that will pay pretty well (no benefits, but still ahead of the curve in my field) I have been looking into getting a new car when i graduate. ive been looking at the allroad, but im concerned id spend way more money maintaining it then i want to....

you don't need to go any further than that. As a recent college graduate myself, I'll say this. It takes at least 6-12 months for your finances to get settled. You don't need a car payment + cost of maintenance added to it.

... then again, I'm the guy rushing back to school to stop my school payments from starting.

thanks guys. as much as i want to keep the car and carry through with my plans, i cant help thinking with the money im spending to maintain it (not even modding yet) i could be paying off a newer car with lower maintenance (no longer considering the allroad). i had my cv boots tear about 3 months apart from each other and it was close to 700 bucks between the two. I know i can save money doing things myself, but currently i am more limited then id like to be. I know the maintence on these cars are going to be generally more, and im prepaired for that fact, im just trying to think in the long run.

If you want a cheap car to drive(maint and cost), go pick up a '97 Corolla(the best year besides '93). I'd suggest finding a local that will fix your car so you don't get F'd in the A like you did for those CV boots.

Good call looking at the long run, but the long run hurts if you're driving a German car in this economy. Unless of course you're pulling a 6 figure income, or near it.

[big_greasy_taco]

I would def keep the car. I dont ever plan on getting rid of mine once i graduate college.