Post
Personal Finance
2mo
crunchytikka
·
works at
Was Buying a Pre-Owned Car the Right Choice?
I recently took the plunge and bought my first car, a 2014 Honda Brio. While I didn't need a car, I felt it was time to step into the role of the family driver. I purchased it for 2.7 lakhs, putting down 70k and taking out a 3-year loan with monthly EMIs of around 6000. I've estimated fuel costs to be around 6000 per month as well. With a monthly income of 1.1 lakhs, I plan to pay off the loan early using my bonus next year. So far, so good. However, I've been feeling a bit pinched since the extra 12k has been coming out of my account each month. To make ends meet, I've had to cut back on my investments by the same amount. I live in a rented apartment and have no other loans. My credit cards are always paid in full, and I have around 75k left after rent, utilities, car expenses, and groceries. I'm currently investing 30k in two mutual funds (15k each) and 25k in an ELSS. I'm wondering if I'm on the right track. Should I make some adjustments to my lifestyle?
gemsbond
2mo
works at
You got a used car, you saved money. Why stay in guilt? Enjoy it now. I spent nearly 6.4 lacs last year on EMI, Fuel, Servicing and Insurance. I went on trips and had beautiful memories.
an assistant manager
2mo
Your investments are your savings bhai. You need to spend on yourself and enjoy life without stressing
a sales executive
2mo
Brio is a great car. You got it at a pretty good price. Life is too short. Enjoy the ride. 🤟
sleekchapati
2mo
A Team Lead
First thing first. You got a terrific car. Honda brio is a beast of a car. Very well done. Now enjoy the damn car. When will you live bro, take your family on a long drive. Stop along the highways have chai or coffee. Let the cool breeze of late night or early morning hit your soul. Then only then you have lived life. Ask where family wants to go- fill the tank and get the hell out of town. Life is about enjoying every moments. Nowadays people are feeling guilty just about anything. If car is not yours thing , then i would understand but invest or dare i say spend in things that is your thing… it’s very important. Enjoy the beast. Its a beautiful car, one of my favorites.
a sales executive
2mo
user 2
You are not doing good, you are doing great. I bought my first 4 wheeler which was 9 years old. If the vehicle does not give you a lot of issues, it should be fine. With car comes expenses but so does the freedom of a lot of things which you will enjoy now and not 10 years later. Also, now that you have owned a car once you know exactly to look for in a car rather than sales person telling you what you might need and what your budget should be.
widemermaid
2mo
A Senior Software Engineer
So you're saving well. If you have 20 lakhs saved up in your portfolio (as FDs, or better), it is passively generating cashflow for you to pay EMI and fuel. So what's the guilt problem here? Enjoy your free car, and fuel.
a sales executive
2mo
user 3
You're doing fine. You clearly don't like cars much or care about them, else you would never feel this way. This is learning, so next time, spend the bare minimum on a car, ideally cash down, and use this one till it falls apart.
ratracerebel
1mo
As per me, If you bought a pre-owned car in 2014 when new cars weren't that expensive, you cracked it way before today's finance influencers are doing it. Make no regrets, if you use a car as a daily driver for like 50-60kms a day, do keep it and instead plan or invest for your next purchase which can be an owned home apartment, it necessarily doesn't needs to be in crores. A 2BHK for a family of 4 would suffice at outer city. You really have 75k per month left for savings. You can plan a home in city outskirts if not for living then for investments purpose. :) this in a way also adds up to your lifestyle. No? And YEAH! DON'T BUY A NEW CAR! lol.
hrterminator
1w
currently not working
Ensure you have a healthy emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. what are your long-term financial goals, and how does this car purchase fit into your overall plan ?