When am I going to get my “big girl” car (as one of my girlfriends calls it)? I am still putzing around in my just-out-of-college compact…and it’s been more than a few years. I enjoy not having a car payment and the gas mileage of a compact, but I think my ride needs to be upgraded to “big girl” status. What does that mean for the Washington DC metropolitan area? It could mean that I look for a sensible, economical, gas-friendly sedan with low maintenance. Or, I could join the drones and get a luxury sedan or SUV.
The luxury SUV option is tempting (and I am sure will be liberating in a sense), but I battle the Beltway everyday with a long commute so good gas mileage is key. I am sure there are others out there with my same frivolous dilemma, which really amounts to the question, “To Be Bourgy or Not to Be” — that’s the real question. In my quest to make a decision, I recently came across the Essence article, “Black Woman’s Wealth Plan” in the September 2007 issue, which contained lots of great advise about creating wealth. I’m not sure getting a luxury car is part of that wealth plan, but I’ll blog about my decision when I get to the point.
Girl, just hurry up and do it already. No really, I miss not having a payment as well but I think it’s time for more safety and protection for the kiddies to get a big girl car as you say. Whatever you do, get what you will be happy with for years to come.
It all goes back to generation “now” (or I call it the Nike “just do it” mentality), which is not necessarily creating generational wealth. Patience is a virtue.
Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary (host of TV One’s $ingletary $ays) is a good financial role model for help with decisions like this.
Strike a balance; buy the “big-girl car”; however, buy it used with a comprehensive extended warranty.