Anyone here ever downgraded to save money?

NoWin · 11-07-2009, 07:44 AM

So I'm looking at my finances, and am kind of saddened that I pay nearly $600/mth (insurance+car payment) for my 06. Now I've been trying to tell myself to downgrade for a while but could never get myself to do it. The last time I was going to trade it in for a 04 BMW 330 ZHP, but that deal fell through. Now I'm looking into practicality and the Z has nothing I really need in a car. Other than a great engine, reliability, and fun factor. But I've been looking at mods and everything else and have been just like man why do I need this. So I am at it again. This time I'd like to buy an older WRX. 04-05. Prices are fairly cheap and have AWD so if I need to drive it in South Dakota winters I can. But how do you convince yourself to let go of your beautiful Z?

Z1 Performance · 11-07-2009, 07:56 AM

Just gotta decide what is most important to you, and weigh the totality of the circumstances

Wrx's are abundant, but lots have been modded, with varying degrees of success (just like Z's). Some have been put back to stock, some have been hacked together and/or rebuilt, and it's not always easy to spot.

It would seem to me that you're not really saving money by making the switch to a WRX, you're just making a lateral change. The cars are not worth a dramatically different amount from one another, and I'd almost bet insurance is close as well. But, you would really need to sit down with your finances, figure out what you can afford to spend a money, and then back yourself into a vehicle from there, and then consult your insurance company and figure out all the costs.

NoWin · 11-07-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z1 Performance

Just gotta decide what is most important to you, and weigh the totality of the circumstances

Wrx's are abundant, but lots have been modded, with varying degrees of success (just like Z's). Some have been put back to stock, some have been hacked together and/or rebuilt, and it's not always easy to spot.

It would seem to me that you're not really saving money by making the switch to a WRX, you're just making a lateral change. The cars are not worth a dramatically different amount from one another, and I'd almost bet insurance is close as well. But, you would really need to sit down with your finances, figure out what you can afford to spend a money, and then back yourself into a vehicle from there, and then consult your insurance company and figure out all the costs.

Thanks alot for the post. But it's already been done. I'd be saving myself like $150 a month by the downgrade. But would you say it's worth it? I know it doesn't seem like alot but me and my wife will be moving in together finally and having a dog with the Z isn't really going to work out well.

Z1 Performance · 11-07-2009, 08:18 AM

I've had Subaru's since before they were 'cool' - the second car I ever went nuts with was a '99 2.5 RS that I purchased new (my first new car ever!). I absolutely loved it, and wish I still had it today. The 02 WRX lost alot of the character that the GC chassis cars had, so for me, no it's not a change I'd make. But, if you live in a climate where it snows alot, then a Z is no bueno at all, while a WRX can be tons of fun. I have personally found the Z to be far better made from a build quality standpoint than the GD WRX's as well. My Z has literally been the most trouble free car I have ever owned. Not a single stock component on the car ever needed any post-sale support.

CancerJCCz · 11-07-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoWin

Thanks alot for the post. But it's already been done. I'd be saving myself like $150 a month by the downgrade. But would you say it's worth it? I know it doesn't seem like alot but me and my wife will be moving in together finally and having a dog with the Z isn't really going to work out well.

Huh? Please explain what extenuating circumstances permitted you from doing so beforehand?

MrNorwall · 11-07-2009, 11:24 AM

I would guess it's because they recently got married and are not moving in with each other, or they have been apart for a job.

kensin0429 · 11-07-2009, 11:31 AM

95 toyota camary 4 door v6
only goes 2000$ lol

NoWin · 11-07-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CancerJCCz

Huh? Please explain what extenuating circumstances permitted you from doing so beforehand?

We're military and have yet to be stationed together. So I bought it, then we got married, and in a few months will be moving in together.

naughty240 · 11-07-2009, 11:57 AM

Im in the same boat with my G sedan, was looking at a G20 or a 2.5 RS as possible cars to slide into. Ive been weighing the pros and cons a lot lately and ts not an easy decision, thats for sure. I also need something that can drive in the snow too.

stillettoDSM · 11-07-2009, 02:24 PM

I actually downgraded and got my Z.
I went from an 09' tC with 13k Miles on it, that I was paying $470 a month for, to an 03' Z with 38k Miles that I'm only paying $350 a month for.. Insurance went from $170 a month, to $150 a month.. So all in all, I am saving $140 a month..

1GR8350Z · 11-07-2009, 02:28 PM

You have to whats right for you and what is going to be your new lifestyle. If you don't feel that a sports car fits into it then move on to the WRX(I would go Evo).Those cars are fun too and more practical. It really surprises me about the insurance though. I was checking into getting an Evo 8 a while back and the rate was nearly indentical to what I was paying on my S2K which was only $20 a month more than I'm paying on my Z.

quietkilla6 · 11-07-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stillettoDSM

I actually downgraded and got my Z.
I went from an 09' tC with 13k Miles on it, that I was paying $470 a month for, to an 03' Z with 38k Miles that I'm only paying $350 a month for.. Insurance went from $170 a month, to $150 a month.. So all in all, I am saving $140 a month..

Stfu and gtfo downgraded from a scion... You bought a z not a turd.

I feel your pain man I'm paying 700 and still don't live with my wife
either. Haha
I've been ooking for a downgrade and can't do it... It hurts.

sdZ33 · 11-07-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stillettoDSM

I actually downgraded and got my Z.
I went from an 09' tC with 13k Miles on it, that I was paying $470 a month for, to an 03' Z with 38k Miles that I'm only paying $350 a month for.. Insurance went from $170 a month, to $150 a month.. So all in all, I am saving $140 a month..

^^^

You didnt downgrade at all... You actually came out on top...

A) You got rid of a DOUCHE car... J/k

B) Both your car payment and insurance went down

... Your not upside down tho, are you?

350ZthatsMe · 11-07-2009, 04:48 PM

cars come and go and you can always get another one later.... the ends justify the means...

stillettoDSM · 11-07-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdZ33

^^^

You didnt downgrade at all... You actually came out on top...

A) You got rid of a DOUCHE car... J/k

B) Both your car payment and insurance went down

... Your not upside down tho, are you?

No, I actually ended up owing $2k less. A friend of mine ended up getting a job at the dealership where I bought the tC and one of their salesmen couldn't afford this Z.

dhays · 11-08-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoWin

Thanks alot for the post. But it's already been done. I'd be saving myself like $150 a month by the downgrade. But would you say it's worth it? I know it doesn't seem like alot but me and my wife will be moving in together finally and having a dog with the Z isn't really going to work out well.

It sounds like you are hitting that point in your life where you are growing up and taking on the responsibilities of an adult. That is pretty cool in and of itself. Wife, dog, maybe kids before long... those really aren't compatible with the Z as your only car. I actually bought my Z from a guardsman facing the same thing.

A WRX is fine, but it is still a very small car. You should also consider a small SUV such as the Escape. A late model Escape can be had pretty cheap and would still be under warranty. Not as fun as the Z, but a lot more practical. I had to go to a meeting over the weekend and cross two mountain passes to get there. A trip that would have been a bit scary in the Z was a piece of cake in the Escape.

As someone else mentioned, there is plenty of time to get "fun" cars. Going into your marriage with uncomfortable debt however, is not a recipe for success.

BornSlippyZ · 11-08-2009, 09:47 AM

I agree with dhays, going into a marriage with debt is not exactly good. Before I got married I got rid of two cars because I needed money for moving and living expenses while I was finding a new job. Being financially responsible was a hard thing for me to learn but I am glad I learned early in my life than paying for it later. You will have another chance to get a "car" when you are more financially secure.

Mike@Blackline · 11-08-2009, 07:00 PM

you were paying 500 a month for a scion TC?

scrillasherv · 11-08-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@Blackline

you were paying 500 a month for a scion TC?

I think he meant he was paying it off lol, not insurance. Ahah at first read I was like WHAT.

Mike@Blackline · 11-08-2009, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrillasherv

I think he meant he was paying it off lol, not insurance. Ahah at first read I was like WHAT.

no i know that, 500 dollars for a monthly payment for a scion TC? thats absolutely nuts and ridiculous

11-07-2009, 07:44 AM	#1
NoWin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 594 iTrader: (1)	Anyone here ever downgraded to save money? So I'm looking at my finances, and am kind of saddened that I pay nearly $600/mth (insurance+car payment) for my 06. Now I've been trying to tell myself to downgrade for a while but could never get myself to do it. The last time I was going to trade it in for a 04 BMW 330 ZHP, but that deal fell through. Now I'm looking into practicality and the Z has nothing I really need in a car. Other than a great engine, reliability, and fun factor. But I've been looking at mods and everything else and have been just like man why do I need this. So I am at it again. This time I'd like to buy an older WRX. 04-05. Prices are fairly cheap and have AWD so if I need to drive it in South Dakota winters I can. But how do you convince yourself to let go of your beautiful Z? __________________ 2006 350z

11-07-2009, 07:56 AM	#2
Z1 Performance MY350Z.COM Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 16,234 iTrader: (430)	Just gotta decide what is most important to you, and weigh the totality of the circumstances Wrx's are abundant, but lots have been modded, with varying degrees of success (just like Z's). Some have been put back to stock, some have been hacked together and/or rebuilt, and it's not always easy to spot. It would seem to me that you're not really saving money by making the switch to a WRX, you're just making a lateral change. The cars are not worth a dramatically different amount from one another, and I'd almost bet insurance is close as well. But, you would really need to sit down with your finances, figure out what you can afford to spend a money, and then back yourself into a vehicle from there, and then consult your insurance company and figure out all the costs. __________________ Adam Z1 Performance www.z1auto.com 631.863.3820 AIM:z1auto www.cornerbalance.wordpress.com 320WHP Project Z33 - All Motor - Click!

11-07-2009, 08:18 AM	#4
Z1 Performance MY350Z.COM Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 16,234 iTrader: (430)	I've had Subaru's since before they were 'cool' - the second car I ever went nuts with was a '99 2.5 RS that I purchased new (my first new car ever!). I absolutely loved it, and wish I still had it today. The 02 WRX lost alot of the character that the GC chassis cars had, so for me, no it's not a change I'd make. But, if you live in a climate where it snows alot, then a Z is no bueno at all, while a WRX can be tons of fun. I have personally found the Z to be far better made from a build quality standpoint than the GD WRX's as well. My Z has literally been the most trouble free car I have ever owned. Not a single stock component on the car ever needed any post-sale support. __________________ Adam Z1 Performance www.z1auto.com 631.863.3820 AIM:z1auto www.cornerbalance.wordpress.com 320WHP Project Z33 - All Motor - Click!

11-07-2009, 11:24 AM	#6
MrNorwall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 80 iTrader: (0)	I would guess it's because they recently got married and are not moving in with each other, or they have been apart for a job. __________________ 2006 Silverstone/JWT/X02/Eibach

11-07-2009, 11:31 AM	#7
kensin0429 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: desert hot springs CA Posts: 421 iTrader: (2)	95 toyota camary 4 door v6 only goes 2000$ lol __________________ Jetpilot718: The Z looks like its 20 over the speed limit while parked

11-07-2009, 11:57 AM	#9
naughty240 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: 45 min from the Gaaden Posts: 1,066 iTrader: (2)	Im in the same boat with my G sedan, was looking at a G20 or a 2.5 RS as possible cars to slide into. Ive been weighing the pros and cons a lot lately and ts not an easy decision, thats for sure. I also need something that can drive in the snow too. __________________ "You trying to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

11-07-2009, 02:24 PM	#10
stillettoDSM Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 18 iTrader: (0)	I actually downgraded and got my Z. I went from an 09' tC with 13k Miles on it, that I was paying $470 a month for, to an 03' Z with 38k Miles that I'm only paying $350 a month for.. Insurance went from $170 a month, to $150 a month.. So all in all, I am saving $140 a month..

11-07-2009, 02:28 PM	#11
1GR8350Z Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 170 iTrader: (0)	You have to whats right for you and what is going to be your new lifestyle. If you don't feel that a sports car fits into it then move on to the WRX(I would go Evo).Those cars are fun too and more practical. It really surprises me about the insurance though. I was checking into getting an Evo 8 a while back and the rate was nearly indentical to what I was paying on my S2K which was only $20 a month more than I'm paying on my Z.

11-07-2009, 04:48 PM	#14
350ZthatsMe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 198 iTrader: (4)	cars come and go and you can always get another one later.... the ends justify the means...

11-08-2009, 09:47 AM	#17
BornSlippyZ Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 1,746 iTrader: (1)	I agree with dhays, going into a marriage with debt is not exactly good. Before I got married I got rid of two cars because I needed money for moving and living expenses while I was finding a new job. Being financially responsible was a hard thing for me to learn but I am glad I learned early in my life than paying for it later. You will have another chance to get a "car" when you are more financially secure. __________________ "Building Better Worlds."

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