i go through phases of wanting a brand new car etc, but i come down to earth when I realise that it is money for nothing other than the enjoyment of driving a new car.

This was proven to me this week. We bought a car on ebay for $1000. It is only a 1998 ford falcon sedan, but it is in near perfect condition with low km's and heaps of extra features. (and it is a pretty metallic red with alloys and a cd player!! woot! i have never had a cd player in my cars!) All we have to do to get it roadworthy is get one new tyre!! Anyway, about 7 years ago we nearly took out a $20,000 loan to buy the exact same car, with very similar milage!!!!!! thank you god that we saw some sense and didn't!!

We have a fairly average mortgage i think, and we are still landscaping our yard etc because we built, so I am much happier just paying cash for a car that is just as reliable as a brand new one (as long as you keep it serviced etc), and then we are able to save our money and use it for holidays and improving our yard etc. To me a car is just a car really, as long as it is safe and gets you from a to b.

And I was more than happy to take the risk of buying a car before we had even seen it, because at the end of the day a $1000 wasn't a whole lot of money to risk, and it was a lot less riskier than taking out a large loan for a second hand car. you just have to know the right questions to ask etc. Plus, on ebay you have to really research what other cars are going for etc to know you are getting a good deal, and the bid smartly. (bid in the last 30 seconds, and bid the absolute maximum that you are willing to pay, so that it doesn't give other bidders who are bidding small increments at a time a chance to place another bid, and if you miss out, it doesn't matter because it has sold for more than what you think it is worth etc).

I work part time for myself, and I don't want my pay just going down the drain so I can drive a nice looking car i guess. But, if you are a die-hard car lover, then a loan is worth it I guess.

Did anyone watch second chance the other night with paul clitheroe? Paul worked out that the guy on it was paying over a $1000 a month to run his new vw beetle.