apathyduck

apathyduck t1_jeh2aai wrote

I worked for a wealthy guy who told me a secret I've never forgotten: it's not how much you make, it's how much you keep.

If $24k is allowing you to save $1k/mo in you current situation, you're doing better than people who make $150k/yr and live paycheck to paycheck. Just make sure you're building a skillset in the meantime that will allow you to bring in more money when your monthly expenses/needs go up.

7

apathyduck t1_jadokox wrote

No, you shouldn't. There's hardly ever a good case to buy a new car because of the depreciation alone.

You can DIY your speed sensor with simple tools and the help of YouTube videos or probably buy the sensor yourself and have a mobile mechanic install it for less than $200. I don't know about your particular vehicle but these sensors are almost always externally accessible and replaceable with simple basic wrenches and sockets. That shuddering you're feeling at 80 sounds like a tire or wheel balance issue, something you've admittedly failed to address and need to do. Tires aren't cheap, but you need them and they're way cheaper than financing + depreciation on a new vehicle.

Maintain your vehicles, it's always more expensive when you don't and you're going to end up paying for it one way or another anyway.

Believe it or not, the recalls are a good thing - it means your manufacturer is standing behind the product unlike a lot of other manufacturers who do everything to try and get out of repairing their design flaws.

1