LI averages 26 inches of snow over 5 months. How many regular 1, 2 or 3 foot snowfalls do you get? We actually get about the same amount of snow per year and I drove my Civic in 13 inches of snow last year without a problem. That amount happens rarely, just like LI.

You may want to re-read what I wrote with point #2. Neither of my scenarios included buying a new truck.

The Xterra handles snow so well. You literally can go anywhere you want in the snow. Versa? I don't know about that... 13' Xterra is good. But yea, if you do end up with the Xterra, make sure it's a 10'+.

This.

I don't understand why anyone would say they want to save money, but get into another car payment. If $150/mo is that big of a deal - it's probably better to not have a car payment at all. OP didn't mention it, but would it be a lesser payment for a longer period of time? IE.) it would be paid off after the Z would've been? So are you really even coming out ahead? Factor in the gas money and I'd say you're not really saving much at all.

Plus why would you want to take out another line of credit for a car when you're looking to buy a house? Drive the Versa (if it's paid off). Having a house > than a "more fun" car.

I spent this winter driving a Honda Insight in areas that get more snow in a week than LI gets in a year...east coast snow is even easier to drive in. As long as you know how to handle snow, you should be fine.

I've only had FWD sedans before the z. Never had any problems during Chicago Winters. Unless you lived out in the country or frequently visit, I never bought into the snow justification for getting an SUV

Poor people ask how much?
Rich people say all take it.

Nah, rich people say "I'll take two"

rich people will say i'll take a couple. how many you got?

wealthy people will say 'let me think it over.'

poor people will say 'let's stop by starbucks'

Fixed:tup:

Rich people buy used anyway.

At least the ones who worked their own way to get there.



(Yes, I'm generalizing.)

At least OP has the sense to lay out the scenario, not just to himself, but to the board. Kudos for that!

Reason 1: This is really just something you either need to deal with, or yes downgrade your car. With no tracks around, you're not going to really stretch the legs on your car without throwing in a lot of risk (risk of accident, risk of driving record hit...). What you should do, should you keep the Z, is do whatever you can to make the Z give you happiness at legal and safe speeds. Swap out the exhaust, tint the windows so the ricer boys can't see your pained expression when they want to race you and you don't. If you love the car at sane speeds, you may have a reduced need to flog the car insensibly.

Failing that, or failing your ability to come to terms with your competitiveness, then downgrade the car. (Also keep in mind, 90% of the cars who bait you are doing so because your car IS better anyway; it's faster, cooler; sexier; more exotic, etc. Any car that IS better, probably doesn't need to prove it to you at a random stoplight.)


Reason 2: Your house is going to be your biggest purchase of your life. And your girlfriend your second biggest commmitment (related to the first: kids). Don't go into it scraping the bottom of your budget if you have a choice. (I'd also suggest not going into it because of others, such as feeling pressured to purchase a deceased family member's house, which I'd personally be a little annoyed about...but that's not for me to judge you on! :) ) Having your own house, depending on the condition and included amenities, can be very expensive beyond what the mortgage is, especially those first few years as you need to outfit it and acquire the tooling to maintain it.

Keep in mind having a house also means needing cargo space. Bringing home a lawn mower? Snowblower? Furniture? Not in the Z! Or the Versa!

I'd love if people kept their Z as it's such a beautiful car. But life is different for us all, so do what you need to do to maximize your overall happiness in this life. :) Usually that means not living beyond your means and also putting practicality just a little bit ahead of impractical fun! :) You can have your fun after the necessities are met. Honestly, your job reasons (commute, requirements) really make it sound like you need a snow-friendly vehicle.

Keep the Versa. Get a used SUV for the practicality. And maybe use the difference from a used SUV vs a new SUV down the road a ways to get a used fun car to flog around like an S2000.

(I'm projecting a bit on that last paragraph, as I kinda think that's what I'll do after I'm done with the Z in 5-10 years.)

Yea money is not the only reason. Its difficult to enjoy the Z the way I want to here on the Island. I have what doctors call A little bit of a weight problem LOL so I have recently been living a much more active life style and I think the truck will help me with that. This is not something new, I have always wanted a truck to take out on the beach and never have to worry what the weather was going to be like. Gas will not be an issue since I will still have my Versa for my 50 mile commute. As for the snow we have had very bad record snowfall amounts the last 3 years here on the Island. It may never happen again but it will be nice to know I will still be able to get to work when it happens. Nothing is set in stone I'm still in decision process. Leaving for Toyota in a little to see what they want to give me for the Z.

I got the FJ guys, should be here Monday. Definitely going to miss the Z but this is the better move for me right now. I'll get back into a nice sporty car down the road once I'm more settled in.