I have never understood wants an expensive car.
What percentage of your annual salary did your car cost?
I've thought that way all my life. I've driven Hyundai, Mazda, Chevy, all the affordable makes. Like I said, this is totally new to me, prompted really by where I am in life. I don't really go out anymore and spend money. I'm not into expensive clothes or jewelry. Given the age gaps between my kids and my older one's hormones, family vacations are scarce. My mortality is sinking in as I realise I am not that far off from the age where my dad started mental decline. It feels like it's a perfect storm for a midlife crisis car.
Having said that, I'm still frugal. I'm going to put maybe $20K down to keep my payments low and when I say 'expensive' it's relative to my previous cars. There is no way I'm going to buy a car that's worth my mortgage.