Marital Finances

[.RJ]

I'm a honda fanboy, but you're definitely going to pay more for that.

[WRXtranceformed]

We did check out the Optima and she didn't like the looks. Personally I think it looks cool.

I'm with you RJ, I love Honderps myself. Especially the new Accord with the faux-Audi LED strips in the headlights, standard backup camera, optional passing lane warning system, etc.

Edit: She found a loaded Limited Elantra sedan for under $20k so we're going to test drive it this weekend to see how she likes it. It's pretty well appointed for the price.

Here is the link:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=28277&endYear=2014&photosOnly=true&listingType=new&listingTypes=new&sellerType=d&sellerTypes=d&transmissionCode=AUT&transmissionCodes=AUT&maxPrice=25000&pricesOnly=true&featureCodes=7&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=71780&startYear=2011&numRecords=100&searchRadius=50&bodyStyleCodes=CONVERT,COUPE,SEDAN&listingId=335603933">http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale ... =335603933</a><!-- m -->

[Evan]

It might be a little big for her but we definitely need to swing by a dealership and check it out.

same size as the accord, sonota and altima. (might be a touch smaller actually)

[Steve85]

It seems she likes the smaller and less $$$ car...no need to talk her out of it, Lee!

I've talked to a few Sonata owners who have been very impressed with the car. Commuter types, not faux race-car drivers, so probably relative to her desires. I guess as long as Hyundai didn't screw up it's little brother the Elantra, it should be a great little car.

BTW to the Original Question...

11 years of 99% combined finances including the short time I wasn't working. Like anything else, communication is key. We simply discuss purchases that are "selfish" with an eye on how that purchase fits in with other plans, etc. Our situation was a little different where there were kids right from the start (she had two daughters and we didn't waste much time adding) so most of the extra money went there. There wasn't much to discuss or to put in allowances, daycare for little-little ones was something like $1200/mo.

Record keeping is getting better, going from "is there still money in the account?" to making sure we are staying inline with food/gas/misc budgets.

I like the idea of the allowances though and might run that by her. Most things for us end up just being mothers/fathers day, bday, anniversary gifts.

[WRXtranceformed]

Pulled the trigger on a 2013 Midnight Black (pearl) Elantra Limited today for Rachael! Still really impressed with how much Hyundai has stepped up its game. We went in to test drive it and didn't expect to pick up a car today. Because of that I pushed to see what we could get and made the salesman really bend over backwards for us and we got a really good deal. I'm in sales so I know how it feels

Her old Sebring that needed a TON of work is a rattley deathtrap and they offered to pay us cash for it along with some other negotiated stuff that helped to completely fund her payments until we are all done with wedding stuff. Which is awesome. $0 down otherwise, 3 yr lease @ 12k / year

From what I could tell this car has everything except for the tech package if I remember which includes navigation and an upgraded sound system and maybe one or two other things. Some things she was happy it had:
- Leather
- Front AND rear heated seats (my caddy doesn't even have that)
- Bluetooth 2.0 (my caddy won't stream audio, didn't come out until the next model year)
- Sunroof (the Sebring's was busted)
- Timing chain and completely sealed transmission ie. only one flush at 100k (she helped her grandfather restore classic cars so she was happy it had this)
- Negotiated in full maintenance
- Remote start
- 38mpg highway

Some pics:






Happy girl!


Didn't get any interior shots yet but it is absurdly nice for a sub $25k car. Hers is the same exact leather / interior color combo minus the nav screen:



I did get to test drive it and it is anti-fast but she could care less. The Limited apparently has a sportier suspension and the steering firms up the faster you go. It also has lower profile tires and really decent brakes. Anything would be an improvement over her old car (rear brakes didn't work at all, no ABS). Just very happy I can feel good about her being in a safe, reliable car that isn't going to be a complete money pit

[G.Irish]

Yeah when I went out for the 2012 Civic press intro they had an Elantra there for comparison and honestly it is a great car, better than the '12 Civic. We also rented one while we were in Panama, no complaints. I really like the look of that perforated leather you got there.

[ScottyB]

nice! you said it best...just silly nice for a car in that segment. Hyundai are taking control of the market in this economy with their competitiveness.