Marital Finances

[BFisch06]

July will be 3 years for us. We use mint.com to track all of our finances - Roth IRAs, investments, checking, savings, and both credit cards. Every purchase is a joint decision - I can't buy brake pads if she doesn't give me the go ahead - same thing if she wants new shoes. It's worked so far, and we're almost debt-free. We'd be debt free, but the investments are returning more than we'd make if we took money out to go ahead and pay off the small student loan. The HHR was paid for in cash (well, a check), but a second car probably won't work out that way. Teachers just don't get paid very much. :dunno:

We're fairly traditionalist evangelists and unifying our accounts, along with everything else, was non-negotiable. The only reason we have two credit cards is so that we each build credit. However, both cards are paid in full, on time, every month. Failure to do so means cancellation of the card.

[Mike]

jesus loves your finances. that's all i know. i think george carlin told me.

[WRXtranceformed]

Thanks for all the constructive advice guys! We will probably be adopting bits from here and there to make it unique for our situation

[WRXtranceformed]

Didn't really want to start a new thread over this but I took Rachael out looking for new cars over the weekend. I wanted to get a feel for what she likes so we are prepared to pull the trigger after we get settled back in after the honeymoon. I am actually considering a lease for once in my life because she wont be putting a lot of miles on the car and it will give us the opportunity to easily "trade up" to something bigger if we need it for kids in the future. Payments are also less for a nicer car which is a bonus.

We narrowed it down to (all new):
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Elantra Coupe
Honda Accord Coupe
Nissan Altima

I am leaning toward the Accord or the Sonata but she really likes the Elantra. The Elantra spec'd out is also $10k cheaper than any of those. Each one of those has all of her requirements: good gas mileage, option for leather seats and sunroof, looks good to her, reasonably safe

Any experience with any of those, or recommendations for other cars in that price range / class that aren't German? I have rented a few Sonatas and they are really nice actually which is why we swung by the Hyundai dealership.

[.RJ]

Every purchase is a joint decision - I can't buy brake pads if she doesn't give me the go ahead - same thing if she wants new shoes.

Good for you, but fuck... I would feel smothered.

[Jake]

\Any experience with any of those, or recommendations for other cars in that price range / class that aren't German? I have rented a few Sonatas and they are really nice actually which is why we swung by the Hyundai dealership.

Focus/Fusion?

[WRXtranceformed]

\Any experience with any of those, or recommendations for other cars in that price range / class that aren't German? I have rented a few Sonatas and they are really nice actually which is why we swung by the Hyundai dealership.

Focus/Fusion?

We looked at the Fusion when I took her to CARMAX (since they have a broad selection of cars) and she did not like. I like the idea of a Focus, it would have to be a sedan for her if they have one though because she does not like the hatchbacks.

[V1GiLaNtE]

Didn't really want to start a new thread over this but I took Rachael out looking for new cars over the weekend. I wanted to get a feel for what she likes so we are prepared to pull the trigger after we get settled back in after the honeymoon. I am actually considering a lease for once in my life because she wont be putting a lot of miles on the car and it will give us the opportunity to easily "trade up" to something bigger if we need it for kids in the future. Payments are also less for a nicer car which is a bonus.

We narrowed it down to (all new):
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Elantra Coupe
Honda Accord Coupe
Nissan Altima

I am leaning toward the Accord or the Sonata but she really likes the Elantra. The Elantra spec'd out is also $10k cheaper than any of those. Each one of those has all of her requirements: good gas mileage, option for leather seats and sunroof, looks good to her, reasonably safe

Any experience with any of those, or recommendations for other cars in that price range / class that aren't German? I have rented a few Sonatas and they are really nice actually which is why we swung by the Hyundai dealership.

How about a low mileage(40K) 2006 Accord? The woman's Dad is selling his.. Thing is mint. I think he wants like $15k or something.

[WRXtranceformed]

How about a low mileage(40K) 2006 Accord? The woman's Dad is selling his.. Thing is mint. I think he wants like $15k or something.

Thanks for the suggestion! I am not opposed to looking at used vehicles but it takes leasing out of the equation. On older vehicles it's also generally going to eliminate the possibility of a warranty unless we go aftermarket. If I am going to get a used vehicle I'm going to spend a little more and get a newer CPO vehicle like when I bought my Cadillac.

[Jake]

We looked at the Fusion when I took her to CARMAX (since they have a broad selection of cars) and she did not like. I like the idea of a Focus, it would have to be a sedan for her if they have one though because she does not like the hatchbacks.

You saw a brand-new Fusion at Carmax? The 2013 with the baby-Aston styling?

[JPolen01]

We looked at the Fusion when I took her to CARMAX (since they have a broad selection of cars) and she did not like. I like the idea of a Focus, it would have to be a sedan for her if they have one though because she does not like the hatchbacks.

You saw a brand-new Fusion at Carmax? The 2013 with the baby-Aston styling?

Dude, I can't even lie. Every time I see one I think baby Aston. It's definitely a good looking car. Haven't checked one out up close or seen the interior quality yet, but I'd like to.

[HAULN-SS]

Im not quite sold on the new fusion. The front doesnt look bad, but they definitely photograph it in favorable angles in the press releases and such. The rear is pretty terrible looking and kind of reminds me of the newer sonatas. And maybe because i'm a fan of Astons in general anyway, I feel like that front grill sits up too high so if you're used to seeing those, the fusion front end looks out of proportion.

[WRXtranceformed]

We looked at the Fusion when I took her to CARMAX (since they have a broad selection of cars) and she did not like. I like the idea of a Focus, it would have to be a sedan for her if they have one though because she does not like the hatchbacks.

You saw a brand-new Fusion at Carmax? The 2013 with the baby-Aston styling?

They did not have the new Fusion there, just the prior gen. So we will have to check out the new one!

[Evan]

Didn't really want to start a new thread over this but I took Rachael out looking for new cars over the weekend. I wanted to get a feel for what she likes so we are prepared to pull the trigger after we get settled back in after the honeymoon. I am actually considering a lease for once in my life because she wont be putting a lot of miles on the car and it will give us the opportunity to easily "trade up" to something bigger if we need it for kids in the future. Payments are also less for a nicer car which is a bonus.

We narrowed it down to (all new):
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Elantra Coupe
Honda Accord Coupe
Nissan Altima

I am leaning toward the Accord or the Sonata but she really likes the Elantra. The Elantra spec'd out is also $10k cheaper than any of those. Each one of those has all of her requirements: good gas mileage, option for leather seats and sunroof, looks good to her, reasonably safe

Any experience with any of those, or recommendations for other cars in that price range / class that aren't German? I have rented a few Sonatas and they are really nice actually which is why we swung by the Hyundai dealership.

new Mazda6. There is no other midsize sedan in my eyes.

[Apoc]

I saw one of those last week and my exact words were "Wow, that looks pretty good... especially for a Mazda."

[Evan]

I tooled around in one while shopping for my CX-5. I was pretty impressed. Really plush leather, nice high end feeling interior, drives fantastic, and 38mpg without a bullshit CVT rubberband transmission like the altima and accord.
the DI 2.5 is also a really responsive motor.

If i didnt have a couple slobbering mutts, no contest its what Id be daily driving right now.

[Dave]

Also a big fan of the new CX6 and Fusion. I would absolutely be aiming for one of those if I was looking at a new sedan.

[premiershine9]

Lee- My parents (not car people at all/ Consumer Rep. type mom) have had multiple Honda Accords- including the EX V6- it was an '06 and it was EXCELLENT. Very reliable and all around great car- uncle also has new sonata- also has loved it thus far too.

GL with the search!

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice thanks for the tips guys! We didn't even consider a Mazda. It might be a little big for her but we definitely need to swing by a dealership and check it out.

[SlimKlim]

Has she checked out the Optima? That's a pretty damn good looking car. I'd vote for that or the new Mazda6 for a new midsize sedan.