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From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
Before I got a corvette I had to be 100 percent debt-free. One of my personal guidelines was to only buy cars that I could pay cash for. I do not borrow money for my hobby. My personal philosophy.
If you have enough equiety in your home and only use the proper amount of it there's no reason NOT to use it.....
Exactly what I was talking about!!! There is no risk involved if you own a house valued at $500,00 and only owe $200,00. You are just using an open line of credit. In my case it was actually lower rates than a vehicle loan, and for a longer term. There was no early payoff penalty, so that wasn't an issue. I wrote off the interest, had lower payments, which I doubled up on when I could. If things were tight that month, I paid the minimum. It worked great for me!!!
Just for the record...I paid cash for my 'Vette, but I have used equity loans for vehicles and will do it again I'm sure!!!
Capital One mail teaser for up to $30k unsecured/signature loan at 8.99% for 10yrs . I thought it was a little high, but very easy with no collatoral. I too plan to pay off very soon, but am always happy to have the flexibility of a smaller payment in-case Mr. Murphy steps in and causes financial troubles. Cash is always the answer, only my wife takes it as soon as I save it, so I pay big payments on everything to keep less cash laying around.
How did you get a 10 year loan? The reason I want to borrow money is to improve my credit score. Not that I have a bad one, but a fixed loan like that helps your credit more than a credit card does. My truck is soon to be paid off (a year early) and I was wanting another loan like that to help my credit. I figure if I pay both of those off in a timely manner, my credit score will go up and get me a better rate on my house when I buy one in the next 3-4 years...
-Shark Mann
Last edited by Shark Mann; Apr 5, 2007 at 07:05 PM.
I borrowed a little bit to get mine, most of it was cash. There were several reasons, and I consider myself a very good money manager. I had recently gone through a divorce and my credit had taken a hit, so I needed something to build it back up. I've gone from 2 incomes being late on house payments and car payments to single income, paying extra on the house every month, and own every car outright now. I now have the cash to pay off the loan right now, but prefer to keep the cash in the bank for emergencies, so I don't have to go to a credit card for emergencies. A good option is if you have a cash value life insurance policy, you can borrow against it, and then you'd be paying yourself back.
i thought of every which way to pay for mine. financing through a dealer (thought better of it) borrowing from my 401k (thought better of it) taking out some when i refinanced (did that, but decided my house needed some work instead of a vette) and also thought about going the credit card rout (i actually have excellant credit).
i finally just paid cash. it was only 7k (still a lot), but its paid for (not the insurance yet, and it isn't registered )
you really need to do what is best for you, but you do (imo) need to think long term also. getting in to much over your head, can make that dream car a real nightmare.
Pay cash or don't buy it. I would never borrow on my house for anything. When I pay it off, I will not borrow against it. 401k loan should be a last resort, you lose the interest it was gaining and pay interest to borrow your own money. Almost any decent house will appreciate, a collector car-maybe. Look at 55-57 shoebox Chevys. They went out of sight a few years back, but have cooled considerably. A bumper C3 is likely to keep rising in value, but no way I bet my house or 401K on it. My .02
I'm new to the forum, though I have been lurking for a long time. I appreciate everyone's different views on financing. I want to buy my Dad's 79 Vette. It's been in the family since 1989 and we have done most of the work to it. So while it's nothing special to the market, it's the best Vette in the world to me. So I can but it for $7,500 (family and sweat equity discount). The car is all original and a great 10 footer. It is mechanically sound with only 78000 miles (most of which were put on by me). Now, it's worth on the common market $10K-$11.5K on a good day. I don't have the cash to buy it, but one of these loans looks good. Since I will have instant equity in the car (by nature of the low selling price) wouldn't that help justify the financing of a toy? Granted it's not the investment of a lifetime, but I'm trying to rationalize, here. Feedback, positve or otherwise is appreciated. Thanks for the great forums. Whether I buy the car or not I'll be around reading and learning!
If you finance a car, make sure you have substantial equity in it. The down payment should cover tax and license and a whole lot more. That way,if things get tight, you are not buried in the car and can quickly sell it to eliminate the payment and protect your credit.
Finance it for the shortest term you can afford, and pay extra when you can.
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by 79L48
I'm new to the forum, though I have been lurking for a long time. I appreciate everyone's different views on financing. I want to buy my Dad's 79 Vette. It's been in the family since 1989 and we have done most of the work to it. So while it's nothing special to the market, it's the best Vette in the world to me. So I can but it for $7,500 (family and sweat equity discount). The car is all original and a great 10 footer. It is mechanically sound with only 78000 miles (most of which were put on by me). Now, it's worth on the common market $10K-$11.5K on a good day. I don't have the cash to buy it, but one of these loans looks good. Since I will have instant equity in the car (by nature of the low selling price) wouldn't that help justify the financing of a toy? Granted it's not the investment of a lifetime, but I'm trying to rationalize, here. Feedback, positve or otherwise is appreciated. Thanks for the great forums. Whether I buy the car or not I'll be around reading and learning!
DADS ARE USUALLY GOOD FOR LOANS OF SOME KIND !!!
Give him what you have saved so far as money down and ask
that he give you an interest free or a small, yet fair "FAMILY" interest rate loan.
F.Y.I........... some FATHERLY advice :
If you have saved nothing to put down & contribute, I WOULDNT ASK !!
Pay cash or don't buy it. I would never borrow on my house for anything. When I pay it off, I will not borrow against it. 401k loan should be a last resort, you lose the interest it was gaining and pay interest to borrow your own money. Almost any decent house will appreciate, a collector car-maybe. Look at 55-57 shoebox Chevys. They went out of sight a few years back, but have cooled considerably. A bumper C3 is likely to keep rising in value, but no way I bet my house or 401K on it. My .02
So...you're saying to go without the car you want that will make you happy, be your hobby, keep you active in social groups until you are a grouchy old man who's saved their pennies and then buy it (and then park next to me at car shows where I have to hear you bitch/moan about "whipper-snappers"? If you can afford the payment, buy it/finance it any way possible. If you're contemplating some ultra-rare/expensive car that's worth more than your house, I'd say to forget it.
hustle...get money...hustle more...get more money.... buy vette.....hustle even more....buy mods........ stop hustlin for a short time to work on vette..... continue to hustle..... drive around the block....hustle to buy paint......hustle while in paint shop...get money....... hustle....... then drive and pick up ladies and drop them off at the bus stop.......hustle more...then sleep....then hustle........
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by onaqwst
hustle...get money...hustle more...get more money.... buy vette.....hustle even more....buy mods........ stop hustlin for a short time to work on vette..... continue to hustle..... drive around the block....hustle to buy paint......hustle while in paint shop...get money....... hustle....... then drive and pick up ladies and drop them off at the bus stop.......hustle more...then sleep....then hustle........
Give him what you have saved so far as money down and ask
that he give you an interest free or a small, yet fair "FAMILY" interest rate loan.
F.Y.I........... some FATHERLY advice :
If you have saved nothing to put down & contribute, I WOULDNT ASK !!
I have ready cash. I just don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. He actually just e-mailed me and told me he spent a load of money (too much, I think) on a tune up. Well, it's burning oil and one of the studs holding the exhaust manifold "may be coming loose." New one on me. I think financing is the way to go for me, but now that I know I'm likely in for an engine rebuild, I'll probably turn the screws on dear ol' Dad for some price considerations.
Son-ly advice....don't tell the buyer of your car that they are in for major repairs before you've signed off on a price! Even if he is your son!