Whatscooking

How does a first time buyer convince themselves to go ahead and commit to buy? How do you justify all the expence? Does it need to make sense?
I grew up poor. Pulled my first bicycle out of a junkyard and repaired it to ride. Saw my parents and I loose a 900 acre farm in 1984. Makes you very cautious.
I was able to take my mechanical ability and retire from a good paying job with a pension. I know how to make money and save it but don't know how to spend it. I retired at 52 twelve years ago and havent touched any of my investments. Although right now isn't the time to pull anything out my investment guy says it's doable.
The wife thinks I'm loosing it and my son says buy a Corolla so the two hour trip to him can be more affordable.
I keep comming back to this form. I like the looks of the C8. Believe i would like A HTC in silver.

Bmbl-Bee

Your story sounds familiar. I'm sure many on the forum would say the same. You saved your whole working career to be able to do some of the things you have looked forward to. The wife is a little questionable. Is she on board at all or is she totally against it. That might be an issue. The son telling you to buy a Corolla--well lets not go there. You need to be comfortable with the decision. Only you can pull the trigger. Good luck. Like they say, you can't take it with you.

MattMD

You only live once, might as well have a good time. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed

LIE2ME

Nobody on their deathbed ever gasped, "I wish I had bought a Corolla"...

NoMatter

52 years ago. Get to living. You deserve it. You will feel good about it. You don't see a UHaul behind a Hearse.

Zormecteon

I too am retired after working hard to get what I have. .. For me..... I considered it a wasted life to have never owned a Corvette. I was looking at C5s as the best value/$$$ and then the C8s appeared. I thought "Screw it. I'll have one of those"

YMMV
My 2¢

Shoal07

My wife isn't exactly "supportive" of my purchase. She chooses the words "I've accepted it." That was good enough for me!

C5 Dawg

A C8 will retain a much higher % of its value than a Corolla, so its actually a smarter financial decision. And a lot more fun.

tadda

Jbravo_AK

The way I saw it when I bought mine was I could die tomorrow and I might as well get something I really enjoy to drive and look good in. I wouldn't considering myself wealthy by any stretch. I was hesitant at first spending close to 100k on a car but everytime I drive it or someone talks to me about it I forget for a brief moment all the bills and trouble of the world. In my eyes that is worth it but every situation is different.

Amoreloba

if I’m on my death bed tomorrow I’ll have wanted a GR corolla. Get at me.

But yes, live your life op. No regerts. If you’re willing and able to sacrifice some other superfluous hobby / toy spending or don’t even need to do so to afford the vehicle, then get it. Do math if it makes you comfy, have targets for investment goals and see how a bigger toy budget fits in. I work OT to fund my toy spending and at 30 years old I’m glad I get to enjoy it before my knees and back hate me just for getting out of the C8!

91Vette

You only live once and you cannot take your possessions with you when you die.

CarlosVP

If you can afford it now, I bet you if you die today, your son is not going to buy a toyota with that money. Crunch numbers and if you can afford it, go ahead and buy it, worst case scenario: you don’t like it and you can sell it and make a few bucks out of it.

Admpp

I just turned 50 and i also just took delivery on my 2023 z51 HTC that i bought myself as a birthday present. I waited a year for it. I am not rich, and this is the first vehicle that i ever bought brand new. I bet the first time you drive your HTC you will realize it was the correct choice. And if by slim chance it isnt, you can probably sell it for more than you bought it. I love every minute in mine so far, and i havnt even broken the 500 mile mark yet. But im close!!

Big Lebowski

Justification and affording an impractical luxury item like the Corvette is a very personal one.

For me, it is what motivated me through grade school and high school. While I struggled through an undiagnosed learning disability, I always drooled over the Corvette as a kid, and my mom would always remind me (as she worked with me over the kitchen table) to study hard, work hard, save and it will be yours. She later admitted that for a time, she just hoped I would manage to graduate...from high school. Turns out I was too smart for my own good, and once I got out of my own way I graduated from High School, got into the University of my choice, graduated at the top of my major in college, and started my own business in my late 20's. I bought my first Corvette before my 30th birthday with cash, and have owned one since. I nearly lost my business due to the pandemic, but made it through. Obviously, family security was a bigger motivation, and I decided to part with my Corvette. I wish I could have hung onto my 2017 3LZ M7 Vert, but it was the right decision at the time (throw in spinal fusion surgery into that 2020 dumpster fire). Once again, owning a Corvette was my motivation to hang on and come back from the dead.

That is how I justify owning my Corvette at 49 years young. It is not about status or flash. I just love the brand and the heritage...and the smile it gives me when I see her in the garage.. The Corvette was AND still is a very big motivator in my life. That and its a Sh*t ton of fun to drive.

WICKEDFRC

If you do decide to purchase the C8, make sure you leave it to me if in the event something catastrophic happens.

This way, your wife doesn't have to worry about what to do with something she may not approve of to begin with.

And in turn for your kindness, I'll ensure your Son gets a new Corolla.



Appropriate Advice:

Tomorrow is never guaranteed. Do what makes you happy today.

J-Fly

Replace the wife for a newer model?

CJ Willys

1. Make sure life’s necessities are in good shape.
2. You worked hard and can afford it?
3. Wives always object. Do you love each other?
4. You deserve your life.

Shoal07

"Wives always object"

Ain't that the truth! Good thing she loves me.

Zjoe6

And my version of that is "good thing she left me".