Nice is a funny word. Reliable, clean, good condition – OK. But what does $60,000 get you that you can’t buy for $30,000 or even less, other than status? In theory I agree with CT Lawyer about buying a late model used car but it seems that those cars are barely cheaper than new and not worth it if you hold onto your cars for a long time.
I’m a huge fan of buying new Hondas and keeping them for a very long time. My first Honda is now 18 years old and bli ayin hara still going strong. Several years ago I bought a new car and gave the original to one of the kids, and in a few years I plan to give the replacement to another child and buy myself something else. Pay for it over 5 years (at very very low manufacturer’s financing if you qualify) and drive it for many more years.
People say “I can’t be worried about my car” but if you take good care of your car there is no reason you should have to worry. There are many excellent, reasonably priced cars on the market. Look, if you want to drive a new car every 3 years or you like fancy cars, that’s fine if you can afford it. But if what you’re really looking for is an economical, reliable vehicle that looks decent and performs well, you do not have to get trapped in either a lease or a luxury car.
I realize that not everybody can afford a $30,000 car and for those who can’t afford it you do the best you can with what you have. Sometimes that means buying a car with issues, whether they are cosmetic or mechanical. No, it’s not fun. It is never fun to not be able to afford what you want and what “everyone else has!” If your budget is truly too tight to afford the car you want, live within your means. If you can swing it, figure out where your priorities lie and if it makes sense at this stage of your life. But don’t talk yourself into “needing” something extravagant. Why should you make yourself miserable, either by not being happy with what you have or by suffering financially because you bought it?