3 Car Dilemma
I'm 27 and I have 3 cars...and no job for over a year.
Luckily for me I am doing fine with the enemployment benefits but the realization that 1 decent car versus 3 would be better.
But there's a case to keep each one.
Crossfire: It is rare for anyone to be able to afford their dreamcar, and with the Crossfire you can. It is obviously a step above 90% of vehicles on the roads near me. I feel fortunate but I also feel like I have to be careful of it. I never drive it to areas where I feel uncomfortable and finding parking is a nerve wracking experience. I don't use it often but I could never buy it again once I sell it; the oportunity cost of $15k that I bought it for may never exist again or that I'd be in a position to buy another. It is like I'd be selling a diamond to be able to afford a cubic zircon just beacuse it more socialy acceptable and I could flash it anywhere without issue.
Miata: Bought for $5500 w/ hardtop from a little old lady who commuted just down the road as she was a teacher. I have restored the vehicle by repairing the rust and giving it a new paintjob and convertible top. The car get's almost 40mpg and I can park it anywhere. The drawback is that it is a 1993 and eventually the parts will fail. The car is no good in the snow and there is no rear seating for passengers. Besides that it may be a perfect car. Cheap to fix, timeless design. The Crossfire is much better in the rain and on a rare-rare occasion, snow.
Riviera: Bought for $1300 put $2500 in repairs to get it up and running but it still throws codes. My old Riv was very reliable. This is the winter car.
So if I sold both the Miata and Riv they would only bring in as much as an early 90's car would. About a couple thousand each. And we all know that kind of money does not last long.
So the idea would be to consolidate 3 cars into one vehicle that replaces the roles of each of the 3.
Does such a car exist? It needs to be something large enough to be good in the snow, fuel efficient, and look like nothing else on the road. And it has to be a good price; 2005 or newer.
Yet, I would have a bad case of seller's remorse for each in their own way but the Crossfire the most.
There are times I wonder what it would have been like if I had bought that Marine Blue Dodge Charger I drove home or paid double per month over the Crossie for a 2007 Grabber Orange Mustang. Back then there were no 3 cars. I was looking to replace the winter beater and wanted something newer that would last and the Crossfire stole my heart over something practical.
We'd like to keep our little nugget in the family so my parents would take on the insurance payment. The Miata and the Riv are paid off. There is $6k left on the Crossfire.
So I'm a little distressed and would like to secure a job before I have to make any moves but I wouldn't mind a few insights from car fans on their opinions of this.
Drastic measures would be for the Crossfire to be my one and only but I really would hate to have to ruin the car in winter conditions and salt.