[Porsche-O-Phile]

Most people are just vapid lemmings who have been convinced they “need” a new car every couple of years. The reality is that this is totally untrue. I’ve never (and likely will never) buy a car new. I have a fundamental problem with paying thousands of dollars for absolutely nothing of value (depreciation hit). I bought my last vehicle (my ‘01 Benz) in 2006. It had already depreciated to about 40% of original sticker price and I got a nearly-new car for a pretty good price. I brought it here with me and still drive it. I’ll continue to drive it until the wheels fall off (and if they ever did I’d simply put new wheels on it and keep on driving it). I like it. That’s why I bought it in the first place! I still get lots of compliments on it because I actually value it and take care of it. I see absolutely no reason to get rid of it. I also intensely dislike dealing with salespeople - particularly when they’re trying to push something on me that I really don’t need for their benefit rather than mine (which is pretty much always the case with them).

I would never (and didn’t when I bought this car either) put a trade-in on the table. It’s just plain stoopid. Deal with cash only (simplifies negotiations), keep your car and then it’s your choice to either have a second car around or sell your original one private party for 2x to 3x what some dealer would give you for it. It’s a formula that’s always worked pretty well for me. Why leave money on the table? I’m not here to make some dealer money. I’m here to look out for myself, so I do. If the dealer doesn’t like that, eff ‘em. They’re dime-a-dozen anyway.