Have you read our post about the Importance of Car-Buying Decisions? If you haven’t, you should.
The average new car purchase price in America today is more than $36,000. That is an astonishing number, considering the financial situation of the average American today.
Let’s say a married couple has a combined (Federal plus state) marginal tax rate of 30%, plus an additional 7.65% of payroll taxes. That means this couple must earn more than $64,000 to pay for their new vehicle.
When paying for vehicles, it is crucial to remember you are paying with after-tax dollars. It is challenging for most families to build a portfolio of after-tax investment dollars. It’s one thing to accumulate money in a 401(k) plan and a Roth IRA, but it’s another level to also accumulate funds in the “third bucket” of after-tax dollars. This is money that you have already paid taxes on – and is not tied to retirement rules (e.g. can’t access the money until you are 59.5).
For those of our clients aiming for financial independence at a young age (before age 60), having after-tax investment dollars is crucial. The two best ways to make that goal a reality are: 1) get your mortgage paid off early (somewhere between age 40-55…the earlier, the better); and 2) make smart car-buying decisions.
It’s commonplace for people today to make statements like the following:
- “You can’t get a car for less than $30,000 these days.”
- “You need to buy a new vehicle to get the latest safety features and the warranty.”
- “I would buy a used Honda/Lexus/Toyota, but they depreciate so little that it’s better to just buy new.”
All of those statements are false.
Below are twelve great cars for less than $15,000. Each of these vehicles are from actual postings I found online within a few minutes. Each vehicle has less than 40,000 miles, and each vehicle has a clean title history and no accidents. Even better, they all get more than 28 mpg.
2014 Toyota Camry L
- Price = $12,995
- Miles = 34,020
- MPG (city/highway) = 25/35
2015 Honda Civic EX
- Price = $14,297
- Miles = 40,329
- MPG (city/highway) = 30/39
2017 Toyota Yaris iA Sedan
- Price = $12,999
- Miles = 16,278
- MPG (city/highway) = 30/39
2015 Toyota Corolla S
- Price = $13,399
- Miles = 22,902
- MPG (city/highway) = 29/37
2014 Nissan Altima 2.5SL
- Price = $12,986
- Miles = 37,524
- MPG (city/highway) = 27/38
2014 Kia Rio LX
- Price = $7,995
- Miles = 41,245
- MPG (city/highway) = 27/37
2017 Nissan Sentra SV
- Price = $13,488
- Miles = 3,808 miles
- MPG (city/highway) = 29/37
2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid FWD
- Price = $14,899
- Miles = 36,639
- MPG (city/highway) = 36/40
2015 Kia Forte EX
- Price = $11,995
- Miles = 30,206
- MPG (city/highway) = 25/36
2016 Honda Fit EX
- Price = $14,996
- Miles = 7,627
- MPG (city/highway) = 32/38
2014 Hyundai Elantra GT FWD
- Price = $10,999
- Miles = 39,000
- MPG (city/highway) = 24/33
2016 Toyota Prius c Two
- Price = $13,399
- Miles = 19,900
- MPG (city/highway) = 53/46
Sources:
1) Kelley Blue Book, https://mediaroom.kbb.com/2018-01-03-Average-New-Car-Prices-Set-Record-High-Up-Nearly-2-Percent-In-December-2017-According-To-Kelley-Blue-Book
2) Car listings found at www.cargurus.com
Because The Wealth Group, Austin B. Colby & Associates is independent of Raymond James, the expressed written opinions above are our own and not necessarily reflective of Raymond James’ opinions.