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retroPencil t1_j24llj6 wrote

> but I fear my social life will tank bc I cannot easily see my friends or do things

Is this the only thing you are afraid of? Not "being able to get to work?" If you don't need a car to work, just get rid of the car and use rideshare. Can you really spend $800 worth of uber in a month?

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alwayslookingout t1_j259029 wrote

OP has his priorities all out of whack. Spending over 1/3 of his rent on a car payment (half after taking into account insurance/fuel) is clearly not as important as having a great social life.

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Chuckdatass t1_j25aq9a wrote

Also he is moving to a different country in 6 months. So I’m not sure why he is so concerned about cultivating the social circle he is about to ditch completely

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megamigit23 t1_j26zs2q wrote

that is a great point. but ig he maybe sees it as enjoying his time left before possibly never seeing longtime friends again? thats understandable.

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rallytoad t1_j27y0oq wrote

Not to mention Pittsburgh has pretty decent public transit. Bus only roads, bus only lanes, light rail, etc.

Lived in Pittsburgh briefly and the buses were cheap and frequent enough that you'd get where you needed to pretty easily. Cabs were cheap as well if you didn't want to wait.

OP is looking to justify to himself keeping an expensive car that he doesn't need and can't afford.

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dannyj611 OP t1_j25gvjq wrote

Yeah my car payment is crazy. I got the car shortly after I started my first “adult” job after college as a present to myself. At the time I was living at home and could afford it. I had done some napkin math when I had to move out of my aunts house and I could still swing it then.

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samewinesko t1_j275dz3 wrote

Unfortunately this is super common. Buy that 2006 Honda, people!!

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No_Leader1154 t1_j27jl0h wrote

My first car: a beater I bought for $1500, sold for $1700. My second car: bought from an old man’s estate sale for $8500, sold after driving it to death for $9200. I now ride a brand new motorcycle I bought for $6500, fill up for $11 every two weeks, and we just bought my partner a newer SUV. I’ve been driving for 14 years. Point is, you gotta learn to crawl before you can walk.

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YLUP2 t1_j26mina wrote

You can, but you won’t. That’s the beauty of not having a car payment hanging over your head. You won’t allow yourself to pay that much for Lyft/Uber. I don’t have a car and the most I can spend is $300. After that I sit my ass home or take the bus.

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TypicaIAnalysis t1_j26rkym wrote

That would be less than 5 trips where i live rip

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YLUP2 t1_j26tijo wrote

Lol it’s not a lot of trips (2/week) but I wfh & live in the DC metro area so it’s very walkable & public transport is great. The grocery stores, gym and shops are a 5-15 minute walk. The bus is ever closer and comes every 5 minutes during the day.

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No2reddituser t1_j27n9i4 wrote

Just for the record, Pittsburgh and the surrounding suburbs don't have anything like the DC metro.

Around Pittsburgh, unless you live in the city and don't care about traveling beyond city limits, you're driving.

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YLUP2 t1_j27q7ct wrote

I know, you have to drive in most cities in this country. I was originally responding to the comment about spending $800/month on Uber.

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megamigit23 t1_j26zwt7 wrote

and if he's moving outta the country anyways, might as well start looking at selling the car.

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28carslater t1_j27cp2t wrote

I just bought and fixed a loaded Buick in Pgh for less than what you spend in a year @ $300/mo inc. $115/yr more insurance.

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YLUP2 t1_j27rr6k wrote

Yes, in most cases owning a car is more efficient in the long run. The point is I don’t HAVE to spend even $100 if I don’t want to (the bus is $1 and I can walk to downtown for entertainment/shopping) I’m saving to buy a car in cash next year. The prices were too high this year and I would’ve ended up with a high month payment like OP. I don’t know enough about cars to take the risk of buying a cheap car privately (see this post)

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28carslater t1_j27sk6d wrote

As an auto enthusiast and former wholesaler I could talk for hours on the subject of used cars, but the best advice I can give you is here.

The next best advice I can give is as a rule don't buy GM after 2010, though before some of the car models make surprisingly good beaters hence the Buick (its an '07).

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ChicagoFlappyPenguin t1_j26df68 wrote

Yup. Set yourself a reasonable Uber/transportation budget for each month. Use it when needed, try transit/walking/etc otherwise and watch the money pile up.

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RedYellowPurpleGreen t1_j27bshx wrote

How often are you going out with friends? Uber would probably be more cost effective.

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epoisses_lover t1_j28k25j wrote

Invite friends over to your place to hang out. Cheaper anyway hahah and no need to drive

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