no car payment > *
Even if you have to budget $1200/year on repairs or upgrades
to keep it in a good reliable state.
Take for example my car. Paid for. Engine blew up at about 123k miles. Freak thing, but I thought, wth, 3L baby. $1200 later, i have a new engine which will last years. Sure, a 10 year old car, there is some suspension components that need to be replaced eventually, etc, but for the most part, I have a paid for car in great mechanical condition and no car payment. I have to admit there is emotional attachment to this car too that keeps me from looking elsewhere
