As promised, car lovers, I systematically checked to see whether I could afford to trade in my too-big SUV to lease a sizzler with a big, classy dashboard, more AI safety gear and…maybe, be wildly red.
The short answer is: No.
I do hate reality.
Carmax appraised my Subaru Forester at less than half what I bought it for. No surprise. Houston wasn’t a factor, the impending fall and winter is, the salesman told me. I get it. My Forester grinds through icy drifts, even uphill.
Leases can be $350 a month, but interesting cars like the Volt, edge $500, and that’s after you pay thousands down, plus 4% VA sales tax.
I’d rather spend my money on a college scholarship for a dreamer; subs to National Geographic Classroom for friends who are teaching 6th grade geography or a cruise down the Danube from Budapest to Bucharest to the delta and then over to Moldova to see my nephew and the BBQ restaurant he owns with a friend.
Or, hang on to my imaginary cash in case the stock market swoons.