Financing realistically with current interest rate developments

My last three cars together did not cost 20k€. I find it exaggerated to keep such an amount as an "emergency fund". It is not an emergency if you "have to" buy a car for 20k€. (...)

Then take a look at the current used car market and see what you can still get for 10,000 EUR. Prices for compact cars have just increased by 30, 40, 50%.

Then take a look at the used car market currently, what you can still get for 10,000 EUR. Prices for compact cars have just gone up by 30, 40, 50%.

Last month we bought a 2008 VW Golf Variant for under 4k. And our selection is very limited because we have to buy automatic. It already has some miles on it, but runs like a charm. So there are possibilities if you want. It’s just a utility item for shopping, not a status symbol.

We bought a 2008 VW Golf Variant last month for under 4k. And our options are very limited because we have to buy an automatic. It already has quite a few kilometers on it, but it runs like a charm. So there are possibilities if you want. It's just a utility item for shopping, not a status symbol.

Well, whether the car really runs "like a charm" you can't really judge after just one month. At least I/we have stopped buying/driving such old cars. No more patience to go to the workshop every few months or to fix things myself.

We bought a 2008 VW Golf Variant last month for under 4k. And our choices are very limited because we have to buy an automatic. It already has a few kilometers on it, but runs like a dream. So there are possibilities if you want. It's just a utility item for shopping, not a status symbol.

Such old cars are always a box of surprises, where you can have luck or bad luck.

I like to buy nearly new cars and extend the warranty to 5 years. That way I can drive around worry-free for about 4 years.

Such old cars are always a bit of a lottery, you can have luck or bad luck with them. I like to buy nearly new cars and extend the warranty to 5 years. That way I drive around worry-free for about 4 years.

Well, those 4 years of worry-free driving are quite expensive though. I'm not really a new car hater. I bought my Audi new from the factory and I enjoyed it, the comfort and the peace of mind. But you have to be honest with yourself and admit the depreciation per year. When I calculate what my new Audi has cost me per year in "value," my "lottery" from 2008 just has to last a few months and, economically speaking, I’ve already made my money back.

I am also a supporter of new cars, but new cars are currently no fun. I bought one 14 months ago, and with some luck, it is supposed to arrive in December.