Affording the Dream

So, with all your calculations done, what does the final sum look like? Can you afford the car of your dreams? And if it seems you can't, what then? Do you have to dump your dream?

Of course not. You simply have to temporarily choose a different, cheaper car from the model you and your neighbour have been eyeing-up.

OK, he'll get to have the fun of driving around in your current heart's desire. But you get to do without the headaches that would spoil your new car for you if ignored your calculations and went ahead and got it anyway.

You already have things in your life that you enjoy and can afford: these may include time to spend with your family, inexpensive hobbies, a good, home-cooked meal and a TV movie to laugh at with your loved ones.

And it's amazing how quickly dreams fade once they have been fulfilled.

Next year another, even more desirable car will come along, and by then you might be able to afford this one. Your neighbour, on the other hand, will be stuck with the old model, which will have begun depreciating the moment he drove it off the forecourt.  

Meanwhile, since it costs nothing to dream, here are some cars to start you off:

Top 10 Most Expensive Cars in the World, 2009