Buying my dream car
I’m a 21-year-old recent CS graduate and I’ve been obsessed with AMG Mercedes cars since I was a kid, especially the facelift CLS63 S. I currently work a lot (around 60 hrs/week recently) managing a store while still trying to break into the tech field after graduating. I live with family, don’t really have major expenses, and I’ve saved around $28k liquid.
My current daily is a 2007 Lexus ES350 that’s honestly falling apart cosmetically and mechanically. It still runs, but I’m tired of it and I’ve never really rewarded myself with anything in life. I’ve spent most of my life stressed, working, studying, helping family/work, etc., and part of me feels like I finally want to enjoy something for myself.
I found a black-on-black 2015 CLS63 S with 84k miles for around $35k before taxes/fees. With shipping, warranty, taxes, etc., it’ll probably land around $40k+ total. I’d probably put around $12k–15k down and finance the rest. I also planned on keeping the Lexus as a backup/daily and using the AMG more for weekends/night drives.
Here’s my issue though: I’m the biggest overthinker alive. One minute I’m imagining finally owning my dream car, and the next minute I’m panicking about maintenance, repairs, financial mistakes, and whether I’m being irresponsible. My dad also thinks we’re “not AMG people” and that I shouldn’t do it, which honestly adds to the guilt.
Part of me feels like this is a terrible financial decision. Another part of me feels like if I keep waiting for the “perfect” moment, I’ll never do anything for myself.
For people who’ve owned AMGs or made emotional enthusiast purchases young:
Did you regret it?
Did the stress go away after buying?
Is keeping a reliable backup daily enough to make ownership manageable?
Would you do it in my situation?
Be brutally honest.