Mercedes“Utility is when you have one telephone, luxury is when you have two, opulence is when you have three – and paradise is when you have none.” — Doug Larson

As a rule of thumb, we try to keep our two-car garage clean enough to actually park two cars in it. Whenever the space becomes cluttered, my car is the one that gets the boot to the curb. My Volvo is six years old and has 69,000 miles on it. I know the mileage seems low, doesn’t it? In a typical week, the only place I drive is to the gym and the airport. Otherwise, I don’t commute anywhere since I work from home.

When we venture out together, we usually take Jeanine’s car. Her car is a newer leased Saab. I’ve described our different car philosophies in the past here. She’s never going to give up her lease. Believe me, we’ve had plenty of debates.

Back to my car: Since mine sits outside most often, it gets dirty. And of course, I cringe at spending $14 on a car wash. But eventually I break down and can’t take the dirty car anymore. Yesterday was one of those days. I spent the money and it’s clean today. But a car wash is just putting lipstick on a pig. It’s still an old car.

When people ask what kind of car I drive, I feel compelled to say it’s paid for and that’s justification for it being old. Here’s my pat answer:

“I drive a 2000 Volvo S80. I bought it used and it is now paid in full. This is the first time I’ve had the luxury of living without a car payment. I love this feeling and plan to drive it into the ground. The Volvo doesn’t quite create the same stir at the valet stand as a Mercedes or BMW, but it is helping me transport myself down the road to financial independence. It’s all the little steps that add up.” Blah, blah, blah.

At this rate (69,000 miles), I’ll be driving it another six years. Do I want to drive a newer, nicer car? Heck yeah. I have fantasies about driving a black Mercedes — sedan/E class — love those big family cars. But I just can’t break down and make the purchase with my hard-earned cash. Nor do I want a car or lease payment.

So when I’m feeling weak and on the edge of making an impulse buy… I try and go back to the basics and read a few reminders from the experts.

Smart Money asked the question: How much extra are you paying for that new-car smell? According to Philip Reed, consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, “If you lease a new $20,000 car for three years, and then turn it in and lease another car for two years, the total tab comes to about $32,000.”

“The cost of buying and maintaining a new $20,000 car for five years, meanwhile, is just $25,000, after you factor in the residual value of the vehicle. Buy the same car used, and your five-year costs drop to $16,000. The bottom line? Buying a pair of used cars every five years instead of leasing can save $31,500 over the decade. You’ll save even more by avoiding SUVs that burn cash for fuel.”

Okay, I’m feeling better now. Smart Money had another article by Stacey L. Bradford. She writes, “Feel like your car owns you rather than the other way around? Join the club. While personal-finance experts say people’s auto expenses shouldn’t exceed 20% of their household budget, many folks spend at least 30% on their autos.”

Here are five ways that she suggests to tap the brakes on your auto expenses:

1. Be a Savvy Buyer
2. Get the Cheapest Financing Available
3. Cut Your Auto-Insurance Costs
4. Fix Your Car Only When It’s Broken
5. Save on Fuel

Find details on each here. In the meantime, I’m heading to the gym in my Volvo.