Currently, I own three, paid-for automobiles, a 2001 Accord, a 2000 Town and Country, and a 1994 F150.  Here’s my plan to replace my automobiles, over time, and always pay with cash.

I plan to save about $10,000 by 2009 and use that money to purchase a newer, used minivan to replace the Town and Country.  (By selling the current Town and Country for a couple thousand dollars, I will have between $10,000-$13,000 to spend on a nice, new-to-us, dependable van.)  By 2011, I will have saved an additional $10,000 so that I can replace the Accord.  (Again, I can sell the Accord for a couple thousand dollars and add that money to my savings, and then I can purchase a nice, used car.)  I plan to drive the old truck “until it falls apart” and I will only replace it if absolutely necessary.  I will continue this “saving money-selling current automobile-buying used” process over and over.

Two years ago, we purchased the minivan for less than $8,000 and we LOVE it.  I just cannot IMAGINE buying a new car.  For less than $10K, we have a very dependable, very reliable, easy-to-insure, minivan.  I have a good friend who is a mechanic, and he’s cool about giving any perspective purchase a thorough “once-over”.

I realize that the cost of automobiles (and all goods and services) will go up over time, but so will my salary.  So, instead of $10K, I might need to save $12K or $15K.  Either way, the basic plan is to save up some cash, drive my current automobile until I am ready to make a purchase, sell the current automobile, and replace it with a clean, reliable, affordable used car.

How about you?  Do you plan to pay cash for your next car?  If so, will it be a “new” car or a “used” car?