So long story short,
Back in Fall 2006 I bought my first car. I’d had cars before, but these were all loaners from my parents, all used, and I paid them monthly for the lease. By 2006, I’d been in my first professional job for a year and a half and was ready to buy something nice for myself. One of my dad’s clients is a Ford dealer, and he let me spec out and order exactly what I wanted - this Vista Blue 2007 Mustang GT beauty. I’ve had it for just over six years now, 50k miles. Great car. No problems, only a bit of minor body work when I accidentally backed into a concrete post at work. Finished paying it off a year or two ago.
Well, when it came in, my dad was smitten. He’s always loved pony cars, still has a sweet Barracuda in storage. He was so smitten he immediately ordered one for himself - nearly the same, he got a 2007 Mustang GT, California Special. Redfire paint, for him. The California Special package has a few cosmetic upgrades over my standard, plus a slightly different gear ratio, I believe. He keeps it in my garage over the winter (it’s out there right now.) Here are some photos; these aren’t my dad’s actual car, they are internet search images. But the car in the photos is pretty much exactly the same as my dad’s car. Now, as much as he loves his car, it probably wasn’t his smartest buy (though he can easily afford it.) He won’t drive it in the winter, and even when it’s warm and dry my mother refuses to ride in it (low seats, she can’t see over the dash, gets panicky, etc.) So in the same 6 years, where I’ve put 50k miles on my Mustang, he’s put 5k miles on his. Now that he’s a full-fledged partner in his firm, he’s figuring he needs a more grown-up car, so he’s looking at luxury sedans. He’s found one he wants to buy, and here comes the proposition:
Dad: “I was thinking - why don’t I give you my Mustang, you give me yours, and I trade yours in. Mine’s a bit better, and it has much lower mileage and use. You’ll get more for mine when you decide to sell.”
Hmm.
He’s probably right. From a pure financial standpoint, I’d be getting a nearly identical car for my own, with much less wear, mileage and a few cosmetic upgrades. On the other hand…I dunno, man. This is my car, my first car. I love the paint (blue is my color), and I dunno, I just kinda feel hesitant about tossing it on the trade heap. There’s really no pressure on me - my dad has told me doesn’t mind either way, he just thinks this would be a little financial/auto boost for me. But I’ve got maybe three days to decide.
I’m kinda leaning one way (I won’t say which.) I’m just wondering if any Dopers have an opinion on value vs. sentimentality in this case.
