Should I get a nice car as a new LPN/LVN?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I have a long story but I will cut it short. I have been a web designer/programmer since I was 14. I am 30 years old now. I have been saving my money for a very long time.

Now over 15 years later I am driving a cheap car. I have money saved up to buy a new bmw and it wont really hurt me economically at all. Would it look bad as a newly graduate LPN?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I will have to think hard. Maybe I should buy a small house instead and keep my current car.

I will think about it lol

That would be the most prudent thing to do. :yes:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The only time I'd be concerned about what a nurse drives is if the nurse drove a heorifice. That might cause some raised eyebrows. I'd think it was really funny. But I'm not everybody.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in retired LTC.
The only time I'd be concerned about what a nurse drives is if the nurse drove a heorifice. That might cause some raised eyebrows. I'd think it was really funny. But I'm not everybody.
Had a hippy-type neighbor who drove a heorifice! :roflmao:

The only problem you might have with a beamer is where you might park it. You wouldn't want an envious or PO'd someone taking a set of keys or a Louisville slugger to do some impromptu self expression to it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

Methinks someone is tooting his own horn.:)

Perfectly ok in my book.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know CNAs who drive mustangs. I know nursing students who drive sports cars. Honestly? At your age it could be your spouse that brings home all the money as far as any coworkers could be concerned. Or you could have received a recent inheritance. I don't think people judge people based off what they drive that often. I plan on driving a regular nondescript SUV and hatchback the rest of my life so if something breaks down after 10 years of ownership, there will be plenty of them to get spare parts from. I live in an area where I need 4 wheel drive during the winter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
To the OP: if you really want the shiny BMW, go ahead and get it.

Although I have enough money saved to buy perhaps five new BMW 300 series cars with cash, I choose to drive two used vehicles that are paid for. It's a personal decision that translates into more freedom for me.

Your previous posts indicate that you dislike your job as an LVN. If I disliked my job, the last thing I would do is keep myself trapped by plunking a boatload of money into a luxury car that will depreciate in value. I choose to drive cheap vehicles and invest my money into things that will appreciate in value in the long run: real estate, stocks, etc.

My freedom is more important than a fancy car, or expensive jewelry, or designer duds. Without debt such as a car payment, I feel free. I am free to quit any job I dislike. I am free to cut back to one shift per week if I am feeling burnout. I am free to be me because, without the ball and chain of consumer debt, a weight has been lifted.

People are trapped into staying at their crappy jobs due to financial obligations. Many of these obligations arise because of consumerism. The less you consume, the more free you'll be. If the cheap car you currently have gets you from point A to point B, why not keep it?

Man was I hoping someone would chime in with this.

Do you have money saved for about 6 months worth of expenses should you lose that new LVN job? Are all of your credit cards/student loan debt paid off?

You are, I'm sure, aware that as soon as you drive that BRAND NEW BMW off the lot id depreciates by like 13% right? If you are completely out of debt and have no debt and still feel the need for a brand new car that is that pricey, go ahead. If not, why not get a used car, and put the rest in MMA's or an IRA? Then you can let that money work for you and you will have the luxury of retiring comfortably early and you can buy what ever car you want! Live frugally now, so you can life comfortable later. No one wants to work because they HAVE to when they get to retirement age!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC.
This strikes me as a post simply to brag about buying a new BMW - hence the pictures.

Honest advice - don't buy it. BMWs are douche cars, and the 300 series is the entry level that people who can't really afford luxury cars buy, despite it not really being much of a luxury car. I test drove one and was very underwhelmed by it. I also think buying a car outright is a poor investment, especially if it takes a huge chunk of your savings.

I would recommend leasing a luxury car if that's what you want. The Infiniti G37x (which is what I drive, and it is miles ahead of the BMW 300 series) is currently being phased out for the new Infiniti Q50. Because of this, dealers are practically throwing them at people. You can pretty much lease one with an MSRP of 47-50K for about $260 per month at this point. Do that for 2-3 years, save up more money and see if you are comfortable in your job, and then if you want you can lease another or buy something, then do it. I wouldn't waste that much money now as a new grad LPN though - you have no idea what may happen (you quit, fired, etc). You might need that money.

This!

Btw OP BMWs are plagued with mechanical issues, and in my neck of the woods it's a bigger status symbol to own a Prius than a BMW any day.

Lol, buy a house buy a car, buy whatever you want it's your money and none of anybody else's business.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.
I will have to think hard. Maybe I should buy a small house instead and keep my current car.

I will think about it lol

You've spent years scrimping & saving, now you will be graduating.

Of Course you want to go out and treat yourself to something nice!

However a car is a depreciating asset and instead of the risk of buyers remorse 6 months from now...why not do something nice (but less extravagent) for yourself now..wait 6 months (or at least till your probationary period is over) and then decide if you want to drop a years take home pay on a car or not.

Lots of gently used certified pre-drivens out there BTW.

And don't forget to price the insurance first too, and yearly licensing fees if you live in a state that charges by the value of the car.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

If you want to waste your money on repairs, sure. That new car will look pretty sitting in the dealer's repair shop.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

Unless I had a roof over my head and a plan for retirement , I would probably not get a car with high insurance requirements and low gas mileage .but I'd would get a new one if I was finished with school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you have some extra funds on hand, seek out investment advice. Retirement savings. Heck, even a 'Rainy Day' fund; no one's employment is a sure thing nowadays. A new car is a very poor investment (regardless of how it "looks" to anyone).

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Why do you want a BMW anyway? Is it your dream car, is there something about having a cheap car that bothers you? If your set on getting a BMW I would get a 5 series, a 3 series like someone else has mentioned is more of an entry level BMW.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment