There was a time when I wouldn’t think I was saying it, but owning a luxury vehicle was a dream come true. The beautiful design, leather seats, high-end features, and the looks of envy (or admiration) from
people walking by made my head swell with success. However, over time, I began to realize that the price of keeping up with luxury was not just monetary; it was emotional and mental. That was when I made an incredible life decision: I sold my luxury vehicle and bought a cheap, used beater. Here’s why that was the best decision I’ll ever make.
The Hidden Costs of Luxury Vehicles
When people think of luxury cars, they think of comfort, all the frills and performance. What they don’t tend to consider is the expense that comes with that comfort. My luxury sedan required premium fuel, costly maintenance and expensive insurance. Minor repairs were still in the thousands of rupees. I paid more to have a brake pad installed than what a basic used car would have cost in full.
Every month, a significant portion of my income was going towards maintaining a lifestyle I could scarcely afford. I was living paycheck to paycheck while attempting to keep my car — and my image — alive.
The Wake-Up Call
One evening, after spending nearly ₹40,000 on a basic repair, I sat down and worked out my true annual spend on my car. Between EMIs, insurance, fuel, and maintenance it was nearly untied to my annual rent. That’s when it all hit me. I wasn’t driving a car; my car was driving my decisions.
That night I started looking around classified sites for something simple, cheap, and reliable. I was no longer concerned about how it looked. I just needed something that would get me from point A to B without destroying my accounts.
Buying the Budget Beater
After a few days of searching I found a Honda Civic (2003) for ₹1,20,000. The seller was straight with me: high mileage, some minor cosmetic issues, but mechanically sound. I took it for a test drive. No fancy features, no touchscreen, no sunroof – just a working engine, and the A/C was cold. I bought it that day.
Life After Luxury
At first switching to a budget car felt odd. I no longer had to look at traffic lights, automatic seats, and surround sound; but the peace of mind I gained was worth it. I decreased my insurance premium by over 60%. Fuel costs were cut in half. If I had to repairs (usually I did not), they were affordable. And I could often do them myself thanks to YouTube.
I started to enjoy driving again. I was no longer stressed about scratching the paint or adding miles on to the car. I didn’t care who was watching and what people thought. I started viewing my car as a tool, not a trophy.
Learning to Fix My Own Car
One uncertainty benefit of owning an older car was learning basic car maintenance. I managed to change the oil, performed an air filter change and a broke taillight was fixed – all on my own. These little wins gave me confidence and saved me money. If I had a luxury car, I probably would never want to open the hood of it. Now I wasn’t afraid to get my hands dirty.
Freedom Over Flash
My basic car gave me the one thing my expensive car never could – freedom. I could save money, invest, and live comfortably, without worrying about my car draining my income.
Most importantly, I stopped keeping up with the Joneses. I learned quickly, a car doesn’t define success. My worth is not determined by how shiny my car is but how well I am managing my life.
What I Gained by Downgrading
- Extra savings every month
- Lower insurance and maintenance costs
- Less stress and fewer financial burdens
- More time to focus on real priorities
- A renewed sense of confidence and independence
Conclusion: Was It Worth It?
For sure. When I gave up my luxury car it wasn’t just a tactical move: it was a life philosophy. I traded ego for ease, stress for savings, and illusions for honesty. Now I have a car that most people would completely pass by — but it is freedom, simplicity, and rational living for me.
So if you are fixated on maintaining your image as an expensive car owner, you might want to ask yourself: is it worth it? Sometimes the most logical action isn’t acquiring a better vehicle — it is de-acquiring a better fate.
