Gauging whether you can afford a particular auto is best left up to you. It’s not the place to be swayed by a car salesman with his own interests at heart. Figuring out whether you can afford a car or not is probably a moot point. Most people can’t afford not to own a vehicle. With America designed around the automobile, it’s the most efficient way to bring home the groceries, get back and forth to work, and conduct the business of life.

So, you probably can’t afford to be without the most basic transportation model. Whether to include all the accessories available on the contemporary vehicle is another question altogether. If you’re not sure what you can afford without a car refinance, take a long look at your true needs. Is it completely necessary to have fully motorized seat controls? They’re handy, but you probably still move your kitchen chairs around by hand. Same with the rear view mirrors – those electric motors that make them easier to adjust simply cost a lot more than the hand-adjustable types.

If you’re on the fence about what you can afford in the vehicular realm, approach the car buying process with the same minimalism in mind that you use to decorate your house in the present minimalist style. You can always have fun explaining the tie between the two ideas to anyone who questions your ability to buy a shiny new car. You don’t even have to explain that you saved a bundle on the purchase price by scrimping on the unnecessary accessories. They probably won’t even notice!