I splurged today: A massive impulse purchase.

So, I bought a new car today -- a 2017 Toyota Prius Two. Now I'm regretting it. LITERALLY, I came up with the idea 1 day ago to buy a new car, and I didn't even look at dealerships to compare cars. I was like, "huh, won't a Prius be nice?" I literally walked into a dealership blindly and bought a car without researching it. Pretty much an impulse purchase.

I already have an SUV that I bought brand new in 2014, but it's a huge gas guzzler, so I can't deal with filling up the tank twice a week just to go to work and run a few errands. It's too expensive @ $45 a refill.

I'm giving the SUV to my parents since their car is conking out on them, so that's how I'm getting rid of it. They don't drive far distances like I do, anyway.

I don't know how I feel about the Prius now... In some ways, I really want to keep my SUV because I love it to death and it has AWD for the winter, but at the same time, $90 a week in gas is too much, which makes hybrid cars more appealing.

It's making me feel "down" a bit, like as if I made a huge mistake. I splurged. I didn't think about it. I'm regretting it. But maybe I won't regret it since it won't be $90 a week in gas? Should I wait? What should I do? And now I'm paranoid that I'm going to crash it in the winter. I don't even know why I'm paranoid.

Enjoy it.

The Prius is a sweet car. When I saw the title of your thread I thought, "Oh, darn! bluebicycle really screwed up!" I've made EXTREMELY stupid impulse buys when manic! Your purchase sounds practical...It will probably save you money in the long run. Maybe your parents will offer to give you a few bucks for your SUV? I know it's a gift, but if they were to offer a token amount that might make you feel better about the new "practical car!"

Little front wheel drive cars (i.e. about half the vehicles on the road, including mine) do fine in the winter with an all season radial or similar (just not those tricycle treads that come on some cars). The weight is over the drive wheels. I used to drive a rear wheel drive pickup and I hated being on the road in winter weather.

You will save a ton of money over time. I don't think it's a bad purchase. Plus you helped your parents.

I believe, by law, you have 72 hours to reverse a major purchase, as in a new car.

If you wish to reverse it, do it asap.

Think it through.


WC

I agree with WC ....

But if you really are okay with it then enjoy the new care smell

Wild Coyote's suggestion is brilliant! I wasn't aware of that law. I know it will be a stressful decision in the short-term, but his suggestion will make you feel better about your decision in the longterm. Good luck!

This ^^^

My brother in law drove Prius for years. It’s a good car. He bought a truck on a whim after that and got rid of it because the gas was draining his cash. $90 per week does seem like a lot of money for gas.

At least it was a practical move. You seem unhappy though.

How are you feeling about it now?

I purchased a Buick encore on a whim a few years back. I needed a car due to divorce complications but I really should have slowed down and thought myself through it. No one was there to slow me down and about a month after purchasing it, I regretted it. Last Christmas, I almost traded it in for a more expensive car payment. Thankfully, the car dealership backed out of the agreed upon price after I went home to sleep on the deal. Since then, my therapist has walked me through returning some smaller, impulsive purchases. I returned one or two items simply because I'd bought them while manic and later purchased a similar item (for less money) while stable. I agree with WC. Return it, think about it, do your research, and if you later end up with the same car, you will feel better about the purchase.

I've been misunderstood.

I am not advising Blue return her purchase unless she is not sure she wants the car deal she was offered. I am simply stating she has some rights should she wish to rescind the offer acceptance (her purchase).

If you are happy with your purchase, by all means, enjoy it!

I hope the car payment won't mess up your qualifying for your housing goals.


WC

Laws are different in every state regarding car purchase/return agreements. If you’re really regretting it, you could see if there is a MA buyer’s regret law.

Oh by the way, I’m in Boston at the moment. If I see you in your Prius I’ll wave. You’ll know it’s me, because the only thing Boston drivers wave is the finger.

One of the easiest ways to check is to contact your State Attorney General's Office, Consumer Division.

WC

Where I am I don't think it is 72 hours and you can get gouged pretty good for a days use.

I agree with WC. If you are feeling bad and really regretting it, look into returning it. If not, really enjoy having a new car and saving so much money on gas (which could make the car payment for you).