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In 2007, I bought a brand new Toyota Camry. I treated it like a baby and it only has 79,000 miles on it. Except for a few minor scratches and door dings, it runs perfect. It has been a truly dependable car that I still very much love.

All my life though I always wanted a convertible. A couple weeks ago I came across one that I just had to have! It’s a 2013 Chrysler 200 with 19,000 miles. Still smells like new. (Although I loved buying my Camry, will never buy new/new again)

The payments on my Toyota were $415 a month and I paid that off a couple years ago. However, since then, I have been putting those payment amounts in a savings account. I used that money for the down payment on the Chrysler and financed the remaining $4,500 over 30 months. My payments are less than half of what the Camry was.

My plan the entire time has been to keep both cars with my Camry being my primary source of transportation and the Chrysler as my “weekend” fun car. Well, since I have had the Chrysler, I have driven my Camry twice. I tell myself every morning to drive the Camry to work but somehow my ass winds up in the Chrysler. Perhaps the excitement of the new car hasn't worn off yet.

My question is -- Should I just give up the ghost and sell the Camry?

Pros for keeping: Better gas mileage. Complete car history known. Toyota’s are a wonderfully made car. Title free. More convenient when it comes to back seat passengers and great trunk room. All weather vehicle. Great in snow.

Cons for keeping: All mostly financial -- Insurance premium doubled. Another Sirius satellite subscription. Another annual personal property tax fee. DMV fees.

If I sell the Camry I’ll be able to pay off the Chrysler loan, pay off a 401K loan (small $) and pocket about $3K. The longer I wait to sell the Camry the less money I’ll get when I sell it. I have no idea how the Chrysler will be in snow (not that it snows all that much here) and when the top is down there is virtually no trunk room. But I guess if I do need the trunk room the top stays up. And mechanically, there are mixed reviews on Chryslers. I don’t beat up my cars or put a lot of miles on them so maybe this shouldn’t be too much of an issue?

I am financially able to keep both without struggling but are my reasons for keeping both a valid enough reason for the spending the extra money? So, what would you do?

Sell Camry?

Keep Camry?

[This message edited by IrishGirlVA at 11:55 AM, August 18th (Monday)]

I'd ask other convertible owners how warm they were driving a convertible in the winter time. I can't see it being as well insulated. Also if you are the only driver and if the convertible is a fun car then you probably can shift the milage balance to see if the new rate still fits. The DMV you are on your own with but I suspect the convertible runs that pretty high because of it's age.

Is the gas mileage difference big? How long is your commute?

Can you delay your decision until you've been through a winter to see how the Chrysler handles?

I'd ask other convertible owners how warm they were driving a convertible in the winter time.

Yes, I will definitely do that. Thank you. Only other convertible owner I know is my parents and they live in Florida. No help there. But I will Google to see what I can find out!

Is the gas mileage difference big? How long is your commute?

My commute is minimal. 12 miles one way and I take all back roads. The gas mileage on Camry is 21/30/24 (city, highway, combined) The Chrysler is 18/27/21. I guess not too bad.

Can you delay your decision until you've been through a winter to see how the Chrysler handles?

Yes, I think that may be the best route to take. Personal prop taxes aren't due for another 6 months so that won't be an expense until Spring.

I've just been thinking about this the past few days because the poor Camry is just sitting in my driveway looking sad and neglected. I know it's just a car but it means a lot to me, too.

I also have a history of being financially irresponsible (20's to mid 30's) and don't want to fall back into that pattern either.

I'd probably keep the Camry as long as it was fully paid for - in your case, it is.

I think once the weather gets cooler and the "new-ness" of the new car wears off, you will go back to driving the Camry more and this will probably become the "weekend" car you intended it to be.

The trouble is that cars like to be driven. If they're not driven and not set up to be stored, they get sick pretty quick.

Seeing if you like the ragtop during winter is a good idea.

The Camry may be a great car normally, but if you let it sit, this particular one won't be. If you keep it, your best bet is to put miles on it.

T/J -

I've always loved convertibles. My Dad actually bought one - a '67 fire engine red Pontiac Bonneville. Right after W & I got married. Boy, was I pissed! Funny, I got over it pretty quick, though - something about my W....

I've always been too cheap to buy a convert of my own. They conflict with one of my bigger goals - for my hifi system + music always to be worth more than any car I ever own....

End T/J

I have a convertible and in the winter time I cannot tell I'm driving a convertible. No leaks, no cold air coming in anywhere and a normal headliner.

Sell the camry. You're in Virginia, not Alaska.

After you sell it, do the same thing, and bank the extra money - that's a really good plan.

We had a Sebring. It was front wheel drive, warm enough in the winter and fine in the snow.

Just FYI.

I agree with sisoon. If you're not driving the Camry and it's sitting, it's not only depreciating, it's rotting.... cars really do need to be driven.

Sell the Camry and pocket the money!!

Tires make all the difference on how a car handles in the snow. A set of snow tires will make a car go from un-driveable in the snow to unstoppable

Funny! My neighbor has an Avalon that is fully paid for, dependable and in great shape. About 2 years ago, she bought a limited edition, brand new, orange-red camaro convertible with black racing stripes. Beautiful car! This time of year (we're in NE) she uses the camaro almost exclusively, but for rainy days, and in the winter (with all the salt on the frozen roads, and the ice, don't want to hurt the camaro) she switches back to mainly driving the Toyota. She loves having the choice. And for longer trips, the Toyota is much more comfortable, and gets much better gas mileage.

car go from un-driveable in the snow to unstoppable

Yup. That's what I'm always afraid of when driving in the snow....

Hmm...maybe I missed the point....