Vehicles are major purchases that often take years to pay off, which is why so many committed couples decide to shop for cars together. One partner’s impulsive car purchase could wreck the household’s finances for the foreseeable future. However, when you see your fantasy car come onto the market, it is only obvious that you must have it right away, no hesitation and no argument.
Still, there is a way to procure the vehicle of your dreams without upsetting your partner — or her checkbook. Find out how by reading on.
Explain Your Vehicle Priorities in Advance
Whenever you recognize that a relationship might develop into something long-term and serious, you should begin discussing with your partner any concrete goals you may secretly harbor — especially if these goals may impact your finances in a significant way. If your partner knows how important owning a particular vehicle is to you, he or she will likely be more understanding when the time comes to make such a substantial purchase. Alternatively, if your partner laughs or disagrees with this deeply held fantasy, you may be better off finding someone more apt to support your dreams. Admittedly, for many couples, it might be a little late for this step, but open and honest communication can start at any time in a relationship.
Be Sensible in Your Dreams — and Explanations
While everyone daydreams about owning a Bugatti, the price tag of such a high-end ride gives even one percenters pause. If your vehicle dreams are outrageously luxurious, you may want to reconsider your dreams before approaching your partner. There are plenty of exhilarating sports vehicles from reputable carmakers that don’t cost 10 years’ worth of combined salaries. For example, the Dodge Viper has sharp lines and a sonorous engine that makes any gearhead swoon, and while you might expect to pay more for such a fantastic set of wheels, you won’t make any car salespeople laugh derisively when you arrive at the dealership to make an offer.
In the same vein, you shouldn’t expect to convince your partner of your dream car’s merits with flimsy arguments like “beautiful design” and “cool reputation.” Many luxury cars have plenty of enviable features, including smoother rides and better gas economy. If you come to your partner with real data, he or she will be much more likely to listen.
Compromise, or “Compromise”
A partnership should be completely equal, which means any big purchase you both make should make both of you equally happy. You should be willing to give up certain features (or makes and models) in order to compromise on a car that will please you both.
Then again, as the saying goes: A good compromise leaves both sides unhappy. If you really are angling for the car of your dreams, it might be wise to weigh the odds in your favor by starting with a ridiculous vehicle and negotiating to what you hoped for before deliberations began. For example, if you beg for an unsafe, uncomfortable, uneconomical vehicle, your partner will likely be relieved to acquiesce to your true fantasy ride, which is probably better in all three categories.
Negotiate With One of His/Her Dreams
Believe it or not, your partner has something he or she wants desperately, too — it just might not be the dream car that infatuates you. Perhaps there is a piece of jewelry he or she has always wanted but avoided splurging on for the sake of your joint finances, or maybe he or she has an expensive hobby that he or she doesn’t indulge in due to the cost. No matter what your partner is passionate about, you can use it to leverage your partner’s vote for your dream car.
Be Respectful
After all your research and presentation, it is entirely possible that your partner remains unconvinced and refuses to agree to the purchase of your dream car. Your impulse may be to ignore his or her wishes and drive it home from the dealer anyway, but this is a terrible mistake. Any financial decision of this magnitude must be agreed upon by both parties, and if you act without unanimous consent, you are asking for a rocky road ahead. Instead, if your partner voices dissent to your dreams, you should suck it up and wait it out; eventually, he or she may come around, and you want to be on your best behavior until he or she does.
