For the record...I agreed with Albeeno's 4th point; all but the last line....I read back through the thread and saw your earlier posts from July and understood you had commented earlier....

I think there's validity in many approaches...I believe there's a "live beyond your means mentality" that's run rampant in the U.S. and it can't be good. I also believe there's a time and a place for debt. I'd say the time and place for financial mistakes is early 20's before kids, of course. I started early so I didn't get to incur tons-o-debt like most; I got job, a savings account and little sleep.

As for worse ways to incur 40K in debt...he could be addicted to drugs or gambling...so sure's there's worse ways to incur debt....from a pragmatist's approach 32K is a lot for a toy-car....you don't buy these types of car for practical reasons, you derive pleasure from them because they are decadent and you shouldn't buy if you're being responsible. That's the lure. My parents house in VA was purchased on 5 acres of land and the house built for 10K in 1972, what did a Chally go for? 3K? for a pretty hot one? Thats one third of a decent sized house w/ some good land...arguably that would have been an irresponsible ride to purchase.....but people did it, and had the stories for the rest of their lives....

There's no rational explanation on why one should or shouldn't make this kind of purchase...many more arguments why you shouldn't (and that's what makes it so enticing) it lures for all the wrong reasons......

if you make mistakes when you're young and you have the right programming (work ethic, character, faith) you can rebound from everything.....is it sound or prudent? No. It's not even sound or prudent at a stage where it can be afforded...what it is is fun...and if you're not causing any pain to anyone else or permanent damage to yourself, my philosophy is make your mistakes when you can....like day trading in your 20's and Mutual funds in 30's 40's 50's and leveling out w/ bonds and high interest savings account beyond......humans are resilient; it is how we created.

The whole question is a real Johnathan Swift exercise (little endians and big endians). I don't believe there's a right answer....I believe the original poster is fantasizing and trying to get the gumption or intestinal fortitude to make that mistake...and again...not all mistakes are bad....education (real education) can be derived from a series of mistakes....as long as they don't involve anything real....(family, health, crime being real, I don't find money to be one necessarily, you can always find enough if you have the right attitude and don't let it determine your happiness)......a hard charger can bounce back from most anything....I think I've crafted another painfully prolix post...I need to sleep...and find some news on the Chally!

Evenin' Gents.