<prompt> Human: About a year and a half ago, I began looking for a new car. After weeks of research and test driving, I ended up deciding between a MINI Countryman S All4 and a VW Golf TDI. Ultimately, I chose the MINI because the previous few winters, I was making lots of trips to Lake Tahoe and wanted the AWD for the snow. Ive had the MINI for 13 months now and put 22,500 mi on it. Due to a much increased work schedule, Ive only made two trips to Tahoe, and neither has required much use of the AWD system. I have several friends with TDIs and they love them. I had the opportunity to drive one on a road trip this past weekend, and the mileage was excellent mid- to high- 40s mpg while cruising at 75 mph, compared to mid-30s while driving at 65 in the MINI.Quick numbers: Total cost of MINI including TTL, etc: 33,165.55 Amount left on loan: 18,295.01The Kelley Blue Book trade-in value for my MINI is 24,700, and the Golf TDI Im looking at was around 27,000. If I can get a reasonable trade-in value maybe 24k?, should I trade in the MINI for a Golf TDI?My thoughts are this: I mostly drive highway miles, so a 40 increase in fuel efficiency is not insignificant. The reason for buying the MINI was the AWD, which I havent used, and FWD a good set of chains is basically just as good in most snow.Heres where my logic may be seriously flawed: If I can a good trade-in value, then Im only paying a couple grand TTL for a new car, and Ill have gotten to drive a new car for the last year. I will have learned a lesson for the future about what recognizing what I actually need vs what I think I need in a car albeit a kinda-expensive lesson, but not too bad in the long runI was planning on driving the MINI for 7-10 years, and if I trade it in, Im planning on driving the Golf for 7-10 years. So, is this a crazy decision or a sound future decision?  <response>: So right now you owe 18000 on a car, and you want to know whether I think you should get a newer car and then owe 21000?No, I dont. Thats a crazy lot of money to owe on a vehicle. 