I Got A First Car!

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
10/26/2013 at 14:26 • Filed to: First car, happy, Oppo, Honda, Civic, New

Yes! It is finally over! The first car hunt is over! We agreed on a compromise to lease a new casr since the criteria was not possible (so I have to thank you all for your responses to my previous article since it proved them it was nearly impossible.)

I ended up with a 2013 Honda Civic LX in Polished Metal Metallic (my favorite color). This one has 5 miles on it currently. Yes, it is somewhat boring. Yes, it isn't very fun to drive. Yes, it is not very Jalop. It doesn't have a manual transmission. It has an ECON button (remind me to cover up that button so it never gets touched). But I don't care. It is a nice, new car that for my three year lease, will do very nicely.

Even though its a base model, it has a rear backup camera, bluetooth, airbags, traction control, Pandora, and much more.

All in all, I am very happy. Come Thursday (when i go to pick it up), I will have so many more pictures. I quickly took one on my phone, so it isn't very good. Once it comes home, I will use my good camera and get it on every angle.

Question for you guys: Can I put stickers in the windows? I want to at least put an OPPO sticker in it.

Thanks!

DISCUSSION (56)

More Power!!and also some brakes. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:31

That is awesome! Congrats on the car!

ddavidn > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:32

Hey, nice solid car. You could do a lot worse for a first ride.

Tom McParland > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:32

Stickers on the windows should be no problem especially if it is side windows. Also to make more fun LS swap with RWD conversion. :) j/k this is a great first car!

lepie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:32

Hey man,

Congratulations! May your mileage be favorable and your roads full of twisties. Nice car. I like the color.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > More Power!!and also some brakes.
10/26/2013 at 14:33

Thanks! I was so happy! I spent so much time getting quotes on everything from the Dart to the Veloster to the Elantra to the Impreza. This was the best deal and the dealer is right around the corner from me. Very happy!

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:34

Dang man. My first car had 30k miles on it was was owned by my grandmother before me. So you know it wasn't jalop.

Congrats on your first new new car. Make lots of memories in it.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Tom McParland
10/26/2013 at 14:34

Well, I saw a '04 Nascar Monte Carlo SS and it occurred to me: there is nothing more brilliant than a FWD V8 car. I propose a 5.3 from a LaCrosse Super for this particular car.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > ddavidn
10/26/2013 at 14:36

Thanks. I (we) got so tired of Craigslist. Every casr on there under BY OWNER was from some flipper. I don't trust them. I don't trust shady small dealers.

This is new. From a real dealer. You cannot beat it. It is much nicer than the competition and I will look good driving it.

GhostZ > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:37

Kinja'd!!!

I'll be the devil's advocate here... I still have strong reservations against getting a brand new car for a first car (especially if you're not paying for it yourself). It's not financially sound and it's indicative of a lot if bad things. Same with leasing.

That being said, worry less about Oppo approving your car, and worry more about driving it well and taking good care of it since you're going to lose your ass on depreciation. If you have brake dust on the inside of your wheels (either from bad braking, following too close, or not washing the car) you're doing something wrong.

You'll also be the hate and jealousy of 99% of the rest of the first-car-buying population who are currently in mid-90s Corollas.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Tom McParland
10/26/2013 at 14:37

Thats what I thought. Its Vinyl, it should come off easily, otherwise I have some oops. I want to personalize it a little bit.

lepie > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/26/2013 at 14:37

lol, FWD V8. Smoke and mirrors. Mostly smoke. BYO trailer ... full of spare tires.

ddavidn > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:38

Yup.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > lepie
10/26/2013 at 14:38

Thanks... I loved the color too. They had six on the lot, three silver, a white, a red, and this. I wanted this before I even saw the inventory. In the sun, it shines really nicely.

lepie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:40

Be sure to put some video up. That's a very nice first ride! My first car was a euro minivan with a 130 hp engine (ugh) lol.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > GhostZ
10/26/2013 at 14:41

I understand completley. I'll be paying for over half of it, and all the insurance on it. I didn't really want a new car, but doing the math, it is only slightly more money than getting some older used car.

Sadly, I'm in a more wealthy area where the majority of kids have newer cars. Ironically, the most common car is a Chevy Cavalier.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
10/26/2013 at 14:43

Thank you. I look foward to it. I have to share this with my grandma so that is why it is kinda boring. But it is nice, new, clean, and will be perfect for my needs

Rainbow > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:43

Not bad at all! I think I had one of the most Jalop-worthy first cars I could have found, aside from its auto tranny, leaky canvas top, and 90-hp engine. 1988 Mustang for $600 plus about $200 more to keep it running. Sold later for $800 after wrecking the starter. (It leaked oil like crazy. On my last day of high school, I was super excited to be done so I forgot to check the oil before heading out. After a while I noticed I was running the car almost dry, so I put as much as I had in and continued on. It was still running kind of rough, though, so I decided to head straight home and/or to a Wal-Mart that was on the way for more oil. It was still about five miles to said Wal-Mart, though, and I caught every red light. Each time, the engine seized up and I was barely able to get it started again. Eventually, just half a mile away, I heard a loud snap and the car just refused to start altogether. That was the last time I ever drove it.)

So anyway, my point here is that a brand new car is going to be so much less of a headache for you! It may not be the most exciting thing out there, but it's at least going to work.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > lepie
10/26/2013 at 14:44

Ironically, this only makes 140. Not a lot, but it did move a bit.

lepie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:45

Yeah but this is about half the weight, lol. Auto or manual?

EDIT: whoops, i should've read a bit before asking.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Rainbow
10/26/2013 at 14:45

Thats exactly what I thought. Some of these used car sellers lie, or have problems they don't know about. This has full warranty and will be great since I don't need to do any maintence. For my next car, I plan on getting something more fun and crazy. but this needs to easily get me to school and work.

Milky > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:46

Tisk tisk, you're missing out on your "beater car" experience.

Which is probably for the better, enjoy it and keep it shinny side up!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > lepie
10/26/2013 at 14:46

There is nothing more post-'90s 'Murica than a FWD V8 crapbasket!

Kinja'd!!!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > lepie
10/26/2013 at 14:46

Yeah, that bit is true. Automatic. But if you put it in some sport mode, it makes it shift rather late. You can eek power out of it.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Milky
10/26/2013 at 14:47

Haha. I plan on getting some beater next. After this three year lease, I'll be 18 and can get something rather dumb and quirky. This needs to get me to school and work. I don't have time for headaches.

Rainbow > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:48

Yeah, definitely. Used cars are so much of a gamble unless you personally know the seller. That Civic of yours is pretty damn perfect, I'd say.

lepie > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:48

You're gonna have a lot of fun with it, i'm sure. Treat her right. Don't do brakestands. It's okay to pull the e-brake, but only on parking lots. Practice parallel parking, etc, etc yada yada.

You'll just floor it like we all did, lol.

Niquemarshall > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:52

Congrats man! Keep it clean!

Sn210 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:56

Congrats! I bought a new Civic back in '08. It's been great to me, so you shouldn't be disappointed. It's not very quick, but you can always look into swapping some Si bit. I did the rear sway bar and it made a little difference in the handling. Have fun!

mattoverdrive > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 14:58

Congrats! Sticker it up if you want, just don't go too crazy with putting them on the body; if you turn it in after the lease I don't know if the dealer would have an issue with the stickers or not.

$kaycog > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:04

Congrats! It's lovely. Oppo sticker is very much in order.

GhostZ > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:13

How did you work the math, and what do you consider "slightly older?"

2013 Civic LX Lease
0.9 APR,
36 month
@ $160/month (assuming yours looks like this)
$2000 down payment.
MPG:
Depreciation: 100% (assuming you don't buy back your car after 3 years)
Average MPG (assume you drive 10000 miles a year): 32
Gallons of gas: 937.5 @ $4 = $3748
Total: $2000 (down payment) + $6278 (monthly payments + interest) + 3748 = $12026 spent in 3 years.

2004 Corvette Z06
used price: $18000.
4.5% APR for 3 year loan, $400 monthly payment
20% down payment ($3600)
Average MPG (assume you drive 10000 miles a year): 22
Gallons of gas: 1363 @ $4 = $5452
Depreciation: ~10% over 3 years, assuming it is daily driven , based off of 2001 Z06 prices)
Expected repair costs compared to a new car ~5% = $900
Total: $3600 (down payment) + $14400 (monthly loan payments) + $2430 (interest) + $5452 (gas) - 16200 (resale after 3 years) + 900 (used car repair difference from new car maintenance)

Total spent after 3 years: $10582

Difference in original MSRP (Corvette adjusted for 2013 dollars):
$58,314.49 - $18000 = 40314.49
Difference in cost:
$10582 - $12026 = -$1444

So, in other words, in order for leasing to be the rational decision...

... you would have to value the peace of mind of a new dealer and a lease system by a greater amount than you would value the difference between a $58000 car and a $18000 car, plus $1444 cash in your pockets .

In other words, someone out there who doesn't care so much about dealer security and safety is rocking a 400HP Corvette for 3 years and is making $1444 in free money by taking a loan out.

So if that is just how important dealer security and peace of mind is to you, by all means, the civic was a good choice. Remember, a lease, like anything, is a product that they're trying to sell you because they think you need it and they can make more money off of you that way. Leases sell well because people put very high values on "peace of mind" or because they don't do their research to know where their money could be going elsewhere, in the same way that a house with a lawn sells higher because people put a high value on the experience of owning a patch of grass or are not informed of alternative living situations out there.

I picked a used a corvette, even if insurance costs are higher (and it's still equivalent up to $40 more a month on insurance), because I wanted to use the most fun car you can get for $18000 right now. That being said, if you pick a car that has better MPG, lower insurance, etc, then the price difference is going to be even larger . Especially if you spend less to begin with. I figured that the Z06 was actually going to come out more expensive, but it didn't, even the Z06, the most gas-guzzling performance car for that money, is still cheaper in the long run.

SonorousSpeedJoe > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:23

Congrats on the new Civic! It's definitely an improvement over the 2012 Civic, and I really like the taillights. The hubcap design looks great, too.

Your boy, BJR > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:26

So.....no spitting on grandma or cross dressing then?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Your boy, BJR
10/26/2013 at 15:28

Hahahahahaha no... That still was one of the best things I read on here in a while.

None of that will be needed!

Michael Ballaban > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:40

Congratulations.

John Norris (AngryDrifter) > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:48

Congratulations! Ah that new car smell. Please watch the road as you enjoy it.

Your boy, BJR > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:55

Shame.......

GhostZ > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 15:57

Also, this:

2005 Civic Sedan
used price: $8000.
4.5% APR for 3 year loan, $154 monthly payment
20% down payment ($1400)
Average MPG (assume you drive 10000 miles a year): 30
Gallons of gas: 1000 @ $4 = $4000
Depreciation: ~7% over 3 years, assuming it is daily driven , based off of 2002 Civic prices)
Expected repair costs compared to a new car ~10% = $700
Total: $1400 (down payment) + $5600 (monthly loan payments) + $945 (interest) + $4000 (gas) - 6510 (resale after 3 years) + 700 (used car repair difference from new car maintenance)

Total spent after 3 years: $6135

So a 2005 Civic is going to put nearly 6000 in your pocket after 3 years. That's two miatas just by driving a 2004 car. I figure the Corvette example might be a bit unrealistic, since it's such a different kind of car. FYI, 2003-2006 was considered some of the best years for the Civic.

BKRM3 > GhostZ
10/26/2013 at 16:03

Oh my lord yes. So much yes. All the yes.

Textured Soy Protein > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 16:39

My girlfriend has the same car. It's pretty decent for what it is. It's certainly better to drive than any CVT-equipped Nissan, for example.

You can try out the ECON button but I'm sure you'll probably hate it. The car's a DOG with it turned on. But for the type of person who intentionally drives slow in spite of the drivers around them getting pissed at them, they probably don't mind the extra slowness.

FYI you can disable the goofy LEDs on the dash that change from green to blue depending on how much gas you're using.

hoosiergooner14 > GhostZ
10/26/2013 at 17:02

Anything other than paying cash for a used car for a 16 year old is crazy. How much is full coverage insurance going to be on this thing? Its got to be outrageous right?

TSLA > GhostZ
10/26/2013 at 18:28

How did you calculate depreciation and all of that?
Is there a website that can do this for me? Im very interested to see what other new cars would come out too, like a 2013 Mustang GT.
Very cool... Never thought new sport cars could be cheap.

GhostZ > TSLA
10/26/2013 at 18:36

I used numbers based on 3-year-older cars. Since the 2004 Corvette Z06 and 2001 Corvette Z06 are (for the most part) mechanically identical, then the difference in price is only in depreciation and age.

For a general rule of thumb, depreciation is usually around 25% for the first year, 20% for the second, 15% after that, and then 10% for the remaining years until it hits the 10 year mark, then it drops down to 5% or less. After 15 years, they usually stop depreciating as vehicle condition becomes far more important than age. At 20-25 years, it will either lose all value (which doesn't happen often, only with shitboxes) or it will start appreciating. This means, usually, the best car deals are around 20-25 years old. Right now those are C4 Corvettes, Porsche 964s, IROC-Z Camaros, FC RX-7s, 300ZX, etc.

Corvettes, Mustang, Camaros, Jeeps, and other 'iconic' vehicles always hold their value better than commuter vehicles.

GhostZ > TSLA
10/26/2013 at 18:39

Oh, and for classic cars, I suggest http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools…

Insurance companies make their entire business around projecting how value of an asset changes over time so they can price ahead of the market. Kelly Blue Book is another source, but it doesn't reflect real market changes and usually has more to do with how many were built and how many have sold recently.

LSXforYourSuperCar > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 20:18

Yes, it isn't very fun to drive.

Trust me, it will be fun to drive. It's small, light and relatively high revving and it is infact your very first car. Let me me tell you, everybody's first car is the most fun car they will ever drive during their entire life. The sole reason million-dollar super/hyper cars exist is the impossible dream of the few who believe that they might recapture some of the joy they felt when they took the wheel of their first car. Enjoy!

Your parents, state and local governments have signed off on you as a potentially competent driver, but understand no matter how high of a horse or house you may or may not come from, you are not a good driver. You are an inexpierenced driver.

You will never be a good driver, nobody in this world can be a "good driver" there are only drivers who "drive good" (well). You have been imbued with the capability to transport yourself to and fro as you like (as an adult should be able) but also an effective means to kill your self and others. A good driver cannot be inherently be "good" but can, at best, only be predisposed to making good-decisions

BrownMiataDieselWagon > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 20:50

Congratulations on your first car!

It's not a Baja, but a very good choice nonetheless!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > LSXforYourSuperCar
10/26/2013 at 20:55

Thank you... it is true... they can be fun to drive.

And that statement is also good. Our drivers ed teacher had a similar statement: "There is no such thing as a good driver. Only drivers who drive good."

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Textured Soy Protein
10/26/2013 at 20:56

Oh thank goodness. I was cracking up during the test drive. They got so "angry" when I stepped on the gas a bit.

ss_lump > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/26/2013 at 21:32

Don't disrespect the Seville...

LSXforYourSuperCar > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/26/2013 at 21:38

Make decisions like you are going to kill, live like you'll you're gonna die...

Wholly-shit! I just wrote rock'n song!

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/27/2013 at 00:14

Damn! brand new car for your first? Shit it must be nice to have money...

Congrats tho man!

I heard with Honda's if you add a wing and fart can you get extra 75hp brah!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > GhostZ
10/30/2013 at 16:08

First, sorry for taking so long to respond. I do feel however that certain things are worth the extra money I will be spending. First, repairs. The 2013 is fully covered by warranty. if I bought an 08, you never know what it could need. (and yes, I see you did work some into it) but some cars are lemons. The 2013 also has full gap insurance. just in case it is totalled, I'm all good. The 2005 wouldn't (or at least not for free). Also, I think of the Top Gear episode when they bought used BMW 3 series convertibles: germs. The 2013 is new. It is clean. Never abused. Any used car can be dirty, even if it looks clean. These are just a few points...

GhostZ > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
10/30/2013 at 20:02

You're completely right, and that's why some people need to buy new cars.

I just think that you should quantify and figure out just how much you're losing by buying those things. Like I said, if $6000 is what you would pay for 3 years of no repair costs, a clean car, having the shiniest model, and not having anything that has been driven by someone else before, than $6000 is your price. As long as you know that and still accept it, that's all that matters. Not knowing, or worse, thinking you know the price when you haven't figured it out, is how you end up with a worse car for more money.

McSchmalex > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
11/02/2013 at 07:37

Most anyone who has a nice car (that they bought with their own money) probably has a list of crap they drive during their younger (poorer) years. I know that is true for me, I drove beater Nissan pickup, a Mazda MX-3 (that burned oil) a Subaru outback (that also burned oil and smelled like wet dog) and then a Honda Civic. The Honda has been my best car by far.

During all of this, I was busting my ass at work and school and couldn't afford somthing nice. I am now the proud owner of a 2014 Audi S4 (manual, sport diff, leather, blutooth, nav, the works) and I bought that sum-bitch with my own damn money.

I'll be honest, I look down on people who have mommy and daddy's money spent on something really nice. Just my two cents.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > McSchmalex
11/02/2013 at 08:52

I understand but honestly I am working my ass off to pay this thing... I got a lease for $199; I'm paying $150 for it... my insurance is $650 ever 6 months; I'm paying $50 a month (so $300 per 6 months), and I put $500 of the $1500 down.

It just sucks that I have to explain this to everyone that asks or judges me. I work at a retirement home every day after high school every day. My free time is gone. I get that same accomplished feeling every time I drive it.

Daddio > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
11/05/2013 at 06:21

Good choice, young man. Safe, reliable, and plenty of fun for a young driver. Be good to it.