Oppo? What am I doing right?

"The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner" (peter-mckee)
10/04/2014 at 01:47 • Filed to: None

How can I do the math and work out that I can afford to buy, run and even (slowly) modify a 240z as a second car when I'm a Freshman in college? I can't find any reason why I can't do this, but it seems illogical haha. I'm only working 25 hours a week as a carpenter, honestly feel like I could be working more, easily enough.

DISCUSSION (11)

bob and john > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 01:49

you may be under estimating how much free time you will have between classes, studying, assignments, reading and so on.

as well as how much time you will need to leave aside for your job. As an engineer, I have like 40 hours of classes a week. then add all og the hmk, sleep, cooking and what not that I need to do, and suddenly i have no freetime left.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 01:55

You're only about a month into college, it gets tougher. I would wait until you finish your first semester, see what your grades are like with the amount of hours you put into school. If your grades are where you want them to be and you feel like you have enough spare time for a project car/more work hours go for it, but I wouldn't rush into a decision when you've only been in school for a month.

TDogg > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 02:08

I'm all for a 2nd car (especially a 240z!) as long as it isn't gonna screw stuff up for you long term. Don't underestimate the time requirements that higher level classes will take. Freshman (and even some Sophomore) classes aren't as demanding as later on.

That doesn't mean it'll be impossible in any way and worst case, you can always downsize later on if you really need to. My advice would be to just make sure you've got a little stashed away in savings. If so, I'd say go for it.

Bytemite > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 02:29

A 240z is way too much of a project for a broke college student. Especially when you already have a car...go pay off your loans with your money, don't sink it into a project car when you don't even have a garage space to work on it.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
10/04/2014 at 02:41

Whelp, too late! Bought the car (cheap) about a week in haha. Running costs are really cheap here (Utah), so it's not like it'll suck money if I leave it to sit for a while. I have yet to actually pick it up though (its sitting in a neighbors lot back in California), so for now I'm getting as much work as I can. Gonna be working about 35 hours for the next couple weeks on top of an average class load.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > Bytemite
10/04/2014 at 02:43

Not broke though. That's where my confusion is rooted haha. Why am I not broke? And I own my first car (cheap truck, no loans) and do have access to a garage.

Bytemite > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 02:48

What about student loans, rent, and cost of living?

promoted by the color red > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 03:46

Depending on what you're majoring in, it could be doable, but with 25hrs week spent working, I'd think long and hard before working on the car. Over breaks and on the weekend? Sure.

Just be ready to put it aside.

crowmolly > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 09:21

Freshman year of college (at least first semester) is basically a retesting of a lot of stuff you learned in senior year of high school. Done just to make sure everybody is on the same page.

Expect more difficulty.

bhardoin > The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner
10/04/2014 at 11:11

I got my Z going into my 3rd year of college. I saved up and bought one that was sorted and driveable, and I've just kept it driving. Iy is doable, but don't make it your sole transportation (I bus and bike a lot to save gas). Consider the availability of tools, workspace (I don't really have a garage, so some stuff is tough), and funding. Basic parts aren't too expensive, but performance parts are. I'd say buy it now, figure out ovet a year or two what you'd want to change, and then reassess finances.

The Magic Rev Matching 4Runner > bhardoin
10/04/2014 at 20:00

Yay a positive response. That's basically the plan. I have my 4Runner to DD, so the Z is really just a weekender. A few of the rental houses around here have garages and most have a driveway to the backyard, so that'll do for me.