So, I have two options.

"Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur" (velocity860)
07/25/2014 at 12:04 • Filed to: sky

My dad has given me two options for a Sky Redline.

1. Get the absolutely pristine one I drove yesterday. It has 20k miles, but the guy also wants 20 grand for it. So, pros and cons.

Pros:

Basically brand new. Perfect shape, there aren't even any fingerprints on the radio.

It'll look awesome and I can be proud of that

It's only 30 mins away, and I've already driven it.

Can still do engine mods

Cons:

Not allowed to do any exterior mods to it (new wheels, plastidip, stickers, etc)

Not allowed to drive it as much as I want (not sure what this means)

Can only do one "fun thing" with it a year (like a dragon run or road rally)

If it gets scratched, I can't drive it for like a month.

Now, the second option.

2. Find a Sky Redline that's under 10 grand.

Pros:

I can literally do anything to it

I don't owe my dad nearly as much money on it

I can drive it wherever and whenever I want

I can hit the dragon or do a road rally as many times as I want a year

Cons:

Very hard to find one under 10 grand

It's going to have higher mileage (100k+)

Human slime will probably be in it somewhere

Not going to be in as good of shape

Might be slightly less reliable (doubt it)

I'll have to wait longer to get one

What do you guys think? (and there is no "find one for around 14k" option according to my dad. For him it's either get a perfect one or get a "beater" one)

DISCUSSION (74)

Brian Silvestro > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:06

Find a beater one at all costs. Having a fun car is only half the fun. You have to do things with it to truly enjoy motoring.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Brian Silvestro
07/25/2014 at 12:08

That's what I'm thinking but it's so hard to find a cheap one!

BrtStlnd > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:09

Cons:

It's a Saturn

Lekker > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:09

Beater. For sure. Why not an s2k? You can find one for less than 10k and unmolested. Easy

Forgetful > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:10

Get your own loan, take the old man out of the equation.

Otherwise option 2.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:10

You can't enjoy yourself constantly worrying that a door ding means you with have to ride the Supercycle for a month. Go with a cheaper one.

Brian Silvestro > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:12

cough

(Miata)

cough

(944)

cough

(RX-7)

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Lekker
07/25/2014 at 12:12

I have to go by my parents' parameters still, and the S2k is too small for them. The Sky is just barely big enough.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Forgetful
07/25/2014 at 12:12

I'm 17 though.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:12

Stickers and new wheels are overrated.

That being said, get the beater. Having rules aren't any fun.

Ever consider looking for the Solstice GXP? 99% sure its the same underneath.

Bandit > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:13

Buy a cheap one and fix/mod it up to perfect standards. If rather drive a car than worry about hurting something.

RazoE > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:14

Here's the thing. Get a regular Sky, and swap in a 2JZ-GTE. The 5-speed used in the Sky/Solstice is related to the R154 that Toyota used for the 1JZ-GTE. The bellhousing swaps right over. Get my drift? Eh? eh?

It's been done before, by the way..;)

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Brian Silvestro
07/25/2014 at 12:14

Let me introduce you to my mother.

"WHY ARE ALL THE CARS YOU WANT DEATH TRAPS! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST GET A BIG SAFE SEDAN OR SUV! AND NOTHING EARLIER THAN 2002!"

The Sky is only in the picture because my dad thinks it's big enough, but just barely.

Thud Slamrod > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:14

A beater Sky will be more trouble than it's worth, GM's halo cars are never designed to rack up tons of miles. You won't have enough free cash to have the fun you plan on, and when you finally decide you've had enough, it'll be worth even less.

Buy the good one, treat it well and you'll still be able to sell it for 14-17k.

That's a Men's Warehouse Guarantee

WRXforScience > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:14

Get a cheaper one and drive it like it deserves. What good is a pristine car if you can't drive it?

Cars aren't statutes, they shouldn't be preserved as pieces of art. Cars are exquisite tools that serve a multitude of functions but nearly all include actually driving.

A sky redline is a cool car, and they might appreciate, but the cost in that speculation is the denial of the very thing that makes the car worth keeping. If you can't find one in that range, there is always the NB mazdaspeed miata (autocorrect tries to change mazdaspeed to masterpiece).

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
07/25/2014 at 12:15

I can't get past the ugly though

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > BrtStlnd
07/25/2014 at 12:15

Call it an Opel?

Brian Silvestro > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:16

BMW 2002s are old as fuck!!

Wait...That's not what you're referring to.

And the 944 isn't even that death trapy!

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > RazoE
07/25/2014 at 12:16

That would be hilariously awesome, but I can't lol. Maybe like 10 years from now haha

Crocket Bernet > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:17

e39, e46 and are your friends.

Lekker > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:17

I understand all about parent's guidelines. Although I honestly didn't think the Sky was any bigger. Hey same style car so win for you. Have you had any luck finding decently priced ones?

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:17

Can't really argue with you there. Maybe find a wrecked one and replace with a Sky front clip?

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:17

Where you located? You've got an hour to bid on this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saturn-Sky…

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > WRXforScience
07/25/2014 at 12:19

See, this is my philosophy too, but the exact opposite of my dad's. If a car's in good shape, my dad thinks it shouldn't be driven.

Now I would get a Mazdaspeed Miata but it still doesn't fit the parameters of my parents.

It must be:

Newer than 2002

Big enough

safe enough

The Sky just barely fits the "big enough safe enough". My mom still thinks it's too small but my dad likes it enough where he's letting it pass. Miatas? He says absolutely not

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Thud Slamrod
07/25/2014 at 12:20

Truthfully, the Sky and Sky Redline are actually really reliable. Like maybe 1% of owners have major trouble with them, 99% it's just normal things like water pumps going out. The engine is the 2.0t ecotec, which is reliable, and the transmission is out of a Colorado so it's durable and reliable.

therevengeofthesaab (really likes pre-2005 hondas right now) > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:20

Get the cheaper one.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:21

Wow, sounds like my dad.

"Miatas aren't a car"

"Oh, a 2001 Camaro convertible? You mean half a car with no practicality?"

"Roadmaster wagon? No, V8s use too much gas"

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Crocket Bernet
07/25/2014 at 12:21

No BMWs according to my dad. Also I wanted an E46 M3 lol but I checked the problems with them and how much it was to fix...and I agree...we can't afford that.

Montalvo > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:21

look on autotempest.com great site that grabs ads from a lot of places. I did a quick check and there are a few under 10k. Shame your dad is being a brick wall because 14k looks to be the sweet spot? Can't you buy him out of whatever out of the 20k is his later?

GhostZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:21

The old "if you use my money, you follow my rules" routine.

Let's break it down:

Own a 20k Redline:

Ownership for ~3 years.

Initial cost: $20,000

Insurance: (same either way)

Fuel economy (same either way)

Cost to find a good model: $0

3 year repair costs: $900 (I'm assuming you pay basic maintenance for 3 years)

Sell price in 3 years: $13000

Total ownership cost: - $20,000 - 900 +13000 = $ 6100

Own a 10k Redline:

Ownership for ~3 years.

Initial cost: $10,000

Insurance: (same either way)

Fuel economy (same either way)

Cost to find a good model: $500 (in time, energy, etc.)

3 year repair costs: $4000 (I'm assuming you have it cleaned professionally, paint fixed, and maybe some common electrical bugs and minor problems that keep showing up)

Sell price in 3 years: $8000

Total ownership cost: - $10,000 - 4000 +8000 - 500 = $ 6500

Now, if you add $5000 of modifications to this car, expect to get a $2000 resale price increase. This brings your total cost, with modifications, to $9500

So, presenting this, it would only make sense to go with the 10k redline if you A) think the repair cost is going to be less than $4000 for the 3 years of ownership. This is a good bet, since you can somewhat control repair costs. You cannot control depreciation.

or B) value the ability to spend and additional $3000 on modifications MORE than the negative value of owning a less reliable, dirtier, and more difficult to find vehicle.

If I were in your position, I wouldn't get the 20k one on the principle of it not being 'mine'. To me, owning the car with my own money spent and doing with it as I pleased is way more valuable than a nicer car.

If I were you, I'd, of course, go pick up an old 280Z and plenty of modifications for $10k. Because the same calculation works out to about $4000 total ownership cost with modification, and you wouldn't need to borrow anyone's money.

Thud Slamrod > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:22

If you're really set on doing the stickers and exterior mods and maximum hoonage, go buy a Miata or MR-S instead. They're cheaper to begin with, they'll handle the abuse better, and there's much better aftermarket support.

Since your Dad still tells you what to do, this will be the best option.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Lekker
07/25/2014 at 12:22

There's one that's 430 miles away for $8800...but it's at a "buy here pay here" used car dealer 400 miles away...I don't think so.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole
07/25/2014 at 12:23

Autotragic. If it was a manual it'd be almost perfect

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Montalvo
07/25/2014 at 12:24

There's a lot of normal Skys for under 10, but not many redlines. And I can't really buy the car off of him for a while because well, I'm 17.

Forgetful > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:24

Option 2, rock it for a year or two, secure your own financing and flip the 'beater' (preferably for more than you paid for it) for a cleaner, lower mileage car.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
07/25/2014 at 12:25

So....your dad sounds like he wants you to get a Roadmaster with an I4?

Lekker > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:25

Well maybe wager a truce between you and your dad. Find one in the mid 10's (or low 10s) and agree on simple mods only, you can drive it all you want, but you can still do some fun stuff, not worry AS much if it gets scratched, and once it needs major servicing you can discuss other mods or repainting, reupholstering, etc (for example). I'm sure what your dad wants is just for you to appreciate what you got, so if you show initiative and act responsible, not just wanting to jump on any deal just because its an option, it will make him see you're working for a logical decision. Which in return, will make him lift some "no-no's". At least that is my guess:)

Sn210 > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:28

I know you said it's not an option, but I'd keep looking until you find a clean Sky that's somewhere in the middle. Something with a little more miles, but that the owner kept receipts for everything including wiper blades. Something "too nice to drive" isn't going to be fun and neither is the beater Sky when in two years 100k+ miles becomes 130k+ miles. Or keep saving and get your own car when you turn 18! Tell your parents youre building credit

GhostZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:28

Your parents are brainwashed. There are many like them. Talking to most parents about cars is like this:

Kinja'd!!!

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > GhostZ
07/25/2014 at 12:29

The only reason I can't get a 280z is it's too old for my parents to accept.

Now, I do think that the maintenance and repair costs will be lower. The Sky is not known for being unreliable, in fact, the only problems people have are cheap and common ones that every car might have in it's life. (mainly water pumps).

No Prius Needed > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:29

What about a Toyota MR2? Or an S2K? Also can you do any mods to the IS because it will make an awesome sleeper.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Thud Slamrod
07/25/2014 at 12:30

I can't. The Miata and MR-S are too small for them. The Sky is just barely bigger, and therefore just barely big enough.

I'd rock an MR-S all day though

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Forgetful
07/25/2014 at 12:31

That's really my plan

GhostZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:33

Yeah, I cut the umbilical cord very early.

If that's the case then, definitely go with the 10k one. The dirtiness and difficulty of finding one is the only downside, and the upsides (You can modify it yourself, etc.) far outweight the costs.

Plus, if you're 17, assume you will wreck this car . Just go ahead and assume that. Assume that while you can resell it, it will likely get wrecked at some point in its life.

If you wreck the 20k redline, you're looking at about $20,900 out the window, depending on what insurance gives you.

If you wreck the 10k redline, your'e only out less than $14000.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:35

Cheaper. Mods. Fun.

Dsscats > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:36

300ZX? 350Z?

Forgetful > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:36

Then it's got to be option 2, or a different car in the price range of option 2.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Sn210
07/25/2014 at 12:38

Keep saving? I have like 40 bucks. Lol

Thud Slamrod > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:38

However the Sky is a weekend cruising garage queen for 99% of their owners, any car is reliable if you never really drive it. I agree that the engine shouldn't be a problem on a high mileage one, GM builds great engines, but unfortunately they build the rest of the car too. Brakes, wheel bearings and ball joints are probably going to be shot on a beater, and I bet they ain't cheap

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > No Prius Needed
07/25/2014 at 12:39

It's hard to mod the IS without slapping on a Turbo, and that's too expensive.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Thud Slamrod
07/25/2014 at 12:41

I wouldn't say 99% of the owners. Some people on the forum have over 200k miles and they're still running strong without any of those issues! And brakes are something every car needs replacing after a while, cmon lol.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Dsscats
07/25/2014 at 12:41

300zx is too old, 350z I don't like. I know I'm picky lol

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:43

Probably. I mean, he does own a Passat TDI, which is an I4 wagon.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > GhostZ
07/25/2014 at 12:44

This is true. I haven't wrecked a car yet, and I haven't even been pulled over yet. I consider myself a really good driver (especially compared to my friends....) but I mean the odds are that something's gonna happen, whether it's my fault or not.

GhostZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:45

If you get the saturn, you will be pulled over. Often. For driving under the speed limit. And you will learn to respect cops, or you will get tickets you don't deserve, and then your parents will get mad at you and start thinking you're some sort of hooligan driver. If you have a 20k car they're paying for then, you're going to lose the right to drive it.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > GhostZ
07/25/2014 at 12:46

That's probably true sadly enough

Thud Slamrod > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:52

Its part of the cost kid, your $10k steal can turn into a $13k money pit fast.

Montalvo > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:57

Well that is your problem, it doesn't make sense how much of a say in the matter you have if you just have $40. If you really want to get what you want you need to come to the table with something to offer. I think your dad would sing a different tune if you said here is 5k lets meet somewhere in the middle. I would get a part time job or various odd jobs and save up some cash. The cars will still be there and you will be in a better position to get what you are looking for.

TheCraigy > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 12:59

Sounds like your parents are a) paying for it to the tune of ~$20k b) want you in something bigger, more reliable and 3) don't want you junking it up.

Why don't you just give in and get something decently sized? For $20k you could get a real car that you don't need to modify to be fast or put stickers and crap on to look cool.

Infiniti G37, Nissan 370Z, Mustang GT, Camaro SS, Impreza WRX. All of these can be had not very old in nice condition for that price.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Montalvo
07/25/2014 at 12:59

My dad doesn't want me to get a job. I do work around the house for him and he puts that towards the car as "credits", so I have like a $5,000 "credit" for a car right now.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > TheCraigy
07/25/2014 at 13:01

I have an IS300, but it's an automatic and it's not that fun anymore. I don't want something super common either, and my dad won't let me get something "common and boring" as well. I'd get a WRX but he says those are too common.

Montalvo > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 13:04

Work around the house I can understand but he doesn't want you to get a job? That sounds so backwards. It is like refusing to let someone get some independence or be fiscally responsible.

Bengal55 > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 13:04

I was interested in a Sky Redline a while back, and had done a bunch of research on them. If I remember correctly the "safest" model year to go with was the 2008 my, based on reliability and other fixes GM had made to the car over its lifespan (Not all Sky/Solstices are equal). Finding a 2008 for under 10k that doesn't need some fairly major work is going to be a challenge. Personally I didn't go with the Sky/Solstice because it is essentially one massive blind spot with little to no storage (my SL has more in comparison). If those are your guidelines by your parent's I'd be looking at different vehicles.

Get something cheap and fun, flip it in a few years and go for what you really want when you have more income coming in.

You can find a lot under 20k that's still fun:
Mustangs / Fiesta ST's
Camaro's
Challenger's / Chargers
Mazdaspeed 3's, 6's
BMW 3 Series (sedan, coupe, whatever) / Z4's
Various VW's
Tobaru Twins
Crap ton of G35's and 350Z's etc
P71's and Marauders

Depends on what you consider fun, either way good luck!

TheCraigy > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 13:05

Too common? But he wants you to get a Saturn Sky? Your dad sounds insane. ;)

Would it be easier to obtain a list of cars that he approves of?

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Montalvo
07/25/2014 at 13:07

It's because he thinks I'll make more money just doing things for him, and he doesn't want me gone all day because then I can't be his personal slave lol

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 13:21

Also the S2000 is copbait. I'd go with the Sky.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 13:25

This guy is being a tool. Your reliablity info matches mine. Any car type can be expensive. Let me rephrase that. Every car is expensive.

Textured Soy Protein > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 13:25

So here's the thing, the only concern that actually matters is the part about owing your dad money. Otherwise,

1. Stickers and plastidip are bullshit anyway.

2. I'm sure the car will mostly be available to drive when you want.

3. You don't have to do formal "fun things" to enjoy a car. Just go drive somewhere.

4. The prospect of losing the keys if you put a scratch on it will be motivation to keep you from fucking it up.

So really the decision should be based on what sort of financial arrangement this entails.

BoulderZ > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 14:03

My $0.02: Go with the cheaper one.

For the Nice one, that's way too many open-ended restrictions at someone else's discretion. Want a way to ruin a family relationship? Go into business with them (and loans/co-ownership are basically biz relationships). The nice one is a big entanglement. A fun car is only fun if you can drive it.

Also, I'm going to guess you're a student (and that's not a put-down, students are awesome in my book!). A nice car is a magnet for vandalism in HS, university, and apartment lots, fueled by various combos of jealousy, envy, stupidity, and alcohol. The "beater" one will fly under the radar, and you can do what you want under the hood with the public (and cops) none the wiser. You can fix the cosmetics later on your own time, dime, and place, if you still have/like the car then.

The "ick" factor of a beater is easily fixed. And, if you're going to owe your dad for the purchase, you'll be spending every minute either 1) working to get rid of the loan or 2) cleaning up the beater-ness of the car and making it your own. The beater one starts you further up the climb/curve than the shinier one.

No Prius Needed > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 14:09

But its cheaper than buying a Sky. Also, the S2K got the same crash test rating as the Sky so you can try to convince your parents that way if you want an S2K.

No Prius Needed > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/25/2014 at 14:10

Also they both get the same crash test ratings as the same year Audi A4.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > No Prius Needed
07/25/2014 at 14:42

Not technically. I'm selling my IS right now, if I can get 13k for it, we'd actually be saving money by buying a Sky under 10k lol

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > No Prius Needed
07/25/2014 at 14:43

See, I tell my parents this, but they don't care. If it's small, it's unsafe. Because "crash tests don't matter, common sense matters. A huge truck or semi would squash a tiny car like a bug" Well yeah, if you get hit with a semi in ANYTHING you're gonna die. But cmon.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
07/28/2014 at 09:59

I vote beater. You'll only be marginally less proud of it, you can have much more fun in it, and you can always work on it until it looks as nice as the 20k mile one.

Plus, owing money sucks.