"Responsible" adults: Help! New job, car budget advice needed! Thanks!

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt) 05/15/2015 at 14:26 • Filed to: None

1

65

Hey Oppo! Happy Friday. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this, and potentially helping me out by commenting with a suggestion. I don’t need help choosing a car, but I definitely need some solid financial advice! I’m 22, AKA nowhere near as responsible as most of you, and totally clueless when it comes to personal finance.

My budget is 10-15k. I am open to spending less if I can, but cars are my passion in life, so ending up with something that makes me happy is the #1 priority.

Option 1: Do the responsible thing and buy an e46 or e90 330i - attractive enough, fun to drive, nice to sit in, and reliable. This is probably the most stress-free/financially responsible option I have. Not terribly exciting by my standards (my first car was a 1989 635csi so I am spoiled), but I know a nicely maintained example of either generation will get me to work every day with a smile on my face, rain or shine.

Option 2: I take my family’s third car for free, a 2001 Subaru Outback. It has 160k on the clock, but we are the first owners and it’s a 5-speed, so it would hopefully last another 30-40k at the very least. I would eventually replace it with an H6 outback sedan of a similar vintage, because those are awesome, and dirt cheap. What’s the point?

Duh. If I have a cheap Japanese winter/rainy day car, I can also have something really stupid, like another E24, or an XJS. I really miss having an E24, and I’ve always been obsessed with XJS V12s. Well-maintained examples are within my price range and these are the sort of automobiles that truly make me happy. Ecstatic even. How can I put a price on that? DDing an old 6 series was the most fun I’ve ever had in a car and I’m dying to experience that sensation again. These cars are incredibly cheap right now, and they will be appreciating soon, I guarantee it. Examples of these old boats from the first few years of production are already becoming quite expensive. The time is now!!

Food for thought: One of my close friends, who graduated with a 3.8 GPA and currently works at a supermarket, just dropped $2500 dollars to rebuild her Mazda3’s transmission. It has 100,000 miles on it already and to her, cars are just appliances. So - if someone who doesn’t even enjoy automobiles and has very little to spend can afford to do that, I’m sure I can finesse my way out of whatever issues I might encounter. I work in digital marketing, I turn my own wrenches, and I love cars. Whatever happens, I will prevail!

So Oppo, which would you choose? A loan, One shiny “new” BMW, or a beater Subaru and one of your dream cars? I am leaning towards the latter these days. Life is short, youth is even shorter, and old cars are pure bliss to me. If I can make that work, that is what I will do.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:29

6

Take the Outback and drive it into the ground. Once it’s finally done for, jump it and post video. I think it’s good for way more miles than you think.

LongbowMkII > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:32

1

No question take the subaru + project car.

nobody likes the E90 anyways.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:34

4

responsible

Good sir, this is a standard I’m not quite up to. That being said, JAAAAAAAG.

Nisman > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:35

1

I'm in a similar position and I'm looking to buy a 540i M sport in the next year. Maintenance will be higher than on a Camry but it will cost less initially so there really is no comparison. Get what you want and can afford!

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:38

0

I bought my first BMW when I was 22 (E46M3) it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life and for my life. You’re already far wiser than I was at 22 because I was making payments on my CPO M3 @ a cool $820/month lol. I’m now 30 with an e90 m3 and shamefully have to admit that I don’t get to enjoy it nearly as much as the E46. I’m too busy/responsibleish/old to hoon that bitch to the beach with all of my firends the way that we used to. Like you said life is short, and youth is even shorter go for it even if you can only “kind of” afford it;)

Textured Soy Protein > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:40

4

What kind of income are you basing this $10-15k budget on? Unless you’re making at least like $40-$45k, don’t spend that much. Depending on your cost of living

Really though, take the free car and save your money. Don’t spend it on a project car. Keep your costs low, start contributing to your retirement plan at work as soon as possible, and start building up savings.

You will have many years in the future with disposable income that you can then waste on fun cars. It doesn’t necessarily mean a very long wait. I’m 32 and have wasted lots of disposable income on cars. But I’m sitting on a pretty nice retirement fund that I have 10% of all my paychecks going to, a nice chunk of savings, a bunch of investments, and no debt other than car payments.

BeaterGT > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:40

6

Did you say free? Come on man, you know what the right choice is. Drive the Outback til it’s dead while you learn more about what it takes to become financially secure (building up savings, paying off loans, moving out, etc).

As much as I loved commuting in my Z28, I ended up buying a sweet little Saturn that could get me anywhere I needed with very low expense. Then came some raises at my job, moving out, and eventually was able to sell the Saturn and buy my current daily (Legacy GT). If you have any financial questions, ask away; I’m pretty good at that stuff too.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:41

0

Of all these options, #2 is the most fiscally sound and most “responsible” option.

Option #1 is not the responsible option at all.

And getting an E24 or the XJS is fiscally idiotic.

If you want a fiscally good/responsible choice for $10,000 -$15000 or less while still having some fun, I suggest the following cars:

1. Mazda MX-5 Miata

2. Mazda 2

3. Mazda 3 (non-turbo)

4. SVT Ford Focus

5. 1st or 2nd gen Civic CRX

OPPOsaurus WRX > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 05/15/2015 at 14:49

0

Yea I’d take the Outback and buy a toy, something like a MR2, old Mustang, or a Jeep. My buddy has an Outback H6. Its no rocket but it is a solid car. He originally looked at the sedan and passed 50% cuz the dealer was a douche and 50% practicality. The seats dont fold down and really kills the ability to carry and thing large, which is why the wagon kicks ass..

Money Hustard > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:51

2

Dude, take the Outback and run, this isn’t even close. Have $5K-10K in savings, and a couple thousand in your 401K before you go buying a car.

I wouldn’t say this if you had a free 91 Cressida or something, but the Outback is a great car and you’ll be incredibly happy in 3-5 years when you can not only afford to buy the ride you want, but you haven’t had a BMW that makes you want to pull your hair out the entire time.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:56

1

Just drive the Subaru. You have plenty of time to get what you want later on, after you start saving for your future. You will NEVER get this time back, so make use of it, and start your compounding early.

I work in digital marketing, I turn my own wrenches, and I love cars.

You will get to a very quick realization that when it comes to the car that you have to drive every day to work, the answer is “No, I’ll have someone else work of it, because my time is more valuable than that.”

This is why instead of buying an E60 550i or M5, I bought a brand new Mini Clubman S. Sure they all cost the same, but I can drive the Mini into the local service drive, I get a loaner car, and I’m on my way.

Spasoje > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:57

2

Identify the car you really want (i.e. your dream/ideal car), and drive the Subaru until you’ve saved up for it!

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 14:57

0

I would take the Outback. For one, it’s free. Also, since it’s still a single-owner vehicle, you’re perfectly aware of all the maintenance, quirks, and the ins and outs of the vehicle. Take that one, wrench on it a bit, keep it running, and save up for something better down the road. 160k on one of those isn’t too bad at all.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:01

0

Are you being serious? Free reliable practical and somewhat fun car for free? Why would you pass that up? Take the free car and buy something cheap and fun for when you're feeling sporty

BeaterGT > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/15/2015 at 15:05

0

I believe the back seats fold down in later years, I want to say 2006 on. I have a 2005. My first mountain bike trip was...interesting.

Schaefft > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:13

1

Take the Outback and buy that 6-series. Its like it will ruin you financially to own them, its a hobby and everyone spends money on something.

Noah - Now with more boost. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 05/15/2015 at 15:18

1

Thanks for the encouragement! I love that car since it was the first one I drove around on my own, and it’s a 5-speed, so a WRX swap + 2” body lift is totally in order once the original engine pops! Then it’s rallyX time and yes, jumps!

Noah - Now with more boost. > OPPOsaurus WRX 05/15/2015 at 15:20

0

Plus, the H6 sounds like a damn porsche. Being inside an outback looking at subaru gagues and listening to a porsche is a very trippy experience! Pretty hilarious.

Noah - Now with more boost. > BeaterGT 05/15/2015 at 15:22

1

YEP I so do know what the right choice is. I just need to stop being a coward! I will be sure to ask you re: financial stuff if I have any questions, budgeting is something I have yet to delve into. I need to investigate insurance quotes, utility costs, etc.

E92M3 > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:26

1

300i

Noah - Now with more boost. > Textured Soy Protein 05/15/2015 at 15:27

0

Yep I am making that much! But I don’t really want to spend the 15 - that would be for a 2006 330i only. I also have a 3500 dollar credit with my parents because they donated my old car to WGBH lol. Minty E24s can be hand for less than 10k all day, so I hope to spend more like 7-8k of my own money when all is said and done. Great tip re: 10% savings for yourself, I need to decide on an appropriate percentage to put away but it probably won’t be that high. I feel like 10 is probably a little much given the entry-level nature of my paycheck. Maybe 5-7%

BeaterGT > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:30

1

Track your expenses. It helps immensely even if its just shabbily thrown together in google docs. There are literally endless amounts of resources at your disposal, you just have to utilize them.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Money Hustard 05/15/2015 at 15:30

0

Haha I am SO happy everyone is telling me to take the Outback, that’s what I really want to do. My company has great 401k benefits too, so the savings are excellent. Great point re: pulling my hair out for a car I don’t even enjoy that much... I didn’t even think of that.

yamahog > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:31

0

Obviously go with the free, reliable car. Hard to give more in depth financial advice without knowing the following:

What do you make after tax?

Where do you live?

Do you have any outstanding debts?

You’ll need to use those to set up your basic budget, which should include not only living expenses (rent, utilities, food, clothes, gas, etc), but your payments (if applicable) and SAVINGS. Start saving ASAP. How much should you save and how should you save/invest your savings? Up to you. Seek out any adults whose financial situation you would like to emulate and ask for their advice, but don’t take it blindly.

For example, I was allowed to start contributing to a 401k as an intern, so I maxed out to 10% contributions (that’s what they matched up to) and was able to put half of my paycheck after contributions and taxes into a basic savings account and still live comfortably enough. Was living in a $700 basement at a time and didn’t go out much, but made it work.

Depending on my spending habits (pretty bad lately, I’ll admit) I try to squirrel away $500-$1000/mo. That’s on top of my 401k (now rather impressive for a 24-year-old) and Roth IRA (invested in aggressive large cap funds) contributions and loan payments. I try to maintain a 2-3 month “rainy day fund,” and soon I’ll be starting a “home down payment fund.”

YMMV, I’m not a financial adviser.

BeaterGT > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:32

1

Also congrats on the job, you literally got the hardest part out of the way.

Textured Soy Protein > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:36

1

Well that’s just my pre-tax deduction from my paycheck into my 401k. I save more than that percentage of my total income.

I really wouldn’t get that project car right now. It’s called a project car for a reason: the initial purchase price is far from the last money you’ll spend on the thing.

Your goal right now should be to live as cheaply as possible while still having disposable income for fun things that you do when you’re 22 like go to concerts and travel and crap.

Other things to plan for:

You always want to have at least a 6-month emergency fund in your savings account. Look at your fixed monthly expenses like rent, utilities, and any other recurring bills, add 25% to cover incidentals like food and entertainment, and multiply by 6. Whatever that amount is, make sure you have at least that much in savings. If you don’t, no big purchases for you until you build up the emergency fund.

After that, it’s really good to start making investments early and often. So let’s say you did the math and you need $10k in that 6-month emergency fund. Once you’re sitting on that $10k, each additional $1k you save, pick a nice low-risk investment and throw that $1k at it.

Again, I’m not saying you shouldn’t spend money on fun things, but make sure you’re setting up a good financial foundation before you drop big cash on fun things.

If you’re making $40-45k when you’re 22, presumably you’re on an upward trajectory once you get some more experience under your belt. So live cheaply now, get a start in the right direction, and when more money comes your way, you’ll be in that much better of a position to start spending more on fun stuff.

Noah - Now with more boost. > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 05/15/2015 at 15:37

0

Very good point re: thinking about the future. Even though a nice 3 series would be fun, it would not be enough fun to justify the savings I’ll have if I go with the Subaru. Also, I have a 3500 dollar credit with my parents because they donated my last car to WGBH, so a nice, sub 60k mile E24 or XJS would only cost me 7k... as opposed to 13-15.

Money Hustard > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:38

0

Glad to hear it sounds like you are making the right choice. I saw way too many of my friends coming up that dumped new car money at decrepit VW R32’s and BMW 5 and 7 series. Instead of their second car being a better car, it was just a dependable beige car. Every day you wake up without a car payment it’s like you’re making money.

Noah - Now with more boost. > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 05/15/2015 at 15:38

1

JAAAAAAAG. LISTEN TO THIS. Exhaust + manual swap would be necessities.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Nisman 05/15/2015 at 15:39

0

And you’ll be so pumped to get behind the wheel every day!! Those sound SO good.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper 05/15/2015 at 15:42

0

Thank you for the inspiring response haha. That was the story I needed to hear!! Sounds like you should buy another e46!? As we all know, they are appreciating!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 05/15/2015 at 15:46

0

Hey! Sorry but I can’t stand the sound of inline four cylinder engines, and I hate front wheel drive even more! If I went down the road you are describing (newer, japanese and fun) I would probably go with a newer WRX for around 10k.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Spasoje 05/15/2015 at 15:47

0

Good option! That’s #4 I guess, though I am dying without automotive fun in my life. I can’t take this anymore, and there is no reason to! The reality is that there are many cars I’d love to own that fit my budget.

Noah - Now with more boost. > LongbowMkII 05/15/2015 at 15:48

0

And they are everywhere!! There are 3 E90s in the parking lot right now.

Noah - Now with more boost. > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 05/15/2015 at 15:50

0

Another vote for the Subaru then! I appreciate it, the savings/fun are hard to beat with that option. Plus my friend and I are trying to go in on a place with a garage this August, so I will have somewhere to wrench.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Schaefft 05/15/2015 at 15:51

0

That’s definitely where my heart lies. I won’t have money for fancy clothes or expensive alcohol, but I will have one of my favorite cars of all time! It’s been too long already...

Spasoje > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 15:53

0

Any cars you’d love to own that don’t fit your budget?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 16:00

0

Then I suggest a 2010+ V6 Mustang/Camaro or 2011+ Dodge Challenger. Also you might like a Nissan 350z/370Z or an Infinity G35/G37.

Also used Scion FRS/Subaru BRZs should start coming into your budget soon as well. I saw a couple listed for a little under $15K on autotrader.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 16:06

0

Almost all project cars will end up being incredibly expensive unless already in good working order (in which case, you are not likely to be able to afford them)

So take the example of my garage:

2013 Mini Clubman S (My car)

2007 BMW Z4 (Beautiful weather and backup car)

2000 Audi S4 (Race car)

1995 Ford F-150 (Tows the flatbed trailer)

To start with, the Audi doesn’t have insurance or a plate. So even if I needed to drive it, I can’t. I do the maintenance on the Ford, but there are some things even I won’t touch (example, the $1800 axle rebuild, part due to not having tools, part due to it does need to work to tow the flatbed trailer). The BMW doesn’t get driven enough to actually break anything...

The Audi (Owned for about 9 months, bought for $2000) has already cost me about $800 in parts, and about 40 hours of cursing at the fact it’s a Chicago car and lots of things are corroded together. And this is just the stuff I *know* about (let alone the inevitable suspension rebuild for the track, which is currently about $5000 in parts and some labor)

Likely that will need a timing belt job, along with a water pump, belt tensioner and few other things ($500-700 in parts, plus the joy of removing the front of the car for access).

And we haven’t even started talking about fuelling them.

tl;dr: Be wary of project cars, because they can be like boats at being a money pit. Standard joke: What’s the two best days you have with a boat?

The day you buy it, and the day you sell it.

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 16:07

0

Haha as I read the other (smarter and probably safer) responses, I almost thought “nah don’t tell him”, but then I thought “he needs to know that it can be done”.

I don’t think that it’s the car the E90 is a beast and I love it, but I’m careful now. It has been my experience that careful and fun rarely end up at the same place at the same time. Although, if I must have my E46 back I can buy it (I sold it to my father, who thought the trade offer that I received was low enough that he had to have it!)

If you’re an ambitious young person, which it seems that you are, you can rest easy on the fact that you’re only going to go up. In life, in your carreer, etc... So buying a car that you “can’t” afford now won’t hurt that bad in the long run, if anything it will encourage you to go even harder. I remember my friends telling me that I would still be living out of my M3 when they are married with houses. Only one of them owns a house, and none of them are married. Meanwhile I’m on M3 #2. I bought a house in February, and I’m getting married next summer.

Don’t go buying a fancy car just because I’m a loony, but don’t not go buy a fancy car because a bunch of people said it’s a bad idea.

The best of luck, no matter what you decide!

My speed3 is happy > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 16:12

0

Get the outback, don’t buy the project car, keep your expenses low and save and invest your money in low cost index funds. $10k invested today in the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF can be worth $22k in 10 years.

https://personal.vanguard.com/us/funds/snaps…

The happiness you get from a new car will only last 6 months tops. In 6 months it will be the new normal and it will ordinary. The happiness from financial independence and not having to care so much about money lasts forever.

Also when you make more money in the future try to keep your expenses where they are now. I have friends from college who take home $10k a month but have told me they couldn’t survive for 3 months without a job. *facepalm*

Schaefft > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 16:50

0

*its not like

There are many cars that would be much more expensive to own. If you got the money to buy a 15 grand car, owning an 80s 6-series really shouldn’t be a big issue at all.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 16:54

0

Have you factored in maintenance costs for the BMW? Not sure how that became the top “reliable choice”. As others have chimed in - take the free car, save up your money, hell even buy an old toy car to fool around with for 2-3k if you want (a miata or something like that) and save up. 5 years down the road you’ll be in a much better place in life - hopefully with a decent amount of savings, financial independence, and when it’s time to move on from the Outback some actual options for a nice newer car.

Not saying my way is the only/right way, but I’m 30 and have never owned a car that was less than 7 years old and/or cost more than $15k. There are plenty of older cars that are pretty cheap to buy and are plenty of fun - hold off on splurging on a nice newer car until you know for sure that you can afford it - i.e. when you wouldn’t feel the need to be asking this question.

Also, might be silly - but most people don’t know too much about cars and their values...so it might not be accurate, but you don’t want to be seen as THAT kid - the 22 y/o fresh out of college driving around in a “fancy new” BMW.

Noah - Now with more boost. > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 05/15/2015 at 18:04

0

Yeahhh I’m definitely straying away from the new BMWs - they are not bad to maintain though, just a 3 series with a straight six; parts are everywhere and whatever issue you have is probably documented on the net. Old BMWs are where my heart lies.

Noah - Now with more boost. > BeaterGT 05/15/2015 at 18:06

0

Thanks!! Yeah job searching was HELL. So glad to be done with that.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Textured Soy Protein 05/15/2015 at 18:08

0

I’m going to write down a bunch of your advice, the emergency plan sounds... 100% necessary!

Noah - Now with more boost. > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 05/15/2015 at 18:10

0

Yeah I definitely won’t buy a project if it’s ratty! I already made that mistake once.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Money Hustard 05/15/2015 at 18:13

0

Yep. I could technically get a used 550i for 15k on a loan... but that’s obviously the polar opposite of what I’m trying to accomplish here. Subaru it is then.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper 05/15/2015 at 18:26

0

Awesome that your dad still has it! And yesss you got me there, I am VERY loony for BMWs and VERY ambitious. I appreciate that you understand my trajectory; I don’t see myself doing anything other than business(I’m even finding that I enjoy it...) and I hope to attain an MBA before I’m 30. Also, I can always tap out and buy a used civic if I end up in some unexpected financial trouble. And E24 parts are nowhere near as expensive as all of these naysayers think they are...

Noah - Now with more boost. > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 05/15/2015 at 18:30

0

Haha much closer this time! All good suggestions. There are a ton of great options out there at this price range. That generation of mustang looks SO good too; personally, I like it better than the new one.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Spasoje 05/15/2015 at 18:33

0

Of course! But there are SO many good cars out there within my budget. That said, if I were to drive the Subaru/save I’d probably get... a 550i and save a bunch for emergency issues. That won't happen though lol.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Schaefft 05/15/2015 at 18:37

0

Thank you for that. SO many Opponauts talk shit about BMWs like they are all made of glass and the parts are milled from gold... when they probably haven’t even worked on one, or driven one let alone ordered parts.

Noah - Now with more boost. > yamahog 05/15/2015 at 18:40

0

Haha you are totally a financial advisor! I have $100 per month loan payments for a very small state school loan. Everyone has already talked me down from the “new” BMWs. My eyes were opened to how deeply irresponsible that would be pretty quickly

Noah - Now with more boost. > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 05/15/2015 at 18:42

1

Yep! Its ratty aesthetically, but mechanically sound as far as we know. My parents don't like cars but they maintain them very well.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 18:48

1

Well, in that case - your heart is in the right place! The picture with your screen name is an E21? ...or E24?

As for newer BMWs - sure, but parts will always be more expensive and it’s $15k you don’t need to spend if you have a free car you can claim. And no matter how simple they may be (they’re not) - it’s prone to break more often and cost more to fix than many “lesser” cars that you could buy for the same money. Trust me, I love BMWs - pretty sure my next one will be an E39 M5 (or a clownshoe...or a E90 M3) - but better to save up for such things until you have a bit more financial stability.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 18:57

0

Should be fine then. My stepdad always told me, “paint and chrome don’t get ya home”. Looking a little rough isn’t gonna hurt anything.

Noah - Now with more boost. > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 05/15/2015 at 19:42

1

Yep that’s my old 635! I miss it like a lost family member and I daydream about e24s whenever I’m driving something beige haha. It was high mileage and rusty, but one of only 200ish manuals imported for the 88/89 year, which is significant because BMW stuffed an E34 535i motor in there for the last two years... and you can chip it up to US M6 levels of POWAHHH.

If you are really considering any of those options... I bet they would all be a blast!! Sound: E39. Looks: E90. Clown shoe: incredibly strange and therefore ice cold cool.

Noah - Now with more boost. > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 05/15/2015 at 19:44

0

Yep and I’m weird so ... I love body work!! Now I have an excuse.

Noah - Now with more boost. > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe 05/15/2015 at 19:45

0

My technique definitely needs refinement so the subaru is a perfect canvas haha

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 20:09

0

Yup, the new 6s don’t do the E24 justice. Maybe the current model...the GC is nice, but it’s not really a 6 series anymore. I’ve tried selling my E30 once or twice but I can never bring myself to do it and chicken out. But one thing I’ve learnt from owning it (and it was my DD for a few years) - get a more reliable DD. In this case, take the Subaru and buy an old beater to fix up if you have that itch. And in the meantime save to build up a little buffer and buy your first real grown up car a few years down the road.

Spasoje > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 20:23

0

Why not? :D

OPPOsaurus WRX > BeaterGT 05/15/2015 at 20:42

0

Yea i’m guessing with his price range he was probably looking at an older one. I forget what yr his wagon it, 03-05 maybe

OPPOsaurus WRX > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 20:46

0

he had to get a new air filter and just bought the filter insted of takeing the opertunity to get an upgrade with a K&N ‘cold air’ kit. Maybe seeing you say that will convince him to get an exhaust or something

TheRealBicycleBuck > Noah - Now with more boost. 05/15/2015 at 23:24

2

Take the free car. Figure out the car payment you can afford and put that amount into a bank account set aside just for that purpose. In a couple of years, somewhere near the end of the life for the Outback, you will have a nice down payment for a newer car. If you can put away $400/month, in 3 years you will have over $14k in the bank (not counting interest).

Noah - Now with more boost. > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 05/17/2015 at 16:47

0

Yeah that’s my plan! And agreed, I love the new 6 coupe, but the 6GC should be a 5er. And good that you didn't sell that E30! Sounds like you’d regret it immediately haha