My homework can wait, AMA

"AlmostJalop" (almostjalop) 10/09/2014 at 20:45 • Filed to: AMA

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Ask Oppo's resident teenager anything you want. And yes, that is an E36 M3 with M5 throwing stars.

Seriously, ask me anything. I've been doing AP history work for 2 hours and it's no fun.

About me: sophmore in high school, cashier at wegmans, lacrosse player, lover of BMW's.

 V8 Rustler > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:46

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What is AP?

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) >  V8 Rustler 10/09/2014 at 20:47

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Arnold Palmer.

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:47

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Which course?

And what makes you think YOU are the resident teenager?

OPPOsaurus WRX > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:47

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what are your plans for college

ViperGuy21 >  V8 Rustler 10/09/2014 at 20:48

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Advanced Placement. It's a college credit class if you do well enough on the AP Test in the Spring, which sucks

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:49

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Bro, you aren't the only teenager here! Brian, K-Roll, JQJ, Norskracer, Murdersofa, Bandit, me, and the list goes on and on and on...

Roadster Man > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:49

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GET BACK TO WORK!

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 20:52

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Brian's a teenager?

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 10/09/2014 at 20:53

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I'm pretty sure that he's a freshman in college, though I'm not quite sure...

AlmostJalop > OPPOsaurus WRX 10/09/2014 at 20:53

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I'm hoping to go to UVA and study law, as I'm currently enjoying model judiciary and thinking about switching into a Business law class, as corporate law really interests me but I still have time to really decide, I wouldn't be surprised if ended up changing my mind by the time I graduate in '17.

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 20:54

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Ap world.

One of* hahaha

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:54

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What makes you the resident, hm?

Favorite car in your school parking lot.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) 10/09/2014 at 20:54

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God, those are delicious.

Bandit > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:54

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How are you better than me, Oppo's other overly active teenager?

AlmostJalop > Roadster Man 10/09/2014 at 20:55

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noooooo! I can't focus. I got my paycheck today and I'm now officially 1/10 of the way to buying a an E36 M3. I've been on CL looking at cars for the past half hour!

OPPOsaurus WRX > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:55

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r u a high school freshman? I didn;t think AP started that early

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 20:55

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Wat. Silvestro's my age? That 'splains a lot.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:55

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WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THE KID AT WORK, YET YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE AN OLD MAN!?

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 20:55

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I'm OBDII equipped, even.

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:56

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Wait till ap test time, I studied like 10's of hours, got straight A's all year, and got a 2/5 on the test.

That's much better...

Where are you at?

What kinda car do you/will you have?

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To 10/09/2014 at 20:57

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I think so...

StreetSurgeon > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 20:57

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You there, teenaged young man, are your friends interested in cars? Among the teens I bump into from time to time some don't have or even seem to want a license!

AlmostJalop > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 20:57

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Haha, I hardly count you, K-roll, and all the others as teens. At least you guys are out of high school!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > redblockpowered 10/09/2014 at 20:57

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LOLwut?

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 20:58

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The surgery was intense, but now I don't have to go to the doctor. I can just pull a code!

(post-1996 birth year)

AlmostJalop >  V8 Rustler 10/09/2014 at 20:59

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advanced placement. It'll get me a college credit if I pass the test in the spring, and it adds a 1.0 weight to my GPA.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > redblockpowered 10/09/2014 at 20:59

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LOL I'm a 96 build year, first registered in 97 ;)

ViperGuy21 > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 21:00

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What makes you the only other overly-active teenager?:)

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:00

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same happened to my sister. My brother didn't study at all yet he got a 4.

I'm right outside DC in northern VA.

I'm hoping to get myself an E36 M3, because I started working relatively early I might be able to afford one by the time I'm licensed.

AlmostJalop > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/09/2014 at 21:01

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"Run! It's old man Dukie!!"

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:01

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98 build and registration year. The car's considerably older than me.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:02

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At 32, I'm the youngest person at work.

Bandit > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:02

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Who said only? I said best.

Bandit > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:02

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I'm 18 sure, but let's be honest. I act like a 14 year old a lot of the time.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > redblockpowered 10/09/2014 at 21:03

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Haha what car?

AlmostJalop > StreetSurgeon 10/09/2014 at 21:03

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Sadly only a few are car guys :( all of them are excited about being licensed though, I live in the subarbs so if you want to do something fun you'll either have to drive or get a ride from someone, which explains why everyone wants a license around me.

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:03

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Nice! I'm a junior in Dallas area Texas. My baby is a Milano red 2004 Acura TSX

AlmostJalop > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 21:04

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Many of us on oppo do haha, I WAS 14 not too long ago.

Bandit > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:04

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I joined oppo when I was 14 or 15...

ViperGuy21 > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 21:05

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You've probably been here longer, and are 2 years older, but don't be so sure about throwing out the B-Word

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:05

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1991 Volvo 240 Wagon with a 5 speed and funky electrical issues

ViperGuy21 > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 21:06

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Joined at 15 right after I found it.

AlmostJalop > OPPOsaurus WRX 10/09/2014 at 21:06

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sophmore

Sn210 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:06

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what do you need to do to go from AlmostJalop to Jalop?

Bandit > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:07

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Bitches? Birthday? Boobs?

Bandit > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:07

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I joined the day I bought my first car and lurked for a couple years before that.

ViperGuy21 > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 21:08

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Yes!

AlmostJalop > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:08

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yeah I messed up! Thanks for speaking up, I'm not alone!!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > redblockpowered 10/09/2014 at 21:09

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LOL you have a Brick!

#WagonLyfe

AlmostJalop > Sn210 10/09/2014 at 21:09

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turn my learners permit into a license!

ViperGuy21 > Bandit 10/09/2014 at 21:09

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I only lurked for like a month or two, been here for like 4ish...

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:10

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I'll be honest, I think about half of us are teenagers/college students haha. When I joined I thought that it was like a small version of Jalopnik for aspiring writers... then I noticed peoples' writing styles lol

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:11

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I have family in Austin.

I love that gen TSX! Looks great. Is it manual? Wouldn't be a bad first car at all.

AlmostJalop > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 10/09/2014 at 21:13

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Funny, I'm the youngest at work too. I even get a special name tag so they can make sure I don't break any labor laws by using dangerous machinery or go to lunch late. (I work as a cashier at Wegmans).

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:13

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You bet! I share it with my dad, and honestly I don't think there's a better car to learn on. We're on a Lemons team that races a 240 wagon, so I know them inside and out by now.

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:13

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It is not:( the only person in all of my family with Manuél is my uncle(who got me into cars in the first place) and he won't teach me. Probably because a 997 GT3 clutch and gearbox replacement are rather not cheap...

But it's still an amazing car, especially when I get to detail it properly. Shines so much that I can always see my car in the back of the parking lot past all the other Texas trucks cause it's so dang SHINY!

AlmostJalop > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 10/09/2014 at 21:16

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wish you asked this last year, there was a 335is. Dat sound! My brothers friend owned it and probably never drove it on backroads....

Now, it's probably a tie between this red SRT-4 that, besides the CF hood, is pretty clean. It has lots of power mods, I have a mutual friend who drives an E36 and graduated last year who helped the owner install the exhaust on it. The other car is a stock silver on gold wheels hawkeye STI.

AlmostJalop > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:17

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yeah I always just assumed a majority of us were in college, and that I was just one of the younger few.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > redblockpowered 10/09/2014 at 21:18

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Oh yeah!?

Roadster Man > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:18

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Why didn't you say so? Breaks for car shopping are totally fine.

I dunno how much you're making, but maybe save up a few more paychecks. My buddy got his E36 M3 with 198,000 miles on the clock and it has not fared well. He's had to replace a LOT. And I don't buy that "miles don't matter if it's well maintained" bullshit. Miles are miles, and that means wear and tear.

Aim for sub-150k miles at the least and you'll save the $$ you would spend later on repairs.

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:19

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Hopefully he'll eventually let you drive the GT3! I have a deep love for Porsches....

Got any pictures of it? I love detailing cars. I'm regularly washing and claying my parents and my brothers cars. Can't wait til I'm washing my own!

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:20

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LOL don't worry. We won't bite (or eat you ;)

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:21

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It's so... new! I bet it has luxury features like air conditioning and cupholders!

AlmostJalop > Roadster Man 10/09/2014 at 21:22

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yeah I'm already looking for lower mileage examples, simply because my dad definitely agrees with "miles are miles". I don't really want to buy a car with more than ~130k on it.

I've been saving for about a month now, and I'm not even licensed til March so I have nothing but time haha.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:23

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Oppo's resident teenager?

AlmostJalop > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:23

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Haha, having an older brother, I've already grown accustom to being around an older crowd.

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > redblockpowered 10/09/2014 at 21:24

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Yep, A/C and 6 cupholders :) and a 2.0 CR TDI and a transmission named Manuel!

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:27

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Terrible pics, really don't show shine well...

What is the most detailing you've done?

redblockpowered > Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen 10/09/2014 at 21:31

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To be fair, the A/C was pulled because we agreed that it was okay just to open a window. It still has heated seats and power windows. Looks like you're doing autocross? I can't wait to get the Tractor into the world of SCCA, where it will undoubtedly dominate the FiSTs in H Street.

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 21:31

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looks incredibly clean, it's aged very well.

Most intensive I've done so far is a wash, clayed the whole car, Polish, and detailing the interior.

I do it all by hand, and I don't have a garage so it's a long process haha.

Roadster Man > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:32

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Nice. Don't fall in love with the first one you see. You'll want to, but resist...

You're very lucky that your parents are allowing you to get a RWD car as your first car! I couldn't get a RWD car until I could afford it on my own, my parents knew better. And that's why I bought a Miata for $3500..

AlmostJalop > Roadster Man 10/09/2014 at 21:35

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my parents are annoyingly more worried about me getting a coupe. If the weather gets really nasty, I imagine my dad will recommend I take the bus. Luckily my parents are also willing to match however much I make (if I make $2500 they loan me $2500) as I'm the only kid who's gotten a job and put an effort towards buying a car. I could wait til my senior year of high school (I'm a sophmore) and have them just buy me something a few years old but where's the fun in that?

I'd love a miata, only thing is I don't know if I could handle only 2 seats :( also, I doubt my lacrosse gear would fit in the trunk.

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:38

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Thanks! I really appreciate it!

I've done:

2-bucket wash

Wheel cleaning

Tire dressing

Black plastic restoration

Clay whole car

Compound

Polish

Wax

Interior plastic

Interior carpet

Interior leather

Vacuum interior

Glass cleaning

Roadster Man > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:42

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Your parents don't want you to get a 2-door? The E36 M3 sedan is "rarer" and has a stiffer chassis, so for lots of people it's actually the more desirable car. It's also more likely that it was adult-owned and wasn't beat on too badly.

Very cool of your parents to match whatever you put down. And WAY COOL for them to let you pick your car! Use that to your advantage and save up! Depending on your state, you'll be paying a good chunk of tax too, so factor that in.

I can tell you right now, your lax gear won't fit in the trunk! But that's why the top goes down.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 21:43

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Jesus, I want to go to your school.

Senior in high school here. The majority of cars falling into the "less bland" category this year are lifted trucks, which does absolutely nothing for me. The best cars currently consist of a half-red plastidipped grey Mk.5 GTI, a Chevelle seemingly set up for drag racing but with only a 318 and a stock slushbox, a Jetta TDI that rolls coal, and my friend's Count's Customs-built Chevy C-10. Not included are two friends that graduated last year, one with a heavily-tuned Mk.5 GTI and the other with an equally heavily-tuned B7 A4 wagon (manual, of course).

Pictures, just because I have nothing else to do.

My friend's B7, alongside my old Audi (sold it last June)

My friend and his C-10

Mine, currently.

Of the four pictures, I'd have the C-10 first. If it was stick.

And what are you driving?

AlmostJalop > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 10/09/2014 at 22:08

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I'm loving that C10. Looks like an extremely clean build. That B7 wagon looks great too, even better knowing it's got 3 pedals.

I'm a sophmore, not licensed until March, but I spend most of time driving either my moms minivan or my brothers e90 3 series.

M3!! That's what I'm hoping to get myself in the near future. Please, tell me how it's treating you. How is it having an E36 M3 in high school? Should I just wait?

AlmostJalop > Roadster Man 10/09/2014 at 22:16

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Yeah I'm extremely grateful my parents are willing to do that. They figure it'll end up saving them money rather than just spending $15k buying me a car down the road.

My only gripe is how picky they (my dad, really) are. "No S2k because they are too low and small, you'll die in an accident!" Or "no coupes, insurance will be too high!" or most annoyingly "120k on it! It'll be a money pit!!!!"

I'm not against getting a sedan, especially an E36 M3 sedan, it's just that its a lot easier to find manual coupes as that's what most people bought. They may end up changing their mind when I actually have the money. I don't plan on buying until I have at least an extra $1500-2500 saved for any surprises, including all those pesky taxes.

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 22:17

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Hey if you need a glass cleaning regime, I'd recommend claying and then using Stoners invisible glass. It works AMAZINGLY.

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 22:23

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I'll have to try that next time. The worst part for me is the inside of the windshield. It's just an awkward position and I never get it right...

AlmostJalop > ViperGuy21 10/09/2014 at 22:30

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That's where stoners invisible glass comes in handy. It's still awkward as hell which is annoying but you just spray and buff with a MF towel.

Roadster Man > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 22:40

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Looks like you're planning it out the right way and your parents are being super cool.

Your dad's conditions aren't too unreasonable... But do some research on the insurance thing. Who knows, it might cost the same to insure a coupe or a sedan depending on the car or insurance company.

I don't want to sound condescending, but an S2000 is out of your league as a first-time driver. It isn't super duper low, but you'll scrape around some lots and speed bumps. S2000's are known for being very tough to control at the limit. And be real: you're going to drive aggressively every once in a while and you don't have experience yet. An S2000 is something to aim for in the future though. I see an S2000 and then an NSX in my future.

120K isn't bad for a well-maintained car. Just show you dad the dozens of classified ads showing the same car for sale with 200k on the clock... "It'll last at least that long!"

AlmostJalop > Roadster Man 10/09/2014 at 22:54

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Yeah I'll admit looking at s2k's was a little ambitious, but it's a little frustrating when all the cars I find get turned down. I sent my dad a link to a CLEAN documented '95 M3 coupe with around 120k on it and no more than a minute after I hit send he texted back saying "too many miles"...

I have a feeling they don't REALLY want me to do this. They've been dropping hints, and today my mom just flat out said I should just save and use the money as a downpayment on an Accord.

Roadster Man > AlmostJalop 10/09/2014 at 23:37

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Hahaha, they balked! Hold them to their word on you getting some say in the matter, but be reasonable and offer some compromises. An accord would be a fine first car if it's got a manual transmission.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > AlmostJalop 10/10/2014 at 08:39

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Well regarding life with the E36 in high school...

TL;DR: It's awesome. I love it, my friends love it, and I still can't believe I was fortunate enough to be able to afford one of my dream cars at 17.

Mine's been pretty good to me though. My VANOS is still working (commonly goes on these), the water pump was already replaced and upgraded as well as the coolant reservoir, (also common issues), and it's been very reliable so far. *Knocks on wood*

If you can afford it, do it. It's a very fun, very balanced, very practical car.

AlmostJalop > Roadster Man 10/10/2014 at 10:25

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Yeah the new accords are actually really good looking, and a manual sport model can be had with a sunroof for around $21k out the door.

I just want to buy the car myself. I don't want to have to make my parents pay for the car, the insurance, and the gas.

Most importantly, I don't want to til I can afford to finance a car!

AlmostJalop > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 10/10/2014 at 10:59

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Ahh makes me all the more excited to keep saving!

Any mods planned? Does it get you a lot of unwanted (police, etc.) attention?

ViperGuy21 > AlmostJalop 10/10/2014 at 11:25

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Nice! Thanks for the tip!