"TheJWT" (thejwt)
01/01/2014 at 14:33 • Filed to: None
4
10|
"TheJWT" (thejwt)
01/01/2014 at 14:33 • Filed to: None | 4
| 10 |
With every new year comes the same old resolutions; lose weight, be happier, quit smoking, etc... But mine is something a little different, a little more oppo. But first, a short back story.
Up until this year when I went away to college, I lived in Northeast Ohio. I'm not sure about the rules in other states, but where I'm from, you can get your temporary driving permit when you're 15.5, and your license when you turn 16. Being the petrol-headed anti-millenial that I am, I got my license ASAP, while most of my friends waited until they turned 18 (and didn't need their temp. permit). At the time, my mom had a 2010 Honda Fit, and my Dad had an '05 Civic sedan.
As a 16 year old, I didn't have much need to go anywhere, so I just used the Fit, with the notion that in a year or two, I'd get a car of my own. Senior year in high school came, and I planned on driving to school with my friends, instead of taking the horror that is the school bus. Pair that with the fact that I had also just gotten a part time job, and it became pretty clear that two cars wasn't going to cut it anymore. This would've been a great opportunity for my to pick out something for myself, if not for the fact that my dad's Civic was starting to show it's age, and he wanted something new as well. And so he got a new Civic, my mom took the old one, and I got the Fit. It was a fun car and I enjoyed driving it, but it wasn't really mine, so I didn't think that me modifying it to my tastes would go down very well with the parents.
So at this point, you might think that I could just get something when I went to college, but as was the case in high school, there's another problem with that. You see, I'm going to school in NYC, where I have no need for a car. Also, I'm studying architecture, which leaves me with literally no free time. So I guess I'll just have to wait until 2018 when I graduate, as a 23 year old, to buy my first car, right?
Fuck that.
(Dramatization)
Cars have been my life for as long as I can remember, and there's no way I'm going to wait four and a half more years to finally have one of my own. I've wanted a car ever since I new what a car was, and I don't know exactly how, but I am going to buy one now. This is where things get interesting though, because my only requirement is that it be fun to drive. Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, turbo, NA, convertible, coupe, wagon, I don't care. So my fate is really up to whatever pops up on craigslist in the next few months...
So that's my new year's resolution... To buy a cheap car on Craigslist.
Thanks for reading!
Desu-San-Desu
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 14:36 |
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How far are you willing to go and what is your budget?
Agrajag
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 14:43 |
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Do it, but get cheap enough where you will not hobble yourself when you get out of college.
MountainCommand
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 14:50 |
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My bit of advice for car buying in my experience is just dont 'settle' for something. If it doesnt have that manual transmission dont get it. If it isnt the better model version you want, dont get it (you get the point). Because it will be a rather regretful thing in the short and long term. Also, be a little picky and dont rush (thats basic stuff though)
Youre doing this because you want to. I honestly had a similar situation to be honest. I felt the car my grandparents gave me wasnt really mine, so i worked and saved to get my own. College bills be dammed, i wanted that prelude.
Good luck and post up your potential candidates!
AM3R
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 14:51 |
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Give me a budget and we can go crazy. I almost bought a WRX with 140k miles on it because I found it on Craigslist. The guy wanted $5500 for it but that's a major CP.
Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 14:56 |
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I've been looking for a cheap fun car too, I suggest getting an underhyped car not many people know about, like a Mazda MX-6, or a mid 90's Celica. They're fairly cheap and have decent performance.
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TheJWT
> Desu-San-Desu
01/01/2014 at 14:57 |
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I don't really have a budget yet, I'm going to cash a few savings bonds in and work over the summer, so by then I should have around $5000 to spend.
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TheJWT
> AM3R
01/01/2014 at 14:59 |
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This probably won't be for a few months, I need to get some money together first. When I'm ready I'll probably ask oppo for suggestions though!
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Desu-San-Desu
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 15:00 |
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Ok. I'll be happy to help you look around your local craigslist listings. :-)
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TheJWT
> Desu-San-Desu
01/01/2014 at 15:02 |
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Much appreciated! I'll definitely reach out to oppo when I'm ready to buy.
area man
> TheJWT
01/01/2014 at 18:16 |
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REALITY CHECK
I admire your dedication to a dream that I share as well. However, if you are flying solo financially on this, I have to warn you about the realities of car ownership in NYC. Insurance will run you $3-4,000 a year and any semi-decent garage space is at least a few hundred a month.
I've had to stop myself from buying several craigslist beaters because a low purchase price can make you forget about these costs down the line.