People who drive....

[BrunoPuntzJones]

6'2" here and drive a camaro and cant see the hood no matter what, even with my head as far up and as high as i can get it. was really odd when i first got it but got used to it. origonally hard to judge distance from other cars but not a prob. and it's not just this one, i had another and some ass ran a redlight and totalled it and got another one and same deal. what do you need to see the hood for anyway?

 

[Tib]

Someone here said:

"$50 a month for gas..."

Man..more like $50 a day, or $500 a month.

I know, it depends on how much you drive. I used to commute to work 45 minutes (25 miles....TRAFFIC!!!) each way, and it was about $5 a day - round trip. That was in a '91 honda accord, 4 cylinder 2.2L engine, 20 mpg in traffic, up to 35 on freeway.

I turn 19 in a month...and when I was 16, I didn't wanna get a license. I tried everything to stop my dad from making me get it...if you want to know why, you can PM me. To give you guys some though...my dad is a contractor, I KNEW that he would make me runs errands all day after school, pissed me off. Well, you guessed it, it happened

Anyway, now I'm turning 19 in a month. I am going to school, which will cost me about $37k for 8 semesters, total 2 years, 8 months. I think I can knock $5k or so off from testing out of a few classes (like college algebra - who would want to take that anyway?).

Anyway, now I'm glad that my dad made me get my license early. Tought me how to support myself (I've ALWAYS paid all of my own insurance and gas money, and repairs by myself thank you ).

Now I am figuring out how to SAVE money, not spend it. You will be surprised how hard it is when you are 18 years old to save up $2k or $3k....took me a few months. If you're making $30/hour, I guess it won't be too hard. But all that dang SUV is gonna do is drag you down.

My advice...learn how to SAVE money, not spend it. Ya...all you're friends, and the "valley-girls" in your high school will think you're the coolest guy in school when you go rolling over those speed bumps, sidewalks, parking "stoppers" - hell even fences maybe if you have to run from the cops . But that all changes when you go to college....there, "smart" girls want men who know how to save, not boys who know how to spend money.

BTW....let me make one thing clear, I am in no way saying that "all the girls want me now" - LOL. I'm a freak! . Just trying to give a friend some advice....Man, when I was 16, I thought just like you. Watch, when you are about 18, or 19 years old, things will change. Yes they will....the sooner the better if you ask me.

The main reason why most basic Americans are in dept, is cuz all they do is make payments on cars, make payments on mortage, make payments on student loans....make payments, make payments.

Then people start complaining "Damnit! Why do all those damn corporations own everything!? Dang I hate those rich guys and those corporations!" Well....people making payments on there cars, houses, property, student loans, etc. loans and margin brokerage accounts - you are all throwing huge amounts of money into one huge pot - and it all goes into the hands of those rich guys and makes them richer. Help the world a bit and save the $10k or $15k a year for that SUV, and go out and buy a '92 Toyota Tercel for $2k, and then you will spend $50 a month for insurance instead of $150, and $50 a week on gas instead of $50 a day (rough #'s I know, but I'm guessing).

Anyway, about the gas...I drive in my '91 honda accord, about 2000 miles a month, approx. 25k miles a year (about 100 miles / day and 500 miles a week). I spend $20 on full tank, and I'm spending like $200 a month on gas! I can't begin to imagine how much I'd be paying for gas if I had an SUV....dang.

Oh ya, save the environment, don't drive an SUV . And save some parking spaces too. And save some lives by not taking up 1 1/2 lanes on the freeway.

Just my 2 cents, hope it's worth something to someone.

Tibor

 

[Nutdotnet]

Yeah dude. Do what you want with your money, but trust me you are not going to want to have payments to make when you get out of HS and start going to college.

 

[The Stigenator]

you dont aim to see where your front end is, sure in some bigger cars its nice to have an hood ornament to show where the front is, but with practise you dont need to know it, it comes to you.

If you are scared pulling out of a tight sqeeze, turn on your head lights, you can now see where your front is, and how close you are to the next car.

As for an SUV, I would highly suggest against, it. If you do get an SUV get a micro SUV like the Rav4, CRV, Vitra etc etc. here is one, the SUV is expensive as for insurance for a 16yr old its going to be worse than what you can think. You live in CA, so insurance is going to be high. I live in Glendale, CA, for my toyota tercel that I drive I pay 1800/yr. Mind you I am 21, with 0 tickets and 0 accidents and no violations for the past 3 years. My brother who drive the BMW is 27 with 1 accident (fender bender 3 years back) and 0 tickets, and pays 750/yr. Go figure.

 

[ArMs]

Well...I got my license and bought my car. An '84 Jeep CJ-7. I can see past the hood from like the back seat. Since it doesn't have much in the way of cooling or heating...I won't be driving it until this summer so I can just take the rag doors and top off. The minivan I've been driving in it's place though, is a little more difficult to see past (the hood). But regardless, get yourself a minivan. Chicks dig it.

 

[Azraele]

First of all, let me state that I'm short (5'1). Now onto my story.

When I was taking driver's ed, my feet couldn't reach the pedals without a pillow at my back. Talk about embarassing

 

[LadyNiniane]

urbantechie lamented, "WHOA! My dad just told me even if I made XXXX dollars I still wouldn't be able to buy it since i'd be only 16. You have to be 18? So he would buy it like he was doing it for himself and I just give him money every month. "

Yep - and that means the title, licensing, etc. is all in his name. But if you are the primary driver, that's the way it will be listed on his insurance policy, and that's the way they will figure the rates.

Better have him check that next - because when son-&-heir turned 16, we were told, "Six-cylinder or smaller, and no 4X4 if you want our lowest rate for your teenage driver." Just out of curiosity, I asked what the difference was between a 2X4 and 4X4 pickup truck or van, all other things being equal (rate-wise). It was just about double (about $300/month vs. $160/month for a 2X4) - made his choice of vehicles much easier.

Viper GTS has it about right - obviously, he's done the math as well.

Again, this is "Mom" speaking - I would seriously reconsider your choice of a first vehicle.

Lady Niniane

 

[TopGun]

<< OK, then figure paying $300+ a month car payment, plus you'll have to have comprehensive insurance on a financed vehicle. You can probably figure $200 - $300 a month for insurance. Plus, being under 18 you'll need a cosigner on the loan &amp; they'll probably want a decent sized down payment. >>



I bought a '92 jeep cheerokee for about 5k, I make $160 payments each month, $300+ is a bit of an exaggeration , you could almost get a NEW jeep for $300+ a month.

Insurance is only about $150 a month on a truck and I'm 17.

 

[Viper GTS]

TopGun...

He said he wanted a $13,000 Cherokee. Go check the numbers yourself. If you drive a financed vehicle you will be obligated to have comprehensive insurance, &amp; that'll be damned expensive for a 16 year old driving a $13K SUV.

Trust me, I've looked at the numbers many times. I could be driving a $13K vehicle if I wanted to, but I don't need the financial burden right now. My ~$3,000 Accord is more than sufficient, &amp; I have plenty of money to play with each month.

UT:

I have three years of college, &amp; over a year at my current job &amp; I make less than $13 an hour. $26,520 a year, to be exact. More once you count overtime &amp; holiday pay, I'll probably top $28,500 this year if I stay at this job. Base, I take home right about $20,000 a year. A $13,000 vehicle, although feasible, is not a smart decision for me to make right now. It'd be an even worse decision for you, since you'll likely take home well under $10,000 a year. My guess would be around $5,000 or $6,000. When I was 16 I thought the exact same way as you do, though. Except I wanted an early 90's Corvette. I was working full time, making $15K a year. There's no way in hell I could have afforded it then. Now, at 18, I could afford it if I really wanted to, but I don't. There's a reason people under 18 aren't allowed to enter into contracts. It's called maturity.

Viper GTS

 

[mztykal]

<<...If you think i'm stupid, say it..I hate people who stay quiet, have something on your mind say it. ...>>

You're stupid. Happy?

 

[BoberFett]

TopGun

On a $13K used car loan, you're looking at over $300 a month. There is no debate there, it's just the facts. He can expect an interest rate of about %10. Then there's insurance, repairs and fuel on top of that. That's a rather expensive vehicle for a 16 year old, IMO.

My first car was $500. My second car was $50. My third car was $700. I bought my first $4000 car when I was 19 and working full time. I survived despite my crappy cars.

 

[Viper GTS]

BoberFett...

He'd be damned lucky to get 10%. I was quoted rates of over 20%, at 18 with a full time job making $25,000 a year.

Viper GTS

 

[TopGun]

Hmm..guess I missed that.

Why would you want a Grand anyway...I think they're kind ugly..

I would definently not recommend spending 13k on your first vehicle. If I had a the chance to do it again I would probably buy a $500-$600 junker and save up to buy something nice without having to take out a loan.

 

[TopGun]

Also he can't finance anything if he's under 18, he'll have to get his dad to do it, so the rates will be based on his dads credit history/income...

 

[BoberFett]

Ouch Viper, that sucks. You'd be better off buying it with a credit card.

 

[NutBucket]

Man, I think you guys are quoting him a los figure for insurance. I'm 18, drive a 91 Accord DX 4-door, and I'm payin more then $200 a month. Granted I have coverage way above minimum on my parent's policy, but even if I go get insurance on my own with lower coverage, I'll still be paying the same. And if you get a SUV, damn, that figure will FLY THROUGH THE ROOF!

 

[Viper GTS]

NutBucket...

I'm trying to give conservative figures here so people don't jump on me. I was quoted insurance rates of $10,000 a year on a 1994 300ZX TT, which is one of the cars I (very briefly ) considered. I pay $1800 a year for my Accord, &amp; that's with minimal coverage. Full coverage on an SUV, driven by a 16 year old will be horrendous. ESPECIALLY if he gets the V8 version.

Viper GTS

 

[Schola]

Yes I can see past mine, but then again I drive a pretty small car, a Cavalier.

schola

 

[Windogg]

Yes, experience counts for a lot. I have close to 7 years and my insurance is $2200/year for Comprehensive $500K/$500K/$500K, $300 deductible, No deductable glass, rental car, etc. Due to a clerical error, they thought my girlfriend only has 4 years experience and my insurance bill for the month showed a new rate of $4500/year.

Keeping a clean credit history is also a great help. I'm financing $10K right now and I secured a 7.9% loan from Chase Automotive Credit. Paying off your bills on time is important kids.

Windogg

 

[The Stigenator]

ONe way to get low interest rate on a loan is to be part of a credit union, they have the lowest rates around for auto finanace.


As for insurance, it depends on several factors:
1. amount of driving expreience
2. where garaged (city) and in a garage, or on the street
3. What kind of car your driving (engine size/make/model/theft data etc etc).
4. How many miles your going to drive for daily commute

The first 3 are the biggest gamble. Cause within a local area, the area garaged will change cost of insurance.

If you take a Honda Accord in Los Angeles and insure it to a 16yr old your paying close to 4000/yr maybe.
If you take a similar sized engine but a differnet model, maybe a nissan, or a ford you will pay half that.

 

[Doggiedog]

UT, I am kind of mystified as to why you are so intent on getting a car.

If I remember correctly, you started a thread regarding your family and finances and your assumed financial obligations to your parents.

Having a car is fine but having money is better. I don't know what the necessity of having a car is at your age unless you really live out in the boonies where there is no transportation.

It is not a wise thing to go into debt at such an early age. You aren't even old enough to get a credit card. What would happen if you lose your job? Your dad would have to bail you out and as you stated in your previous thread, that would not be easy on your family.

I don't want to sound like your mom but I am a bit older than you (30 in fact) and am asian as well. I have been around the block a few times. I know the temptation of having nice wheels and all. I went to a rich private school were the poor people drove 3 series bimmers while the rich ones had to do with Ferraris and Porsches (and I am serious too). I could be called guilty for having a fondness for nice cars, I have a 99 Lexus GS and a 95 BMW 325, which I'm getting rid of for an M3, but I can afford these things easily. You on the other hand are cutting it very close. A couple lost paychecks and you'll be scrambling to get any job you can get. At your age, you should concentrate on more important things in life like school and girls, not a car that you won't appreciate after getting into your first fender bender.

Good things come in time, I've got tons of friends who went to school and got really good tech jobs and can easily afford nice cars. Getting that car and putting added pressure on yourself is not advisable. Stick with your dad's van for now.

My $0.02.

 

[BoberFett]

Damn Windogg, what do you drive? I'm 25 and for full coverage on both a 95 Saturn SL2 and 96 Chrysler Concorde I pay $1200/yr.

 

[Windogg]

Bober, Insurance on the east coast is notoriously expensive. Plus the People's Republic of Taxichusetts has state mandated rates. That means there is no room to shop around. What the states says you pay is what you are forced to pay. :|

 

[LadyNiniane]

BoberFett noted, &quot;I'm 25 and for full coverage on both a 95 Saturn SL2 and 96 Chrysler Concorde I pay $1200/yr. &quot;

Key word here &quot;I'm 25&quot;

18-25 is the kiss of death - if you make it to 25 with a decent driving record, you're home free. If you're male and get married between ages 21-25, you can get a partial break.

Lady Niniane

 

[urbantechie]

<< Stick with your dad's van for now. >>



The main reason I want a car is replace the van. The van now has 400K on it and is bound to break down and to rebuild the engine costs more than the car.