[QUOTE]Originally posted by huyto:
[B]If your going to buy something, get what you want or you might regret it, especially such an important purchase as an automobile.

 

Good choice Rahvis, very smart. Putting money away now will put you lightyears ahead of others your age.

 

I don't make too much more than that and it fits my budget fine. Of course, I live in Memphis, TN, a city where the median income is VERY low.

 

By 28, I will be driving a Porsche Turbo something with a nice condo on the side. I love cars.

As for Jay Li, I'm really not interested in what you have to say. Your're light years behind most of us older people here at 18 years old and stuck in college world. From freshman year to the denouement of your college life, there will be changes in perspectives. Your parents aren't helping you any by buying you that car in realizing what the world is really like. Let's end it at that.

Rahvis, if you really want it, you could do it. If you want to be 28 and driving the S2000, do it like the rest of this board. But I'm sure you're not planning on making 52K next year or the year after that. Your income will grow if you do it right. Here and now it's a little tough going, but later on, you'll be able to afford more. I think we'll be hitting up the BMW and Porsche dealers by the time we're in our mid to late twenties. I know I will be. S2000 is going to be chump change!

Let the flaming begin. But I'm only speaking the truth.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rahvis:
[B]And nvmys2k, if I can EVER find a car as tempting as the S2000...you'll be the first to know.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpaceNeedle:
[B]By 28, I will be driving a Porsche Turbo something with a nice condo on the side.

 

And now for something completely different:

Here is my unique perspective... Live today, not tomorrow. A lot of good all that money in the bank and prudence will do you if you get run over by a bus tomorrow. Also, sometimes when you compromise, you end up in a situation you can't deal with later on. You end up getting what you wanted in the first place at a larger cost in the long run (i.e. trading in a car after a short period of ownership).

In your case I'd say the winter weather and the fact that the S2K makes a sucky only car would be more of a reason not to buy than finances. Also, I'm not sure what the cost of living is like in your area. A NY, NY'ers $52K is a lot different than a Raleigh, NC'ers $52K for example.

But what it boils down to is what makes you most happy, living in a wide financial margin, or driving exactly the car you want.


[This message has been edited by Silver S2K (edited January 05, 2001).]

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by huyto:
[B]Wasn't it everybody's dream to have a badass car when your young and in your twenties?

 

1) Rahvis: On one hand you only live once. You will never be 20-Something again. On the other hand if your car budget is so harsh as to eat into your social life - can't take a girl out for dinner. Then I think you will eventually grow to dislike the car. You seem to have thought out all the details. I am sure you will make the right decision.
2) I would buy my son a sports car if I have the ability to, provided he is a responsible 18 yr old. Which 18yr old male did not dream of driving a sports car. I tried to convince my mother to buy the Buick Grand National (0-60 in 4.9 sec) when I was 17. That would have been the only car in the family. I am sure I would have gotten in a lot of trouble if I had a car like that. But so what.
3) It's never enough. Never enough money, house, horsepower. It's a setup for a life long feeling of inadequacy. This car purchase thing can get very philosophical.

 

I just want to express that I have nothing personal against you all. This is in fact a just a bulletin board with people I never plan on socializing with or spending time with outside the forum. Which is cool with me and I'm sure perfectly fine with all the rest of you.

But this is a tricky situation. I participate in this topic unlike others because it applies to me as well. I'm in the same situation as the poster, but without the level of responsibility of rahvis. I have my bills, but this is Seattle and year-round driveable--I'll be forking 37K total for the car.

My parents are well off so no need to worry about them. I've never lived on a budget and if I don't get the S2000, I won't have to at all. The paycheck will come and it'll be mine to spend on food and play. Rent is the association fees I pay ($240/month) as my parents provided me a new condo to live in here in Seattle. So technically it's living with the parents without the parents there which is a good deal in my opinion.

I will be making around the same salary as rahvis. I'm looking at $600-675 + $170 / month for the S2000. I'm still not 100 percent sure I'm going to do it since my work is 60 percent travel. As nice as the car might be, I don't know if it's worth the monthly fees if I will be driving it only on the weekends... but maybe it will, I don't know what you S2000 owners know.

Older friends tell me to save up for a year and wait... but I have a feeling if I save up for next year, I'll be tempted to blow that savings on a more expensive car like the M3 instead of sticking with a 33K car like the S2000. After other expenses which includes 401K / IRA savings and such, I have a little over 1K to play with a month.

Because I have never lived on a budget before, I don't know if 1K free a month will do it for me psychologically. That's the big question here. It'd be good to get some feedback from the younger folks on how you guys live and spend your money.

But rahvis, the SI is a cool car. I always look at it when I see one on the streets. But for that 17K, I'd rather get a used Prelude.

Good luck.