Hey guys. Haven't posted in awhile. Not since I lived in AZ. I used to own a black 04. I had to sell it because my family needed money. The thing is, like the title says, it's kinda of a personal thing with me, but may be kinda of silly to some of you. I would like to get another S very very much. The thing is that I make $8.50 an hour and I'm trying to save like crazy so I can get another S. I don't have much in my life (not at all trying to get people to feel sorry for me at all!), I live at home and I don't have a gf and I have trouble meeting girls. I guess that's probably a good thing because that would take away from my savings towards my S. The only things I do is go to the gym, work, and go to school. I believe everybody has a passion in their lives. Some it's comic books, reading, weight lifting, running, rock climbing, etc. My thing is cars. I just feel like I would have more to my life if I got another S. I know it's just another material possession, but I don't look it as that. Maybe some of you can see where I'm coming from on this? It would give me something else to do like work on it, go for long drives, take pics of it, go to meets, washing it once a every two weeks, cleaning the leather seats,cleaning the rims, buying parts, looking at parts online that I can't afford even, lol. I right now have an 02 Acura TL that I really don't care too much for because I don't get the same feel as I did with my S. I feel I have to be "one with my car" again, maybe some of you can see where I'm coming from on this. I've been paying off the loan as well, which I'm down to $2600. I bought the car last July for $5500. I've paid down on it very quickly while paying on my credit card and trying to save at the same time. I have a 10-99 job so I have to pay in soon and that would pretty much wipe out my savings. Now I could sell the Acura and maybe get another loan, but I don't think it would be very much. I'm being picky, but I would like an AP2 again and I don't wanna settle for an AP1 because it's not what I want. Should I sell the Acura and get another loan or just keep saving, paying off the credit card, and the Acura loan? I just need some advice because I feel you guys are the best to talk to about this. I can't talk to anybody else about a car except for you all because maybe you can understand where I'm coming from on this? Any advice would be appreciated and welcomed. Please be honest with me. Thank you all! Richard.

 

Richard,

My advice would be to pay off bills first. Next step is to do what it takes to get to a better salary. At $8.50 an hour an S2k just isn't wise. It's just a car. Maybe get some college done, vocational training, certification, etc. Maybe you won't have an S2k again but improve your financial position and buy a new Porsche, BMW, etc. It's all possible.

Forget the S2k...

 

My advice would be to save your money instead of buying another S2000, and put your priority on school. This to me will pay off the best in the long run, because with a college degree you are more likely to land a better and much higher paying job than if you have to work more hours at your current job making $8.50/hour. IMO, your time is worth more than what you are getting paid, so it would be better spent learning, as cliche as that sounds, so that in ten years time you will be living more comfortably. I'm not saying it will take ten years to purchase the S2000, but for right now I think it would be best to save all the money you can based on your current situation.

 

This. Get through school. 4 years is not as long as it seems to you now, and every aspect of your life will be better with an education than without. The car is not important to have NOW. You have plenty of time to enjoy a nice car, and you will enjoy it far more if it's not a stretch for you financially.

 

+1. I'm sure you like cars as many of us here also do but it seems you have many other problems in your life that you are trying to run away from. 1. You make $8.50/hr. Maybe it will increase once you're done with school but as of now, you would be spending well beyond your means if you bought an s2k. If you want to improve your financial situation, you have to invest in your future and not on toys 2. You don't have a gf. There's nothing wrong with being single but it seems like from your tone, you aren't even putting an effort into meeting people and would rather find satisfaction from working on cars. That sounds like an excuse from someone who doesn't have the courage to go out and meet people. Forget the s2k, find a way to make more money/friends. Get a gf. You will be happier in the long run.

 

Few questions before I give some comments.

1) How old are you?

2) Where do you work and what do you do?

3) What are you going to school for? Are you still in high school?

4) Do you pay rent to your parents?


I will say this now though. Don't forget about the S2000! Use it as motivation to better yourself to achieve your dream!

 

I agree...finish school. I drooled over s2000s for 8 years before being able to afford one. Finish school, get a good job, THEN get an s2000. Not probably what you're wanting to hear, but damn good advice.

 

Interesting that everyone said to finish school, then get an s2000. I am still in college and I can afford my car. It was 13,500, very little if I compare my purchase what my friends are driving. A new car cost around 16k+, so purchasing a 13,500 dollar car is not half bad for a person within the ages of 18-24. My parents always told me that if I saved money I'd be able to spend more of it.

Want to hear my story on how I got it? If so, read on.

During high school I wrestled, played tennis and worked part-time after school and all summer. I made about 7,000$ a year while living at home. I saved the majority of my earnings. When I was between the ages of 16-20 I drove many vehicles that cost me around 3,500-4,000 dollars. I would buy a vehicle for 3,000, get bored and sell it anywhere between 2,800-3,200$. Than use that money, + whatever I saved up and buy something more expensive and nicer; then the cycle would start over. However, at 16-20 years of age I never had a credit card or a car payment. When I was between 19-20 I had my MY00 s2000 which I bought for 10,000$ and an apartment which I shared with my Girlfriend (now Ex). After 4months of living with her, we broke up and I was in charge of the apartment myself. When she left I was working two jobs at the time (summer break), making about 300 dollars a week or 1,200 a month. 1,200 a month was enough for me to live, but to stressful for me to live happily. I had no cable, no bed (she took it), good food but no time to cook! I sold my s2000 that summer to only work one job while I continued back at school. I had 10,000 dollars to work with. I bought myself a used car for 3,000$ and furniture for an extra 2,000. Between 20 and 21 I moved back home now making 11,000 a year, I sold my old car, saved up money and purchased a Subaru STI for 20,000. I took a loan out for a dreadful 7,000 dollars!! That was a huge mistake, Now I had my own apartment again, another girlfriend (now ex). I sold the STI for a huge loss at 18,000 to get out of my loan and buy more furniture for my girlfriend and I and also a Honda Accord so she could drive it. A few months after she said I was crazy and we broke up. Apparently both of them said I was crazy lol.... Anyways, after the STI, a Honda Accord, two lost girlfriends I purchased my current s2000. I'm single, in college, have a job, taking guitar lessons, lift weights, and have an internship at a high school. I'm single and happy, but never content.

The moral of the story is that girlfriends are bad and cars should not make up your identity. I highly concentrate on school, academic and personal education, and physical fitness to better myself as an individual. My car does not "complete" me. However, I am privileged enough to be able to purchase an s2000 and be enrolled in college with no student loans. Loans are very bad for a young person (like myself). Im a car person as well and I work a lot of purchase them, so I understand where you are coming from. When i was driving that shitty Honda accord i didn't feel like myself. I could get better and i did. With a new job and no Girlfriends.

Oh and if your in High school you shouldn't be focusing on a s2000. That's too expensive of a car. Settle with the Acura TL. Better than what i had. I was driving a 1991 Toyota celica with 162,000 miles. I purchased that for 2600. It was a GTS model. Yeah BOI!

 

If you live at home and pay very little in rent, keep that going as long as you can. It's the only time in your life that you have an opportunity to live with very low expenses.

No GF, no problem. Depending on how old you are, you should just get to know chicks better. Practice makes perfect when it comes to dating.

If college is not your thing, there is also learning a trade. I would die for a younger kid that would want to learn my business of interior bath and kitchen remodeling. It's impossible to find a good apprentice. I pay a hell of a lot more than $8.50.

If you are not opposed to college, check out a 2 year degree and make sure the 4 year school you would want to go to accepts all the credits from your local college.

If you notice, I didn't mention the S2000. The S2000 will always be there. You need to look at a bigger long term goal in life, not the end game of a used S2000.

Life is what you make of it, make it better than owning an S2000

PS- Look at life as a marathon, not a sprint. It takes years and years of blood, sweat, and tears to make it in life. Being successful is really hard and only the strong willed get to a good place in life. A lot of your decisions now will set you up for the rest of your life, choose carefully.

 

@Gotpepsi

Um, your story kinda doesn't add up. You made 1,200 a month but could afford life? Insurance, car payments, full apartment bill (because you split), utilities, food, and whatever else? On top of that you had enough money to save to buy a STI couple years later and you were only making 11,000 a year?

@OP

I had a similar story to Gotpepsi but one that made sense. Was making $13/hr spliting apt rent with my sister. Sacking lunch everday. Like EricJT7 said your time is worth more than 8.50. 13/hr wasn't worth mine and I really wanted to start tracking the car and get involved with that scene so I decided to move in with my dad in Alaska to save money and got a better job. Will probably be back in Cali in summer time to start a small auto shop with friends.

If your desperate enough moving to Alaska isn't half bad. Jobs are plentiful and good benefits if working with the state. I don't know in AZ but Cali job market is pretty tough. If your still living with parents, definitely finish school. I know not everyone can support a living and go to school same time. Might wanna get a job and take night classes for a trade program. Like welding or something.