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.

 

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

 

What I wouldn't give for 52K! I will be lucky to bring in 40K this year. Bottom line is priority. Money serves two purposes for me, to provide security, and to enhance the quality of my lifestyle. I sacrifice for the S2000, which is really no sacrifice at all, but what I'm saying is that it is not easy to afford. I am of the mind that if you do not have to sacrifice for something, you probably will not treat it with the respect it deserves(just my opinion). The sad part is that you will probably spend $425 a month on an average "sports car" when you could have the Godlike stook for $535. what is $110? Do you suppose there is $110 dollars of difference between and Integra Type R and the Stook? You bet your ass! Just my two cents.

 

Like I mentioned, don't take what's said on this board so seriously as to think I know little about relating to people in the business world. What's said here stays here. Get it?

And, again, what do you know about the business world? The only business you should be knowing is the business of getting laid by the coeds. But you come across as the anal type. Coeds don't dig anal 18 year olds.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SpaceNeedle:
[B]Like I mentioned, don't take what's said on this board so seriously as to think I know little about relating to people in the business world.

 

I don't know what the gripe about the age gap is...why do any of you care??? Seems pointless to me...

Anyway...SpaceNeedle, as far as how money is spent and the budget thing. I live at home with the 'rents...so we're not as far off as it may seem. The difference is that I pay about 700 a month as "rent" or "help" (basically whatever you wanna call it). Then another 500 for mutual funds, 200 for a ROTH IRA (EVERYONE our age should open one of those!!!), and the other 1400 take home that I have is split between my past debts, new threads to look like a pimp in, and normal "youngen" expenses. I could probably make the S2000 my car if I just waited a while...but...I dunno.

As far as living on a budget...I don't know what you've got to worry about really. If your parents take care of the condo, then kid, you're set. What monthlies do you have that are ALWAYS gonna be there? Just look at your take home for a month, set aside the bills that HAVE to get paid, and the rest seems like cream to me. 'Cause with no rent, and no car payments...homeboy, you're GOOD TO GO!!

If your "play" money is a little over a G a month, dude really, I think you're best off listening to your friends and saving a while. 'Cause supposing you save all that cash you'd blow on monthly S2K payments, in a year or so when you're look at the M3, I think it'd be easier to make that work than the S2K now. And I'm partial to Honda's...but BMW's are still BMW's. So my thoughts...save a little more champ, I think living in the now is all good and dandy...but a car, no matter what the car, does get old. I know I'm gonna get it from all the S2K owners now...but really...until we can enjoy it without thinkin' twice about it, it'll get annoying. Especially in Seattle, I don't imagine the weather's 100% S2K compatible. So my vote's for a little more saving, and a phatter ride in no time at all.

Good luck with whatever you plan on goin' with...

 

And about the Prelude...it's a great car. I've heard nothing but raves about the Type Sh. "SOOO neutral!! Blah blah blah!!" But I dunno...to me, the Prelude is like settling for second best 'cause I can't get the S2000...if I bought the Si, there's no comparison...the Si blows goats compared to the S2K...so I wouldn't feel...inadequate I guess...whatever. I'm an all or nothing kind of person...so if not the S2K, I'd rather save like a madman and drive something

 

Silver S2K you are so right...i always think about that bus...(which is also why I am 20 pounds overweight and smoke on and off)

i am 25, make about 40k, and have tons of debt (about 40k not including the car). After paying all my bills (car included) I have about $40.75 a week to live on. And guess what...I am happy as a pig in Sh!t to have that kick ass yellow car in the garage. It is worth every penny and I love it...though I drive my 93 Civic most of the time...damn snow! Luckily I live with my Sister and she pays the mortgage or I would be SOL Anyway if you can get the car and still have some money to eat, I say buy it.

 

Bwahahahahahah. Are you sure you're not considering that other career opportunity.

Boy I hope you get a chance to read this in ten years time

 

Rahvis: I am in a VERY similar situation! I do not have to worry about college tution(already have a 2yr degree that seems to be working well), savings(figure 401k and 4,000 in company stock is good enough for now. ), and i don't have to worry about my parents. i'm 21.. and decided after a break up in october w/ my gf of over 2years that it was time to do something for myself and what better way to celebrate my new single status then getting a pimp mobile.. only downer is the 7months wait. I make 36k a yr right now.. live in dallas so the year round driving isn't an issue.. it will be my only car.

i am allowing enough time before i get the car to save up 11k to put down and i'm getting it at msrp.. so after TT&L that makes a 35k into a 24k car. i ordered it 2 months ago.. 5months of waiting left.. it will get hear in may. i'm also hoping on a raise in febuarary.. if not i can still pull it off and think it will be worth it.

my payments will be just under $400 on a 48month smart buy.. and insurance will be $20 more then i'm paying now on my '95 civic. + $100 in month on gas (guess)
so total cost of roughly $520 a month.
after rent & bills i'm left w/ roughly $800
i know that doesn't leave alot of emergency or fun money but i think it will be worth it.

trust me a civic won't compare to a s2000 but if i can't get the s2000 i'll end up getting a z28 SS w/ blisten suspension if i catch'em on clearance i can probably get it for 26k -minus whatever i end up w/ to put down.. but those cars are a dime a dozen.

SpaceNeedle: you seem to have some serious issues.. i don't see how someone can talk down to a 18yr old about being spoiled when you yourself are living off your parents.. what kinda crap is that pot:'kettle your black'.