15 years old and buying a brand new car? No job and no trust fund? Parents not going to pony up? A couple of grand on a 16K car isn't really a solution, ya think?
Well, I guess I really am old school, because my first car was a 10 year old economy car, and I paid 1/2 down when I was 19. Same with both my sons - used car, 1/2 cash down payment, with parents co-signing the loan.
I never had a new car till I was in my 30's. So, yeah, I'm old school.
But when I bought my smart it truly was a happy day, because I paid cash! So, at the tender age of 52, for the first time in my life I've got a new car and NO CAR PAYMENT!! And I appreciate my little zippy all the more for how hard I worked for it.
I wish all good luck to people wanting a smart, but have to wonder about why people make a brand new car a priority over other things, especially when they are first starting out - or in the case of the OP - way before even starting out.
I always advised my sons - Don't get into debt. Period.
I think today's economy proves that being good advice.
Besides, by the time you're 17, if you work hard, save your money and get good grades, your folks might help you with a used 2008 smart!
a good economy car that is a older car, but not necessarily easy to work on, but is easy on gas and certainly has a cute factor... the Volkswagen New Beetle.
Honestly dude.. listen to me and everyone else here giving you advice. Don't go for the Smart right now. It isn't the right car. Find yourself a car within the $3k to $4k price range with decent miles. There's plenty of them out there. I'd consider foreign over American, but that's just me.
I want a Smart just as much as you do, bud, but when mine comes in, I may have to orphan it.. because the way my situation looks right now.. I don't think I can afford mine. I drive a New Beetle myself right now, and it's all I can to afford that.
I'd say my best advice for right now pal is to cancel your reservation and wait a couple years, but certainly stay on this forum.
Don't be feared for being flamed just because you're a 15 year old kid. I as well as most others on this forum are decent, working folks who have a heart, and don't have a mean bone in our bodies.
I wish you luck in whatever you do. I'm 23, and if you have any questions you are afraid of posting publicly, you are welcome to Private Message me ANYTIME and I'll gladly answer.
Do these vehicles have proper seat belts?
An air bag can save your life.
Hell no they dont! Thats why they are cheaper! The smart is a much better choice, but I was safe enough in my 79 f-150 when I was in high school from 1999-2002. Did I want something else? Yes. Was I happy with transportation? Yes, until gas went up. By then, I traded up. I got my 1st car loan at 19. Then I lost my job. I got my 1st repo at 19 also, living on my own. No, its not the safesit way by today's standard but they are cheap and easy to work on and will get someone by.
My point is, by what he is telling us, the smart is not going to work out. If he can get extra cash or something, then go for it!
a good economy car that is a older car, but not necessarily easy to work on, but is easy on gas and certainly has a cute factor... the Volkswagen New Beetle.
Honestly dude.. listen to me and everyone else here giving you advice. Don't go for the Smart right now. It isn't the right car. Find yourself a car within the $3k to $4k price range with decent miles. There's plenty of them out there. I'd consider foreign over American, but that's just me.
I want a Smart just as much as you do, bud, but when mine comes in, I may have to orphan it.. because the way my situation looks right now.. I don't think I can afford mine. I drive a New Beetle myself right now, and it's all I can to afford that.
I'd say my best advice for right now pal is to cancel your reservation and wait a couple years, but certainly stay on this forum.
Don't be feared for being flamed just because you're a 15 year old kid. I as well as most others on this forum are decent, working folks who have a heart, and don't have a mean bone in our bodies.
I wish you luck in whatever you do. I'm 23, and if you have any questions you are afraid of posting publicly, you are welcome to Private Message me ANYTIME and I'll gladly answer.
Ryan
Not a bad idea either. Just remember to have some savings if you cant work on it. Good show!
jediknight- have you ever looked at New Beetle, from the mechanical point of view and tried to work on it yourself? You may as well forget that and pay someone to do that. Volkswagen has built the car to where the average Joe CAN'T work on the car. You have to take it to a service shop OR the dealer for repairs.. but if you do attempt repairs.. prepare to take 10x as long to do the repair job than it would take ANY OTHER CAR.
jediknight- have you ever looked at New Beetle, from the mechanical point of view and tried to work on it yourself? You may as well forget that and pay someone to do that. Volkswagen has built the car to where the average Joe CAN'T work on the car. You have to take it to a service shop OR the dealer for repairs.. but if you do attempt repairs.. prepare to take 10x as long to do the repair job than it would take ANY OTHER CAR.
I believe it! The original Beatles weren't easy either. Thats why Im saying either/or. A new beetle would help as far as a newer, cute car is concerned (and damn sturdy too!) but be ready to pay for the maintenance. Then again, if he gets a good one he may not need any. Both options are good, from two different backgrounds. My background is why I like to buy new. Dont have time to leave it in the shop or to fix it. So Im not arguing with you, I am agreeing with you.
I never thought you were arguing... but I was just stating a fact about the car, and it may have come across as me thinking you were trying to argue. Sorry about that. not my intentions.
But let me say this.. the original Beetle's may not have been easy, but I bet they are a helluva lot easier to work on than the New Beetle's are.
The New Beetle is a sturdy car.. if you buy 2001 or newer. I'd shy away from 1998-2000 model years.. as those are problematic. Mine is a 1998.
I'm just lucky I have a step-dad who knows a lot about working on cars and can work on mine and save me money.
I never thought you were arguing... but I was just stating a fact about the car, and it may have come across as me thinking you were trying to argue. Sorry about that. not my intentions.
But let me say this.. the original Beetle's may not have been easy, but I bet they are a helluva lot easier to work on than the New Beetle's are.
The New Beetle is a sturdy car.. if you buy 2001 or newer. I'd shy away from 1998-2000 model years.. as those are problematic. Mine is a 1998.
I'm just lucky I have a step-dad who knows a lot about working on cars and can work on mine and save me money.
My bad too. Hey, I have a step-dad who knows alot about working on cars! Small world. Yea. The newer cars as a whole are harder to work on. I remember being able to get inside the engine compartment to work on it so I didnt have to lean over the bumper of my truck. Our next car after the smart will be a Vee Dub!
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15 years old and buying a brand new car? No job and no trust fund? Parents not going to pony up? A couple of grand on a 16K car isn't really a solution, ya think?
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