Neon's First Car!

[Neonspinnazz]

Well, it wasn't my decision as I've already told my parents that I'm going to buy my own car when I get the necessary cash...as to be independent...

But unfortunately the Aveo (rental) was going to cost us $700 to keep a day longer.

For some stupid reason, weekly rates are good (I'm talking Enterprise rent-a-POS) but when they noticed that we've been keeping it for over a month (Envoy's still dead, cash tight), they tacked us with some really high monthly rate.

So my parents decided to take the easy way out and pay $500 to buy a car.

So we went to a "buy here, pay here" kind of place and after two hours we ended up with a car.

My parents then said that it's MY CAR!

The car is a 2004 Kia Spectra.

To summarize I think it's a well built Korean car. It has a pretty decent stereo, with some rough calculations I figured out that it gets 35-38 MPG, it has some damage, but nothing a little elbow grease and scratch repair can't fix.

Oh, and top speed is 140mph.


Now this doesn't mean that I've forgotten the smart, actually this helps me out in my smart quest.

Now I can get me my job and drive to work, and when it's time to get my smart, the Kia works as a trade in!

See, it's all part of the plan...he he...

Either way, now I have a form of transportation until I get smart!

[Carl242]

Congrats Neon! Keep savin' for a hefty downpayment on the smart!

[Neonspinnazz]

I'll upload piccies later...

But I was most amazed with the gas mileage, it actually sips gas! Better than the EPA estimate for sure.

[chumly]

Congrats, sound good.Just because it can go 140 ,its not a good idea.I found out the hard way on my 1st and 2nd car.BANG clank clank clank...........

[jwight]

Excellent warranty, 4 star crash rating, great safety features:

All these advances and improvements pale, however, alongside the new 2004 Spectra's occupant safety features. No other car in this price range or size class, nor many costing thousands of dollars more and in larger classes, offer the same, full complement of standard airbag supplemental restraints.

Good choice!

See you in KC, Neon.

[Mud Pie]

I think just about every parent has helped out their kid with their first car. Granted, when I was a kid, the car was dropped off with my dad saying, "You fix it, you drive it.". Even for my sisters.

My very first car was in 1976 was a 1954 Willys M38A1. OD green with stars and registration numbers on the hood. 24 volts. Waterproof engine. Imagine being 15 years old and trying to find parts for THAT !! Oh yeah, the internet didn't exist.

I got it running by the time I turned 16. Got my permit, learned to drive. For a few years I couldn't afford the rag top, so I drove it in the rain, in the snow, whatever, with no top. There's nothing like having to shovel snow from the INSIDE of your car so you can sit and work the pedals !! Saying nothing about the frozen canvas seats !!

A few of the rich kids got brand new rides. My answer was always the same when I came to school dripping wet.

"It's better than walking !!"

You'll appreciate your new ride, Neon, and when you save the coin to get your smart, you'll tap the hood of your little Kia and say, "Thanks for the ride !".

[jimvw57]

Nothing wrong with a 'get me by until I can get what I want" car. drove those for 35 years....I referred to them as Bic cars. use them until they can't run anymore and get another for a few hundred. My only problem was I made them last too long.

[forestacademy]

Fill that thing with some AMsoil or Royal Purple and it should be good for 200,000 miles

[Neonspinnazz]

I have a few things to fix on my own time, but repairing one's own vehicle sounds like a fun activity

Lets see here:

Fix that dent (easy)
Fill in any bad scratches (easier)
Remove broken rear deck spoiler and replace (not hard)
Replace left front low beam (it's weak)
Clean the windows (last owner must have cleaned them with WD-40 )
Give it a good wash as it still has paint shine!

And as another plus, the dealer they got it from gave me a free 3month/3,000 mile warranty!

The car is sitting on 120k on the odo and I'm due for my next oil change in the next 2,000 miles (about).

It runs really well and I still like that stereo! (2 tweeters, 4 mid-range)

So far I like that little Kia, and I hope to improve on it before we have to break ties when I get my smart later on (which actually seems even more possible than before now that I have transport!)

I can actually say now that now it's 100% possible for me to get a smart and the only thing in my way is time...


And if I happen to customize that Kia before trading it in, it seems as if I only have two things in mind for that car.

1. HID conversion (the weak low beam gave me that idea).
2. Rims (same size as stock, tasteful [i.e. not DUBs]) (I'm not a fan of plastic hubcaps over rusting donut type rims)

[Chris Wurgler]

Neon has his own wheels!