Loan Rates!!!

[cwrenp]

I know I don't NEED a new car, but I currently drive a 1986 (older than me!!) Toyota Camry with 68,000 miles on it. I paid for everything for that car and still pay for anything thats needed.

The car is old. Its eventually going to die... (hopefully not in the near future!!!!) and I will need another car. So i figured that I could buy a used car and all that jazz, or a I could buy a smart, which I fell in love with when I was in France in Feb 2008. I need a reliable car and something that will not cost me much considering that next September I will be going into my first year of college. I figured that a smart would be very fuel efficient and that if I have a big enough down payment, there will be not too much for me to worry about.

I try to be as independent as I can be, at only 17.

This car has made me think a lot about what I really want to do when I actually DO go off to school and how I'm going to keep up with payments.

I was considering going to community college and working a lot and save and keep up on payments for 2 years and then transfer to one of the state schools and finishing my degrees. My city does have one of the best community colleges in the country and If I maintain a B average I'm guaranteed a transfer to UCONN, but I don't know if it worth waiting to go to school for, or if I just want this car so bad its making me think crazy.

"Next question will be how long have you've had your job"
I had a job since I was 16. First one was for 1 year. Last one was for 5 months and my current job is Since the beginning of August, which I will have had for 7 months by the time my DDE rolls around.

I hope all of this works out the way its supposed to.... what ever way that may be!

[Kermit]

IMO the main key that gets us through is the power of positive thinking. Keep thinking positive and good things normally follow.

We've always been car-poor but that comes with the territory of me being a car guy. Start detailing that Camry. If it isn't a rust bucket you may have some extra $$$ out of that as well. When I bring sell an old car I normally wet it down, however it looks wet you can normally buff the paint out to match. It takes a TON of elbow grease but can possibly get you almost double money out of a non-rusty '86 Camry. That car can get someone out of a pickup truck so they may be willing to pay a little extra for it if it looks like a nice 68k mile car.

Last, as mentioned before don't forget the "extras". Just because the window sticker and website say $14k for your car that isn't what you'll pay "out the door". I had to tag on an additional $2500 for my orphan - tax, tag, tittle, doc fees, delivery, brand specialists lunch money......

[cwrenp]

My dealer gave me all the information and told me that out the door, its only the $299 dealer fee and the $645 destination charge and $10 for the title to be financed. =]

I'm trying to stay postive and just keep thinking how much fun I will have in my new smart.

I am so lucky to have my current car considering there is no rust and just could use a good detailing before I sell it. Interior is nearly perfect.

So excited and thanks for all the postive feedback!!!!

[GLomax]

I'm in the market for a Pure. Does anybody know what sort of APRs the dealers in the Los Angeles area are offering? I know it depends on several factors but a ballpark figure would help.

BofA is around 5.9% and Capitol One through Costco is 5.19%.

I don't want to run a credit app through Smart's website just yet.

TIA