I'm 18, senior in high school, going to USC this fall, and my payments are $466. My way of seeing it, I'm sacraficing my "fun" time to work to make my payments.

 

Well, its really depends on your financial situation. If you can't afford it, then don't. Don't force yourself into a future debt.

If you can, then by all means, go get a Z.

I'm not really in your situation, but I am 21.

I'm 21 with a touring that costed me 48k out the door with all the nicks and goodies.

I was able to make 26.5k down payment of my own money. Right now, I'm a full-time student with full-time work.

The one thing I'm sacrificing in my life is FUN. Thats why I'm paying off my car in about a year or so.

It not really depends on the age, but it mostly a financial need. A car is a car. Its not something you should spend most of time working for.

You only have one life to live, make it as fun as possible.

 

HAHA! I'll get the final word in!!!

Psssst, dude... I have the plan. I graduate with my MS in EE this Dec, and I am laden with school debt. But!!!!! Here is the secret....
I have been looking over all the classifieds with Zs for sale.

By the time I graduate 2004s will be out, and you can snag a nice enthusiast for about 22-23k. This is chump change. By then you will have saved up lots of cash. Don't listen to these guys about saving money, while it is smart and practical, having a cool car is pretty neat.

The catch: you must have 10k saved in the bank as "just in case" money or, trust me, you will regret it.

Moral: compromise, don't buy now, but don't buy when you graduate, at least enjoy it last year of college. Also buying a used one with a ding or so, will take the sting out of it when someone's F150 dings you some more on campus.

nuff' said,

-Xray

 

That's not too shabby. Teachers in the DC area are lucky if they hit $20k! lol

 

48K for a TOURING?? Am I missing something here? APR must have really bit you in the @$$.

 

Im kinda in the same boat as the poster. I want a Enthz and am planning on doing something soon. I work part time and have 1 more year left of school. I will put about a $18,000 down payment towards the purchase and finance the rest for either 36 or 48 months. I am not exhausting all of my finances to do this and will have a ample reserve for a"rainy day" and also have stocks(which I am saving to put a nice down payment on a house eventually).

 

I would never put that much cash down on a car. Maybe 2k down max, and remain liquid just in case. Just make sure to get an ultra low APR, and your ok.
Then just pay off in 3 years at your leisure. Consider depreciation and the interest as just the cost of having a car. No getting out of it in a non-metropolitan area.

-Xray