Got my first car at 16...here's my list...

1. 94 Toyota Camary (16-17 yrs old) - given to me by my parents
2. 89 Nissan 240sx (17-18 yrs old) - paid $400 for it before going to college
3. 91 Honda CRX (19-20 yrs old) - paid $1500 for it
4. 00 Honda Civic (20-21 yrs old) - paid $3800 for it.
5. 05 Suzuki GSXR600 (21yrs old)Made payments...had it for 7 months then it was stolen
6. 06 Nissan Altima (22 - Present) - make payments..still have it...gave it to my girlfriend
7. 06 Nissan 350z Base (Present, I'm 24 yrs old) - Just bought it a couple of weeks ago.

 

I highly doubt your story.

 

I got my first car when i was 15... saved up since i was 7 (always into cars) saved up birthday money, working money, etc.

15. 1998 Mercedes ML320 (paid 9k for it... parents fronted me some cash to purchase it, which I ended up paying them back in a little under a year.)
16. 1955 Ford F100 (restoration project while I still had the mercedes... the truck is located in the for sale section on this website lol)
18. 2006 G coupe (used the mercedes as a down payment)

yes i did pay for everything (with the help of my parents loaning me some cash on the first car) and as for the debate about 17 year olds with g's and z's... i think it's fine if you're responsible enough ( i understand everyone can be a spirited driver at times and theres also people who blow money) but if you can manage your money well and can show you arent a complete threat to others on the road, then it's fine. I believe that sports cars shouldnt be "given" to young people because they need to understand just exactly what they have and when a car is given, it's not as special because you didn't work your *** off to get it (as many know what i'm talking about)

i have my flame suit on for anyone who disagrees in what i believe in

 

I can somewhat believe 64hrs/week plus school.

I work 50hrs a week and I'm also a full-time student (12 credit hrs/semester). How do I do it? I take one class AT school and 3 online. I'm a community college right now...only for another year. Doing a 2-year transfer program to a university, where I will be for 4 more years completing my Masters in Business Administration.

I'm 19 years old:

1st car : '95 Integra LS (did a lot of **** to that)
2nd (current) car: '03 PPW 350z Enthusiast (6MT)

I paid for both of the cars, and all the mods.

 

so out of the 168 hours in a week, you were attending high school and working 64 hours a week, totaling around 100 hours. If you did NOTHING else, including driving to and from work and school, you could sleep for just over 9 hours a day. Doing NOTHING else. Im just trying to strengthen your case

 

Not defending the OP but your math is a bit suspect. And he didn't say high school, which would pretty much preclude tuition (unless it is a private school) and paying rent. Are you assuming school is 36 hours a week? Or are you including homework/study time? I don't get it.....

 

1987 Monte Carlo SS ($500 at 16 until 18, swapped 350 in)
1996 Mitsubishi 3000gt (18 years old)
1997 Mitsubishi 3000gt vr4
2004 Acura RSX Type S (supercharged)
2005 Nissan 350z (ultra yellow)

 

You know why I do, because every teenager that comes to this thread thinks they are the 1% out there that work hard/live on their own/go to school/and make $80K working at Chili's (sarcasm).

I do believe there are the "exception to the rule" people out there, that are motivated more than most. But from where I stand most "kids" are given cars/money/or other support from their parents these days. Plus they use "cars" as a title of the utmost achievement in life. Not saying a car is of no value (or depreciated value), but education and saving money for a house/other investment is going to build you net worth more than any car.

 

I've argued countless times around this forum about being 17 and blah blah blah. But you know, I don't consider myself the 1% of kids that work hard. I just think I'm extremely lucky, to live in the fortunate environment that I do, especially in this economy. I'm able to combine my hard earned money from work, and help from my dad to purchase the Z. I got a great deal on my Z, and I've always loved the car so why not? I didn't beg to "daddy" to PLEASEEE get me the Z. It just seemed to fit my personality. I have yet to go to a track (Can't wait though just trying to learn more about the car before I do), I don't have any tickets, And I don't have any accidents under my belt. I don't let my friends drive my car, because I care for it like it's my baby. I don't consider it the biggest achievement in life, my grades in school and the certifications I have are my greatest achievements. Hell, I've owned two Civics before this car and I miss them for the simple reason of being cheap and reliable. The Z is great regardless. I've spent a little money here and there just to get the Z to where I'm living a "luxurious satisfaction" with my car. I thank my dad everyday for this car. I thank him for everything he's done to help me achieve my status where I stand today. He's helped me with everything, he doesn't spoil me. He just shows me the way, and I decide to take the route on my own. Take it how you guys want. I just want to learn from all of you guys, and hopefully make a good impression to be accepted WITH my age. I'm not ignorant enough to go around asking on the forums "will the LS1 straight drop in and require no modifications to the wiring harness and work with the stock ecu". I don't want to hide my age just to be accepted. That's bs, accept me for who I am and how I live.

PLUS, where's the guy with the 17 year old daughter? Ask her if she thinks I'm ignorant. Grill me as much as you want guys, I'll take it better than these liars that say they work 64 hours a week and go to full time school. Excuses are for people who are afraid. I don't give excuses; I'm not afraid.

 

He is 19 right now. To pay his car off in full by CASH, he must have earned all this money BEFORE he paid for it. I assume 17 and 18 years old? You graduate high school at age 18 so seems like he was in high school when he was earning the money, maybe not? Yes I assumed about 36 hrs a week as high school hours. If it were college, it would be much less. 13-18 would be likely then. Its crazy how much harder college is with so fewer hours...

 

14 - yamaha scooter 15 - yamaha scooter 16 - Company's GM van (parents) 17 - Camaro Z28 84 (mom's car) 18- Camaro and Jeep TJ 2001 19- RX-7 FD3S (First car I actually bought myself) it was 100% stock but now highly modded 20- RX-7 and S-10 extreme 2003 21- RX-7 and S-10 extreme 22- RX-7 and Audi Q5 S line 2010 (dad's truck but i've been driving this sweet truck over 20k kms out of the 24 xxx on the odo) I'm turning 23 at the end of October and I hope to find a mint 2006 350z black/black before my B-day, which will become my daily driver as I've been using my parents cars a lot cuz the RX-7 is not all that reliable. I already bought an Amuse ti catback and Y-pipe for the Z lol! As many ppl are saying here, school is important and should be top priority as much as it sucks to be in there heh! I totally agree with them. I graduated in Business management (DEC) in what we call cegep here in Quebec ( i think you guys don't have this in the us ?) and my current goal is to build my own company. However, I gotta admit that I have amazing parents and I really appreciate all the help and i do realize that I'm lucky to have them as they've always and will always be there for me till they die. Of course, some have more money, while some have less... but life's not all about cash, right guys

 

Wow what a debate 380 pgs and counting. All i will say is i appreciate the young Z driver who has worked hard for his or her car as opposed to the ones who receive it as gifts. Shows that they are responsible to a degree with their personal money management, but that unfortunately often does not always translate to responsible driving on the road.

 

2007- 1993 Acura Legend
2008-03 350z

I did not receive it as a gift, I still pay for it but a nice internship has let me get some mods

 

1. 1992 Camaro RS - 305 TBI
2. 2004 Mustang Anniversary Ed.
3. 1973 Pontiac LeMans - Bought for 1900 but was in incredible shape for being all origional with the origional 455. 101k miles.
4. 1992 Integra - b20 V-tec, set up for autocross with coilovers, exhaust, intake, cam.
5. 1990 Toyota Pickup - Dirtbike hauler. 100k miles.
6. 2000 Chevy s10 prerunner
7. 2000 BMW 528i...still have it and for sale $5800
8. 2003 350z...by far the best investment yet.

 

A car is an investment?

 

It's really funny how much everyone cares about this. 350z are cheap now, and there are so many on the market. Of course some kids are going to get them. Some of the kids appreciate them, even if their parents bought it for them. Some don't appreciate them and do stupid stuff. It's not just the 17 year olds that are irresponsible, i'm pretty sure the older guys drive "reckless" and have done things to put others in danger.

It has nothing to do with how old you are, it how responsible you are.

This is a forum the point is to discuss the car that we all love, who cares young guys own it.

 

1. 1986 Mercury Topaz - was free - Sold
2. 1986 Pontiac Fiero - $600 - Sold
3. 1995 Plymouth Neon - $9,000 - Wrecked
4. 1989 Mazda Rx-7 - $6,000 - Broken and sold
5. 1998 Dodge Neon - $1,000 - Wrecked
6. 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT - $1,000 - Sold
7. 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Gs - $9,000 - Sold
8. 2003 Nissan 350Z - $12,00 - Current still own
9. 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST - $1,100 - Sold
10. 2010 Yamaha R6 - $12,000 - Currently still own
11. 1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Rs - $500 - Selling soon

Thats since I was 16 up to now and I'm 28, so thats not too bad of a history of cars. I did over pay on some garbage cars when I was younger.