Jah70

Patience is key young grasshopper. You can try selling the sebring now and getting something cheaper and use any extra money left to put towards a Z. Your kinda in a tough spot. And screw those kids who drove Mustangs and BMWs. Who cares? It ain't that serious man. If you can somehow get a steady part time job and have savings you can finance one for around $300 American dollars, but I highly recommend you have around 4-5k in savings to fall back on if you can't make payments. I highly recommend you wait until senior year after you get more money under your belt before making any moves. If your serbring dies, catch the bus or bum rides off people. If you live on campus you don't need a car so you might as well sell the sebring and pocket the money or buy a cheaper more reliable car.

Mikeman92

Makes a lot of sense. my dad's advising me to pay in full though (said he'd help out with like 10-20% lol).. but his advice (at least down here in Miami FL) was that no one was going to finance a car with 3-2k left on it, the dealer wouldn't make any money really, or at least not enough to justify that. It's insurance that's the issue mainly, if that wasn't an issue I'd save up 3k and put a downpayment, but alas, being 20 with a sports car has its **** stains..

That's my point btw, I didn't give a **** about cars or theirs really.. I like modding anything though, and you can mod a car, and once they started, that peaked my interest. If I save up I see myself with one by next winter, or latest at the start of my senior year, it just feels like a long time :/.. Thanks for the post and advice man.

Jah70

No problem. And insure it in your dad or mom's name, it's what I did lmao screw paying a ton of money for insurance bro. And yes, your dad is right that it is better to pay for it outright and that non sense about building your credit is a bunch of bull. If anything you can always borrow money from other family members and have a written agreement for the terms and payments to them just like you would with a bank. You can also take out a personal loan instead of an auto loan for the car if you finance a small amount.

Mikeman92

My dad said no to putting the insurance under his name :/.. I already tried

HDPDZO6

gap insurance on a used car? Why not save some bucks and put a decent down payment on the vehicle at time of purchase (20-30%). And if you cannot afford that much a down payment on a 10-12k car, get a cheaper car.

Collin Lacy

Seriously? Thats a joke. "hey dad, could you help me save some money at no risk to yourself?"
"No son, simply because I disapprove of you trying to buy something you want."

I'm 20. Bought my z when I turned 19 (Been working since I was 15) flat out. If I could do it again I would:
1. Find a mechanic I really trusted, and knew their **** about Zs. Find a local nissan specialist shop.
2. Find a salvaged Z for like, 7 grand and take it to said found mechanic to make sure all is copacetic. Our engines our bulletproof. Our transmissions and suspension (bushings) are not so much. Check alignment, body straightness, etc.
3. Make sure insurance will insure said Z.
4. Buy Z, enjoy extra monies not spent on car.
5. Sex/profit.

Just my .02 I know here in Arizona Salvaged/restores are tricky and a barely damaged car can be declared salvaged, so it would be easier to find one that didn't need much work to make right in the first place. Might be different for you. There's a lot of BS surrounding salvaged cars and its made people scared of them.

EDIT: PS all of this is considering you actually are set on a Z. If I could do it again I would buy a different car.

iideadeyeii

iTrader: (6)

No risk to himself? If the car is in his fathers name he has all the risk and liability of being sued for any accident that happens. Also parking tickets, excise taxes, improper equipment, failed or expired inspection stickers all go back on the vehicle owner.

Mikeman92

Honestly, insurance is something I'd be glad to pay for, as long as the car is paid off.. which in this case it will have to be if I get one. I'm exploring all possibilities, even looking for a better job >.<

The_Assassin

Man I know how you feel bro as you can see the time when I registered on here was over a year ago and still no Z. I wanted to buy one when I was 19/20 making $8.10 an hour lol my dad quickly said no but after fighting with him for months I finally gave up. Now am 21 yearsold and in my senior year of university and he said I should buy it now when am ready. I have 2 jobs now, I make 8.57 and 9 dollars an hour working those 2 jobs. I have around 2500 saved up now plus my 2005 civic which trade in is at around 5000, so thats 7500. Another 4000 or so by summer and I will finally buy my hr Z . I would say listen to your dad and wait off on it man. $8 is not enough to get a Z unless you make crazy hrs. I have around $1300 left over after expenses each month. Insurance for you will be crazy. Just got quoted 153 per month from my dads insurance for an 08. If you get a second job though thats another story

Mikeman92

Thank you so much, this feeling sucks.. Lol.. i am working on a second job, waiting tables at a family friends expensive restaurant.. Not sure if I will get it, but I am certainly hoping.. I just hate having an impulsive personality, if I want something I have to get it as soon as possible any way I can (minus drugs).. Lol.. Thanks for sharing, and I hope you enjoy your Z

EDIT: Only good thing about this wait is that I'm pretty much living on the forums, seeing mods I like don't like. Looking at reliable parts, the dos and donts.. Also, knowing the car inside and out so the dealer doesn't try to jip me..

The_Assassin

Thanks bro, I will definitely enjoy it. Still have another 4 to 5 months of saving to do though. Thats good man keep checking for that second job. Just be sure you can fully afford it before you buy it lol you dont want a repo truck hauling it away. Yeah I try to read up on stuff when I can and already have an idea of what i wan to do. red 08 with v2 front and sides

The_Assassin

Completely map out all the cost and stuff..gas, insurance, car payment plus your current expenses to see just want your income needs to be to own one. You can get a quote on geico website

Bruno350z

iTrader: (1)

Dude honestly if you're struggling to save for the car now, keep it stock till you win the lotto. Modding this car is f*cking expansive

Syner

LOL I was thinking the exact same thing. Collin, you must be really spoiled to make a statement like that. Do you have any idea how insurance works?

As for OP. You are worried about not being able to get a car once you get in law school. How will you pay maintenance and insurance once you are there?

Syner

Try selling yourself on the corner instead?

Mikeman92

Assuming it's bought before my senior year, which is very possible, a lot of money would be saved on the side just for that. My school and bank are linked, including the law program, so getting really good loans with either low interest or w/e (aside from student loans for school), will be very doable. This is assuming the money I saved for a year doesn't last long, but I plan on making everything as perfect as possible before that point so it lasts awhile.

As for saving up, it's not a super big issue, just have to stop spending my money on fast food, and stupid **** I don't need :P.

Syner

Best of luck. I would also advise borrowing as little as possible. Even low interest rates take your money.

Collin Lacy

You're right, the only things I know about insurance is that I pay for it, and that i anything happens I'll pay even more for it.

Here's why I said what I said, OP stated he wanted it under his fathers name, I guess I misunderstood this as to just be under his fathers insurance (IE added on to the plan). I didn't see him say anywhere that he wanted to put the title under his dads name, which would then make the dad, the "owner" liable for all the above mentioned things. Policyholder =/= owner.

As for me being "spoiled" maybe I am. I'm on my parents insurance to save money, because they trust me not to mess around with the car, and when something minor does happen to it (like I hit a blown out tire because I was following too close, oops) I'm responsible and I can't go crying to insurance to pay for it.

I guess it was presumptuous of me to assume the OPs parents would look at him the same way, even though all evidence as stated supports it. (job, college, scholarship, law school)

Mikeman92

I'm not sure how insurance really works tbh, I'm under my fathers insurance atm but he told me if I ever got a sports car or probably my own car in general, it'd be my responsibility.. Makes sense to me, even if I don't like it :X

The_Assassin

damn so you wouldnt be working while in law school...even with savings that might be a bit too much bro . Also I would stay away from too much loans man plus come on am sure you want to enjoy at least alittle of your money. No point in having a Z if you cant even take out your girl because you have no gas money. Even with savings it will be tough