OK, I'm sure you know what this thread is about. I want a car. Badly.

It's too long of a story to explain, but I'm not expecting my parents to buy me a car. On one hand, I feel greedy and spoiled asking for or expecting something that costs thousands of dollars, but we're pretty well off and it would help them out too if I could drive. But I've been 16 since August and been wanting a car since all my other friends turned 16 in early 2003.

So... how can I get the most out of my money? I figure since I like cars anyone, getting a cheap used one gives me a hobby too, since I'll have more opportunity and cash to work on it than I would a brand new car. But until I get a job this summer, I'm a bit strapped for cash. Like... a thousand dollars is pushing it.

Should I beg my parents for the cheapest car possible and just use my moeny (and what I get this summer) on that? Or should I spend my own money getting a ****ty car and just see how it goes from there? I've been whoring ebaymotors looking for cars, only to find rustbuckets that run or decent cars that don't. On that topic, what should I be searching for? I don't know what runs cheaper than others, and I've been searching for RX-7s, CRXs, Eclipses, and other random stuff. I'd prefer RWD to soothe my teenage need for doing stupid stuff.

I don't know. Is my situation hopeless? Should I just do what I've been doing: save money, stay in the good graces of my parents and... wait? Or should I take initiative, seeing as how it's almost summer and I just want to drive?

 

If $1000 is pushing it, you'll be lucky to find a decent running beater. Don't even make a wishlist. Start shopping for 10+ year old civics, corollas, etc. It's slim pickings, as once you get down to where a car is only worth $1000, most people "drive them into the ground".

See if your parents will give you a "loan" for a few grand, maybe $3000. That'll get you into a working car that's moderately safe. You can be selective, to some degree, but don't expect anything fast.

 

You might be able to find one of the following
Merkur Xr4ti/Mustang SVO/Thunderbird Supercoupe
Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest
Geo Storm GSI
early 90s Miata. With a suspension it would be hella fun
You don't want a CRX. You'll need to get an engine swap to have any kind of acceleration ($2,000 to $5,000).

 

second gen mr2 turbo. i wouldnt ask your parents to buy you a car, but you could ask them to get a car loan in there name that you can pay for, probly wont work but may be worth a try.

 

Second gen MR2's still fetch around 5G's low ball, If you can find an old school Corrolla GTS that would be cool, but with the drifting craze, one in good condition can be hard to find. S13 240SX's are cool, and their KA24DE power plant has decnt potential, but then again drifting has bumped their prices up too. Starion/Conquests are relly cool, but they always seem to be in showroom condition or junkyard material. I would recommend a 90-91 turbo DSM (eclipse, talon, laser). They are pretty cheap, and with all the info on the net, fairly easy to work on. The Eclipse and Talon both come in AWD flavors, and all three come in FWD which would probably what you would be aiming for with you cramped budget. But if you want to go fast for cheap, and your brave, go get a 88-91 civic/CRX and go to www.homemadeturbo.com and follow their directions, they have laid it all out for reliable and inexpensive (and I mean REALLY inexpensive) turbo setups, and even a quad throttle body setup for under $150 bucks.

 

you can also check out www.dsmtrader.com they have some pretty neat cars

 

From experience:

1. Save your cash until you have your own income.
2. Stay in your parents' good graces so they'll consider co-signing a loan. Start building your credit score up as early as possible!
3. Keep it reasonable and stay WELL within your means -- a stellar credit score pays off.

That's what I more or less did. I got 2 credit cards at 18 and simply put little things like gasoline and such on them, never exceeding 20% of my total credit. Paid off the balance every month, well in advance (in case it ever got lost in the mail).

First car was at 18. I bought myself a 2-year old 1998 Ford F-150 XLT with a 4.6L V8. The truck was in mint condition. Folks didn't give me a dime, they simply co-signed. I paid the ridiculously expensive insurance for Mass. as well.

After 13 months, I traded that in for a brand new '01 Eclipse GT I'll still be in until the year end. Credit from the two cards and the truck was enough to get me in at a great rate (not the best, I was still young and history wasn't there yet), and definitely didn't need a cosigner for it.

Nowadays I think I can get whatever interest rate I can find, for about any car up to $50K. Getting a home loan would be pretty easy as well. Only took about 4 years and I have a better credit score than about 80-85% of the populace.

 

if your looking for a cheap RWD car you need to look into onld american cars. you can find lots that are 4 door in decent shape for around $1000

 

Just remember, after buying a car you have to pay insurance, pay for gas, pay for new tires, oil changes, and other basic maintenence. Don't bust your budget on the perfect car for you only to realize that you can't afford to keep it. If I were you, I would save money and wait for now and then, toward the end of the summer, spend some of what I have saved on a decent car that isn't rusted out, falling apart, or suffering from the myriad problems that a bottom-of-the-barrel $1000 car is going to have. Good luck in your search, and keep us posted.

 

If you would like help and ideas on how to start building credit for the future drop me a PM. And just save up money to buy one on your own. Save until you get to $2000 and you can afford a decent running 1gen Eclipse more than likey with a NA 4G63. Nice car for starters too. Once you have bought your own car and shown that responsability, your parents will be more likely to help you in the future. That and dont obligate yourself to payments when you will only be working during the summer months. Just My Opinion.