Other areas may offer higher pay, but atlanta is kind of eh. There's a lot of places willing to pay about $40k / yr to new grads, only a few willing to actually pay you decently. Combine that with the cost of commuting or living in the area and it'll frustrate you rather quickly.

My roommate is currently in that boat, sucks completely. $60k / yr is more reasonable for atlanta starting out, but you'll have to look for those.

If you've only got $700 a month, I'd say hold off. Shit will happen, you'll need the money. Get yourself a nice buffer going to cover yourself, then look into getting the car. I spent a year saving and scrounging to get this car myself.

I can't really afford this car, but I'm getting it anyway. I would love to follow the 10% rule of car costs (car and related expenses should not be more than 10% of your annual income, i.e. $4-5000 for $40-50,000/yr) and be financially sound and invest in my future, but for me, cars are life. I plan on financing it for 5 years and having it paid off in 4. I take meticulous care of my car so should I decide to sell it, at least it should be worth a tad more than the average trade-in.

http://poorerthanyou.com/2009/07/24/...pend-on-a-car/

I was in the same boat as you, and the truth is, no one should make this descion but you, all you can do is research, triple check your math and make your own descion and live with it, it's called being an adult. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just emphasizing the point that everybody has their views on life and you should do what makes sense to you rather than look for outside reinforcement.

if you do rush into it and buy it, then you will become "Car broke" the novelty and enjoyment of the car will disappear and youll feel trapped by it.

The only way I would advocate for you to buy it is if you dont plan on making it past 32

Investing in a 401k > buying a new car.

I started my 401k at 21, and it's up to 100k now. (I just turned 27)

till the stocks tank again and its down to 12$. :happyanim:

I went there... i said it!

Lots of these cars are being driven by old farts like me (I'm not thirty yet-- But, I drive like an old fart when it comes to this car). Spiritedly on weekends only.

Save your cash and buy a low-miler in five years. Five grand will get you a good MX5 for the moment, if you have to scratch the itch.

And here I though I was the "old man". What a bunch of responsible nerds you guys are! Did I see someone quote Suze Orman?! My Grandmother watches that crap. Shit, If I waited until I could afford a car by your guys standards, I'd be rolling to work on a Huffy. :lol:

It's not like the OP works part time at Taco Bell. If you can afford the payments, and want a car, buy a damn car before some wife puts you in a Prius or minivan. Be responsible (the kind of responsible these guys are talking) and save for you future children's education when you have some. Not saying anyone should go broke to buy a shiny new ride to impress people or something, but you certainly sound responsible enough to me to handle a car payment. I'd say go for it.

#7 is the red flag and it all depends on what type of person he/she is. If she is working and making at least as much as you are, then I see no trouble at all if you want to buy the car. But, if she's those type of girls who likes to spend on clothes, makeup, gazillion shoes, wants you to spoil her all the time buying flowers etc, then urine trouble.

In all honesty, only buy the car if you have a garage or shelter you can put it in away from plain eyesight of people, because there are assholes out there who will do whatever they can to damage a good looking car. I've seen a kid running towards my car, looked at it for a second and then started pounding on my bumper, needless to say I had to do what I can to get rid of that rug rat.

Life is short, you only live once, and all that...

I say go for it. throw your 5k against it, plus whatever you can get for the acura, and enjoy it! You clearly have been financially responsible so far, having paid your student loan, etc. I 'pay myself' 10% off the top of each cheque, before any of my funds go to budget items - bills, debts, savings, mortgage, etc.. if you can still pay your budget items, including whatever you car payment ends up being, plus pay yourself 10% for "me money"... give 'er shit!

I wish the people that sent me my property tax bills would believe this. :D


Completely depends on the area. 60k is high for here. Entry level is around 40k. Retail jobs are more like 15-20k/yr.


Sucks, but that's the way it goes. There are a lot of people I work with that lost a ton of money and are just now settling out again.

How is that a red flag? It doesn't sound like she's bleeding him dry?

Seriously, I don't mean to be a ****, (okay, sometimes I totally mean to), but some of the shit on this forum is friggen weird. Clear bras, Opticoat, garages. Do you hire gorillas to watch over the car while you go shopping at the mall?! You realize those very same "assholes" could be out and about, too, right? They have to get their t-shirts from A&F sometime, you know!

I dont blame you, for someone who drives a Saturn.

I was not meaning to say his significant other is bleeding him dry, I was just trying to open up his mind a little bit. Motivating him to do the math himself to see if the price spending between the two couples is enough to keep the car while being steady enough to make the house payments.... I was just simply adding something that I havent seen anyone posted yet and stayed "on topic".

I actually drive a BRZ, which apparently is bound to ruin me financially. That is after a meteor hits it!

And that Saturn had 268whp. It'll smoke your slow ass BRZ anyday! Oh wait...:lol: