Is it a good idea..

[blackhawkdown]

you are getting rid of 1 bike and 1 car for an frs. it doesnt sould like its a good trade to me. your gonna lose two things for 1 thing. i rather just save my money until i can afford the frs and keep both of my other toys but that is just me.

[Droid]

Originally Posted by blackhawkdown

you are getting rid of 1 bike and 1 car for an frs. it doesnt sould like its a good trade to me. your gonna lose two things for 1 thing. i rather just save my money until i can afford the frs and keep both of my other toys but that is just me.

Well..my mom hates the fact that I have a bike and I scared the shit out of myself when I was almost T-Boned, didn't lay it down or crash, but it definitely put a reality check into place for me. I, as most teens/early twenty somethings do, thought I was invincible. With that experience on top of reading the almost daily Facebook posts about someone I know going down on their bike and getting killed (I live in a very congested area and cars don't respect the bikes) it was time to give it up. As for the car, it is a very nice car, but it was given to me and I don't have any attachment to it as most of you all have with your car. I want to love what I drive as I will have a decent length commute wherever I shall work, sadly. But thank you for your opinion, I appreciate it, and had I not almost gotten killed I probably wouldn't be doing this "trade up."

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

A lot of people on this board really seem to get off on telling other people they can't afford the car. Maybe it makes them feel special, I don't know.

Originally Posted by Zozr

Your parents pay your insurance and gas and you're considering a new car.

Okay then. Your priorities are way out of whack. Become self sufficient before you get a new car.

See what I mean?

[Griever423]

Go for it. I know it's over done, but you only live once. If you want it and can afford it, get it.

If your parents are willing to provide for you then why not enjoy their generosity? There is absolutely nothing wrong with that and anyone on here who tries to tell you different is hating. Enjoy yourself and school while you can.

[Celadrielas]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

See what I mean?

I'd like to clarify that my position is simply "Think it through". As someone who followed this car from a drawing on a piece of paper, I love this car. I own my car because of my passion for it. But, realistically, if a storm blew a tree over and crushed my car... I wouldn't replace it at the end of the day because my situation is different than it was when I bought it. I have zero regrets and enjoy my car greatly. Life happens.

All that said, I want the OP to buy the car, especially if they are passionate about it as I am. I also, however, agree the OP should be self-reliant before buying any new car for no reason other than "I've got what I need all worked out." I do NOT want them buying their dream car, then watching the repo man flat bedding it away because they hit a rut in life.

I really hope I am not coming across like a complete asshole. I am just trying to give my 30 year old, wife, kid, mortgage, and living hand-to-mouth point of view because I want the OP to know when they own it... It's theirs. No issues, come what may, they get to enjoy the piece of heaven I do every time they get behind the wheel. I want them happy with their life and not just lusting over toys, I guess.

[AznBRZer]

Only advice I'd add is to wait until the OP has been working in the job for a few months. There is no way in hell I would be buying a $26k car only making $800 a month even without bills or insurance being over $3k a year if I was the OP. That's just plain stupid for someone not even making $10k a year.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Celadrielas

I am just trying to give my 30 year old, wife, kid, mortgage, and living hand-to-mouth point of view because I want the OP to know when they own it... It's theirs.

But he's not a 30-year old with a wife, kid and mortgage. He's single with no responsibilities, and he has means for the meager financial burdens in his life. There's a big difference in risk appetite when it's only your risk and not anybody else's.

I'm in my 40s and do not have any kids, spouses, pets or plants. Not too long ago I was working in a job I didn't like for a company I didn't like in a city I despised. I got tired of it, so I quit and moved to New Orleans. No job. No real plans. I just gave my notice, packed up my shit and moved.

That sounds crazy to people with kids and mortgages, especially in what was, at that time, still a pretty weak economy. The coworkers in my department (ALL of them with children) thought I was nuts, and some of them said so. But for me, what was the worst that could happen? I might have ended up depleting my savings and having to sell my stuff. I might have had to get a job at Home Depot to make ends meet. I might have ended up bankrupt and homeless, but I have family I could go live with if it got to that point.

But it all worked out better than I could have expected. And the best part is that if I decided I hated New Orleans, I could do it again.

This kid is in a similar situation. He has no responsibilities. He has nobody counting on him. He has good earning prospects on the horizon, and he has a safety net in the form of family. He'll have plenty of years ahead of him to worry about mortgages and college funds for kids and all that crap that keep you tied down. But for now, he has very little at risk. Really, what's the worst that could happen? If he got himself in financial trouble, he might have to sell the car. Big deal. If that happened, I suspect he wouldn't whine about it or go looking for a government handout. He would take responsibility for it and rebuild.

OP, buy the car. Don't let other people project their fear of risk onto you, when their risks just don't apply. And don't feel guilty about having a safety net. You were born luckier than some, but that's not anything to be ashamed of as long as you don't let it turn you into a douchebag.

[Celadrielas]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

But he's not a 30-year old with a wife, kid and mortgage. He's single with no responsibilities, and he has means for the meager financial burdens in his life. There's a big difference in risk appetite when it's only your risk and not anybody else's.

I'm in my 40s and do not have any kids, spouses, pets or plants. Not too long ago I was working in a job I didn't like for a company I didn't like in a city I despised. I got tired of it, so I quit and moved to New Orleans. No job. No real plans. I just gave my notice, packed up my shit and moved.

That sounds crazy to people with kids and mortgages, especially in what was, at that time, still a pretty weak economy. The coworkers in my department (ALL of them with children) thought I was nuts, and some of them said so. But for me, what was the worst that could happen? I might have ended up depleting my savings and having to sell my stuff. I might have had to get a job at Home Depot to make ends meet. I might have ended up bankrupt and homeless, but I have family I could go live with if it got to that point.

But it all worked out better than I could have expected. And the best part is that if I decided I hated New Orleans, I could do it again.

This kid is in a similar situation. He has no responsibilities. He has nobody counting on him. He has good earning prospects on the horizon, and he has a safety net in the form of family. He'll have plenty of years ahead of him to worry about mortgages and college funds for kids and all that crap that keep you tied down. But for now, he has very little at risk. Really, what's the worst that could happen? If he got himself in financial trouble, he might have to sell the car. Big deal. If that happened, I suspect he wouldn't whine about it or go looking for a government handout. He would take responsibility for it and rebuild.

OP, buy the car. Don't let other people project their fear of risk onto you, when their risks just don't apply. And don't feel guilty about having a safety net. You were born luckier than some, but that's not anything to be ashamed of as long as you don't let it turn you into a douchebag.

I hear you. That's why my situation is different than when I bought the car. I did what you did. I moved from Orange County, CA to Phoenix, AZ with no ties at all. I started dating a woman who has a kid a year ago. So again... today -- Not my clowns & not my circus. I would buy a "Family car".

I encourage him to buy the car, and I sincerely mean that. I want him to be able to drive this dream of a car. I understand fully that my current situation is not his and my "fear of risk" isn't his. Honestly, I do. If I were where I was 1 year ago when I bought my car, then I'd buy it all over again. No hesitation. I have zero regrets.

OP, Like this author stated, do *NOT* feel guilty for having the financial situation you do. Remeber that you do not have to justify your living situation, car, education level, or anything else to ANYONE but yourself. At the end of the day, the payments on the car are more yours than mine or anyone else's here on this board. Again, I am sorry if I come across like an asshole

[nutstae]

I make 40k a year and I am a little hesitant to get BRZ because I support my Dad.

If you are young (like 20) and your parents can support you till the end of the payment, I don't think there will be any problem.

But If you decide to move out soon, $800.00 should be at least your remaining balance before a car payment, not your gross income.

[Tt3Sheppard]

As long as you don't regret making the purchase a year or two down the line due to unforeseen circumstances. At least you are putting a good amount down so you won't be upside down on the loan.

[Speed2th]

if your monthly payment is $300, you are only paying $10/day and I think that is very affordable. but of course you also need to have extra fund ready for unexpected repair (tires, accidents...etc) and social activities. I seen some young adults devoted all of the their limited money and time onto a car and missing out what is around them, that is sad. I was one of them and i regret about it. my college life was just study, make money and modding cars. didn't do any epic stuffs that other normal college students would do and didn't give any nice thing to my girlfriend.

[Akari]

After thinking about it some more I don't think you'll be at that big of risk, worse case you sell the car since you have a large enough down payment.

I do agree with Zozr though that it's disappointing you would make your parents pay for your gas and insurance while buying a new car. You would rather have a new car at someone else's expense than be self sufficient.

[pche]

Idk about you but I have way more fun on my bike than in my BRZ

[ThreeFive]

I will say go for it! You are single and have no commitments or obligations so now would be the time to buy it! At least that's what I was told... and I went and bought a BRZ. I just graduated from college and am working now. I guess it is a little different since I am guaranteed a stable job for the next 8 years since I am an Army officer now... but if I can do it, you can too. I pay for all my bills by myself and still manage.