Is it a good idea..

[Droid]

So I am currently set on buying a new 2014 BRZ limited. The dealer will give it to me for around 26,200 before processing, taxes, tags, etc. So I'm thinking with 6% tax + other fees itd be around 28,500 on the road.

I currently have a `04 bmw 525i and `06 cbr600 rr. I would be selling both and believe I would be walking away with around 11.5-12k to put towards the car, put a little more money with it and owe around 15k. Subaru has 0% financing right now (would co-sign with my dad). I was thinking this would help me build credit, plus I make around 800 a month with no expenses (parents pay for mostly everything) and the car payment would be 300$. This would be my first new car and the sound if it, plus the car itself is very exciting, but I was wondering if anyone else could share their first new car buying experience or provide any insight on what I should do.

Also, if I do decide to get the car, what are some of the lower costing mods (cosmetic or performance) that are easy, but increase the appearance/performance of the car (I know it is relative to the person, but just suggestions, etc would be awesome!).

Thanks everyone in advance!

[gramicci101]

Assuming you have this car for a few years, what happens when you move out and start life on your own? Will you be able to continue to afford it? $800/mo is great when it's all spending money, but it's not enough to live on.

That said, i got my new 2014 limited for about $2K more than your price, so I would think that's a good deal.

Cheap mods:
Shorty or shark fin antenna
LED fog lights
BaysonR lip kit
Energy suspension shifter bushing
Energy suspension steering rack bushings
Whiteline transmission insert
Whiteline rear diff and subframe inserts
MTEC shift springs
Motul 300 transmission/diff fluid

[D_Thissen]

Do they have an '13's left in stock? Could be a great way to save a few extra grand

[BRZnut]

my advice is to save your cash, sell one of your current cars, and drive the other until the wheels fall off. Invest the extra cash you have for the future and don't spend it on a new car.

[Droid]

I will be able to afford it. I will be living with my parents for a year after school, after which they will be moving to the south to retire, while I will get to stay in their current house for the cost of their utilities. I have a job lined up for when I graduate in December for ~$52k a year, so it won't be too bad. As the BRZ / FRS are new, I figured there would probably be someone else that was in my position or even previous cars to provide a deeper insight. I greatly appreciate the responses thus far!

[blackhawkdown]

after all my bills, i have $1500 to spend. i still think its to expensive to afford another vehicle, insurance and gas.

[Droid]

Originally Posted by blackhawkdown

after all my bills, i have $1500 to spend. i still think its to expensive to afford another vehicle, insurance and gas.

Without a doubt, but my parents, thankfully, pay for insurance and gas and I will be selling my current car + motorcycle.

[dtrop]

If you will be make $50k a year right out of college than you will have ZERO issues affording this car...

Making that money, you could pay it off in one year like nothing.

[AVodka14]

Here is my story and then my recommendation.

I bought my FRS 1 year after graduating from graduate school. I had student loans, a tC (paid for), and an 07 CBR 600RR (paid for). I really wanted the FRS so I bought it. Got new grad discount and employee discount through a family member.

Going back. I should have kept the tC and the bike. Held on buying the FRS until my student loans were paid off. Not having a car payment is beautiful. Now, I have the FRS only. Sold the tC and bike to buy my fiancee's ring. Student loans will be finished in 6 months or so. FRS will be paid off in 3 years. APR is 2.4%. I can make larger payments toward the FRS when student loans are done to pay off the FRS quicker. That low of an interest rate does not bother me in terms of making the minimum payment.

If you have 0% APR then you have nothing to worry about at 50k per year. As long as you don't have student loans. And you sell the bimmer and bike. Don't modify your car until it's paid off. It's not worth the headache if something happens. Dealerships will find anything to use against you. Just tint the windows and leave it that for the time being.

[Droid]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

Here is my story and then my recommendation.

I bought my FRS 1 year after graduating from graduate school. I had student loans, a tC (paid for), and an 07 CBR 600RR (paid for). I really wanted the FRS so I bought it. Got new grad discount and employee discount through a family member.

Going back. I should have kept the tC and the bike. Held on buying the FRS until my student loans were paid off. Not having a car payment is beautiful. Now, I have the FRS only. Sold the tC and bike to buy my fiancee's ring. Student loans will be finished in 6 months or so. FRS will be paid off in 3 years. APR is 2.4%. I can make larger payments toward the FRS when student loans are done to pay off the FRS quicker. That low of an interest rate does not bother me in terms of making the minimum payment.

If you have 0% APR then you have nothing to worry about at 50k per year. As long as you don't have student loans. And you sell the bimmer and bike. Don't modify your car until it's paid off. It's not worth the headache if something happens. Dealerships will find anything to use against you. Just tint the windows and leave it that for the time being.

I will have 0 student loans and it would be 0% APR with my dad co-signing. I believe that if I sell the bike and bmw that I would be able to afford it, but I appreciate your story, which field did you graduate from, if you don't mind?

[AVodka14]

Originally Posted by Droid

I will have 0 student loans and it would be 0% APR with my dad co-signing. I believe that if I sell the bike and bmw that I would be able to afford it, but I appreciate your story, which field did you graduate from, if you don't mind?

Physical Therapy School.

[Droid]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

Physical Therapy School.

Good luck with that. I appreciate your advice, just need to convince my dad now and I should be a BRZ owner (for some reason I just prefer the BRZ limited vs the FRS, but if you can sell me otherwise I'd be open to that too haha).

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by AVodka14

Physical Therapy School.

Question for you. My wife is looking at this right now. What's the job market like? Is it worth trying to start your own practice, or should one look at hiring with an existing practice? Or working at a hospital?

[extrashaky]

Sounds to me like you can afford it, but only you really know for certain. If it were me, I'd probably go for it. But then, I love this car, so I know what I would be getting.

Originally Posted by Droid

Also, if I do decide to get the car, what are some of the lower costing mods (cosmetic or performance) that are easy, but increase the appearance/performance of the car (I know it is relative to the person, but just suggestions, etc would be awesome!).

Good quality window tint. I waited several months to tint mine, and I wish I had done it right off. First, quality ceramic tint helps with heat in the car. Second, this car just looks 100% better with tinted windows.

Also look into getting clear bra or something similar put on the car to protect the paint on the bumper and hood. The paint on this car is pathetically thin. The tiniest rock or wood chip will take a chip out of the paint. I wish I had done that, but now I have several chips in mine.

Also, I recommend getting a Bluetooth OBDII dongle and running Torque or a similar app on your phone. Unfortunately the car doesn't have all the gauges it should, but you can display most of them using Torque.

Another thing that made the car surprisingly more comfortable to drive was a set of Emdom seat belt pads. The position of the seat belt on this car caused it to cut into my neck. It was very uncomfortable. I had a set of $5 pads I picked up from O'Reilly, but one of the members here went to a company that makes rifle slings and asked them to make him a custom seat belt pad. They made extras and sell them for $45. They look and feel like they came with the car.

Those are my must-haves. Once you get into exhaust, lighting, rims and tires, you're talking about a lot more money.