jetpack_monkey: (K-9 - Affirmative)
Nate ([personal profile] jetpack_monkey) wrote2007-02-27 10:56 am
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On Cars

I have never owned my own car. Living in a giant metropolitan area as I do, this is becoming more and more problematic. While my roommate has stated on several occasions that she's more than happy to cart my butt around should I need it, that limits my transportation to bus schedules and her availability. Plus, I feel like a huge mooch, even when I do chip in for gas.

I would like to purchase a car. There are a couple of problems with this:

1) My credit sucks, due to some credit card debt from years and years ago.
2) I don't know anything about cars.
3) I have a lot of expenses in the upcoming year.
4) Insurance in Arizona is insanely expensive.

Any thoughts, ideas? Any help at all would be much appreciated.
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[identity profile] musicforcylons.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd say by a used car from an individual, not a car lot. Should be less expensive and skip the credit thing.

[identity profile] timjr.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Here in my car
I feel safest of all
I can lock all my doors
It's the only way to live
In cars.

[identity profile] invisionary.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
The answer to #2 - Consumer Reports. If you're thinking about a new car, pick up one of their latest buying guides. If you're looking used, you might be better off signing up for their website and checking there. It's pretty cheap and it'll likely be the best money you spend in your car search.

[identity profile] jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Definitely buying used. No chance I can afford new, especially since I'd essentially be paying out of pocket.
lizbetann: (spicy brains)

[personal profile] lizbetann 2007-02-27 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly? Given 1-4, I would say this isn't the year for you to buy a car. #3 and #4 are really the killers.

Your best bet would be to buy a 3-7 year old car, which would land you with a monthly car payment because a decent 3-7 year old car would cost you $8000 - $14000. Insurance would likely be $1200 - $2000 a year in addition. (You're still barely under twenty-five, so that is going to put you on the high end of the scale.)

When you can comfortably commit $400 - $600 a month towards a car, go for it. But if you have upcoming expensens, then I'd hold off until those are taken care of.

I checked to see if there was a ZipCar near you, but the closest one is San Francisco.

(No, I haven't been thinking about a new car myself, why do you ask?) ;)

[identity profile] jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
The problem is, I have a lot of expenses in any given year. Comic-Con runs me about 2Gs every year, between hotels, travel expenses, and just buying stuff. There's usually another out-of-town trip at some point because OMG miss my friends and this year I need to replace my desktop as it is old and busted.

I'd say I just need to earn more money, but my expenses have a tendency to grow to meet my budget. *sigh*
ext_26744: (Default)

[identity profile] qkellie.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Have you thought about leasing? I don't know if that's more cost effective than owning, but it's something to ask a dealer if you decide to move forward with getting a car in some manner.

Oh, and you should also poke around something else before Grunberg gets taken out of your grubby mitts. *whistles innocently*

[identity profile] jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Leasing comes back to the terrible credit issue.

And I really really wish I could do the Grunberg thing, but seriously, I don't even have time to watch Heroes. I haven't seen an ep since the fourth.
ext_26744: (Weiss: dude that's uncool)

[identity profile] qkellie.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Poop. You lost all your geek points. ;)

Are they not more lenient about credit with a lease plan, since they can always take the car back?

Also, I had TERRIBLE credit when I got my car and was only making $600 a month. They still approved me, though god knows why.

[identity profile] hjcallipygian.livejournal.com 2007-02-28 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
To add to [livejournal.com profile] qkellie's suggestion:

I lease my car. It's less expensive, but you only want to do it with a car that holds its value well over time. The better the car holds value, the better deal you'll get on the lease. Also, insurance is more expensive. Mine nearly doubled when I went from a paid-off car to my new lease, and the new car had better security, even.

Credit is your biggest problem, really. However, if you have no debt now and can pay off a car successfully, it's a good way to improve your credit.

[identity profile] desertwillow.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I got into an accident a few months ago and while Percy isn't totaled the repair is more than what he is worth to us and we were already talking about a new car. We're trying to sell him to anyone who wants him and if not he can get sold for parts. If you want him, he's $300. There are two conditions. 1) we're not doing any of the repairs. He is as is. The windshield is cracked, the air bags are deployed, the ac isn't working and the power steering needs work (yes again) (the power steering is the only thing that isn't cosmetic and that is easily fixed with a $2 bottle of fluid every 2-3 weeks or $100 for a permanent fix). 2) He needs to stay named Percy and keep his liberal hippy stickers.

I understand if its a no since it does require work, it's just since he's still running more or less fine I would like him to stay on the road.

[identity profile] jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh, that's tempting. I'd want to take a looksee first, of course, but I think we should be able to work something out.

[identity profile] desertwillow.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Sure thing. When we get together I'll bring him.

[identity profile] jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com 2007-02-28 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
Actually, would you object very much to a diagnostic? I'd pay, of course, but my roommate has pointed out that the last accident she was in ended up screwing up a lot more things down the line.

[identity profile] desertwillow.livejournal.com 2007-03-01 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
Sure not a problem as long as you pay and is probably a good idea. The battery gave out today (but that was starting to go before the accident anyway and I was expecting it before that as well because it was time) so I might not be bringing him when we hang. But just let me know when you when you want to do that.

[identity profile] jetpack-monkey.livejournal.com 2007-03-02 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
I'm good for any Saturday or Sunday. Is it going to need a new battery just to get it to the mechanic?

[identity profile] desertwillow.livejournal.com 2007-03-02 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
Just a new battery. We charged it tonight and I am taking it to work tomorrow

[identity profile] ktl.livejournal.com 2007-02-27 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
If you get a cheap car from a person that you can afford to lose, you can save on insurance by only getting liability coverage instead of collision coverage . . . least that's what I do...
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