What should I do? Instant gratification or slow and steady?

[Danoff]

don't have any friends with a stick. Maybe my dad knows someone with one and then they could teach me. I know the theory of it.

You might be able to rent one, and have a friend who at least knows how to drive it teach you.

 

[Keef]

I agree with Danoff and a few others on getting inexpensive and reliable transportation. Danoff mentioned you should drive a ~2000 Honda Civic until it dies--and I say good luck with that. Utterly reliable with regular maintenance, great fuel economy, very useful and versatile, and surprisingly high quality cars. Similarly, and early year Honda Fit will do you proud. You should not pay any more than you absolutely have to until you get yourself settled and straightened out in California. Until that happens, get something inexpensive and reliable, and not just the Hondas. There's used cars all over for around 10 grand that'll stick with you for many years to come.

Also, as mentioned, manual transmission cars are typically cheaper, and the mechanicals are much more simple and reliable if used correctly. If you understand how the system works, even if you've never used it before, you'll be able to pick it up in no time.

 

[Omnis]

don't have any friends with a stick. Maybe my dad knows someone with one and then they could teach me. I know the theory of it.

I know theory too but I had an awful time in a PT Cruiser. You need to develop the feel.

Also, Hyundai has come a long way since the 90s. I wouldn't drive an old Hyundai if you paid me. My '02 Accent was the verge of the company becoming a good car maker though. Everything is solid on it except for the transmission. I'm sure they've fixed that part of their craft by now. So don't knock it until you try it.

I agree with Dan, though. Why the hell would you drive all that way? Just sell your Buick and fly out there, and then buy another beater. Any cheap late-90s japanese car is bound to be better than your Buick, right? There's always the option of mass-transit, but then you'd have to worry about getting shot by the transit-gestapo over there.

 

[Event]

I know theory too but I had an awful time in a PT Cruiser. You need to develop the feel.

Also, Hyundai has come a long way since the 90s. I wouldn't drive an old Hyundai if you paid me. My '02 Accent was the verge of the company becoming a good car maker though. Everything is solid on it except for the transmission. I'm sure they've fixed that part of their craft by now. So don't knock it until you try it.

I agree with Dan, though. Why the hell would you drive all that way? Just sell your Buick and fly out there, and then buy another beater. Any cheap late-90s japanese car is bound to be better than your Buick, right? There's always the option of mass-transit, but then you'd have to worry about getting shot by the transit-gestapo over there.

If I had a new car I would love driving all that way. I've always wanted to drive across country.

Now, I'm not saying the Buick is a bad car. It's quite reliable and cheap to maintain. I'm just bored with it and my mom loves driving it. It wouldn't fit in out in California, either.

Also, I checked flight prices for the first time. I had no idea they were that cheap. Non-stop to San Fran Int'l is only $180

EDIT: Do any of you gear heads want to meet me in CA when I go look at miatas? I'm not a gear head, but I'm willing to learn.

 

[Eric.]

Since you're considering all of its competition...how about a Civic Si? If you're gonna test drive the Cobalt at least give the Civic a drive too. Several people on the Civic forums have driven both and settled on the Si despite the power differences and slower track time. Most tend to say that the Cobalt is more boring to drive. I can also tell you who to talk to at www.8thcivic.com in order to get a quote to take to a Honda dealer. There is a salesman there who can work wonders on that. It isn't too uncommon to get out the door for less than $21k for a new Si. Used ones hold their value extemely well, and you shouldn't really look at a used one built from early 2008 or later because of a transmission issue...

 

[niky]

ETA: Also a Focus isn't a bad idea as Prosthetic pointed out, Fords generally seem to have the best handling in their class... At least the ones we get here do, i.e. the Ka, Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo. In fact at the Nürburgring in 2007 my friend in his 10 year old (but still pretty fast) Impreza 2000 Turbo was completely done between Adenauer-Forst and Metzgesfeld by a Focus S-Max, and that's an MPV/Minivan!

It's the man, not the machine... Chassis rigidity > outright power.

The new S-Max? Based on the Mark 2 Focus? They don't get the same Focus there as we lucky ones do... but that said, the Mark 1 American Focus, before the utterly useless facelift, is a great car.

If we're considering in that direction, get a Protege5. Utterly gutless engines, but a hoot and a half to drive, very practical, very cheap.

Also, does a 50:50 weight disribution really matter that much in everyday driving? Or only on the track. I can safely say that I won't be taking it to the track, but I will be flying around town

If your everyday driving includes four-wheel drifts around every corner and slaloms, maybe... but, in general, your safety on the road is dependent on the predictability, responsiveness and stability of your car. Most of the cars suggested here meet those criteria.

For everyday driving or even occassional performance driving, the suspension set-up of an automobile plays a major role in a car's handling. Not for nothing does a Honda Fit slalom faster than a Corvette (okay, to be fair, the Fit is some three feet narrower... )... the suspension tuning of the Fit is fairly sophisticated, despite the 60:40 weight distribution and rear torsion beam axle, it actually handles pretty nicely.

Now compare that to a Toyota Yaris. Even shorter wheelbase, same weight distribution, same suspension set-up... yet it handles like a cow patty. You've got to really wring its neck to get some involvement, and even then, it's still... meh.

I wouldn't concern myself with weight distribution. Most of these cars would put a smile on your face, and would keep you alive on the road, as long as you drive soberly.

 

[Event]

I think my heart is set on the miata now. I was looking at them all day today

 

[Kylehnat]

I would feel wierd about asking the owner selling the car to teach me .

Hey, in this economy, owners might be willing to teach you if it means offloading their car. My parents just sold their '96 Mazda to a 17 year-old girl, and my dad was more than willing to spend a couple hours teaching her the basics, since it meant getting that car out of their driveway and putting some cash in their pocket.

I'll echo what others have said...right now, it's probably best to buy something you won't be tied down to, and sock some money away. Once you get your life and career going, you'll feel better about making that big decision.

 

[YSSMAN]

I think my heart is set on the miata now. I was looking at them all day today

What kind of time frame are you looking at to head out west? Because the weather will be warming up soon, the resale value on the cars is going to increase substantially. If you can find one nearby now, for a decent amount of money, go for it.

...Last year I was pretty sure I found the perfect car (a 1994 Miata with the hardtop, as I recall), but the dealer wanted over $10K for it because of the low miles, and the fact that spring was coming. The car was maybe worth $4K at most, but no, they wouldn't let the price come down.

 

[Event]

What kind of time frame are you looking at to head out west? Because the weather will be warming up soon, the resale value on the cars is going to increase substantially. If you can find one nearby now, for a decent amount of money, go for it.

...Last year I was pretty sure I found the perfect car (a 1994 Miata with the hardtop, as I recall), but the dealer wanted over $10K for it because of the low miles, and the fact that spring was coming. The car was maybe worth $4K at most, but no, they wouldn't let the price come down.

leaving the first week of June. I do not have the means of really looking for one right now... not until March 21st for spring break.

though.... there are some pretty good deals on CL down here. There's a miata with 22000 miles for $3500. it's white with a tan soft top. this sounds too good to be true, and the ad seems shady. the phone number listed doesn't even have enough numbers! I emailed them. I'm not optimistic

 

[hamstrings]

There's an inspection guide on Miata.net. If anything's wrong with the car, then a good mechanic should be able to catch it before you buy it. A friend of mine was close to buying a Miata, but his mechanic found that the chassis was all bent and improperly repaired underneath.

 

[Event]

There's an inspection guide on Miata.net. If anything's wrong with the car, then a good mechanic should be able to catch it before you buy it. A friend of mine was close to buying a Miata, but his mechanic found that the chassis was all bent and improperly repaired underneath.

One reason I want my dad to come along. He knows cars inside and out.

 

[Event]

Do you guys have any other ideas for a cheap, quick, small, fun car besides the Miata? Just in case I cannot find one in my price range...

 

[YSSMAN]

The only other really cheap, RWD performance car of the same era would be the Toyota MR2 and MR-S, but those aren't exactly for the faint of heart. I think the only other car that could really be considered in that performance class would be the Z3 1.9, but God only knows what repair costs would be, much less, how easy it would be to find one for a reasonable price.

Personally, if you can't do the Miata, I'd start poking around in the hot hatch category. The Ford Focus SVT can be had for a pretty cheap price these days, as can some Civic Si hatchbacks from the early '90s (Later EPs... meh).

 

[Nicksfix]

you have to bite the bullet sometime on a car purchase , right ?

may as well do it now , get it out of the way , and feel safer knowing that you will make it to California on 4 wheels and not on the back of a tow truck.

I'd say , go find a descent Honda Accord.

 

[Event]

figures, I just found a really good price on a Miata with 92K miles on it and it's an automatic I told the girl selling it that I'm looking for a manual, but am going to see if I can test drive it today anyway. Then I'll see if I actually fit I have pretty wide shoulders.

 

[Event]

The car was pretty good. If it were a manual I would have given her the $3K on the spot. It even came with a hard top. Maybe $500 in repairs only.

Too bad I received some relatively ****** news. I won't be working in California. My company decided I would be a better fit in Newburgh, NY doing project engineering. Not exactly Miata friendly . I fit wonderfully in the car, too!

Welp, what car should I get now? The Cost of living in Newburgh is cheaper...

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, the weather isn't going to be that radically different compared to what you already experience in IL, so I guess thats kind of up to what your priorities are. A Miata will go fine in the snow, given of course that it isn't an outrageous amount on a consistent basis. The likelihood of inclement weather would suggest snow tires, and thats about it. Not having to deal with lake effect, and assuming they have a competent road commission, the Mazda would be fine.

Otherwise, what are your other priorities?

 

[Keef]

The car was pretty good. If it were a manual I would have given her the $3K on the spot. It even came with a hard top. Maybe $500 in repairs only.

Too bad I received some relatively ****** news. I won't be working in California. My company decided I would be a better fit in Newburgh, NY doing project engineering. Not exactly Miata friendly . I fit wonderfully in the car, too!

Welp, what car should I get now? The Cost of living in Newburgh is cheaper...

All that'd be needed to make a Miata go well in snow would be a good set of snow tires. You'd be absolutely astonished. Personal experience speaking here.

But this change does make Subarus and other small AWD cars/crossovers/SUVs more plausible.

Did you know they make coilover kits for CR-Vs? Baller.

 

[Event]

Well, the weather isn't going to be that radically different compared to what you already experience in IL, so I guess thats kind of up to what your priorities are. A Miata will go fine in the snow, given of course that it isn't an outrageous amount on a consistent basis. The likelihood of inclement weather would suggest snow tires, and thats about it. Not having to deal with lake effect, and assuming they have a competent road commission, the Mazda would be fine.

Otherwise, what are your other priorities?

I want something small and fun. I'm not yet discounting getting a miata... as long as I don't live in the catskills im sure the snow wont be that bad.

 

[Eric.]

Something to think about...You're gonna be moving somewhere where you don't know people and will have a two seater with practically no space. You're going to buy things, aren't you?

 

[neanderthal]

my personal suggestion - for what it's worth.

Leave the buick behind and take the cash.

Fly to ca and rent a car for a week to get around. Take about $5k (finance if you must - better, take a loan from the parents if they're willing) and buy a used honda civic with about 100k mi on it and do the necessary maintenance (timing chain, water pump, etc.). Drive that 'till it dies and then buy something nice.

This would be my recommendation if you were graduating in any economic climate. Your early moves in life will be the most important. Getting started out on life with a big car loan is a good way to stay that way. If you save $5k now it will pay you something on the order of $160k when you retire. Never again in your life will you have that kind of time horizon. Use it wisely.

It's frustrating that the most important time to save is when you're young - but that's how you get ahead.

This move saves you money in many ways:
- initial car price
- financing costs
- gas (which is about 50 cents higher here)
- insurance

x10000

 

[Event]

Something to think about...You're gonna be moving somewhere where you don't know people and will have a two seater with practically no space. You're going to buy things, aren't you?

you're right. what was I thinking wanting an exciting car? I'm so stupid for wanting something fun to drive. I'm off to buy a civic...

this is so depressing ... I finish college and all I want is a car that I can have some fun and excitement in. My first car was an Oldsmobile 88 and then a Buick Lesabre. Now I'm going to get a civic... it really irks me that I'm doomed to drive boring cars.

 

[Keef]

Something to think about...You're gonna be moving somewhere where you don't know people and will have a two seater with practically no space. You're going to buy things, aren't you?

you're right. what was I thinking wanting an exciting car? I'm so stupid for wanting something fun to drive. I'm off to buy a civic...

You can have your cake, and eat it, too.

Not only can you pack all your stuff up into one of the big U-Haul trucks and drive it across the country and drop the truck off there, but you can also get a smaller truck once you're there to pick up big stuff at the furniture store. Most stores offer their own delivery services anyway. Yes, people have thought of these problems before--you're not alone.

 

[Prosthetic]

And you can also pay out the ass for all the miles he will be doing.

 

[Keef]

It would only cost him about $650 to rent a truck and fuel it and easily move all his stuff from home.

(I used a trip from Chicago to Newburgh with a 10 foot truck--Chevy van basically--which was $481 for a 6 day rental with 943 miles and a few moving supplies like dollies and whatnot, fuel separate)

If he didn't do that and just drive his new car like he wants, he could probably rent a truck there to furnish his place for a couple hundred dollars. If he needed that much carrying capacity.

 

[Eric.]

you're right. what was I thinking wanting an exciting car? I'm so stupid for wanting something fun to drive. I'm off to buy a civic...

this is so depressing ... I finish college and all I want is a car that I can have some fun and excitement in. My first car was an Oldsmobile 88 and then a Buick Lesabre. Now I'm going to get a civic... it really irks me that I'm doomed to drive boring cars.

So lets say you go to Best Buy or something to get a new computer monitor. Oh damn, its not going to fit in the Miata...better rent a U-haul?

Not sure if the Civic comment was a personal shot, but I'll ignore it. Apologies for being helpful. Most people don't have a two seater as an only car for a reason.

 

[Jim Prower]

Well...

We didn't exactly get any of the GREAT handling Foci. (Though some Steeda parts'd fix that quick...)

I'm going to echo the Miata sentiment. Sure, hairdressers drive them...all the more reason to buy a well-cared-for example off of them.

 

[Event]

So lets say you go to Best Buy or something to get a new computer monitor. Oh damn, its not going to fit in the Miata...better rent a U-haul?

Not sure if the Civic comment was a personal shot, but I'll ignore it. Apologies for being helpful. Most people don't have a two seater as an only car for a reason.

I looked in the trunk of the miata. There is plenty of space for a computer monitor... and a computer... and groceries. not to mention the passenger seat. I think the bigger problem is convincing my grandma to lend me some money to buy a 2 seater roadster. she very well may, I am going to ask over break. but she may not.

 

[McLaren]

you're right. what was I thinking wanting an exciting car? I'm so stupid for wanting something fun to drive. I'm off to buy a civic...

this is so depressing ... I finish college and all I want is a car that I can have some fun and excitement in. My first car was an Oldsmobile 88 and then a Buick Lesabre. Now I'm going to get a civic... it really irks me that I'm doomed to drive boring cars.

Now would be the point where you start accepting some 4 door performance cars for the extra room if you're gonna need it. As Eric will mimic, a lot of fun can be had in the new Si, and yes, if you can afford that Cobalt, you'll easily be able to grab one of these.

Normally, I'd also suggest a E36 4-door, M3 if possible for maximum excitement, but they take some work to find one that won't cause trouble within its first 6 months.

I also haven't read the whole thread, but have you considered any 90's sports cars? 3KGT VR4's, low model Supra's, C5 Corvette's? Hell, I think you might actually be able to grab a C5 Z06 if you look hard enough.