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

[YSSMAN]

A C5 Z06, post 2001 with the extra power, is going to be hard to find for a good price. As I recall, most of them are still sitting well north of $20K, despite the fact we're nearly two generations away. You could use it easily as a daily driver, but for the money, a GTO would be a better option... Nearly as much power, far more usability.

 

[Azuremen]

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.

I can generally get away with driving just the MR-S. And they can generally be had for less than a '99 Miata (which is sought for its autocross abilities). I'm 6'4" and my head just barely will touch the top with the roof up, with me sitting completely up right.

I have transported an entire computer setup (Full size ATX case, 22" monitor) plus a bag of clothes and other stuff for a weekend trip in it before. Just didn't have a passenger seat really. Car has a lot less cargo space than the Miata.

It is nice to know someone with a bigger 4 seater though, for when you do want to buy things bigger than a small box of stuff. Especially if you have a passenger. Thus why I have... dun dun dun, a Civic as well now. However, if you are looking into buying a fun (and these things are a lot of fun), you can just rent a car for a day to move things around or do large shopping trips.

Of course, you can have a lot of fun with a well setup Civic as well. Hell, my hatch is faster is most every way than the MR-S right now, just not quite as fun to drive.

 

[Event]

This is the hardest decision I've had to make in a while... There's a 1999 Miata nearby for $6,500. I could easily finance it and if I put $1200 down (what my dad is paying me for the buick) I could get a 24 month finance and pay only $200 per month.

Here's my breakdown of monthly expenses:
Rent + Utilities (incl phone) $900-1000
Student Loan Repayment $450
Food + Entertainment $600 (high estimate)
Gas $150-$250
Car Insurance $100

Take home pay will be about $3750, so My monthly profit that I can save would be $1550-$1350. I don't think a $200 car payment would be too much to manage... And if I don't get a miata, I could still afford at least a semi-decent newer car if I finance it for a longer term.

this is such a hard decision...

 

[McLaren]

When it comes to financing, $200/month is about the lowest almost anyone will ever go. I'd say jump on it. 👍

 

[YSSMAN]

Yeah, if they're willing to give you a bank loan with a rate that good, I'd go for it too. I managed to nab my car loan before things got willy-nilly, much less, with the excellent interest rate.

If its a Miata you want, I'd say, nab it while you can. Personally, I think, its hard to actually "go wrong" with one. Better yet, if you decide you don't like it, people will always be buying them.

 

[nobuffalo]

Food + Entertainment $600 (high estimate)

I say the miata would fit well in that category.

 

[neanderthal]

Get yourself situated before you buy any big items.

I say fly west, rent a car for a week. Look in the classifieds and craisglist for a cheap reliable car. Buy that. Preferably something with a modicum of fun, so no Chevy Cavaliers.
KEEP THAT CAR.

Pay off your student loans. Don't get married and have children. Or the other kiss of death, get p*ssy whipped.

In a couple of / few years you can buy something really really nice. Like a used Porsche or newer Vette (Porsches have great resale value.)
Your car does NOT define who you are. And it gets to sit for most of the day. Very few people actually drive for long periods of the day. Im in my car for an hour a day. ONE HOUR. It's NOT that important.

I bought a BMW 2002 because i wanted a car that was fun. Fortunately its fun at all speeds.

But its much easier to justify spending on a car when you don't have any outstanding bills.
And paying for the car outright is another suggestion. Be beholden to no man. Or bank.