Miata as first car? Suggestions?

[SlimKlim]

Here's my opinion you aren't going to like.

If you're stressed about demolishing your savings to buy a 2nd car in college, then you shouldn't do it. Take it from someone who spent every break from school working to earn money to fix his car or lying under his car fixing it.

I don't really regret it because it all the stuff I did to/with/in that car turned out to be it's own adventure, but I do sometimes wish I had given myself the chance to get a little bit more of the "college experience." I never did the crazy ass spring break week thing because I never had the money. If you just want to enjoy school without having to worry about money, you should wait until after graduation to buy a 2nd car.

If you're absolutely dying to get into autocrossing and driving a sports car, then maybe it's time to really examine your priorities. Are you as attached to your truck as you think you are? Would selling it free up an appreciable amount of cash that would let you have the sports car you want and a reasonable amount of savings left to take care of it?

Just something to noodle on over the summer.

[Goodspeed]

I don't think you'd have much to lose from going to that dealer and asking for a ride. Tell them you're interested in Miatas but aren't great at driving stick, and they'd probably be willing to let you take the helm somewhere flat and uncrowded to zip around for a bit. The 5 speed is just about the most positive, easy shifting gearbox out there so I don't think you'd have much trouble. They might tell you to pound sand, or they might humor you (and honestly they'd probably be happy to have an excuse to drive it).

[Senor_Taylor]

I'm dying to have a car. It's all I think about.

I've said it a million times. I'm not selling this truck. It doesn't show, but I've done a lot of work to it, and I love it. I'll never get rid of it and it'll always be my first love.

Secondly, I can't stand the thought of spending all my student years in MM and not having a car to enjoy it with. You guys don't understand because your first car was still a CAR.

The money I'll be spending is money I make over the summer, and I plan on not living in copper after next year, so I think I'll be fine.

[SlimKlim]

I get it man, I always said that about the E36 and after many thousands of dollars and several years of literally pouring my blood, sweat and tears into it (hey man, sometimes things just get really, really, really frustrating, don't judge me), I still have it and I love it to bits. I'm the last person to judge anyone in MM for forming an irrational attachment to their vehicle.

I just think you might end up buying a sports car and find yourself losing interest in doing truck stuff, but you know you better than any of us do.

[Sully]

Didn't we already have this thread once before? Where everyone said the exact same things?

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[SlimKlim]

It's probably the same thread if we went back a few pages. :dunno:

[Senor_Taylor]

Joey, I hope you're wrong about the losing interest thing, but you make an excellent point. If I lose interest, maybe I will get rid of the truck, but that's AFTER I have a car, you know? No point in selling it now.

Didn't we already have this thread once before? Where everyone said the exact same things?

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Thanks for making me feel welcome in MM, per usual, Matt.

Maybe I'm just a little worried about getting into my first time. I would say you've been there before, but considering you have 8 million different vehicles and such an sharp wit, I don't believe you have.

[Jake]

Eh, I made a thread similar to this when I was new to MM and driving a Ford Escape. I know the feeling of "OMG a car and three pedals and zoom zoom" all too well.

I think the basic car recommendations that everyone made to me in 2008 still stand. Miata, 240, E36, Mustang, Honda. They're all good, they're all reasonably reliable, and you'll have fun with any of them.

Your finances are your business, but I'm with Joey. It'll be hard to own two cars in college. A lot of us have done it, and our bank accounts have suffered. I know you love that truck (ask my mom how many times I told her I'd never sell that Miata) but as times and interests change, sometimes you have to make some hard decisions about what to keep or sell. I got pretty misty when Packer drove the Miata away (in a glorious cloud of oil-burning blue smoke), and I went inside and had a beer and was sad for a day or so. And then I bought a kickass replacement and I'm having a whole new kind of fun with it.

[Jake]

(Also, I said '98 or newer and $10k budget... lolz. I spent $5k and got a '95.)

[Senor_Taylor]

Honestly, if I can just put my apartment in with my loan like I want to do. I make around $200 a week working 15-20 hours a week now that I'm a server. I plan to work At least 30 when I can, so I'll be throwing money in the bank like it's hot. If not, then things will be tight regardless. At least for a year.

[Sully]

Thanks for making me feel welcome in MM, per usual, Matt

Maybe I'm just a little worried about getting into my first time. I would say you've been there before, but considering you have 8 million different vehicles and such an sharp wit, I don't believe you have.

You're welcome.

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[Sully]

http://www.mmsports.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10959

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[Senor_Taylor]

Things are constantly changing. We'll see how things are when I have the money in hand and next semester is about to start.

[Ken]

Honestly, if I can just put my apartment in with my loan like I want to do.

If this means what I think it means, that is you're using student loans to pay your apartment, then you REALLY should not be getting a second car. I did something similar. You will regret.

If it doesn't then disregard lol.

[Kaan]

Honestly, if I can just put my apartment in with my loan like I want to do.

If this means what I think it means, that is you're using student loans to pay your apartment, then you REALLY should not be getting a second car. I did something similar. You will regret.

If it doesn't then disregard lol.

+11ty billion... 7%ish student loan vs. 0-5%ish car loan... the math gets even better when you tough it out and dont stack debt.

student loans are terrible things you will have to work very hard to make go away (in a timely manner)... ask me how i know!

[JPolen01]

No money + student loans = A second (unnecessary) car?

[Senor_Taylor]

Never said I'll have no money. If the house is on loan, I'll have an extra $600 a month added to whatever else I have. I'll be able to pay for it all even without the loan. Probably won't. We will see. I have no clue how my financial aid will turn out.


Also: For shits and giggles, Matt let me drive his 328 today for about 30 minutes. It was very nice. Something I've just never experienced before. Getting back in my truck sucked. I don't remember the last time I had that much fun. Driving an actual car is such an experience.

Matt and I are test driving a Miata on Wednesday. It's a 95.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Also: For shits and giggles, Matt let me drive his 328 today for about 30 minutes. It was very nice. Something I've just never experienced before. Getting back in my truck sucked. I don't remember the last time I had that much fun. Driving an actual car is such an experience.

Matt and I are test driving a Miata on Wednesday. It's a 95.

The best part was pushing you past those 4000rpm pussyshifts, you're reaction was great :lol:

[Senor_Taylor]

You were there for my first time past 5500 RPM. Special moment.

[Kaan]

think of it as a rwd crx (size wise) with S2000-ish power

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