Having just graduated from college (@$30k/YR) I feel like I can offer you some advice. I came from a very not-rich family myself. When I went to college, I had a 1987 Subaru sedan that sucked! I had no car payment, and because I was in MA, I had about $180/mo for insurance. Repair costs started beating me up, and I also stumbled upon a job that paid me $400/mo for one day of work a week. I did some calculations and decided to lease a Saturn. I got a 3 year lease deal (this was just before my sophomore year, so it worked perfectly) and I was paying $213/mo for the lease and another $180/mo in insurance. I was spending every penny I made on the car. Although I don't regret leasing the car, I think you might overextend your budget by getting a new car. Also, payments on a new car are more than you think. It's cheaper to lease, but you have no car at the end of the term and you have to keep your mileage around 12K/yr. I don't think your repairs will exceed $250/mo, but I think your car payments and insurance together will. In fact, the cheapest trim-line Civic will cost you $270+ depending on what kind of loan you can get and what kind of downpayment you can make - and that's a 5 year term. And because you're 18, your insurance is probably nice and high right now. So, I'm not trying to totally kill your idea, but I think you should stick with the Saab. I've been down that road before, and I don't think you can understand the luxury of "no-car-payment" until you actually have to make one. Instead of spending the money on your car payment, put a little aside to keep in case the Saab does need some sort of surprise major work done. In any case, good luck on your final decision - but those of us here probably hope you keep Saabin'.

Josh
88 900TC SiS

posted by 146.189.8...

• decisions, decisions, David, Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:05:48
  • Please Read This - I put some effort into it :), Josh, Fri, 19 Oct 2001 13:05:22 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Great answer!!, Mike 87 900s, Fri, 19 Oct 2001 13:31:18
  • in order to save money........, adam , Fri, 19 Oct 2001 09:40:52
    • Re: in order to save money........, david, Fri, 19 Oct 2001 16:39:24
      • Congratulations!!, JustinHiFi , Fri, 19 Oct 2001 20:46:43
  • 18 yrs old, be fun , keep 900, Honda will be when 3 Kids, MathiasB, Fri, 19 Oct 2001 04:08:11
  • Re: decisions, decisions, JustinHiFi , Thu, 18 Oct 2001 22:53:47
    • I agree with Justin, Josh91900, Fri, 19 Oct 2001 00:28:22
  • Re: decisions, decisions, es, Thu, 18 Oct 2001 22:22:55
  • Re: decisions, decisions, DougM , Thu, 18 Oct 2001 21:35:49

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