Should this Marine buy one? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Inspector 17 · 12-30-2008, 09:33 AM

Jimmy, thanks so much for your service! My cousin was a marine and most of my friends were either submariners or in the airforce. I had an academy appointment, but my life just didn't go down that path for whatever reason.

Anyway, back to your question. Only you can make the decision that is right for you, but there is a lot of good advise on here. Let me just add a little more based on my experience and that of my parents. As my father was getting sicker late in his life he told me that he had one regret. That was that he spent all his money a bit wrecklessly early in his life. Based on that, I have worked hard to save money early. I have posted it on here lots before when very young people are talking about buying a brand new $30k+ car at age 18. Do some research on the power of compounding interest. Saving now could mean a big difference for you down the road. At the same time, you need to make sure you take time to reward yourself and enjoy life. It's a delicate balance.

If it was me, I would wait and save as much money now as I can. There are great higher interest savings accounts (like those by ING, Captial One, etc) where you can get 4-5%+ on your money. You can also consider a money market account or CD since you know you have two years. Build up your money and by then prices on the Camaro will probably be down significantly. Then you buy your car (maybe even the SS) for less money, pay in cash and still have some money left over.

Just my 2 cents.

paulv7260 · 12-30-2008, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XAnimal

Just few more months.....

Glad to hear it. Head down and butt out the breeze and it'll be pick up the Camaro time before you know it.

Are you an 88-Mike? Maybe we can start some demand for a HUM-Z28???

XAnimal · 12-30-2008, 04:20 PM

Nah I'm 25U but a Hum-z28 sounds awesome

BamaKid · 12-30-2008, 10:26 PM

Corporal 'JimmyDShea',

In 1977 as a young Lance Corporal, I too wanted a new Camaro.

It was my first car and took two bank loans. I had $35 left each pay period after car loan and insurance payments. But it was worth it for me.

Last year I finished restoring it back to new condition and every time I drive it, I feel like a 19 year old kid all over again.

http://home.mchsi.com/~wnowocin/wsb/...tos.html-.html

Good Luck and Semper Fi

clm7214 · 01-02-2009, 01:18 AM

I was in the exact same situation a few years ago. I had saved up as much as i could my 2 years in Oki and had 10,000 to put down on a truck when i came back stateside. I ended up buying used and put 10,000 down on a $20,000 truck. My payments were only $212 a month, but after my my Corporal pay took a hit coming back to the states things got a little tight. Now instead of sitting in the barracks or Kin-Town i was driving back and forth all the time from 29 Palms to Phoenix to see the girlfriend and family. All the gas, insurance, truck payments and other costs from just getting off base and having some freedom back started to add up. It was pretty tight from time to time but i did it.

I wouldn't buy unless you can afford a large down payment. If you re-up and get your money, go for it, but dont re-enlist for money, keep your priorities straight. If money is important you can make more on the outside, I got about 1700 a month as E-4 over 4 and now not even 2 years later I grossed 70K this year. Re-up for the life and the excitement, not the money.

Semper Fi and stay alive.

View Poll Results: Should this Marine buy the car of his dreams now or later?
NOW, DEVILDOG!	36	58.06%
Patience is a virtue, leatherneck!	26	41.94%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll

12-30-2008, 04:20 PM	#31
XAnimal Just in time Drives: MRAP, M-1151 (Humvee) Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Savannah, GA currently: Baghdad, Iraq Posts: 145	Nah I'm 25U but a Hum-z28 sounds awesome __________________ I'M HOME from Iraq, can't wait for my Black on Black 2LT RS 2010 Camaro

12-30-2008, 10:26 PM	#32
BamaKid Drives: 2016 Camaro 2LT RS, 1977 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 83 View My Garage	I KNOW THE FEELING Corporal 'JimmyDShea', In 1977 as a young Lance Corporal, I too wanted a new Camaro. It was my first car and took two bank loans. I had $35 left each pay period after car loan and insurance payments. But it was worth it for me. Last year I finished restoring it back to new condition and every time I drive it, I feel like a 19 year old kid all over again. http://home.mchsi.com/~wnowocin/wsb/...tos.html-.html Good Luck and Semper Fi

12-30-2008, 09:33 AM	#29
Inspector 17 I love crepes Drives: 2017 ZL1 NGM A10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,955 View My Garage	Jimmy, thanks so much for your service! My cousin was a marine and most of my friends were either submariners or in the airforce. I had an academy appointment, but my life just didn't go down that path for whatever reason. Anyway, back to your question. Only you can make the decision that is right for you, but there is a lot of good advise on here. Let me just add a little more based on my experience and that of my parents. As my father was getting sicker late in his life he told me that he had one regret. That was that he spent all his money a bit wrecklessly early in his life. Based on that, I have worked hard to save money early. I have posted it on here lots before when very young people are talking about buying a brand new $30k+ car at age 18. Do some research on the power of compounding interest. Saving now could mean a big difference for you down the road. At the same time, you need to make sure you take time to reward yourself and enjoy life. It's a delicate balance. If it was me, I would wait and save as much money now as I can. There are great higher interest savings accounts (like those by ING, Captial One, etc) where you can get 4-5%+ on your money. You can also consider a money market account or CD since you know you have two years. Build up your money and by then prices on the Camaro will probably be down significantly. Then you buy your car (maybe even the SS) for less money, pay in cash and still have some money left over. Just my 2 cents.

01-02-2009, 01:18 AM	#33
clm7214 Drives: 04' HD Silverado, 09' Malibu Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 27	I was in the exact same situation a few years ago. I had saved up as much as i could my 2 years in Oki and had 10,000 to put down on a truck when i came back stateside. I ended up buying used and put 10,000 down on a $20,000 truck. My payments were only $212 a month, but after my my Corporal pay took a hit coming back to the states things got a little tight. Now instead of sitting in the barracks or Kin-Town i was driving back and forth all the time from 29 Palms to Phoenix to see the girlfriend and family. All the gas, insurance, truck payments and other costs from just getting off base and having some freedom back started to add up. It was pretty tight from time to time but i did it. I wouldn't buy unless you can afford a large down payment. If you re-up and get your money, go for it, but dont re-enlist for money, keep your priorities straight. If money is important you can make more on the outside, I got about 1700 a month as E-4 over 4 and now not even 2 years later I grossed 70K this year. Re-up for the life and the excitement, not the money. Semper Fi and stay alive.