One of those question's that I would normally think are stupid...

[ensign_lee]

First, +1 to the notion that you cannot afford ANY new car, much less a V6 or V8 Camaro.

You simply cannot afford it, no way, no how.

But if you're stubborn to the point where the only two options in front of you are A) buy V6, B) buy V8, then you should get the V6. You arelaready stated that you're happy with the V6. Why spend $5k or so more to get to the V8?

Honestly, if I were you and had to have a camaro at some point, I would wait until the 2011 convertibles come out and then try to buy a 2010 SS at that point. By then, there should be close to 200,000 camaros out on the road, dramatically pushing down used car prices. You'll be able to have your cake and eat it too. You'll just have to wait a little bit.

Also, if it matters, I'm 23.

You are just giving up SO MUCH by having to get that camaro NOW as opposed to later. That $5k, put into a Roth IRA and into the S&P 500 index at a growth of merely 5% a year (average is 8% a year) is $49,529 when you retire. And that's assuming you don't put ANY more money into your Roth and that the market underperforms. At 7%, that $5k is more like $120,228. So instead of having that amount of money when you retire, you'll have...memories of a camaro when you were 18 rather than memories of a camaro when you were say...20.

[Brandons714]

Well, Idk if I posted it (I was in a hurry before work) but, I was wondering about the Synergy Green Special Edition, It came out to $28,000 with the Speaker system, sunroof and everything (It's just a 1LT but that's fine for me.) I know you all stress on money, but, like some guy said "Listen to your gut." well, If I "Listen to my gut" than I'd be in debt, because, coming from my dad who makes over $250-$300k a year, telling me to get the v8, My gut says that's the smart idea, but, Me, I say, Screw that, I know I can't really afford that and live well, and I want the v6, Now, I've talked to my GF, and she says "I would rather stay with your mom till we're about 25 and just go on little road trips and stuff while we're young." and, She's very smart when it comes to this stuff (She's currently taking Class's on Interior Design) but, her exact words were "It would be pointless for us to go buy or rent a place of our own while we're young, when your mom WANTS us to stay with her, it would just be a waste of money." and, I agree, I plan to stay with my mom for a while. No Rent, No Bills, all the money I make is mine, and, like I said, I make $1,200 on a BAD month, I've only been working here (My GF's parents business, they manage a mobile home park with over 100 Trailers that ALWAYS need work, and I'm the "Handyman") for a couple of months, but Last month, I made about $1,500 (I spend the money paying off all my "Childhood Debt" since I owned my dad about $500 from when I was younger and had to have a nice computer since I'm a computer geek and gave my mom some money to help her out while she was jobless for that month) I know I can afford this car, Weather you say I can or not, that's why I wanted to steer free of hearing that I can't afford the car.

And, Like I said before "Live every day as if it we're your last" of course, I'm not saying, Go bungee jumping off a 200 Ft Bridge with a 150 ft rope and see how close I can get to the floor and hopefully not hit it, you gotta be smart about it, but, I am saying, Why not get my dream car while I'm young? I can afford it, weather you agree or not, and, What if I die from cancer I never knew I had in the next 10 years, or a freak accident, Don't you think I should have fun while I can?

This is my first car, I don't make much money, You're right, But, If I had the option to pick any one thing in this world to have that I didn't already have, I'd choose this car over a $15,000,000 beach house.

Idk why, but, usually I would not go through with this but, It just feels... Right... and nothing is stopping that, no matter what anyone say, it just feels like the right thing to do, and, If my dad, who is very successful will co-sign for the car for me, than, he obviously thinks that I can do it also.

I want a Camaro, I'm getting a Camaro. With a 2SS I'll be tight on money for a while, but in the long run, I'll have the 2ss which would be great, if I get the 2LT, I'll have some money to play with, and I will always love the car (304 HP is fine) and even if I wanted to race on the track in the future, I'll still be against other v6's so, I don't need a v8, and all of your comments have helped me come to that conclusion. Even those of who you said "Don't do it." and "You can't afford that." made me look at everything, and, I know I can "Afford" a v8, but in reality, You're right, I want money to play with, but, $500 a month is fine for me.

My sig is just like, my dream car, but, I still love the v6, and since I saw a Synergy Green one Today, I really liked it (I didn't like it in the pictures) and that seems perfect for me, Price wise and everything.

So, In conclusion, I've decided on a Synergy Green Special Edition 1LT with a Sunroof (Since that Can't be added Later) and the Sound system (Because, i know if I don't get the $400 one now, I'll be to tempted to get a $4,000 sound system later lol) and, I'll add on to the car little by little as I save up more money, than, When the car is payed off, I'll throw in my Twin Turbo, and my Ground Effects and my Hockey Stripes, and all that fun stuff later.
MSRP: $28,000
Down Payment: $5,000
Monthly Payment including Insurance: $671 (72 Month Plan)
Monthly spending money: $539-$1239 (Depending on the Month)
Job Status: Very Stable, but still looking for a new higher paying job to push myself.

Sorry for any typos, I just typed this un in the Quick Reply... Well, Quickly. =D

[Tessa]

If you're gonna go for it (and I take it you are ) then I think the choice you've made - with the 1LT is a good idea - it'll cost you less (esp on gas) and that will only help.

Best advice now that you know this is what you're doing - keep a separate account aside for your car only payments. Have it at a different bank then your normal account if you have to - and always put as much money in there as you can. This way, you can set up automatic payments (always easier) and you can start slowly saving up to pay the car off in advance instead of paying only the monthly payment. (and, should anything happen - you have money to keep ontop of the payments without having to borrow from your parents or GF)

I'll tell you - best safety net you can have for your car - just in case!!

[Brandons714]

Originally Posted by Tessa

If you're gonna go for it (and I take it you are ) then I think the choice you've made - with the 1LT is a good idea - it'll cost you less (esp on gas) and that will only help.

Best advice now that you know this is what you're doing - keep a separate account aside for your car only payments. Have it at a different bank then your normal account if you have to - and always put as much money in there as you can. This way, you can set up automatic payments (always easier) and you can start slowly saving up to pay the car off in advance instead of paying only the monthly payment. (and, should anything happen - you have money to keep ontop of the payments without having to borrow from your parents or GF)

I'll tell you - best safety net you can have for your car - just in case!!

Oh of course, Haha, I have my personal Account right now with Chase (They Make me keep my Minimum Balance of $300 in my savings) where I have my well... Personal use money And, I'm actually looking into opening up a second account with either Wells Fargo or BoA, and using that strictly for my car payments (I'll have my mom or GF hide my Debt card from me or something lol) and, Every month, no matter how much I make, I'm throwing $700 in there, than at the end of the next month, anything I have left over is going into there as safety net money, that way, I still have my spending money, but I'm using it like Cell Phone Minutes, Whatever you don't use within that month is lost (Well, In this case, just put away in the bank) and, also, when the car is payed off, any of that money that I had in there that I didn't use on the car, I'll be using for mods on the car.

And, I've always been a.... Competitive person, so, If my dad turns around halfway through and says "I don't think you can keep this car, you just simply don't make enough." I'll push myself to my physical limits to prove him wrong. It's just my nature haha.
But yes, Believe it or not, I am looking at all of my options, and I'm being as smart as any 18 year old can be, I may be Naive but, I will never make a life changing decision without looking at everything first, I'm not that stupid.

-A bit off topic-
Last night for example, I went out to eat with my GF, I ordered a Been and Cheese burrito (Which are about 1 LB) 2 Cheese Enchiladas with Beans and rice, and I'm only 5'8" 135 lb, and the guy that worked there was like "There's no way you can eat all of that, If you somehow do, I'll give you a free burrito." and well, that gave me a reason not only to prove him wrong, but to get a free burrito, I finished every last bite.

[navmaxlp]

First off, I think the V6 is the right choice. Less insurance, better gas mileage and cheaper gas added to the lower purchase cost all make it more affordable. Take it from me, I wish I would have had the opportunity to make this purchase earlier. Now I have to wait until my car dies to get one and even then, I have to convince the wife it's a good idea. You're young. Even if this is a mistake (which I'm not convinced that it is), you'll have plenty of time to recover from it and make a future for yourself and your girlfriend. I would say however, look for a tradeschool or something to better the job situation you're in. I know this is a stable job for you now but, imagine how much easier things would be if you made a bit more money.

Second, and please take this the right way, be warry of accepting help from your dad. I don't know him from Adam but, ask yourself what will happen if you couldn't make payments for some reason. As a cosigner, he would be responsible for making the payment. Would he do so and go on as normal? Would he expect to get the car? You had to repay a $500 debt to him from when you were young. Making what you say he makes, he didn't need that $500. Will he hold the cosigning over your head? Again, he's probably a great guy, I'm just asking you to ask yourself these questions. As I said earlier, only you can make these decisions.

I think the idea of you getting a camaro is a great one.

[Tessa]

Originally Posted by Brandons714

Oh of course, Haha, I have my personal Account right now with Chase (They Make me keep my Minimum Balance of $300 in my savings) where I have my well... Personal use money And, I'm actually looking into opening up a second account with either Wells Fargo or BoA, and using that strictly for my car payments (I'll have my mom or GF hide my Debt card from me or something lol) and, Every month, no matter how much I make, I'm throwing $700 in there, than at the end of the next month, anything I have left over is going into there as safety net money, that way, I still have my spending money, but I'm using it like Cell Phone Minutes, Whatever you don't use within that month is lost (Well, In this case, just put away in the bank) and, also, when the car is payed off, any of that money that I had in there that I didn't use on the car, I'll be using for mods on the car.

And, I've always been a.... Competitive person, so, If my dad turns around halfway through and says "I don't think you can keep this car, you just simply don't make enough." I'll push myself to my physical limits to prove him wrong. It's just my nature haha.
But yes, Believe it or not, I am looking at all of my options, and I'm being as smart as any 18 year old can be, I may be Naive but, I will never make a life changing decision without looking at everything first, I'm not that stupid.

-A bit off topic-
Last night for example, I went out to eat with my GF, I ordered a Been and Cheese burrito (Which are about 1 LB) 2 Cheese Enchiladas with Beans and rice, and I'm only 5'8" 135 lb, and the guy that worked there was like "There's no way you can eat all of that, If you somehow do, I'll give you a free burrito." and well, that gave me a reason not only to prove him wrong, but to get a free burrito, I finished every last bite.

LOL - Love the burrito story - my best friend is the same way - if you tell her she cant do something, she will and she will kick your ass with it. It's not a bad way to go, just don't get carried away - remember that proving things to yourself is more important (and always works out better) then to other people
It's going to be rough with a payment that high - and while I do agree that it's not the smartest idea - I suppose I really can't say much since I did the same thing - LOL.
I can't afford my payment but I have 21k in the bank for her so... I guess that's where we all worry you might be getting in over your head - but if you put every cent towards this car you should (hopefully!) come out on top and prove all of us wrong too (remember to rub it in later too - LOL).
Sht happens that you will never plan for in life - as long as you plan ahead as best you can with that saving account for your car you might not have to give it up (b/c that would be a crime!)

My parents thought I was nuts when I told them my car was going to be 40k with taxes (she was actually 45 and they still don't know) - and I had to fight that parental "you don't know what you're doing" attitude too. I'm 30 - that's saying something....
Right now - I have 21k in my savings for my car, 26k left on her....I'll have her paid off (barring something awful) this year - and THAT is worth almost as much as my baby (ALMOST)
And when you get to that point and can tell your dad you're paying her off and he looks at you and says "sometimes you surprise me" (in a GOOD way LOL) it'll feel good - I know, been there too
hahaa.....

[Brandons714]

Originally Posted by navmaxlp

First off, I think the V6 is the right choice. Less insurance, better gas mileage and cheaper gas added to the lower purchase cost all make it more affordable. Take it from me, I wish I would have had the opportunity to make this purchase earlier. Now I have to wait until my car dies to get one and even then, I have to convince the wife it's a good idea. You're young. Even if this is a mistake (which I'm not convinced that it is), you'll have plenty of time to recover from it and make a future for yourself and your girlfriend. I would say however, look for a tradeschool or something to better the job situation you're in. I know this is a stable job for you now but, imagine how much easier things would be if you made a bit more money.

Second, and please take this the right way, be warry of accepting help from your dad. I don't know him from Adam but, ask yourself what will happen if you couldn't make payments for some reason. As a cosigner, he would be responsible for making the payment. Would he do so and go on as normal? Would he expect to get the car? You had to repay a $500 debt to him from when you were young. Making what you say he makes, he didn't need that $500. Will he hold the cosigning over your head? Again, he's probably a great guy, I'm just asking you to ask yourself these questions. As I said earlier, only you can make these decisions.

I think the idea of you getting a camaro is a great one.

He's Very Strict, He's Very Business Related (If you can't tell by him wanting me to get an SS, not caring that it will cost me, but only caring that, If I can't afford it the resale is high.) If he has to take over the payments, he will hold the car untill I gey it payed off, However, He wouldn't sell the car on me. You're right, $500 is basically nothing to him. But, he's very uptight with his money (He wouldn't even buy me a $2000 car for my first car when I was 16) I appreciate your comment, by helping me with the decision, and I very much respect that you aren't telling me I'm wrong.
But, to him, $30,000 is like $3,000 to me, Sure, It's a little chunk of change, but, in reality, He's making enough money to, If he were to spend one yearly income on all Camaros, he could technically afford 6 Fully Loaded 2SS/RS's, but, that would be stupid of him, and he act's like he is poor, because, a lot of his money is invested in his business (Which, I do side jobs with for spare money) which I understand, If you make, $250,000 in a year, but to keep the business up you have to spend $120,000 of that the next year on product's you only technically see $130,000 than saving for retirement (He's in his early 50's) you're only seeing $100,000 now, which, to him, is very little, and to me, who has lived with my mom for 18 years, and seeing her make it on $20,000 a year, that makes $100,000 look like a tone of money. So, I'm sure you can picture how he is kind of now... lol.
Also, He has 100% perfect credit on over 3 bank accounts, and he won't let a car ruin his credit, so he'll pick up the payments in a heartbeat, and, With his way of teaching me responsibilities He'll hold the car till it's payed off or I have caught up on my payments.

Also, a thing you said was "look for a tradeschool or something to better the job situation you're in." He's actually paying for my Collage, and I'm going to be doing 6 years and getting my Masters Degree on Computer Graphic and Development.

Technology is one of the few things in this world that will only grow and grow and the future comes, and I've always loved computers since I was young, so, it seems like a perfect idea to me. =D

[Havok]

I put $10k down on my car (2LT RS so it was $30k total). However living at home and finished paying off my college I don't have any other expenses. My payment plans are like $400 or so a month, but I figure if I do $1500 (little less than half a months paycheck) a month I can get it paid in about a year. Trying to pay it off as quick as possible just in case something unexpectedly happens.

I think you did the right idea with the v6 1LT. Don't go over your head to get something that you really don't want. Get what you want and what you can afford. Thats what I did. Yeah I probably could be sitting in a fully loaded SS here with $100-$200 more in monthly payments (and still afford it), but the stuff that was in the SS just wasn't for me, and thats why I went with the 2LT. Plus I plan on moving out pretty soon hopefully to live closer to work, so I can still save $1500 a month for downpayment on an apartment or just to save up.

Edit: I see you are going to school for computers. Good job, thats what I went (well Computer Science and Business). Now I work for a government contractor (so my job is pretty secure unless those Tea Partiers get what they want ).

[Brandons714]

Originally Posted by Tessa

LOL - Love the burrito story - my best friend is the same way - if you tell her she cant do something, she will and she will kick your ass with it. It's not a bad way to go, just don't get carried away - remember that proving things to yourself is more important (and always works out better) then to other people
It's going to be rough with a payment that high - and while I do agree that it's not the smartest idea - I suppose I really can't say much since I did the same thing - LOL.
I can't afford my payment but I have 21k in the bank for her so... I guess that's where we all worry you might be getting in over your head - but if you put every cent towards this car you should (hopefully!) come out on top and prove all of us wrong too (remember to rub it in later too - LOL).
Sht happens that you will never plan for in life - as long as you plan ahead as best you can with that saving account for your car you might not have to give it up (b/c that would be a crime!)

My parents thought I was nuts when I told them my car was going to be 40k with taxes (she was actually 45 and they still don't know) - and I had to fight that parental "you don't know what you're doing" attitude too. I'm 30 - that's saying something....
Right now - I have 21k in my savings for my car, 26k left on her....I'll have her paid off (barring something awful) this year - and THAT is worth almost as much as my baby (ALMOST)
And when you get to that point and can tell your dad you're paying her off and he looks at you and says "sometimes you surprise me" (in a GOOD way LOL) it'll feel good - I know, been there too
hahaa.....

Well, even though after 18 years, he doesn't fully trust me, He knows, that even back when I was very young (7-8 Years old) he bought me this Do it Yourself Car Model Airbrush set for $250, and, even at that age, I worked my ass off (Mowing Lawns, Washing Cars, etc...) and I payed him off by the time I was 9. which was actually sooner than he asked for, and to this day, I have 100% perfect credit with him, I've never missed one of his payments, no matter how impossible they seem.
So, he trusts me enough to sign for me, but, Not enough to be comfortable with it, but, I have a feeling, no matter how hard I work my ass off, he will never Fully trust me. He's just one of those people who are very scared of commitment and trusting anyone (Him and my mom were together for 13 years before I was born, before she finally left him knowing that he was just wasting her time because he just can't trust anyone.)
But, I will do this, Like you said, If not to prove everyone else wrong, To prove to myself, that I'm better than everyone else thinks, and that I CAN do it, no matter what anyone says.

[Havok]

Originally Posted by Brandons714

Well, even though after 18 years, he doesn't fully trust me, He knows, that even back when I was very young (7-8 Years old) he bought me this Do it Yourself Car Model Airbrush set for $250, and, even at that age, I worked my ass off (Mowing Lawns, Washing Cars, etc...) and I payed him off by the time I was 9. which was actually sooner than he asked for, and to this day, I have 100% perfect credit with him, I've never missed one of his payments, no matter how impossible they seem.
So, he trusts me enough to sign for me, but, Not enough to be comfortable with it, but, I have a feeling, no matter how hard I work my ass off, he will never Fully trust me. He's just one of those people who are very scared of commitment and trusting anyone (Him and my mom were together for 13 years before I was born, before she finally left him knowing that he was just wasting her time because he just can't trust anyone.
But, I will do this, Like you said, If not to prove everyone else wrong, To prove to myself, that I'm better than everyone else thinks, and that I CAN do it, no matter what anyone says.

Trust me once your dad sits in the car for the first time, he'll be comfortable with you getting a Camaro. I bet you will even notice times when looks like it was "stolen" when he's not home.

[zq8colorado04]

So your plan involves you buying a new Camaro but you and your girlfriend are both gonna live with your mom?


Nothing like tagging your gf while mom's in the kitchen making dinner...that'll get awkward quick.

Don't be stupid...wait on the car til' after college.

(And this is coming from a person who bought a new car at 17, a $22,000 Colorado but I put $12,000 down and paid the other $10,000 off in 9 months)

[esperman]

Originally Posted by Brandons714

Well, even though after 18 years, he doesn't fully trust me, He knows, that even back when I was very young (7-8 Years old) he bought me this Do it Yourself Car Model Airbrush set for $250, and, even at that age, I worked my ass off (Mowing Lawns, Washing Cars, etc...) and I payed him off by the time I was 9. which was actually sooner than he asked for, and to this day, I have 100% perfect credit with him, I've never missed one of his payments, no matter how impossible they seem.
So, he trusts me enough to sign for me, but, Not enough to be comfortable with it, but, I have a feeling, no matter how hard I work my ass off, he will never Fully trust me. He's just one of those people who are very scared of commitment and trusting anyone (Him and my mom were together for 13 years before I was born, before she finally left him knowing that he was just wasting her time because he just can't trust anyone.)
But, I will do this, Like you said, If not to prove everyone else wrong, To prove to myself, that I'm better than everyone else thinks, and that I CAN do it, no matter what anyone says.

hmmm...I'd start saving up for that group therapy instead of a new car ......

j/k bro. But I'd be in no hurry for those kinds of payments.....

[Brandons714]

-To sum up the long paragraph below in case you don't like reading a lot-
I live in Utah with my mom, Not in Cali with my dad, If my car seems stolen than, well it's probably stolen lol.

-Now all the pointless Details-
Haha, Well, I don't live with him, I stayed with my mom when they split up, He's not really a family person, His Happiness is #1 in his life, than Business is #2, than Family 3rd, my mom's always been family first, She's taken in my cousins and my uncles, right out of jail, and went weeks with no food just so they could be happy, and she does everything she can to help anyone and everyone, I had to tell her a few months ago, that she needs to stop letting people walk over her like a rug, and she needs to stand up for her self, I think it's messed that she takes my uncle in from prison, and he start's stealing from her and doing drugs behind her back, so, she finally told him to straighten up or get out, and, She's finally growing a backbone and I'm fine with living with her till I'm 30, I guess you could say, she's not like normal mom's, She'll go out and buy me a beer before letting me go somewhere else and do it, which is why I have so much respect for her and would never do anything to disappoint her, and it was just better to stay with her than my dad...Yeah... Sorry for throwing all that in there... it just came out pretty much... lol

[Tessa]

My parents are like that too - they tried to teach us that we need to work hard to get what we want. I'm now the only one with a job but....lol (my sisters both have kids so...that's their job).

Also going back and getting my degree in computers - software engineering - I think that made my dad almost cry (he's an electrical engineer and alwasy wanted ONE of us to play smart- LOL) and THAT was funny....

Whatever you do - don't drop out, for ANY reason- or take time off....it's not fun to work FT and have to go back to school when you're old - LOL