The Newest New Deal - Buying James A Marauder

[woaface]

Well, I went ahead and did some income vs. expenses and here's what I got.

NOTE: All income figures are conservative, all expense figures are exact or more than what I plan on spending. This is also assuming I have NO HELP whatsoever and income does not include gift money.

Obviously, I'll have to keep at it, hope for extra odd-job income, be a little tight with expenses and still enjoy life a little, and all that jazz.
------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INCOME/EXPENSE (Including work, washing cars, selling photography, doing my lawn, plus current sitting funds, etc.)

And not like my job is top secret, anyone can find out my income. I work 3-4 shifts per week at 4-5 hours per shift making $7.00 per hour.
Over the summer I'll pick up a TON more hours but I HAVE NOT factored that in. Given my summer hours/odd-jobs/gift money for birthday and Christmas, I WILL exceed my expectations IF I stick this plan solid.

$1150 per month
subtracting:
(230 or 20% per month for savings)
($80 per month in gas)
($55 per month sit down food)
($50 per month for other)
This leaves me roughly $730-740 sitting, which I'll probably save half of for emergencies and the other half will go to college. Ever couple of months I'll split my emergency money in half and put it in my college fund.


Buying a Marauder.

So I figure April/May 06' is my earliest target, July/August 06' my latest. I'll buy the car for no more than $17,000 with less than 50,000 miles on the clock, and I don't expect to get lucky and pay less than $15,000.

So with interest anywhere's from 0.0% (lucky as hell) to 0.10% (in the crap hole) and all that money in savings leading to a goal of $3,000 for a down payment I'll spend between $12,000-$15,400 on the car. (15,000-3,000 at 0.0% and 17,000-3,000 at 0.10%.)

Then I need money for the first month's TaxTagTitle. Then I'll need to worry about property tax, gas, keep up, etc. and I could be looking at almost $700-$1200 that I need every month to keep going after I buy the car.

Given that, the cheapest insurance rate I found by myself was $1800 roughly. So I guess I'll get on my dad's car insurance bandwaggon, pay him for what I'll cost him, and since it'll be his insurance policy, and given his record, I'll save a good couple of hundred.



So do you guys have any income ideas/finance/whatever suggestions other than don't spend to much money, makes as much as possible and stick with the plan?

I'm excited and scared all at the same time, but I figure I'll get in the entreprenureal spirit and not say "Aww hell, I'll just buy one after college."
I'm going to change this a little over the next week, and work some ass off and plan on next year as a purchase date, no reason why I can't or should not.

[carfixer]

James, here's my opinion: Don't allow yourself to become a slave to your car at your age. Being 17 (18 when you get the car), without money, you'll miss out on spur of the moment trips with friends, concerts, buying that camera lens you really want, taking your girl to dinner... In the years after you graduate college, you'll have plenty of "disposable income" to afford a really cool car. Maybe Marty will be sick of LK and you can get it for a steal :)

[woaface]

I'll have money in reserve and emergencies for those types of things, I'll be 19 when I get the car.

Once I graduate from college, Marauder's will be old, out-dated, high in miles, and I won't have been able to say "When I was 19."

Plus, managing finances like this now at my age? I think it's a wonderful idea and I should have started a long time ago. I'll learn so much for my future and it'll get me off to a good start with a car I can resell eventually and I'll get off to a good foot credit wise, or I won't allow myself to buy the car.

Either way though, point taken. Plus, no camera anymore, long story, but the first grand I make will buy a camera.

Still, my income estimate is a minimum and my expense is almost exactly what I spend now. Plus if I can make this plan work (which I don't see why I can't unless I'm a lazy ass) I'll have some good money for college.

A Marauder is my goal, but in a year or so we'll see...I'm making this money whether I buy one then or not.


James, here's my opinion: Don't allow yourself to become a slave to your car at your age. Being 17 (18 when you get the car), without money, you'll miss out on spur of the moment trips with friends, concerts, buying that camera lens you really want, taking your girl to dinner... In the years after you graduate college, you'll have plenty of "disposable income" to afford a really cool car. Maybe Marty will be sick of LK and you can get it for a steal :)

[Logan]

Ah youth... You're about to learn your lesson. :)

[jgc61sr2002]

James - It is not as easy as it looks. Good luck.

[Cobra25]

Take note to what Carfixer said & Logan, it's good sound advice. It's nice to have a cool car but it is nicer to have some money in your pocket.

[TechHeavy]

Wow. What a good kid. It's a logical plan on your part, but I have to agree with the others. Don't strap yourself financially when you're so young. I have to admire your responsibility and financial planning, but you'll want and need money to have fun while you're young that you'll never have the chance to have again when you're older. Keep your money for having fun! Yes, you'd have fun in a Marauder, but don't do it at the expense of foregoing everything else!

Listen to us old farts, because we've been there. Have fun with your well deserved money for now. There will be time for a Marauder, (or better) later...

Hang in there bro! :coolman:

[King Fubar]

James- Don't do it trust me and the rest of the folks here. You're not the first that thought of the foolproof plan the get a nice ride, we all did it and some of us regret it. What you got to remember is that:

1. You'll obviously will have to buy a used Marauder not saying that they are all bad but out of 11,000 3,000 are here and you may be hard pressed to find a good one. What you have to figure is if these cars breakdown it's not cheap to fix.

2. $80 a month for gas? There's no possible way because you're gonna drive with your foot in it everywhere you go it might cover driving across the street and back. I put $40 a week in mine because I can't keep my foot out of it.

3. Just out of curiosity the $1500 a month is that after your Uncle Sam takes his and your Governor takes his and you local government takes theirs? You got a job at a restaraunt can you guaranty your tips to cover the finer things in life?

Oops I forgot the insurance 18-19 yoa with a Marauder that ain't good my friend. Because remember if you finance they want FULL COVERAGE. Even on your dads policy it will basically skyrocket his insurance. Incase you wondering how I know this the wife was a licensed agent.

Get yourself a good car that you can work on cheaply and build it up sell it and buy another. The moral of this is not a lecture by any means but some freindly words from someone who has been there and occasionally find myself there every now and again.


Soap box is empty :soap: ....Next....

[MENINBLK]

2. $80 a month for gas? There's no possible way because you're gonna drive with your foot in it everywhere you go it might cover driving across the street and back. I put $40 a week in mine because I can't keep my foot out of it.

Only $40 a week ???
How you getting away with that ??? :dunno:

[King Fubar]

Only $40 a week ???
How you getting away with that ??? :dunno:
Lucky I give it a rest while I'm working 12 hr shifts, other than that I've been known to burn a tank a day. :burnout:

[Logan]

James, to set reality in, I typically don't carry higher than a 35% debt load, ever. Which means, car payments, credit cards, & mortgages never consume more than that amount of my income, if it does, I can't afford it.

If you're making $1150 a month, you shouldn't be spending any more than a MAX of $300/mo on a car, and that includes insurance costs. Even then, that's still a ton of money to spew out each month on just a car for someone your age.

The reality is, the excitement of a cool car fades REALLY quickly when you're basically busting your ass each month just to own the thing and put gas in it's tank.

But, I fully expect you to make that mistake. I did, every kid I know did, you're no different, gotta learn the hard way. At the end of the day, if you want it, you'll find a way to justify it in your own mind and then get to live and learn from that decision...

I would also pretty much recommend not discussing your finances and stuff in a public forum, I now know entirely too much about you, your finances, friends and life in general. Felons and criminals read the internet too ya know... :)

Just friendly advice from one of many who's been down this exact road before... :up:

[ncmm]

James, please get your father to buy a used one :D and he will let you drive it once in awhile if you're lucky. Trust me, at your age you don't need the headaches of worrying about financing a nice cruiser vehicle. Plus if gas goes any higher you'll need far more $$ than you think! If you do decide to go for the car I wish you the best. Dreams do come true!:burnout: Hang in there! :)

[merc406]

"Aww hell, I'll just buy one after college."
I'm going to change this a little over the next week, and work some ass off and plan on next year as a purchase date, no reason why I can't or should not.




James, stay focused, school is more important right now, their's no need to complicate it now with high payments, mods that you will want to do, high ins. costs, and whatever else. College is for the rest of your life's life. Do what you need to do to get through these upcoming years, the rest will happen. Everyone here is speaking from their own life's experiences, take it for what were worth, good luck to you.

[captJ696]

The reality is, the excitement of a cool car fades REALLY quickly when you're basically busting your ass each month just to own the thing and put gas in it's tank.

But, I fully expect you to make that mistake. I did, every kid I know did, you're no different, gotta learn the hard way. At the end of the day, if you want it, you'll find a way to justify it in your own mind and then get to live and learn from that decision...

I would also pretty much recommend not discussing your finances and stuff in a public forum, I now know entirely too much about you, your finances, friends and life in general. Felons and criminals read the internet too ya know... :)

Just friendly advice from one of many who's been down this exact road before... :up:


Woaface........Dude, this^^^^^^^^^^ is VALUALBLE advise, don`t kill ya self trying to get behind the wheel. Enjoy your youth. :beatnik:

[CRUZTAKER]

But, I fully expect you to make that mistake. I did, every kid I know did, you're no different, gotta learn the hard way......
I didn't.....

I took the road of driving the most embarrassing cars ever manufactured.

I did this up until I was atleast 27 years old. The income just wasn't there. I wanted....but just didn't have.

You of all folks I met around here deserve a Marauder, if this is what you truley want, but you have have to make sure it is realistic at this point in your life.

Good luck man.

[mpearce]

James, you're a college guy right? Go get a college job...be a bartender, barback, make some more money. When you turn 18, this could possibly work to your advantage. I was primarily a bouncer in college, 40 hours a week of it, at an extremely busy bar in Daytona Beach. During the weekend nights I was a barback, I'd walk home with over $250 in tips from less than 8 hours of work, one or two nights a week. On the weekends I barbacked, I could bring home over $500 in two nights of work. Think about it, it could be a nice little income booster for that special ride you want so bad.

-Mat

[duhtroll]

James, all else aside . . .

College is NO place for a MM. Imagine - you have the nice ride and will be the envy for guys who want to have you drive to and from the party (don't think beer won't end up in it - or something(s) worse).

Then there's the college parking lots, where I have seen all sorts of things done to cars outside of the dings and sctatches that happen to just about every car.

The folks that trash cars because theirs is not as nice? They exist - and some of them will be at your school.

Thanks be for me NOT having a nice car at school. It sat next to a car that caught fire once, got hit by a snowplow going thru the lot once, I found beer and vomit on it once, dents and scratches a given. I just shrugged and proceeded to swing my door into the car that had obviously done the same to mine when the owner came home drunk.

Of course, that's if you GET to park anywhere near where you live. If you don't, (or even if you do) the MM will probably be broken into.

Every now and then I think (when it's raining or muddy or snowing) "maybe I should trade cars with the wife and take hers. She isn't going anywhere today on her day off."

Then I remind myself she works at a university and might need to run up to campus for something. I'd rather rent a car than park my car on campus for any length of time.

Of course, if you are going to have an apartment with your own single garage, that doesn't matter. But if you're going to have that, you can't afford a MM anyway.

So if nothing else, think of the CAR. :)

-A

[Bowman9]

James -

I was under the impression that you already have a 1999ish Grand Marquis.
You could take a fraction of the money you are about to spend on a used Marauder and have a kick *** GM, without higher insurance cost.
Look at the cool stuff Dennis and Kenny Brown has done with Crown Vics and Marquis.
You are better off saving your hard earned money for a house.
The house won't loose value like a car, for the most part it will gain value.
Cars are more or less disposible.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but everything everyone is telling is true. Try and learn from others mistakes.

[Rider90]

James, here's my opinion: Don't allow yourself to become a slave to your car at your age. Being 17 (18 when you get the car), without money, you'll miss out on spur of the moment trips with friends, concerts, buying that camera lens you really want, taking your girl to dinner... In the years after you graduate college, you'll have plenty of "disposable income" to afford a really cool car. Maybe Marty will be sick of LK and you can get it for a steal :)

Carfixer is right. I don't own a Marauder, the Marauder owns a Rider90.

[woaface]

Thanks for the thoughts guys, and let me specify one more time, my goal is a Marauder, but I will save this money and work this out either way...and when the time comes, I'll decide what I'm doing automobile wise.

Several of you have critisized my amount of income. Those were conservative estimates. My income will well exceed that this summer, and then drop only slightly once I go back to school. $1550 is what I expect for two months from now, then the number isn't valid.

I may very well have all this money and not spend it...and I will more than likely get some backing from my dad, which includes paying insurance through him thus lowering my rate.

The 1999 Marquis is no longer in my possesion...and it's not a Marauder so out of the question. Everything I dislike about SOHC panthers is almost perfect in the Marauder.

Please don't look at this as an overly ambitious and self-compiled venture from an 18 year old kid. This is real, possible, and there is still one more option, which is.

Leaving the Marauder my dad's garage most of the year, changing the oil regularly, and taking out during the nice months and getting a beater.

No way I'm taking a Marauder to college, especially if I'm up north in Boston or Washington DC.

Not that they care what type of car I buy, but they want to make sure I put money into college too.

College is a large consideration of mine, and more of my money will see a college fun then a Marauder fund. I want a good start with credit too.

I may very well garage a Marauder and get a beater. A Marauder will not serve me well on a college campus in Boston or Washington DC. No way on that risk, my insurance would be through the roof.

So, I'll have two cars. A Marauder and the cheapest thing on gas and insurance (like a 93LX Civic or some other piece)

I love self made people, and there's no risk since my parents and I will not let me run into debt. Incredible amounts of debt will not happen, it's that simple. I will have to discuss every step with my father before making a purchase and his credit is phenomenal...he won't let me do anything stupid.

There's no lesson to learn. Either I do well and afford a Marauder or I sit with a load of cash...it's that simple.

I'm not going to be some lazy kid...I want to work for a living.

[gpfarrell]

James,

Lots of good advice here... clearly you're well thought of to get so much input.

If you put your goals in writing... as you've done with the Maruader... the world is yours. Doesn't matter if you buy it or just bank enough to know you could... you'll learn more by chasing... and catching... this dream than 4 years at any school will ever teach you.

Keep putting your goals in writing; the rest will come.

[woaface]

I kind of miss the north by the way, I used to live up the road in Sharon, and my dad lives in Pittsburgh so I traveled there a lot as a kid.

There's a lot that's not to like, and to like about the south...but it's nice to go back and visit every once in a while. Hope live is good for ya!

No matter what I do, I think a bold, low risk plan with clearly defined paramaters (unless I make more money of course) is a great idea, and I should do this for the rest of my life.

The guys here love me, as well as do I...but I don't won't to be told I can't do it. I'm not going to ruin myself, my dad won't let me, nor will I let myself follow the example of relatives. I have sound financial advice and help from my father and either I have a nice car or I have a massive wad of cash for school.

Besides, if I leave the car down south and go up north...I'll have the metro!!!


James,

Lots of good advice here... clearly you're well thought of to get so much input.

If you put your goals in writing... as you've done with the Maruader... the world is yours. Doesn't matter if you buy it or just bank enough to know you could... you'll learn more by chasing... and catching... this dream than 4 years at any school will ever teach you.

Keep putting your goals in writing; the rest will come.

[hitchhiker]

I kind of miss the north by the way, I used to live up the road in Sharon, and my dad lives in Pittsburgh so I traveled there a lot as a kid.

There's a lot that's not to like, and to like about the south...but it's nice to go back and visit every once in a while. Hope live is good for ya!

No matter what I do, I think a bold, low risk plan with clearly defined paramaters (unless I make more money of course) is a great idea, and I should do this for the rest of my life.

The guys here love me, as well as do I...but I don't won't to be told I can't do it. I'm not going to ruin myself, my dad won't let me, nor will I let myself follow the example of relatives. I have sound financial advice and help from my father and either I have a nice car or I have a massive wad of cash for school.

Besides, if I leave the car down south and go up north...I'll have the metro!!!
James,

At first, I thought your post was going to be another of your posts containing way more details about your personal life than I/we really need to know.

After reading some of the replies, I see that this thread has taken on a serious tone, so I guess I'll throw in my .02 too.

Watch those stereotypes James.

:seesaw:

I was just in Spartanburg, SC. (close to your area) on business. I saw things for sale in a gas station mini-mart convenience store that are no longer sold in California.

:surprise:

Radical looking knives and drug paraphenalia were right there at the cash register! In the gas station mini-mart!

California still has some 'smoke shops' scattered here and there, mainly in comic book stores and in very left leaning areas which sell some 'head' items, but the days of seeing this stuff in general convenience stores and mini-marts are long gone out here.

Radical knives and thorwing stars are seldom seen out here too. They are illegal here and have been for several years.

They had one knife that opened from a circular center section into three blades evenly spaced around the center meant for throwing!

I did quite the double take when seeing these things, having not seen such things since my late teens and early twenties.

And this in South Carolina! Where's Andy and Barney when you need them?

Methanphetamine is running wild through the young and middle-aged population of midwestern and southern parts of the country!

Folks back there will soon wish they only had pot-heads to deal with!

It's not Mayberry anymore.

Take care and keep youself away from such nasty tempations.

College exposes all kinds of sheltered kids to things they thought they would never see. The temptation to indulge yourself and spend money you don't have is quite real.

Keeping up with the trust fund kids socially costs a lot of money!

Credit card companies set up card tables in the quad offering free T-Shirts and fanny packs to those who sign up for a new credit card.

Yippie! All of a sudden you can run up a couple of thousand dollars in debt with low payments that will string it along for many years after you are graduated.

Keep your wits about you and stay focused on the right path.

You will have time for fun and posessions when your career is established.

Again, watch the stereotypes. Mayberry does not exist anymore, even in South Carolina.

Regards,

David

[dwasson]

James, a couple points that haven't come up:

With the price of insurance for a guy under 25 being what it is, beaters look attractive. One of the kids who worked for me drove a series of beaters and had enough extra money that he could go on good dates. The other guy who worked for me had a nice car and I don't know if he ever had a date.

Look at the average age of the guys you know here. We're in our 30s, 40s, or 50s and we worked for a while to get to where we could buy the car we wanted. Most of us, if we had the car of our dreams when we were young, found that it ruled our lives. My Porshe was like Christine.

[martyo]

My Porshe was like Christine.

Ahhhh Christine......

[woaface]

True that Dawsson...but I may not be living till I'm 30 or 40...anything can happen.

No reason I can't get off to a good foot now...might save my rear when I'm 30 or 40, and I have to learn good financial policy sometime!

[hitchhiker]

James, a couple points that haven't come up:

With the price of insurance for a guy under 25 being what it is, beaters look attractive. One of the kids who worked for me drove a series of beaters and had enough extra money that he could go on good dates. The other guy who worked for me had a nice car and I don't know if he ever had a date.

Look at the average age of the guys you know here. We're in our 30s, 40s, or 50s and we worked for a while to get to where we could buy the car we wanted. Most of us, if we had the car of our dreams when we were young, found that it ruled our lives. My Porshe was like Christine.Ah, Christine.

http://www.hollywood-diecast.com/ERTL%20christine.jpg




One of my favorite Steven King movies!

:banana:

[martyo]

My Porshe was like Christine.

Ahhhh Christine......

http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=61 34

[dwasson]

James, I gotta throw a quote at you:

Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.

[Sactown]

James,

I HIGHLY suggest you stay out of debt. Having goals is very important, but this one is questionable. Let your money buy the nice stuff, not your labor.

Read the book; Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It will help to give you a different perspective on money.

If I knew at 18 what I know now...

[woaface]

I did skim a chapter or two of that book, but my sister has read a lot from that author and tells me about it.

I think either way it's a good idea. I probably won't get a Marauder because of the keep up cost, not the purchase cost.

So in a year when I sit down with my dad for a few days and go over finances and he'll say "You know, I don't think you're ready"

and then it goes one of two ways which is either

A.) "Save this money and we'll talk investing and I'll take what you've already set aside for college"

or

B.) "You've done as much as you can, I'll help you out a little because you've worked hard, and you can give me the money you've already set aside for college."

And the money I've set aside for college will be more than for a car.

[Bluerauder]

NOTE: All income figures are conservative, all expense figures are exact or more than what I plan on spending.
James, I'll add my :twocents: to all the good advice given above. Probably not what you want to hear but ..............

I don't believe that your income figures are conservative. At the max shifts of 4 per week and the max of 5 hours per shift, your primary source of income is just $140 per week or $560 per month. After taxes and deductions, your take home is closer to $448. How you get to $1150 per month is not really clear. But it appears that you are counting on odd jobs and uncertain sources to contribute another $702 per month. Thus, about 61% of your available income is based on something other than your part-time job. The numbers appear risky to me on the income side. :alone: Car payments, insurance, bills, and such are steady and constant. Your income has to be the same otherwise you will always be trading off expenses.

There's plenty of time to address your vehicle wants and needs. Your primary focus now should be on finishing your education and getting those diplomas. That's the first step to financial security. :D

[woaface]

Yes, I have income from a variety of sources to make up for the small change I make at work. Most I'm leaving unnamed. No I'm not a street pharmicist, nor is anything I make money on illegal.

I'll work roughly 7 or 8 shifts once school is out. Double shifts on Friday and Saturday. That puts me at $1000 a month give or take a shift and THEN taxes and FICA.

I only have a reduction in my paycheck from FICA...I don't pay taxes because of my hours (less than 32 or some such) and age (under 18). That changes when school is but, but I'll be working that many hours.

I'm not saying I'm going to go out a blow all of my money on a car.

I'm saying Marauder's depreciate like Crown Vics and I'm highly interested. Most of my money will go to a college fund, but if I can manage it, with my dad's help, I'll buy a Marauder and a junkie.

Unless I'm in school up north, and then I'll ride the metro, and I'll ask my dad to change it's oil and drive it once a week or so to the grocery

In fact, I may not need to buy a beater...if we still have the minivan I'll have a beater. But that's only if I attend USC.

[jgc61sr2002]

James - In this day and a college education is a must. Make that your primary goal. Good luck. :D

[Sactown]

...In fact, I may not need to buy a beater...if we still have the minivan I'll have a beater. But that's only if I attend USC. University of Southern California? Definitely want a beater in that neighborhood! If it ain't in a garage it's screwed!

[Gunslinger]

University of Southern California? Definitely want a beater in that neighborhood! If it ain't in a garage it's screwed!
I think USC is South Carolina in this case.

Plan your work and work your plan, James.

[fastblackmerc]

I think USC is South Carolina in this case.

Plan your work and work your plan, James.
I agree ^^^^^^^. Get a good job with the education you get in college. Save your money, maybe you'll be able to pickup an S/C'd Marauder down the road. My :twocents:

[ROADWARRIORSVT]

If I had taken all the good advice that was offered to me, I'd probably be a millionaire and had ALOT easier of a life!! I had to learn the hard way too. I hope you do listen up here. Listen to the people who've "beenthere/done that". They can offer that advice, be smart and take it.

Took me 36 years before I owned a Marauder! :D

[ncmm]

James, nice mini bio blogspot, you're on the right track, keep up the good work and pictures as usual! thanks for using one of mine!:coolman:

[Shaft333]

Besides just doubting your price and interest numbers...

Aw well. Go pick one up next year. You'll then have one. Which is good.

My advice to college students still stands the same:
1. Aquire no debt other than a student loan. Cause you just don't need it.
2. Dump your long term girlfriend. Cause there'll never be as many single good looking women your age looking for a good time as there are in college.
3. Listen to more live music. Cause in the grand scheme of things... man needs more live music.

And the first two... Very few college students will ever listen. Although many grads wish they had. So I'll say it again... enjoy your plan... it just might work.

[woaface]

Didn't know that was yours! I had it on my hard drive.

I love that picture! Silver/the front of a Marauder looks good when the camera is down low!

Yes, I love your car!



James, nice mini bio blogspot, you're on the right track, keep up the good work and pictures as usual! thanks for using one of mine!:coolman:

[Haggis]

James, a lot of people here have given you good advice. When I was your age I did not have a car. In fact I did not own a car until I got out of the Army, I was 25yrs old. Some of my friends in high school had cars and so did some in college. Some had cool cars stangs, Novas,Chevelles, Chargers and other real cool cars and some had just beaters. Man did I envy those guys, being able to go where they wanted most of the time, go on dates and other places. Me I either had to double date or have my mother drive me in high school if I wanted to go somewhere. In college I had a 10 speed so I was limited on how far I could go and have you ever taken a girl on a date on a ten speed, no back seat to make out!!!

As long as I have know you all you have talked about is owning a Marauder. I might be the only one here, but I say 'GO FOR IT!!'. I have met you and you act very mature for your age and have a good head on your shoulder and I do not believe that you would buy a Marauder if you did not seriously believe you could afford it and if your Dad is willing to help you out a little even better. Girls come and go and I do mean go it took me 39yrs to find a keeper, the rest were fun, but some of them where a waste of time. When you are ready get the Marauder and take care of it as I know you will and you will never have to say, 'What if...?', like I do.

GO FOR IT!!

[woaface]

It's not because you what I wanted to hear, it's that I'm taking everyone's advice seriously.

I'll build on the "No don't do it" and I'll build on the "Go for it!" With everyone's input, I can make the best decision.

Besides, a kid who can afford a cool car and not be strained financially looks good and makes one feel good too.

I will not do this if I'll be strained and can barely make ends meet, or can't be prepared for unexpected expenses/emergencies.

Thanks Haggis! And by the way...I got rid of that long nasty hair cut I had...I've had short cut hair for months and months now. Just the way I used to have it. I definitely feel more mature:D

[dwasson]

My advice to college students still stands the same:
1. Aquire no debt other than a student loan. Cause you just don't need it.
2. Dump your long term girlfriend. Cause there'll never be as many single good looking women your age looking for a good time as there are in college.
3. Listen to more live music. Cause in the grand scheme of things... man needs more live music.

And the first two... Very few college students will ever listen. Although many grads wish they had. So I'll say it again... enjoy your plan... it just might work.

#3 is true all your life. Thank God for Austin and Memphis.

[Gunslinger]

[QUOTE=Shaft333]...
2. Dump your long term girlfriend. Cause there'll never be as many single good looking women your age looking for a good time as there are in college.
...QUOTE]

Live music is great and so are student loans; but college chicks...this is where legends are made. Obviously education is paramount; but you will never be in this scenario again.

"...bring your green hat, we're going streaking..."

[Shaft333]

[QUOTE=Shaft333]...
2. Dump your long term girlfriend. Cause there'll never be as many single good looking women your age looking for a good time as there are in college.
...QUOTE]

Live music is great and so are student loans; but college chicks...this is where legends are made. Obviously education is paramount; but you will never be in this scenario again.

"...bring your green hat, we're going streaking..."
So true. I really wish I had listened to this advice when I was there. I can still see live bands though! :beer:

[THE_INTERCEPTOR]

James - It is not as easy as it looks. Good luck.

I hate to be a party pooper, but James, I couldn't agree more with the statement(s) above. I had the same plan for myself when I was 16 to buy a used, low mileage Crown Vic back in 98. I had all my expenses calculated out, and was working two jobs at the time.

Trust me, enjoy your youth, and like a few have already said, you'll have plenty of money to spend on a new ride after you finish your schooling. Drive the Marquis for now, it's paid for. ;)

Consider yourself lucky, I would have killed to have a nice GM to drive as my first car. For 3 years, I drove a puke green 93 Geo Prism. :depress:

[Macon Marauder]

James,
You're already way ahead of most people your age (and many that are my age!) because you have a plan. And it sounds like you're tempering your enthusiasm with common sense and keeping it flexible. Sounds great to me!

If you sit down with your Dad and it looks like it'll work, I'd have to agree with Haggis and say Go for it! I wish you much success. You're only young once.

I was fortunate enough to live at home and go to college for several years. And my Dad was (and still is) a serious car guy. So I had 2 cars: a 68 XL Convertible (which I still have) and a 79 LTD II "Starsky & Hutch" daily driver that was only a few years old.

But then, I had people around me that would help me figure out how to do what I wanted, not telling me I couldn't do it. :)

[woaface]

Some of you in negation of this are giving me indespesible advice, and others aren't quite getting it.

Simple stuff first. I don't have a Marquis. I drive a minivan.

I'm not trying to say I'm 100% going to buy the car, I'm saying I'm 100% going to set a goal.

If I meet the requirements for income I've set every month, then I'll have over $750 a month towards college, and only $230 towards a down payment on a Marauder.

I will pay insurance through my dad and I'll get help out through taxtagtitle or such from him I'm sure.

My largest expenditure now is gas, at over $80 a month.

If I go to college up north, I'll leave the car in South Carolina with my parents to take care of (driving sparingly, changing oil, etc.) and ride the metro the whole time.

I'm not blowing/wasting/throwing away all or any of my money. I will buy the car IF I can WHEN I can. But I am setting up a savings and spending fund with a few clear goals in mind.

I'll have more money to spare on fun, college, and investments then I'll spend on that car, and I'll do that by keeping it in a garage for half of the year!

If the van doesn't explode, then I'll have a car for college. I WOULD NOT TAKE A MARAUDER TO COLLEGE...I HAVE SOMETHING TO BEAT THE ***** OUT OF.

I've done investing somewhat, and I enjoy it. At the end of summer, I plan to start doing it again. Yay for online trading!

Yes, that's my plan. If I don't have the money to buy a car and have a ton on the side, then I won't buy the car. Simple.

But goals and a plan work, and I firmly believe that if I stick to my plans and goals, and can't afford the car and just had a pot of money, then I'm better off if I had no plans or goals at all.

I know you guys care, and I'm definitely building upon and using everything I've read in that thread. I'm not taking what you all say with a grain of salt. The earlier one can start and do well, the better.

I hate to go on and on, but it's a no risk...my dad will lock down my money from me if I try to make a stupid decesion, and I'm not that stupid anyways. I have a "big brother" so to speak. My dad and I will take care of this as respectfully and maturely as can be.

So if you tell me not to because I can't, then I'll say I won't if I can't, I will if I can, and can is defined as NOT FINANCIALLY STRESSED and debt is ONLY COLLEGE.

I think this is what sets me apart from other failing teenagers and college students and some adults presently. I'm thinking ahead and not wasting my money.

[woaface]

And I'm not going to be like Macon Marauder...I'm not buying two Marauders!:D

[Slowpoke]

Everyone keeps telling james to watch his expenses... I say, hto heck with the expenses... the real problem here is you need to make more money!!

Start a business !!

I had a very nice cash business during the summers in late highschool - i sold ballons on Rush Street in Chicago. I made $6,000 in one summer working just a few nights a week. Do something you enjoy and charge appropriately. Perhaps you can get a nice detailing business going. Lots of people like their cars squeaky clean inside and out and dont have the time to do it themselves. Do anything and everything you can think ofcater to the needs of people with disposable income. Remember that TIME is the one thing that money can't buy. But if you find a way to give people more free time by freeing up some of their time, you will make plenty!

[hitchhiker]

Some of you in negation of this are giving me indespesible advice, and others aren't quite getting it.

Simple stuff first. I don't have a Marquis. I drive a minivan.

I'm not trying to say I'm 100% going to buy the car, I'm saying I'm 100% going to set a goal.

If I meet the requirements for income I've set every month, then I'll have over $750 a month towards college, and only $230 towards a down payment on a Marauder.

I will pay insurance through my dad and I'll get help out through taxtagtitle or such from him I'm sure.

My largest expenditure now is gas, at over $80 a month.

If I go to college up north, I'll leave the car in South Carolina with my parents to take care of (driving sparingly, changing oil, etc.) and ride the metro the whole time.

I'm not blowing/wasting/throwing away all or any of my money. I will buy the car IF I can WHEN I can. But I am setting up a savings and spending fund with a few clear goals in mind.

I'll have more money to spare on fun, college, and investments then I'll spend on that car, and I'll do that by keeping it in a garage for half of the year!

If the van doesn't explode, then I'll have a car for college. I WOULD NOT TAKE A MARAUDER TO COLLEGE...I HAVE SOMETHING TO BEAT THE ***** OUT OF.

I've done investing somewhat, and I enjoy it. At the end of summer, I plan to start doing it again. Yay for online trading!

Yes, that's my plan. If I don't have the money to buy a car and have a ton on the side, then I won't buy the car. Simple.

But goals and a plan work, and I firmly believe that if I stick to my plans and goals, and can't afford the car and just had a pot of money, then I'm better off if I had no plans or goals at all.

I know you guys care, and I'm definitely building upon and using everything I've read in that thread. I'm not taking what you all say with a grain of salt. The earlier one can start and do well, the better.

I hate to go on and on, but it's a no risk...my dad will lock down my money from me if I try to make a stupid decesion, and I'm not that stupid anyways. I have a "big brother" so to speak. My dad and I will take care of this as respectfully and maturely as can be.

So if you tell me not to because I can't, then I'll say I won't if I can't, I will if I can, and can is defined as NOT FINANCIALLY STRESSED and debt is ONLY COLLEGE.

I think this is what sets me apart from other failing teenagers and college students and some adults presently. I'm thinking ahead and not wasting my money.

When you let it all hang out, giving your personal details and plans to everyone, you must expect to get opinions and advise in return.

Take and use what you find to be good and ignore the rest.

Regards,

David

[King Fubar]

Wish I had a van at 18...but then again paternity suit comes to mind if I did..

[dwasson]

James, I've reconsidered my position. I think that you should go for it and buy the Marauder. If you can't learn from examples maybe your place in life is to be an example. :beer:

[woaface]

I don't know how to take that...but I'll think it's good just for my benefit:)

I love setting good examples and making people happy.



James, I've reconsidered my position. I think that you should go for it and buy the Marauder. If you can't learn from examples maybe your place in life is to be an example. :beer:

[Gunslinger]

Simple stuff first. I don't have a Marquis. I drive a minivan.
Its the shaggin wagon, chicks dig it!

[Donny Carlson]

My goals were to

1) Smoke weed with my buds

2) Get in Jamie Laiben's pants

3) Get an 8 track player for my Pinto

4) Get in Darlene Bayer's pants

5) Drink beer with my buds

6) Get in Judy Arnold's pants

7) Have a very high draft lottery number

8) Smoke weed and drink beer with my buds


you get the drift.:)

[dwasson]

My goals were to

1) Smoke weed with my buds

2) Get in Jamie Laiben's pants

3) Get an 8 track player for my Pinto

4) Get in Darlene Bayer's pants

5) Drink beer with my buds

6) Get in Judy Arnold's pants

7) Have a very high draft lottery number

8) Smoke weed and drink beer with my buds


you get the drift.:)

It's good to have goals.

[woaface]

HAHAHA!

Not my goals....but ok...



It's good to have goals.

[woaface]

I get that all the time:D


Its the shaggin wagon, chicks dig it!

[Shaft333]

This thread makes me wonder when I'm going to have kids this age. I'm going to try to tell them what's what and they'll ignore it because I apparently don't understand...
Just like I had told my dad....
(And I bet he told his dad the same thing once or twice)

Hell, I'm still laughing... a few years back when my niece was 18 - I tried to give her advice. Apparently even at 28 I couldn't understand. She ended up becoming one helluva example... kids and all. I know... not quite the same.

[Gunslinger]

Excellent example, we just had an E-6 return from deployment and purchase a 2005 Viper. Mind you, he just spent more than a year in a combat zone, tax free with combat pay...yada yada yada. But a Viper? MSRP of 85k+; also in Hawaii all dealers expect at leats 10k over the puchase.
"Market Adjusted Value" they call it. "Cause we have to ship it out here and land is more expensive to lease..." Its because they've lost their minds. Sticker on the Marauder was 45k just to give you an example. Of course I didn't pay anywhere near that.

This guy, as the story goes, lives with a buddy and spends his housing allowance on his $1200/month car payment, after he put something like 23k down on the car.

Also, to top it off. We're on an island that is 35 miles across at its widest and the max speed limit anywhere on the island is 60mph. Traffic pretty much all the time. But this cat's got a Viper.

So James, buy whatever car you want when the time comes; just don't buy a Viper like this guy.

I'm going to spend the rest of this week trying to find this guy and get a ride in his car.

[woaface]

Here's a decent Marauder. Few few miles, low price. Not bad! Hopefully something isn't crazy wrong with it like paint or such.

Wonder if anyone else here is interested?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=180556086&dealer_id=56153089&car_year=2003&make=MERC&distance=0&lang=en&max_price=27000&model=MARAUDER&end_year=2004&sponsorModel=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=1&certified=&address=29650&search_type=both&advanced=&isp=y&start_year=2003&cardist=839#vdptop

[twolow]

Arent you looking for a MM? :)

Sounds like a awsome deal!

[woaface]

Why yes I am, that appears to be one as well? 16,000 miles and $16,000 isn't bad IMO




Arent you looking for a MM? :)

Sounds like a awsome deal!

[jgc61sr2002]

That is a very good deal. :D

[twolow]

I think its a INCREDIBLE deal!

I'm embarrassed to say I just paid the same thing for one with 60K miles :( I didn't see the point in a warranty on something I'm going to mod to hell and back.

By the way Woa, I went out and made myself happy when I was about 19 and got what I wanted and did what I wanted. I was in debt, didn't finish school because I had to get out and get a full time job to cover my expensive habits, and really don't look back in regret. I see friends now that were so into the rut of life back then and now they have a minivan full of kids and no show of manhood in sight.

I did everything wrong growing up and today I have a nice house, Marauder in the driveway, and a 350Z hidden in the garage. Of course I took my dad's advise when he told me to don't get married because your toy box is going to be the first thing thrown out!

[woaface]

I think its a INCREDIBLE deal!

I'm embarrassed to say I just paid the same thing for one with 60K miles :( I didn't see the point in a warranty on something I'm going to mod to hell and back.

By the way Woa, I went out and made myself happy when I was about 19 and got what I wanted and did what I wanted. I was in debt, didn't finish school because I had to get out and get a full time job to cover my expensive habits, and really don't look back in regret. I see friends now that were so into the rut of life back then and now they have a minivan full of kids and no show of manhood in sight.

I did everything wrong growing up and today I have a nice house, Marauder in the driveway, and a 350Z hidden in the garage. Of course I took my dad's advise when he told me to don't get married because your toy box is going to be the first thing thrown out!
True that. Although I'm dating a girl now that wouldn't care what I did with my money, because she knows she'd do the same thing with hers. Not to mention, she enjoys all the same things I do, not only could I keep it, but I'd have to share! That's the type of woman I'll be getting married to.

That's what I told my dad BTW...that a minivan couldn't secure him in life.

So he bought a Cobra Mustang Vert...and gave me the van.

THANKS DAD! Something cheap for A-B driving at least.

[LordVader]

:beatnik: Man, that is quite a deal. It should have a few months of warranty left, and it costs less than mine did with just a few thousand more miles. Heck of a buy, if it isn't trashed someway.


Here's a decent Marauder. Few few miles, low price. Not bad! Hopefully something isn't crazy wrong with it like paint or such.

Wonder if anyone else here is interested?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=180556086&dealer_id=56153089&car_year=2003&make=MERC&distance=0&lang=en&max_price=27000&model=MARAUDER&end_year=2004&sponsorModel=&sort_type=priceASC&min_price=1&certified=&address=29650&search_type=both&advanced=&isp=y&start_year=2003&cardist=839#vdptop