Crap, how do I afford moving into an apt and a new car at the same time?

[UNCjigga]

ARRRGHH!!!

I was hoping I could start leasing a new 2002 4-cyl Nissan Altima in Oct. after I gave my Volvo to my sister (who gets her license next Wednesday.) Now that I'm getting paid I figured I could afford it. Well, things never turn out the way you want. I had hoped I could bear living with my folks a bit longer but they're just so DAMN ANNOYING that I'm starting to go crazy! I already told you guys about how my mom ruined my clothes--well guess what?? After I told her NOT to touch my laundry again, while I was gone she took it upon herself to wash ALL my khakis with my sister's BRAND NEW RED SWEATPANTS!!! Now my fav. pants and shorts are pink!! My dad has been gettin' on my nerve too--being all nosy about what I'm working on and when I'll have time for random housework etc. Add to this a senile grandmother and a 16 year old sister who screams and yells until I drive her around and you get the picture...

So, now I'm in a real dilemma. I want to move out AND I want to get a new car. I will be making monthly payments on both (I figure a new car is much better than used in this case--monthly payments on a used car just seems stupid, plus financing seems even worse!) I've budgeted about $500 a month for an apartment (need to find someone looking for a roomie?) and I can only afford about $200 a month for the car.

My question to y'all is about the car. What can I get right now (preferrably Jap or German) that is decent size (bigger than a Jetta,) is new or has low miles, is low-maintenance and has high resale??? So far I've been thinking about a new Civic or an old Accord or Camry. Is there any way I can save big money on a new car??? I'm new to all this so any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

<< I already told you guys about how my mom ruined my clothes >>


Do your own laundry. Lock your clothes away.

You have to remember that you have to pay lots of insurance on your brand new car.

Second job would help.

 

[GoldenGuppy]

Simply manage your money... the housing is definitely more important than a car right now... there are solutions that are viable to travelling... bike, bus, friends, etc. Housing on the other hand would be expensive otherwise.

Work a second job like SammySon stated, and save up for your car through this... it seems as if you want a car mainly because it seems to be a luxury right now (you want it new, not used, and you prefer specifics) - luxuries have always got to give way to necessities.

Just be patient on the car - its time will come

(GG drives off in his S-Type)

><GG>

 

[notfred]

KEEP the volvo - screw your sister. Rent a place and you wont have any car payment.

 

[StageLeft]

Just wait. You're young, you don't need both right now. Hell I'm still riding a bicycle to farkin work and I make quite a bit of cash. I'm just bidding my time until I buy a car. Get yourself a clunker to do you a few months until you sort the finances out!

 

[Mo0o]

yeah, get a nice cheapo studio apartment and stay off the car for awhile. why do you need to give you car away anyways? and eat at home =p

 

[Cattlegod]

<< screw your sister. >>




hmm...

 

[UNCjigga]

2nd job is a no-go. I work up to 80 hours a week as a consultant--plus I travel every other week...

The car is definately important because right now my commute is 25-35 minutes by car...

Public transportation in Charlotte is virtually nonexistant...(like everything else..)

I'd love to tell my sister off but in all honesty, I never paid for the Volvo so technically my parents own it and its at their disposal, so hopefully they'd side with me if I never bought the car (but then again they don't seem to understand the concept of 'reason'!)

 

[Pikachu]

Some priorities kids have these days

Why not buy some real estate and drive a used car? Sounds like your parents dropped the ball in more important areas too.

 

[Gibson486]

<< The car is definately important because right now my commute is 25-35 minutes by car... >>



I had that commute to school everyday with a used car with over 100k miles on it for a year. I sometimes even made that commute twice in one day and went to the mall and back home. Get a used car. there is no need for a new one if you are in such a situtation.

 

[kranky]

I'm not being a smart ass, but if you are asking us how you can afford both, you can't afford both. Get a used car - it doesn't have to be a piece of crap, but if you can only afford $200/month you shouldn't be looking for a new car.

 

[StageLeft]

Move out. Buy a used econobox import for about $3k. Finance if you have to because at that low resale price even a high interest rate isn't gonna gouge you that much. Then you can save for a car or once you've paid off the $3k one sell it as a downpayment for a new one in a year.

 

[Cooltech2k]

Hell I Cant afford Both & I am making like 12 an hour & have a girlfriend spliting my bills.... I Would sudgest financing a used car for around 6k or so.... It Will get you into sompthing worth driving & You will be able to get it under your 200 a month payments.... If you are gonna spend like 5 a month with a roomie than move to the ghetto... I Dont know how rent is there in charlotte, But here in boise ID a Nice 2 Bedroom apt will be around 650 a month, so thats only 325 a piece, not 500.....