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This is just killing me...

xanis

xanis

Lifer
I currently drive a 2000 Chevy Cavalier 2dr with about 72K miles on it. The car has been great... no problems whatsoever, and the gas mileage is excellent. However, it has about zero frills (no power windows, power locks, or power seats) except for a CD player and AC. It's a great automobile, but it's basically a chick car.

My dilemma is a 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. My friend's dad has had the car for as long as she can remember, and he's the second owner of the vehicle. I've seen the car personally and it's in mint condition with exception to the paint. However, my uncle owns a autobody shop so I could get it repainted for cheap. This car has basically everything I want in a car: American muscle in the form of a small-block V8, a few frills (new audio system), and the masculine factor I've been looking for to reclaim my man card. My friend's dad is even willing to sell it to me for cheap (hasn't disclosed the actual price yet, but it'll be well under $5K)

However, there's a problem. My current car was purchased by my parents as a birthday present and so I wouldn't keep using their car. The title is under my mom's name. Because my parents bought the car, there's no way in hell that I can sell it, at least not until I get out of college. The Monte Carlo won't be around by the time I get out of college.

My question is this: What can I do? Could I ask my parents to spot me the cash until I make enough at my job to pay it off? What other options do I have here? I really, really want this car, so please help.

 
Originally posted by: Looney
Crash your current car and claim insurance on it, then use that to buy the Monte Carlo.
Click to expand...

Right, I'm going to commit insurance fraud. :roll:

 
Originally posted by: BigJ
Approach your parents about wanting to sell the car. That's really your only option.
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That's what I figured. I'm going to see what I can get for my current car. If I can sell it, buy the Monte Carlo and cut a profit, I'll give them the profit. I guess I'll discuss it over dinner with them and see what they say.
 
Originally posted by: Xanis
Originally posted by: BigJ
Approach your parents about wanting to sell the car. That's really your only option.
Click to expand...

That's what I figured. I'm going to see what I can get for my current car. If I can sell it, buy the Monte Carlo and cut a profit, I'll give them the profit. I guess I'll discuss it over dinner with them and see what they say.
Click to expand...

Just make sure you don't get defensive, and if your parents get defensive, don't try to press them. You have to realize they were doing what they thought was best for you at the time, so try to talk to them how you've grown and matured to a point where you feel you're responsible enough to own a car of that caliber and that it would make you happy. By no means pull out the girly car card 😉
 
It seems to me that at this point in your life you need the boring, reliable, commuter car.

IMO it would be a really stupid move right now to buy a 20+ year old muscle car.

If you really must have the Monte Carlo save up for it, when you can't afford to fix something on it you'll be grateful for the Cavalier.

Viper GTS
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
It seems to me that at this point in your life you need the boring, reliable, commuter car.

IMO it would be a really stupid move right now to buy a 20+ year old muscle car.

If you really must have the Monte Carlo save up for it, when you can't afford to fix something on it you'll be grateful for the Cavalier.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...

This is good advice. No, great advice.
 
there are two huge realizations that should appear in front of you

1) If you cant afford something, you probably shouldn't have it

2) If someone gives something to you, why not keep it? It's not like you really need a monte carlo..you certainly dont need the gas bill.

also, maybe save up some $$$ and get some upgrade parts for your Cavalier? Make it a sleeper!
 
Originally posted by: msi1337
there are two huge realizations that should appear in front of you

1) If you cant afford something, you probably shouldn't have it

2) If someone gives something to you, why not keep it? It's not like you really need a monte carlo..you certainly dont need the gas bill.

also, maybe save up some $$$ and get some upgrade parts for your Cavalier? Make it a sleeper!
Click to expand...


PM me for a cheap tub of Turd Polish.
 
Originally posted by: msi1337
there are two huge realizations that should appear in front of you

1) If you cant afford something, you probably shouldn't have it

2) If someone gives something to you, why not keep it? It's not like you really need a monte carlo..you certainly dont need the gas bill.

also, maybe save up some $$$ and get some upgrade parts for your Cavalier? Make it a sleeper!
Click to expand...

haha, the cavalier isn't a sleeper...

the cavalier is sleeping!!
 
If you need a Monte Carlo to reclaim your man card just get a Pulsar and new pumps that match your purse. The card has been permanently revoked.
 
Your only choice is to ask your parents.

If I was your parent i'd tell you "no" though. Get out of college, get a job, then you can pick whatever car you want.
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
It seems to me that at this point in your life you need the boring, reliable, commuter car.

IMO it would be a really stupid move right now to buy a 20+ year old muscle car.

If you really must have the Monte Carlo save up for it, when you can't afford to fix something on it you'll be grateful for the Cavalier.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...


Well...given that the basic drivetrain configuration in the Monte has been around for 50 years, and GM put it in pretty much all of the cars they produced in the 70s and 80s - I'd be willing to bet it would be cheaper and easier to fix just about anything on the old Monte Carlo than on the Cavalier (with the possible exception of body panels). That is, of course, assuming you stick with OEM replacement grade parts. If you get bitten by the upgrade bug, things can get really expensive really fast 😛. On the flip side, the worse gas mileage may hurt - not to mention, that car will be terrible in any kind of snow, and not great in rain either. If your profile is correct, you probably see plenty of both in PA.

And no offense or anything...but I seriously doubt you'll be able to cut a profit once you sell your Cav and pay for the Monte. 🙁 Unless the guy sells it to you REAL cheap. Let's face it, that Cavalier is a stripped down, no-options domestic car that was probably $12k? brand new (not to mention that it probably had incentives all over the place) and is pushing 7 years old now. IDK though, I never really priced them out and I'm too lazy to go look 😛

Bottom line, the only one who knows exactly which would be best is you. Good luck, whatever you decide.
 
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
It seems to me that at this point in your life you need the boring, reliable, commuter car.

IMO it would be a really stupid move right now to buy a 20+ year old muscle car.

If you really must have the Monte Carlo save up for it, when you can't afford to fix something on it you'll be grateful for the Cavalier.

Viper GTS
Click to expand...


Excellent advice... thank you.


Originally posted by: msi1337
there are two huge realizations that should appear in front of you

1) If you cant afford something, you probably shouldn't have it

2) If someone gives something to you, why not keep it? It's not like you really need a monte carlo..you certainly dont need the gas bill.

also, maybe save up some $$$ and get some upgrade parts for your Cavalier? Make it a sleeper!
Click to expand...

Also excellent advice, thought I'm not too keen on the "making it a sleeper part". 😛


 
Talk to your parents and see what they advise. Maybe start by mentioning you want a motorcycle, but would settle for an SS. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Talk to your parents and see what they advise. Maybe start by mentioning you want a motorcycle, but would settle for an SS. 🙂
Click to expand...

Haha, I would most definitely kill myself on a crotch rocket. In the Monte I at least stand a chance. 😛

 
The Monte Carlo will cost you double that to keep it running. It will break random stuff all over the place.

You do not need 2 cars.
 
I had a 81 camaro for my first car and I sold it to buy a civic. I would love to have a car with a 350 in it but its just not practical at this time in my life.
 
Probably you can do what all of us did when we wanted nice cars and were younger and couldn't afford them: Sit there annoyed you can't get it, like the pimple-faced guy in high school who's driven nuts on a daily basis by the school hottie that he can't get now and never will.

The good news is, you CAN get this car. Just not now. Maybe in five years. The bad news is that in five years you won't give a crap, so unfortunately I think you'll never have the marriage of both really wanting this car and also buying it, thus satisfying the dream you have. That's the cruel irony of life, isn't it?
 
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