Hey all, I'm mostly a lurker here but love this forum and have been learning a lot to prepare for my life over the next few months and next year. I'm facing the biggest purchase decision of my life so far (a car) and just wanted feedback on if there was any reason not to go through with this.
Background on me: I'm a FT college student, graduating in Dec. I plan on living at home for a few months after that, but trying to save up $$ so I can get an apartment some time next May/June. I have a summer job lined up which I will probably continue working through the fall semester and after graduation if needed, but it is far from ideal (just under $10/hr and I doubt I'll enjoy it much), but I'm also looking for a good internship for the summer that could lead to a better job in Dec. No cc debt, though I'll graduate with a lot of student loan debt (not sure exact amount, I'm estimating between $15-20k). I'll of course focus on paying this off as quickly as possible because I don't want it hanging over my head.
I'm just looking for a car because I know in our city I'll need one (public transportation is mediocre at best), and I'm hoping to get one some time before Dec, though having one for the summer job would be ideal. I've done a lot of searching online looking for cheap, good quality used cars that I can drive for at least 4-5 years while I save up to buy another. A friend of the family is selling her Honda Civic (one of the models I kept searching for online) for a very good price. Car's info:
Year: 2000
Miles: 168,000
Kelly Blue Book value: $3090
Their asking price: $2000-2200
All new tires, brakes, oil, etc. Very cheap to insure car. I dove it yesterday and liked how it handled, etc. The only issues are a medium-sized dent in the diver's side doors which don't affect how the doors close at all, and I don't really care about how it looks. The A/C doesn't work full blast, which will be annoying in the summer. The quote to fix that was around $200, so I could get it done pretty easily.
Another couple is looking to buy this car, so if I want it I'll probably have to act this week. I can pay cash for what they're asking and still have a decent amount left in my bank account, and car expenses won't kick in until May (I'd have to leave the car sitting at home for the rest of this semester, too much hassle to bring it on campus at this point). I'm going out test diving other makes and models today, just so I'm sue I won't get the "oh this other car feels so much better, I should have gotten it!" buyer's remorse.
I guess I'm just asking if there's anything I've overlooked that would be a waning sign not to buy this car. I'm trying to work on more conscious spending and saving up for when I graduate, being able to pay down debt, etc. Thanks ladies!
Background on me: I'm a FT college student, graduating in Dec. I plan on living at home for a few months after that, but trying to save up $$ so I can get an apartment some time next May/June. I have a summer job lined up which I will probably continue working through the fall semester and after graduation if needed, but it is far from ideal (just under $10/hr and I doubt I'll enjoy it much), but I'm also looking for a good internship for the summer that could lead to a better job in Dec. No cc debt, though I'll graduate with a lot of student loan debt (not sure exact amount, I'm estimating between $15-20k). I'll of course focus on paying this off as quickly as possible because I don't want it hanging over my head.
I'm just looking for a car because I know in our city I'll need one (public transportation is mediocre at best), and I'm hoping to get one some time before Dec, though having one for the summer job would be ideal. I've done a lot of searching online looking for cheap, good quality used cars that I can drive for at least 4-5 years while I save up to buy another. A friend of the family is selling her Honda Civic (one of the models I kept searching for online) for a very good price. Car's info:
Year: 2000
Miles: 168,000
Kelly Blue Book value: $3090
Their asking price: $2000-2200
All new tires, brakes, oil, etc. Very cheap to insure car. I dove it yesterday and liked how it handled, etc. The only issues are a medium-sized dent in the diver's side doors which don't affect how the doors close at all, and I don't really care about how it looks. The A/C doesn't work full blast, which will be annoying in the summer. The quote to fix that was around $200, so I could get it done pretty easily.
Another couple is looking to buy this car, so if I want it I'll probably have to act this week. I can pay cash for what they're asking and still have a decent amount left in my bank account, and car expenses won't kick in until May (I'd have to leave the car sitting at home for the rest of this semester, too much hassle to bring it on campus at this point). I'm going out test diving other makes and models today, just so I'm sue I won't get the "oh this other car feels so much better, I should have gotten it!" buyer's remorse.
I guess I'm just asking if there's anything I've overlooked that would be a waning sign not to buy this car. I'm trying to work on more conscious spending and saving up for when I graduate, being able to pay down debt, etc. Thanks ladies!
