What to do what to do, new car or move out? Options

[BlackCelicaGT94]

So im 21 and have had my car for about 5 years. Its treated me well but now has rust in the water passageway so it looks like tubgirl is under my hood cuz it sprays all over. So its time for a new engine. The 3sgte is not an option. Basically my only option for a quick fix (quick being having it done by end of summer) is to get another 5sfe with lower miles and drop it in. Well after playing cat and mouse on the freeway with an evo yesterday my car started to steam up on the freeway. I called my dad and he came and double checked everything and it basically just needed some pressure released. I told my dad I was tired of this and wasnt sure if maybe I should just get a new car cuz I dont wanna dump money into a 94 celica that used to be really nice but time is taking its toll on the leather seats and what not. He said I could look at cars but it would have to be a Toyota or Lexus and he wouldnt help me with buying one. He said he would rather have me move out. So I called my mom and she said that they dont mind me living at home and maybe getting a new car was a smarter option.

Rent around my area is 900 dollars a month. I live 2 miles from work so moving out of my town would just cause me to spend more money in gas than I am now. Also, renting doesnt seem like the smartest option. You spend 900 a month and in the end you dont own anything. So id be wasting about 12,000 dollars a year if i moved out and thats not including other bills id have if i moved out. I would like to wait for when I get 25,000 dollars from my grandpas will and put a down payment on a townhome. hes 90 now but who knows he could live to be 100.

So what do you guys think? start looking around at cars or move out in december?

If I get a new car im looking at a 2002 IS300 in black. Im not going to go for the first one I find. Im going to take my time and find the well priced, low mileage, 5 spd, black or charcoal colored one.

You may say why not just dump a couple grand into the celica and fix what needs doing. well i still wanted to get a new car in the next 2-3 years anyways. Dont worry the celica wont go anywhere. It would be staying as the back up car for the family.

This post has been edited by BlackCelicaGT94: Apr 6, 2007 - 5:44 PM

[orvillescelica]

I guess im in the other camp where i think that whether or not you get along with your parents, you should move out and be on your own. Yes you might have to rent, but thats life and independence and self-sufficency is a part of it. If you get an IS300, the payments may hinder you from moving out for a lot longer than you might have been able to before. Soon, 23, 24 rolls around and you might still be living with the folks.

But in your circumstance i see your point. If the Celi is dying, there is no way around it. Its not worth putting another 5s into. So really, for this case, a new car would be the right choice. But an IS300, which i love btw, is sort of an expensive choice for someone in your financial situation. Not saying you are poor, its just that "new car or move out of the 'rents" isnt the most ideal financial quandry. I think if you aimed a bit lower, say an MR2 or newer Corolla, you could have a new car and move out within a very reasonable timeframe.