imported_ryanhook

Here is what you need to do to get a car:

1. Go to driving school, get your license.
2. Go to REAL driving school so you really know how to drive. (i.e. skid control school)
3. Get a job to pay for the incredible amount of insurance you'll be paying just to drive your parents' car.
4. Stop spending money on other things because you're going to have to save up for a car of your own PLUS maintenance, etc.
5. Keep busting your **** at your job to continue keeping the car on the road.
6. Stop relying on your parents to help you out with something that is not a necessity — your car.

I did not own my first car until I was 20, and the reason I purchased one then was because I needed to get to college every day. Up until then I was a 3rd driver in a 2 car house.

When I purchased my first car, it was ALL my own money that I had busted my *** working for 3 or 4 years for. I suggest you do the same. You will feel more satisfied because YOU bought the car with your own money and you will also treat it better because it will be all your money in it. Believe me, that is the best thing to do.

So, be patient, work hard, earn your money the right way and when you go to purchase that first car, you will be much better off. Patience pays off, and the best people in the world know that good things come to those who wait.

SweetCivicGurl

i agree w/ the above
i would work hard for another couple years and save enough money to buy a car later
cars are super expensive especially if you buy used b/c you never know when you'er going to need repairs, that along w/ gas and insurance.
i didn't buy my car until i was 20 so that i had a way to get to work and even still i was finding it expensive to run
i would say wait a bit, the last thing you want is to be 16 and not having any fun b/c all of the money you're making is going right into running a car that isn't a necessity.

GrEeNcIvIc

basically if you dont absolutely need a car dont get it, i did not get my car until this september. i shared with my parents for the past 3 years. but if you believe that a car is an absolute necessity get a 4th gen dx for the reason that the insurance will be a little cheaper.

imported_MY SiR

FYI, I just read something by DeRosier's and it said that the average ownership cost of a car that is 10-14 years old is $175/1,000 km driven. This includes depreciation, insurance and maintenence.

So as an example if you are going to drive 1000 km a month (average is 1800-2000) you will be looking at having to have at least $40 dollars a week to put into your car. Your total allowance.

Now I am assuming you are not "average" for insurance rates. Let's also assume you will drive 2000 km a month, then you would be looking at $350 ($175 x 2) plus extra insurance factor, so you might be looking at $400. Do you have $100 a week to spend on your car? You may think I am blowing things to sound really expensive but I am just putting the reality into perspective. $100 a week is $5,200 a year which at least half is insurance, a quarter is gas and the rest is maintenence and depreciation. It is pretty realistic (if not conservative). A car is a money pit.

This is the reason why people are saying, don't buy a car unless you really need one.

Just my $0.02.

P.S. I drove since I got my licence but I didn't buy my own car until I was 27 (I did however had a bike when I was 18). Now I have 3 in my name.