Advice on a first car.

[Ampl1tude]

Ohio seems to have nice weather. People in 3rd world countries ride bikes everywhere. And if it starts raining, get a waterproof parka. My birthplace was in Vietnam where people carry 50+ pounds of products across the country, so why can't you do it?

I notice that alot of people in North America (especially youths) tend to be "lazy" and only seem to know one way of completing a task.

And I doubt you live THAT far away from a city or a community.

My advice is to pick up a bike for now and work for some money before you consider buying a car/automotive.

And please, don't expect 100% of everyone to fully agree with you and have your view on your situation.

"You know what else is useless? Posting about something that you know nothing about." -wafflesomd

Doesn't that make your whole post pointless? and every other reply in this thread pointless? If you said that we know "nothing" about this situation, why ask for reply's? Perhaps you should elaborate on your curent situation. The readers of this thread was given the same amount of material and scenario to discuss about, so I don't know how a certain group or a certain person can know less then anyone else.

[Gurra1980]

x3 for a scooter, I have been driving one myself for the last 6 months. It just so practical and cheap, I guess I won't buy a car for many years.

[plainsong]

It's amazing how people in a forum where reading skills are required seem to have problems with reading comprehension. They ask for clarification on things that were typed as far back as page one or even the first post, and it's also interesting that it's always the same people, replying in an aggressive manner as if to say "I didn't read this and it's your fault."

I have loads of sympathy here because I also lived in the middle of nowhere, all my friends lived in neighborhoods way way way on the opposite side of town, 20 minutes away minimum, and hence it made it tough to bum rides. The school bus was full of redneck mullet-wearing hicks that were frankly scary to be around. I didn't have a car as such, but my parents had a car each and every now and then they actually trusted my driving skills enough to let me use one of the cars. My parents could also be unreasonable, wanting me to do this or that, which would require the use of the car, and then take the car away - but it's those teen years where everyone acts stupid, inlcuding the parents.

Where my situation seems to differ is that I could talk to my parents. I was a member of the family and my opinion mattered. I also had the sense that while they weren't perfect, they did care, and they would not have me out there buying a scooter, or a car that's going to fall apart. No, what they would do is put their ears to the floor to hear about a good used car deal, and they would work out some kind of payment plan with me - should such a deal come to light. If they couldn't afford that, then until such time as they could, we would work a fair schedule out so I could have some driving time, and what I would pay in terms of maintence. In the meantime they would give me advice (such as stop buying audio gear!) to help me continue to save up.

In other words, we'd hash this out somehow because even through all the crap that happened, at the end of all it, we were/are able to talk. It's amazing what communication can do.

And this is what the OP needs, support and guidance from his parents, not trolling and thread crapping in an internet forum.

I second the idea of looking for a scooter. If that doesn't wake them up, nothing will.

[Pm@c]

What some people dont understand is that some people DO live in the middle of nowhere. I live outside of the nearest town to get a job in, to bike is about 40 minutes. Would you want to bike 40 minutes everyday to work when you could drive a car there? I know its not that far to some people, but sometimes after a long hard day of work, riding the bike back just isnt something you want to do. Im not complaining though because I actually have the money saved up and am planning on dumping 3000-4000 (canadian) on a car this summer. Checking out all the used car ads, not sure what makes/models to look for that would be

a) good on gas
b) not too big but still enough room to fit at least 4
c) something that the insurance companies in canada wouldnt charge me 1000/month for lol
d) basically a student car

any suggestions? remember i am in canada. I have been looking at Honda Civics and there is one used 1999 Suzuki Swift for like 2500, like 140000 km (can anyone comment on the swift?)

[laxx]

b) not too big but still enough room to fit at least 4?

Civics will not fit 5 comfortably. When you say fit, do you care about comfort? Or will the people in the back just squeeze. I personally have an IS300 and it's about the same size as a Civic, and there's not a chance a 5th person will get into my car in the back. Hell, you can hardly fit a person behind me (I'm 6'1").

I'd say look into a used Accord or Camry. Both cars are dependable and slightly larger than the smaller brothers. And they're both insurance friendly.

[cotdt]

Originally Posted by Pm@c

What some people dont understand is that some people DO live in the middle of nowhere. I live outside of the nearest town to get a job in, to bike is about 40 minutes. Would you want to bike 40 minutes everyday to work when you could drive a car there? I know its not that far to some people, but sometimes after a long hard day of work, riding the bike back just isnt something you want to do. Im not complaining though because I actually have the money saved up and am planning on dumping 3000-4000 (canadian) on a car this summer. Checking out all the used car ads, not sure what makes/models to look for that would be

a) good on gas
b) not too big but still enough room to fit at least 4
c) something that the insurance companies in canada wouldnt charge me 1000/month for lol
d) basically a student car

any suggestions? remember i am in canada. I have been looking at Honda Civics and there is one used 1999 Suzuki Swift for like 2500, like 140000 km (can anyone comment on the swift?)

i drive an acura integra sedan and it is actually roomier both front and rear than my old camry even though it looks smaller. it's basically the big brother to the civic and you can find them for cheap. they sound like motorcycles and it's addictive to rev them up.

[wafflesomd]

A scooter isn't a bad idea, cept that I'll need to take the highway to work, are they highway legal or safe?

As for getting home from school, there's a kid in my study hall who is usually available, but I feel like a jerk asking for rides everyday.

I'm going to pay for the escort to get fixed, things have been arragned. I'll let you know what happens after that.

[pne]

Originally Posted by wafflesomd

A scooter isn't a bad idea, cept that I'll need to take the highway to work, are they highway legal or safe?

As for getting home from school, there's a kid in my study hall who is usually available, but I feel like a jerk asking for rides everyday.

I'm going to pay for the escort to get fixed, things have been arragned. I'll let you know what happens after that.

no they are not highway safe if you get a 50cc one, but find a 125cc and it should be doable.

Dude if i was in your situation I would chew my parents ass out. Let them have it, for crying out loud. This is what I am getting from you..

-Your friend drives you to school
-A guy in your study group drives you home "usually"

so what the hell is going on here? There's no bus that runs to school and your parents refuse to give you rides to school and back? There must be something you're not telling us, because if those were the conditions set out for me I'd just flat out REFUSE to go to school, its pretty obvious at this point your parents don't care how you get there, and don't care that you go.

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

If I were you....

GED -> full time job -> move.

Seriously, sounds like you have 4 children for parents.

[wafflesomd]

@pne.

I'm not going to yell at my parents, I mean, it won't do anything.

And no, no buses go to my house, or anywhere near it.

@RnRNinja

GED? rather not, I have 2 months left. I plan on attending Wright State University after I graduate.

They do care that I go, becuase they yell at me when I mess up at school :/

But, yah wtf, apperently they don't care enough to get me there.


Something bad did happen though, I lost my wallet today
I'm guessing I wont get it back, so I'll need to go renew my license sometime soon. Which I'll just have soemone else besides my parents drive me to the DMV, obviously.