Driving exam today. Tempted to buy a car!

[mrhasan]

Well I will be giving my class 5 GDL exam today at 4:00pm and hoping that I will not do anything that will cost me my test.

So I have already started looking into cars (tired of relying on others for grocery shopping and fish stuffs) and I am planning to get something within $1,500. Will use it for 6 months or so before I am confident enough to take a lease on brand new car. So, I am looking for suggestions and stuff. Alongside, I will be taking 3rd party insurance for the car; which company should I go for (looking for the cheapest obviously ).

Suggestions please

[Magickiwi]

Where would you put the coral and live rock?

[rayjay]

IMO, there is NOTHING cheap about owning a car.
Before purchasing a used car, take it to a mechanic that you can trust (that isn't selling the car) and spend a few bucks to find out what it may need in the coming year.
Do a lot of research before leasing as car leasing isn't wise for everybody.

tired of relying on others for grocery shopping and fish stuffs

You may find that car ownership is more expensive than paying for cab fare even.
Cost of car, gas, repairs, insurance.
To become a good driver will take a lot more than 6 months experience normally.
Confidence can be a misleading indicator as you can feel confident without being a good driver.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by rayjay

Cost of car, gas, repairs, insurance.

Not counting repairs or even maintenance, I probably spend $600/mo on payments insurance and gas. Cabs might be cheaper

[Evilweevil]

Check out the cars2go option if you just need something to drive for a bit they rent cars by the minute for 35 cents or 14 bucks an hour and they pay for the fuel ..... And you can get 20 free minutes if you fill it up when it's done to a 1/4 tank

[Reef Pilot]

Biggest cost with cars is depreciation if you buy new, and leasing is even worse. So if you can buy an older, good, low mileage Toyota or Honda for cheap, you are far better off. You can save a few bucks on insurance, too, by just carrying liability, no collision. And make sure the tires and brakes are still good, too, or that will run up your after purchase price.

In my younger years, I did that, and even resold vehicles after driving them for a couple years for pretty close to what I bought them for. But you need to shop really wisely.

Just don't buy an older GM, Ford or Chrysler product...

[ponokareefer]

I'd check your insurance rates before you consider getting a new vehicle after only having your license for 6 months. Your insurance payments might end up being more than your lease or finance payments.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

Where would you put the coral and live rock?

I will probably quit

Originally Posted by rayjay

IMO, there is NOTHING cheap about owning a car.
Before purchasing a used car, take it to a mechanic that you can trust (that isn't selling the car) and spend a few bucks to find out what it may need in the coming year.
Do a lot of research before leasing as car leasing isn't wise for everybody.

You may find that car ownership is more expensive than paying for cab fare even.
Cost of car, gas, repairs, insurance.
To become a good driver will take a lot more than 6 months experience normally.
Confidence can be a misleading indicator as you can feel confident without being a good driver.

Thanks for the info Yah I was thinking about hiring a mechanic to take with me when buying any car.

I am not thinking yet about getting a new car; leasing was just an idea to place forth; might change over time

I have checked with someone I know who also use car for similar purpose that I will be doing. His insurance rests around $80 (3rd party) and one full tank goes over a month so that's affordable to me. I can afford this hobby, why not a 2nd hand car

About the 6month time, I actually drove back home for 2 years (I was exempted from waiting to get my class 5 2 years ago but didn't give the exam since I knew I would be eyeing cars which I couldn't afford at that time).

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Not counting repairs or even maintenance, I probably spend $600/mo on payments insurance and gas. Cabs might be cheaper

I won't be using my car for extensive use (I live 4mins away from the university and that's basically the only place I go to everyday). I just curse myself when I have to buy grocery (I have some food restrictions so have to go to the other end of the city to get what I eat); not to mention when fellow reefers sell corals which are out of reach of the transit. And insurance will probably be within $100. Maintenance can be an issue so I will have to make sure that I get a car which is sound.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by Evilweevil

Check out the cars2go option if you just need something to drive for a bit they rent cars by the minute for 35 cents or 14 bucks an hour and they pay for the fuel ..... And you can get 20 free minutes if you fill it up when it's done to a 1/4 tank

Yap already have seen that but they need a 3 years driving experience which I won't have for another three years :P

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Biggest cost with cars is depreciation if you buy new, and leasing is even worse. So if you can buy an older, good, low mileage Toyota or Honda for cheap, you are far better off. You can save a few bucks on insurance, too, by just carrying liability, no collision. And make sure the tires and brakes are still good, too, or that will run up your after purchase price.

In my younger years, I did that, and even resold vehicles after driving them for a couple years for pretty close to what I bought them for. But you need to shop really wisely.

Just don't buy an older GM, Ford or Chrysler product...

Thanks for the info Yah everyone says not to get an american car (ford has the rep for suddenly stopping). I am actually thinking of getting a pontiac since that fits right into my budget

Originally Posted by ponokareefer

I'd check your insurance rates before you consider getting a new vehicle after only having your license for 6 months. Your insurance payments might end up being more than your lease or finance payments.

3rd party insurance won't be that expensive (checked it already). Alongside, I will have insurance certificate which will cut down the premium by some significant amount.

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I am actually thinking of getting a pontiac since that fits right into my budget

Pontiac is GM, piece of crap...

And just so you know, I currently own an expensive GM piece of crap vehicle....And will never buy another one (if I can help it...LOL).