first car

[dsboy]

so i get my license in a year and ive been thinking about cars lately, i have a job (kinda my own business thing) i work when i want and get paid 10-15hr cash so its pretty good. atm i have 200 saved up for a car and im planning on getting more. But heres my scenarios ive been thinking of

-save up like 5k and get a semi restored muscle car (i was thinking like a 1980 monte carlo or something)

-buy a run down muscle car and fix it up in the next year or so

-buy a cheap reliable gas efficient safe car (cause the muscle cars wont have airbags and such) for a few hundred and after a year or so of having my license then buy a nice muscle car like my first idea

wacha think?

[Shpuker]

I'd go with the last option, save up 7-8k and buy a semi restored car for under 5k. Use that couple grand to fix the most urgent issues. (there will be quite a few of them)

[akboss1]

Originally Posted by dsboy

so i get my license in a year and ive been thinking about cars lately, i have a job (kinda my own business thing) i work when i want and get paid 10-15hr cash so its pretty good. atm i have 200 saved up for a car and im planning on getting more. But heres my scenarios ive been thinking of

-save up like 5k and get a semi restored muscle car (i was thinking like a 1980 monte carlo or something)

-buy a run down muscle car and fix it up in the next year or so

-buy a cheap reliable gas efficient safe car (cause the muscle cars wont have airbags and such) for a few hundred and after a year or so of having my license then buy a nice muscle car like my first idea

wacha think?

I think you have to realize the cost and time involved in restoring a muscle car. It won't look, sound or run good without $10K invested - if you're spending what it sounds like you will be, less than $5K, you will have 1) bodywork, 2) interior refinishing, 3) mechanicals and potentially expensive engine reconditioning or even rebuilding. If you can spend the cash and have a place to keep a 'hobby car', this is the best solution - that way you're in no hurry to get it done because it's not your daily driver, and if other expenses come up you can get back to it next month.

If I were in your shoes, I'd pick up the newest, cheapest economy car I could find that was at least a little bit fun, something with +/- 130 hp, stick-shift and good mileage. You need something reliable to get you to work and back while you save up for the classic.