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View Full Version : I need you opinion / wisdom


SteveXs2
11-21-2004, 07:40 PM
Alrighty, here's my predicament:

I have my beater Jetta, most everything works fine, it's just got a bagged old engine, a crack in the exhaust manifold and some light rust.

It's a decent car, but if those things were fixed it'd be sooo much better.

Anyways, next September I'll be off at university. I'll probably be going to a photography academy for one or two years and then another 2 years of something else after that, and it's going to be very expensive. I'm looking at $25,000 Canadian for a single year including rent / food / supplies / tuition.

But, my family might be "coming into some money". (Nothing Illegal). I'm not allowed to talk about it though since it could not happen but it'd mean a nice sum of money for myself.

So I was thinking, since I'll be back at home from school for 2 months in the summer and have to get a job, I'll need a car. And if I get this money, I could buy a car of that value, maybe an A3 Golf / Jetta or an A2 Jetta in really good shape.

Or... I could buy a better engine, new wheels, get my exhaust manifold fixed and get a paintjob on the car I have now with only part of the money and then still have some money to put towards school which will pay for like 3 months of room / supplies / food.

What would you do?

I'll post some pics of my car so you can see the condition but I need a decent day first when I have spare time. Basically the car is in great shape, light rust on the front end and very light rust back by the license plate. Paintjob would probably run me $500 for the whole car if it was already sanded & primed. But then I'd get some PIMP dark blue and it'd look awesome.

All Input is Welcome

Mr_Diesel
11-21-2004, 11:11 PM
Hey... It will always be cheaper to start out with something that is in good condition... Dont fiddle around with cars with rust and dents and crap. If you want a car that is carshow worthy, then start out with something that isnt a beater. If you want a cruiser just to drive around (like my coupe) then i'm sure it would be okay to do a little body work and spiff it up a little, but true good work costs mucho dinero.

SteveXs2
11-21-2004, 11:48 PM
Yeah, I'm not looking for carshow quality, I'll only be driving this 2 months out of the year for 2 years or so and then 4 months out of the year for another 2 years after that if I have enough money to keep going to school.

I just need something that's not such a beater.

Anonymous
11-22-2004, 04:48 PM
A paint job for 500? that is more the likely going to be a single coat of paint, with no clear coat. I got quoted 1200 -1400 to get my car repainted with all the body work done.
I'm kind of in the same prediciment as you, I could have money (if I saved some) and get a nicer car or I could have my beaters.
What I am doing, is dropping probably close to 1000 into my car for now, getting it running (legally), covering up some of the rust (I'll fix it properly in the spring or something, or just let it rust) and then just drive that ghetto machine around. Then, once I figure out what I want to do with my life, get through college/univeristy/whatever, I'll start worrying about getting a good car.
When you break it down, a show quality car is basically useless when you are in school, without a career. On the other hand though, a good car that isn't going to break down every 2 weeks and cost you a pile could save you alot.
I think the smartest thing to do would be to sell your car (or keep it for a project) then buy a nicer A2/A3 that you aren't going to have to dump piles of cash into, and just drive that around.

burn_your_money
11-22-2004, 05:23 PM
^^ that was your's truly

SteveXs2
11-22-2004, 06:22 PM
That's what I'm thinking of doing too. A3 Golf or Jetta maybe, something good on gas and such. I'll only be driving it Christmas and Summer. When I'm out of college I'll be starting my career and I doubt I'll have ANY money for repairs or anything on a beater, so the more reliable car is looking really hot right now. Not to mention I can maybe get my brother to give me like $50 per month to drive it when I'm at school whenever he turns 16.

I was thinking Golf because I like having a hatchback (my mom drives a Taurus Station Wagon and it just became handy) although I don't really suit one (6'2 190lbs).

burn_your_money
11-22-2004, 08:12 PM
I fit in my rabbit alright and I am 6'4ish and 160. LOL the seat just has to go way back. You should get a Turbo diesel. That would save you alot in gas money and it would still be quick (especially if you can get a 1.9l).

SteveXs2
11-22-2004, 08:49 PM
Actually I was looking at Golfs and I realized I don't really like the Mark IIIs that much to spend the prices I've seen on 'em. I'll just see what happens if I actually get the money.

burn_your_money
11-23-2004, 07:45 AM
Rabbits are golfs. They are just the MK1 version.

Yeah waiting around to see what happens would probably be a good idea.