Getting My first car a need help

[Jemehl]

My budget is 400 a month let me hear what you guys are thinking.. I would even take a used car from 2007 and on ... also does anyone know how much i could get a 2007 g35 sedan for ? let me know guys im excited

[clearwaterms]

how old are you? Have you considered insurance costs? Maintenance costs? Do you have a down payment? Do you have good credit / cosigner to get the best rate? Do you have a trade in of any kind?

In all honesty, I don't recommend the Infiniti as a first car, as a performance based luxury car it will be expensive to maintain. Not as expensive as a mercedes or BMW ($100 oil changes) but more expensive then a honda or toyota (for example).

Also, what do you want in a car? Do you want a sedan or coupe? Where in new york are you? NYC, or upstate someplace?

Why won't you go older then 2007? there are alot of nice older cars out there?

[opie]

I'd save my $400/mo for a while and buy a car without a loan. Something cheap. $3500 or so. Then start saving that $400/mo again and in 18 months or so you can sell your cheap car and buy something better but still not have a payment. Just one guys opinion though. I hate car payments

[clearwaterms]

I'd save my $400/mo for a while and buy a car without a loan. Something cheap. $3500 or so. Then start saving that $400/mo again and in 18 months or so you can sell your cheap car and buy something better but still not have a payment. Just one guys opinion though. I hate car payments

I would only do this if you knew the history of the car. A family member selling his personal car that he kept up for $3500 is a great way to get around. A dealership that specializes in $3500 wonders is probably going to give you somebody else's problem.

[Fraser]

Have you looked on Cars.com for general idea of pricing?
Been to Infiniti forums to read up on problems that occur with these cars and general costs to maintain?
Got insurance quotes?

I don't think you need to buy a $3500 car as someone has suggested, if you really want the Infiniti and have picked out a G35 in particular that's great as long as you can afford it.

I enjoy cars immensely so am prepared to pay more for one I really want, but I still research a car throughly and get a complete idea before buying and am willing to walk away from one I love if I feel it is a liability. Don't let excitement get in the way of the reality as you'll grow to hate a car that is a money pit.

[clubchamp]

Apparently some things have changed in the last 11 years since I was 16... Kids having nicer cars than I have now with a decent job... but in 98 I rode a 94 cavalier HOT! The fact that you want a 400 dollar a month car payment is outrageous I don't even want a 400 a month car payment now.

[clearwaterms]

Apparently some things have changed in the last 11 years since I was 16... Kids having nicer cars than I have now with a decent job... but in 98 I rode a 94 cavalier HOT! The fact that you want a 400 dollar a month car payment is outrageous I don't even want a 400 a month car payment now.

my car payment has always hovered right around $400. But I also do okay for myself as well.

[deronsizemore]

I would hop on http://www.google.com and start doing some research and see what's out there, what problems others have had with the model you're looking for, etc.

And I agree with others, doubt I'll ever have a 400 a month car payment. Cars just don't impress me that much. If it gets me from point A to point B it's a success. I have no one to impress. I'd rather get a 200 a month car payment and use the other 200 on golf.

[Locke]

Does your $400 include insurance? If so I would advise you to call and quote insurance on models you are interested in. I think you'll be suprised at what that costs. (include GAP insurance)

To give you an idea my buddies '04 G35 runs $85/mo and he's 27 with a clean driving record. If you're under age 25 you'll easily pay double that per month for a '07.

I second the opinion of buying a older/cheaper car until you can afford to outright buy something 1) Cheaper Insurance/Taxes 2) Being car poor sucks 3) Cars are depreciating at an incredible rate right now and you'll likely end upside down on it.

[clubchamp]

my car payment has always hovered right around $400. But I also do okay for myself as well.

I think 400 is probably the average car payment and mine is just a shade under. I'm just saying I want to reach a point where I will be paying cash plus when I was 16 a 400 a month payment would have seemed like 1500 a month to me now.

[clearwaterms]

I think 400 is probably the average car payment and mine is just a shade under. I'm just saying I want to reach a point where I will be paying cash plus when I was 16 a 400 a month payment would have seemed like 1500 a month to me now.

The worst part is that when I was 18 I made 1/10th of what I make now, but I had more money to spend. Funny how that works isn't it?

[clubchamp]

The worst part is that when I was 18 I made 1/10th of what I make now, but I had more money to spend. Funny how that works isn't it?

Yeah... no mortgage, no car payment, no cell phone, and no utilities. I mean you pretty much just banked everything you made.

[Jemehl]

OK .. Let me explain more.. My parents are taking care of half of it and i have a twin so me and her are splitting the other half

[uttexas]

For your first car, get something used (2-5 years old) and dependable. You live in New York, so likely have difficult road conditions in the winter.

I'd go with a Subaru. All Subaru models are AWD-which really helps with handling in snow/rain.

Subaru makes good quality cars. Just about everyone drives a Honda or Toyota, so a Subaru stands out a bit more.

The best advice I can give you:
No matter what you end up with, change your oil every 3-5K miles/3-4 months
Drive safely.

[clearwaterms]

For your first car, get something used (2-5 years old) and dependable. You live in New York, so likely have difficult road conditions in the winter.

why does everybody need AWD? What did our parents ever do without it? Or our grand parents? 25 years ago, RWD full size cars were the norm. Those cars didn't have traction control, limited slip differentials, modern tire technology, etc. THey still managed. With today's technology in salt sprayers, and storm predictions, Municipals are usually well prepared to keep roads safe to travel. The use of AWD gives people a false sense of confidence and is usually unneeded. The secret is to keep good tires on your vehicle.