Originally Posted by Devil In You

It would be stupid for me to buy a new car when my Sentra will suffice.

So I've decided to stick with my Sentra, and do minor work on it to make it look nicer and a bit faster. Thanks for all of your opinions and stories, they were very interesting to read.

Edit: But the RX-8 is something I will buy in the future, probably in around 2-3 years, so expect me to stay around (good for some of you, but some of you might be disappointed I'm staying :P )

Originally Posted by mysql

at 16, you should drive whatever crap you can get your hands on and not worry about vehicles. JMHO.

Originally Posted by fahrfegneugen

at least 20?

There are formula one drivers not much older than me.

Originally Posted by Vyndictive

This thread is hilarious: Everyone gets so angry about what a young guy is posting! Put in your two sense and let it be. Its not like he's your son - nephew - etc. No need to start swearing and getting all bent out of shape because you disagree...

Anyway,
I think everyone has covered 90% of the aspects to think about when getting a car like this.

I waited until I was 24 to get a nice car; the 8. The rest of the time, I had fun cars that I could live with (except for a mercury sable that was just a stereo on wheels). In my opinion, that is what you should do. Just until you're either out of college or in a very stable job and able to take care of the car properly and not worry the costs.

It was mentioned before, but getting an 8, people will mess with it. Want to race you (and in a teenage drag race, the 8 will lose so that sucks. If you're going to college, do you really it sitting out in a college parking lot? I still worry about my 8 whenever I park in a city or in a parking garage.
But if you can live with that and honestly not be upset when a car that you're making some big payments on starts to drop in value quickly because it is getting beat up, it is your choice.

It is very nice that your parents are helping out. My parents assisted me in my first car purchase. But can you afford the car if they decide to pull the plug on you for whatever reason? . . . just something else to consider.
Gas is only going to get more expensive, and the 8 is a thirsty car.
Your insurance may go down, but not for awhile. And those good student discounts pale in comparison to a speeding ticket or accident.

I'd say get a fun car you can live with and enjoy before spending so much. If you're going to be storing it outside in a lot or something, try to get a sleeper or something that will draw less attention.

Sometimes... only sometimes. I wish I had gotten a more practical car with more storage for around 15k and then spent 2-3k on a 2nd gen RX7. Which equals the 17k I got my '04 8 for in March. (12k miles and many mods already done.)

Just some more things to consider.

I'd work hard, save up the money, make a list of everything you want the car to do, and then compare that with what the next 5 years of your life will look like. (College vs working vs single vs married vs wanting to move to the beach and smoke pot. . .) Just try to consider everything before you buy. The 8 will still be around in 3-4 years, sometimes you may have to wait until the timing is right.

but I digest.