Imp

I'm leaving age out of this if you haven't noticed.

I firmly believe there should be a graduated licensing requirement in this country before you get behind the wheel of a 'type-x' vehicle, much like they do with motorcycles in other countries. And along with that, Better Drivers Training and Certification. If you're new to driving, at all.. then only cars under a certain displacement. Once you hit a coulpe years of incident free driving, then you can get up to a medium sized car.. and then the third step is anything after a couple more years... by then you'd be out of college and hopefully have a good head on your shoulder and in control of your testosterone.

My drivers test when I was 17? Turn out of the lot, go a mile down the road, do a 3 point turn and head back. The written test was 20 questions with an hour to do them all.... Took me 5 minutes.. and there were people failing the written! And these people share the road. What was my 1st job 3 months after I got my license? I delivered PIZZA! I honed my driving skills much like Takumi Fujiwara on Akina delivering tofu... where he couldn't spill the water, I had to keep the toppings on the pizza. (In a '74 Dodge Dart with a 318, posi rear end, dual carbs and headers.)

The problem isn't in the age, it's in the experience. If you have a kid that's been around cars with his dad and brother doing mods and all that growing up, then he's going to have a higher level of expereince than the kid who's family who looked at cars as a necessary evil.

This is why insurance is so high for younger drivers. Not enough road experience... more than likely to tempt fate through driving fast, and accidents... becuase they don't know the full consequences. The kid growing up in the motorhead famil, 9 of 10 times.. has driven, and quite a bit. Or, they know the difference and what they are doing. However... they are still inexpereinced drivers and can still get into a bind when their testosterone takes over. Then you have the kids that weren't brought up in that situation being around cars... but wanted to be in it... when they hit that age... Fast and powerful is all they want... guess what.. that's just as bad as the kid with the parents that only know driving as a necessary evil.

I'm not belittling anyone here.

And thanks for the kudos. It's been many years of hard work to get here.

VTRotary

Ok man heres the deal. From what Ive read there has been quite a few people here trying to give you advice. A lot of people (and i dont mean to be rude to anyone on the site) get older and forget somewhat what it was once like to be at your age, Im 20 and sometimes even I do. Also by the way, saving that much money at that age is quite commendable. A lot of posts I have agreed with and some disagreed. Im going to be buying my 8 next year when i graduate from college and i dont think I can wait that long, so I understand your position. You could in fact point out to your parents that no matter what car you get whether it is the 8 or a volvo, you can still drive it hard and it be a dangerous car. But if YOU DRIVE any car safely.....then it is safe. It is however a HUGE purchase at that age, and I must admit im pretty jealous of the fact you might be getting one. One person posted that it would be a bad idea to have it in a highschool parking lot, which I do agree with. When i turned 16 I had an old 66 mustang and people stole things off of it, and some chick hit it while it was parked there....NOT COOL. Also i saw some post about you not thinking about college, which i would have to say is a bad bad bad idea. College is a necessity these days, but I could see paying for insurance on a car like that being tough while in college. SO thats your choice man, I do in fact know a lot of people who have done well without college. Anyways dude, all Im really tryin to say is that there are ups and downs to this whole situation and if you do the math and research it youll find out your answer, dont just jump the gun cause theres a LOT more money involved than it looks like. But it is quite a bad *** car, and it is your money and your choice. As long as the rents are cool with it, they are smarter than you might think. I realized that soon after i left home.


Might we all just sit back real quick and remember how we were when we were that age and understand where the kid is coming from. We all wanted our permits so bad and were on the road as soon as we got them, none of this structured and "graduated" license nonsense or making kids get them older now. They can handle it, we all did. A lot of times adults putting more restrictions on the younger comes down to simple jealousy of a youth that we can never live again. And for this "poster" it sure does make me sick to see things like that. I realize there are some who take things for granted and cause trouble and all that nonsense, but there are so many young folks who really are responsible and all those old guys out there should remember that. I am still very young myself, and I have struggled for too long not gettin the respect that I deserve because of my age. And from reading a lot of these replies I just had to say something.

So in closing dude....do what you want, but youre gonna have to live with the decision that you make. Always remember youll have plenty of time to buy an 8. Maybe you should just keep that money and enjoy the rest of highschool, because college, and after that is totally different. Good luck man

Jake

iM2GoOd2bTrU

VTRotary... thanks so much for that inspiring message... after reading your message over and over again, i can finally relate to someone who is in the same situation as me (sorta)... everything that you said came out perfect.. thank you

...about the college thing... i was joking... (okay, so that's not a good joke), but the point is, i would never miss out on college... i am planning to go to a good college (UC San Diego PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE) and receive a very successful degree.. there is nothing holding me back from going to college... i agree with everyone, college is very important

as for the school parking lot, i may choose not to even park it in the lot... there is a nice little neighborhood right across the street from the school... i could just park it over there, buy a nice car cover, and cover it up so nobody will really be able to see it..

at this moment, i still don't exactly know what i want to do.. yes, i know it is a lot of money, yes, i know there may be a few consequences, but at the same time, this is huge thing that i have been wanting for a very long time.. my 2 options are to sell the intrepid this summer, buy a cheap stick-shift car (to teach myself manual shifting), and then buy the rx-8 in the winter... or i could just wait until the end of my senior year and buy the rx-8 then.. who knows? only time will tell...

and to everyone (honestly everyone), thanks to all of you for your replies.. they have helped me out beyond imaginable belief..

oosik

Well written! :D

sup3rbad

Man... hahah that's a burn... I woulda cried. Cuz my parents bought me my car. Besides... you'd have to be a moron to think you can race the STi and win. Those guys took you for a fool and you burned his ego without stepping in your car. Good stuff.


I guess I should stay on topic. I'm 18 I've had the car for 9 months. All I gotta say is think of repair costs. It'll bite you in your wallet. Or get an Dodge SRT-4... It's fast, and you won't get so criticized by the older folks cuz it's made for your demographic. oh yea, starting this thread is kind of pointless... it's like asking what color you should get. It's all you, if you can handle it good for you, if you can't then sucks for you.

John_E

As an old man (I'm 39 this year) I highly recommend that you save your money for college. You can't spend your life flipping burgers and living with your parents. Also if you do go to college, you have no business driving a car around a campus, unless if you go to $30K a year private schools, and it will still get beat to hell. I personally didn't even own a car till I was 22 and I paid $70 for it. I got my first nice car (99 probe GT turbo) when I was 25 and a year out of college. I personally believe that When you are young (under25), a car should be very low on your priority list. Your first priority should be deciding what you are going to do when you grow up and how you are going to get there. If you ever want to own a house and have a family, you must have a job that will allow you to do so. A job at the mall or anything that is not a skilled trade will not get you there. That's enough fatherly advice from me. One final thing, make an appontment with your high school guidance counselor and ask him or her about what your priorities in life should be. Sorry, I know you didn't want to hear this.

HtownRX8

Im 19, go to Texas Tech, and my parents just bought me an RX8... yeah, Im completely spolied, but I did make a 3.7 my first year... that probably helped a little. I highly recommend waiting until you are done with at least the first year of college. My maxima got f'ed up sitting in the dorm parking lots. I dont think I would have bought the car if I was still parking there next year.

T.T.

I'm 18 and in college. I know exactly what you're going through. I had the same arguments when I was 16. I'm trying to trade my current car and get an RX-8 as well. If you really want the car, you're need to give them a reason for buying it for you...work on your grades. Also, whether or not your family can actually the afford the car and the insurance is a big factor. You should realize that your parents are just trying to protect you. By acting responsibly, you can prove that you deserve the car.

Imp

I guess we'll let Darwin sort everything out then.

d0 Luck

kids w/ an 8 are spoiledddd! i'm stuck w/ my FB.. oh well, i like it more than an 8!

VikingDJ

There we go. Someone who finally just admits they are spoiled. Now the rest of you just admit it already, instead of pretending you actually paid for car with your own money. I got a full scholarship to Rutgers University to play tennis, and my parents bought me a lousy vw rabbit for $500. YOU BASTARD, I AM JEALOUS. lol Seriously though, I wasn't given the fortunate oppurtunities many of you have. I had to earn every single thing that came my way, and from my freshman year of college on, I have been 100% on my own, with only emotional support from parents. I came from a low income family though, so money was always tight. There is nothing wrong with living the good life at a young age, and having a car to impress people and make your friend's jealous. I know if I had the chance in my teens I'd sure as hell do it, and I'd gladly admit to the world I am one SPOILED *** LUCKY M'FER.

Rotary Nut

Same here!

I left the nest at 17 to do service for my country. I have payed my own way ever since. I have never gotten or asked for anything from my mom. I have always worked for my money and was never handed it to me on a silver platter. And I never had to go back home either. I even sent my mom 30 pecent of my army paycheck until I got married and could no longer afford it.

I have been continously employed since I was 12 years old and I mean continously! I am now 43.

I feel that getting out of the nest early on and earning your keep makes for a better person. Nothing else I hate more is a child that does not want to leave the nest and has everything handed to them by thier parents!

MrJynx

Hey guys,

I'm very impressed and surprised that everyone has been giving such good advice. I'm 23, been working since I was 15 making double what any one of my friends have ever made. But that doesn't matter, I to wanted to buy a Type - R in the 90's, i had the cash but there was one problem. THE DAMN INSURANCE. Sure it's easy to say I'm gonna save up the 5000 to pay for the year, but what about the next 10 years.

It unfortunate that no matter your driving school, record, etc (i have not one speeding ticket/accident since i've been driving) we still get killed with these premiums. I suggest like everyone else to hold onto your money. The car will become a ball and chain on your wallet and the only thing you will be spending your money on is the car. If that's your thing then go for it, my thing is buying electronics (damn stereos/computers/etc).

Just remember one thing, parents do know what they are talking about. I'm only now figuring it out(but i still fight the good fight!). But if you can financially afford it then do it.. If you have any doubts what so ever. Hold off. But it would be cool to drive around in a car like this when your a teen


MrJynx

Oh one other thing, university is extremly expensive. Partying = A lot of money. Beer isn't free yet.. If I did buy the Type R, I wouldn't have gone to school, well i would have but it wouldn't have been as much fun!

Topgun

My parents told me I could have any car I wanted when I was a kid in H.S. Just as soon as I saved up enough money to pay for it they would be happy to drive me to go get it. My first car was a red 76 Vette. Only one problem it was a Chevette not Corvette. It only took me 25 years to buy my first new Corvette. I sold it six months ago and bought my RX-8 for my current weekend car.

Outlaws eXtreme

If you are investing in Auto companies for profit, then you shouldn't be investing at all :P

Proud daytrader since 1998. Automobile stocks are terrible as investments.

Invest in Metal industries. Especially Lead. Watch Pork products rise right before summer. A new surge of internet companies are heading up soon as well.

LiL BenNy

Yeah im 15 now (15.5) talking my parents into it wasnt that hard actually... my moms bf even test drove it o yeahhhhhh. just learn about the car and tell them the posotive things about it i told them all the good things and like one neg thing about it... so far looking VERY good for my side... i believe im most-likely gonna get it the plan was whatever i earn my parents will double so im only looking for about... uhhhhh 8,500 more ( this being 8 used about 1.5 years old around 20g) ps tell them it handles like a dreammmmmmmmmmmm

LiL BenNy

Yeah im 15 now (15.5) talking my parents into it wasnt that hard actually... my moms bf even test drove it o yeahhhhhh. just learn about the car and tell them the posotive things about it i told them all the good things and like one neg thing about it... so far looking VERY good for my side... i believe im most-likely gonna get it the plan was whatever i earn my parents will double so im only looking for about... uhhhhh 8,500 more ( this being 8 used about 1.5 years old around 20g) ps tell them it handles like a dreammmmmmmmmmmm

crosswound

i know how you feel it seems like if i see another 8 its a person who is a lot older than me but that doesn't stop me from enjoying the car

f1michel

An RX-8 before 20 is plain wrong, no matter how you put it. Every 40 year old here knows that and every 18 year old refutes it... that is called maturity and no matter how good you think you are at the wheel you are not even 50% of that. save the $$ for school and hey... you drive a car already, that should be enough.


(i'm 45, have a 13 year old and love him too much to let him drive my 8 in 3 years. )

spike9mm

hey, i am 18 and am in college. my parents bought me an 8 and i have been driving it. the only condition was that i had to pay for insurance and gas. however, now i am just seeing it more as a expensive gas guzzling commuter than a fun car. i know this is redundant, but i am paying almost $400 a month just for upkeep including gas, insurance, and renting a parking spot in an enclosed garage. i know that probably isnt very much to many of you, but that is **** load of money to me. a lot more than half my income. now if i were to look back, i think i would have gotten a much more reasonable car to drive around especially during this time in college. don't have to worry about parking it in the dorm lots or parking it overnight in the streets and paying regular gas would be an absolute blessing right now. however, this is all probably going in one ear and out the other for you so unless you are willing to pay expenses for the 8 and any future expenses like college or housing, then defintely go for it. even though i sound really depressed in this reply, actually i would probably have done the same thing and gotten the 8 because on those bright and sunny days, there is nothing that gives you an adrenaline rush like taking a corner at twice the recomended speed with the renesis engine whning at full power.

f1michel

actually i would probably have done the same thing and gotten the 8 because on those bright and sunny days, there is nothing that gives you an adrenaline rush like taking a corner at twice the recomended speed with the renesis engine whning at full power

Spike, 90% of your post is great, then you really show your lack of maturity in the last part i copied here.... sell the 8, get a civic and spend your money at other things then making billions for the fuel companies.

M

xxMax Powerxx

Brother, I know you're pain. I've been there. I'm going through it now. I'm 26 now. Graduated, working etc... I want to buy a house in the Bay Area, real bad. Problem is, even when I come up with the $100,000 down payment, the mortgage is still going to kill me. On top of the $2,200/mo payment add $500/mo in insurance $200 for homowners association fees and $200 for insurance. That's $3,100/mo. Fuel, insurance and maintenance for an 8 is a similar deal on your scale. I need to buy this house, but I also want an 8!!! Unfortunately, the way the dollar rolls, I'm going to have to wait on the 8 a little longer. After the house and my yearly pay increase, the 8 will be comfortably affordable WITHOUT compromising my regular life fun (I road race motorcycles, etc...).

The rest of HS and college will be more of a bummer with that car than your Intrepid. You'll have to work more and party less. You'll have less time for chicks etc... Everything, EVERYTHING you own is going to take a serious beating in college. You really need to have a permanent garage before buying hot bikes and cars, otherwise they will just get destroyed. You will pile too many people in your car all the time in college (many kids won't have them and your's will be most desireable) and that will be the end of your car's niceness. Just think about what a beach party would do to your interior. If you can pull off college without working during the school year, you will have more fun than you can possibly imagine (more fun that driving an 8). And if you have that money invested for your when you graduate college you can buy the new hotness (RX-9). You will be able to afford to take care of the car, garage the car and it will never get beat up. This on top of more fun than you can shake your shifter at.

Besides, buying a car the first year it is released is never a good idea (just read this forum).

KamokuWan

To be quite honest, I am 26 years old I am CTO of a company owned by Landmark Communications. I went into business for myself at the ripe ol' age of 19 and have made an outstanding career. I didn't have a penny to my name because I was always screwing off in High School and not finding any direction in my life. I threw away a full scholarship + bene's to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach FL, when my highschool sweetheart said she missed me.

Yes I was an still am an idiot.

That being said, there is no way if I had a 16yo kid I would let him/her get a sport car. The main reason is because although I have made something out of myself I still get tempted to race people off the line (when I am on my gixxer). The temptation is just to strong.

I have this one piece of advice for you though.

If you let your parents have one ride with me in my RX-8 you will never get one.

Yes this may seem like a harsh idiotic post, but I can say with 99% certainty that you will drive the car when your friends are around and the parents aren't in site just the way I do.

The reason I believe this is, no matter how many people have told you to wait, invest, be smart, you continually pick the "best advice" as the advice that agrees with your wants and desires.

You may have a GPA of 4.2 an IQ of 160, but it appears you have a common sense rating smaller then your shoe size, and this is not golf.

BTW, my brother is a certified genius and I can say first hand in the middle of a lightning storm, if you told him to put a lightning rod up on the roof, he would bend over and pick up a lightning rod and climb to the highest point on the roof without a second thought.

Smart = Common Sense.

Common sense is to save your pennies. That car may get you the attention you want, may get you the looks of the girls that only care about money, and not about you. However, those same girls are gonna kick you to the curb when you ask them for half the gas money and if they will cover your movie and dinner.

spike9mm

haha, i know. but still i am still 18 trying to enjoy life. seriously though, i think i will actually give up my 8 to someone else and get economy car. However, you are wrong on one thing though, i would prefer to go with toyota just cuz toyotas are virtually indestructible. my friend used to drive one and he tried to destroy the car so his parents would buy him a new vehicle by shifting at redline almost all the time and actually once drove up onto the curb so he could squeeze by a line of cars to make a right turn. however, after half a year of this, he just gave up, but his parents later bought him a eclipse gsx. but yea, it would be so nice to pay less than $30 for a full tank twice a week.