So kind of a serious question/advice thread

[Grappler]

Don't feel like reading go to the bottom for cliff notes

I am currently at odds with myself.

I currently am almost finished with my car I am trying to get it into MAP for some stuff that needs done. I recently got a new job its pretty much a security gig been at it for a couple months and I really enjoy it. I want to go back to school and get my degree.

The problem is I have now changed my major again (Criminal Science) :facepalm: and I am currently unable to go to school, because I currently on academic suspension. Primarily because of circumstances involving some shenanigans with jobs and legal fun stuff. I also have a girlfriend going on 3 years now, shes the best and is helping me get my life straitened out. I don't have any help with school because my mom doesn't really make much money, I make almost as much as she does. So if and when I get back into school I need to work full time. Luckily this job has really flexible hours so its doable.

So another problem is I live in an apartment with my girlfriend to save money, so I park in the street and only have one spot to park. This is bad with a rwd turbo car as a DD especially in the winter. I could store it in the winter and get a beater. However that costs money I paid 115 a month for a unit all the way out in burnsville, After a while storing the 7 will cost more than its worth. Don't get me wrong I love the 7 and I have put tons of money into it to get it running again. More than I really want to admit too. I have lost my trust in my car due to the fire and the ensuing work that followed. If it was up to me I would keep the car but its not looking too realistically possible right now.

So I guess what I am saying is I am trying to be an adult and take responsibility for the things I do. Having a rwd turbo sports car that's over 20 years old is fun don't get me wrong its different and I love everything about it. Its uncommon and not too many people have one. Problem is that also is why its so hard to get anyone to fix save myself is its a rotary which narrows the shops that will work on it down considerably. OEM replacement parts are expensive aftermarket parts are cheaper but are hard to find for a 20 + year old car. Which raises cost considerably i.e. maintenance and broken parts etc. I have also been driving my girlfriends car for the past 8 months which isn't fair to her.

So I am seriously considering selling the car getting something more practical yet still fun. I have been eying up a used Subaru WRX in the cities its an 04 which would help tons with maintenance issues. 4wd is a plus for the winter given 4wd doesn't mean its a save all but it makes for a better DD. Insurance will be more but I can deal with that. It also means car payments. Better mileage and less reliability issues means less downtime.

I guess what it comes down too is I can always pick up a fun project car again once I have a career and a house to store it in again. School needs to be my top priority not constantly modding my car or fixing it, that and my job to pay my bills. As much as I hate to think about selling my car and picking up something different. Sadly I think its the direction I need to take.

------------------------CLIFF NOTES----------------------------

20 year old trying to get life in order.
Car becoming too much of a focus and expense
Sell car get something more functional get life in order go to school

Replace the FC3S with Subaru WRX
Pro:
Mileage
Better in the winter
Less Maintenance
Reliability
No storage
No beater car
Trust the car to go from point A to B
No distraction from what should be top priorities.

Con:
A few car payments
Insurance goes up a bit
Lose my first car

 

[AJ]

I'm 32 and wish I would of toned it down a lot with cars when I was in my 20s. If I was you I'd work on the things you feel matter most. If that's school right now then do that. Understand that you may need to take some classes online, and you may need to devote your weekends to school stuff more than car shit, but in the end it does pay off.

Why not looking at Leasing a daily driver, like a Kia, Hyundai, Mazda 3, or something similar that you can get for a really low car payment for a few years and when it's over turn it in and then see if you're at a place that allows you to get another fun car.

End result is you need to take care of what's important to you and realize you can have just as much fun in 5 years as you can now, just in 5 years with a degree and possible much better job it will be easier to do so.

 

[dmention7]

My take: you're young. It may not seem like it now, but you've got the rest of your life to enjoy old, fun, impractical cars. Heck, I'd even take it a step further and say skip the WRX and get something cheap/reliable until you get school sorted away. I've been there, and when you're focusing on paying the bills and completing school, you don't need any more distractions than the situation naturally presents.

Do you know any friends/family who have a spare garage spot who'd be willing to store the 7 for awhile for you? Maybe someone who lives out in the sticks with a ton of space? lol

 

[mndsm]

Tell you what, if you do decide to keep the 7, and I manage to get the house I'm looking at, I'll store it for the low low price of free. You might have to let me drive it though. Other than that, these people are all full of good advice. Me personally, I'd say find a place to park it off the street, throw a tarp on it, and buy a shit beater. Find a cheap Geo Prism or something.

 

[JohnnyT]

It's a car. Better to get your life on track first, then get back into the scene on your terms. Trust me, we'll still be here

 

[Big Nate]

School is the way to go. You don't want to be a 30something with three kids a full time job saddled with debt do you? Thats where I am at. I have started back to school and found it to be way less suck then I thought. And cars are the first thing you should put to the side to get your life in order. Just cuz you don't mod the shit out of your car or own four sets of wheel (THOM) doesn't mean you still can't come out every now and then and hang with us.

 

[mndsm]

HEY! I resemble that remark.

 

[Grappler]

Thanks guys I hopefully will get Map to work on the 7 on the week of the 6th get it running again and then clean her up and ready to sell.
Sad as its going to be. Hopefully when I get to a place where I can have a fun car again they will re release the rx7
BTW you guys can get first dibs when she's on the market.

I still need to make it to a Wednesday meet too lol.

Depending on how things go tomorrow I got subpoenaed for work so hopefully I can show up if they don't need me.

 

[MazdaMINI]

As far as school goes look into Metro State university because 90% of the students are working adults and the teachers understand that. It costs much less than most universities. I bought the mini and then decided to go back to school a couple months later. Not the brightest choice but it can be done! If you can really focus on school you and work and do both without an issue! You just have to be good about managing your time.

Hope that helps

 

[mndsm]

Is it wrong I'm thinking about buying this car if/when it goes up for sale? I've always wanted an FC, and this one will be ready to roll.

 

[Grappler]

One of my co workers is going to Metro State I might have to look into it.

Haha if you want you can buy it. Interior is in good shape for the most part when its back together, one small dent in the door from some kid with a stick small amount of clear coat coming off the hatch area.
Way better shape than most fc's on 7club

 

[mndsm]

Perfect is not my concern. Fun is my concern.

 

[spek1098]

Let me argue a counter point. I agree that if you need the money or foresee having to put money into the car while trying to go to school then sell, but chances are selling the car isn't going to put you through school, and student loans are always a good option there. The older you get the more responsiblities get in the way like wife, kids, a house. Many of the people here have found a way to have those plus enjoy their car hobbies. Well I don't think that's the norm. I think most people get into their thirties and end up having to walk away from an exspensive hobby like this and end up coming back at their midlife crisis point. I say, if you can make the numbers work, hold on to the car enjoy it in the summers, pick up a winter beater, and get in next semester at a local community college. I got a spot in the driveway for the winter for $50 if Tom's place doesn't work out.

 

[derrian]

We own 6 cars and a harley.... between 2 people. Granted I no longer have student loans but I do have a house, 3 cats, and a Husband with expensive hobbys.

So it can be done, you just have to know how manage your money, and live with in your means/budget. I do work on the side to help us get 'play' money. While not everyone can do this, I went through college with very little extra money coming in. I often write out all my bills so i know what 'play' money I have every month and try to stick to that.

I do say if it is a car you LOVE, you dont want to someday in the future regret getting rid either.

 

[Grappler]

So long story short it looks like I am keeping the 7 sorry mndsm.

Some stuff didn't go through but, I am still planning on going back to school for the spring semester

Got an appointment finally at MAP after some phone tag for the 28th.

Things are kind of coming together for now.

As far as winter goes looks like I can keep my car on the street during the winter as long as my permit shows and I move it on snow emergency days so I can keep it on the street woo hoo!!!

Apparently I can get issued a second permit for a second vehicle as well for a winter beater.:happydance:

 

[mndsm]

Hey, good on you for keeping the car, don't have to worry about me man. It's always a bitch when you gotta sell the pride and joy, and I'd rather have seen you keep it.

 

[racecarcolin]

Ever considered joining the military? Thats what I did a while back and now I am going to school and getting paid around 900 a month just to go to school and get above C's. Don't get me wrong I still work 40 hours a week but its nice to have an extra 1000ish dollars a month to do things with. If your 23+ you can go independent status and not include any of your mom/dads earnings when you apply for any student loan. There are deals out there you just gotta ask the right questions.

Oh and dump the car, cars will always be there. Get a winter beater like a civic and call it a day...

-Colin