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First car??

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Catlas_Se7en, Jan 16, 2019.

  1. Jan 16, 2019 at 10:17 AM
    #1
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    So I'm 9 days from my 17th birthday. I'm planning on buying my first car in July, as I'm sitting on $1500, but want to keep saving a bit longer. I think I want a 3rd gen 4Runner, preferably 4WD so I can take my girlfriend and friends camping and adventuring. But my issue is finding one in decent condition for a reasonable price. My other ideas were a classic beetle, NA miata, Gen 1 RX7, an old muscle car of some sort, or some other fun thing. Whatcha think? If I went with the 4Runner, what should I look out for? Should I care about mileage? Pros and Cons?

    -Tristin
     
  2. Jan 16, 2019 at 10:23 AM
    #2
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    You should be concerned about mileage if your at all tight with money (who isn't at 17?) a weekend of adventures/camping any kind of distance away will be 100.00 in gas alone. Be prepared. Buy a decent 4 cyl Honda they run forever and sip gas. Just my .02
     
  3. Jan 16, 2019 at 11:48 AM
    #3
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    I work about 25-40 hours a week, and my friends have offered to chip in for gas on our adventures, so gas isn't too big a worry. I've only been working a few months, and already pay my phone bills, so money management isn't an issue. Thank you for your advice though :D
     
  4. Jan 16, 2019 at 11:58 AM
    #4
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    For that price range it might be hard to find a used 4runner as they really hold their value even with 300,000 miles. An older Jeep Cherokee might be a better choice. Easy to work on and fairly reliable. Or just keep saving your money and invest it instead of blowing it all on a vehicle.;) Which I had done that at your age...I would be a millionaire right now. Time is your best friend.

    Anyway, check out some Jeep Cherokees in your area and see if they fit your budget better.

    https://www.edmunds.com/jeep/cherokee/2000/consumer-reviews/
     
    7385 likes this.
  5. Jan 16, 2019 at 12:07 PM
    #5
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    Is high mileage an issue? Cause I found 4 stock ones with 170K-250K miles on them. I thought about investing but I doubt my father would approve. I'll be saving until July before I really start looking for a car
     
  6. Jan 16, 2019 at 12:24 PM
    #6
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    1st car should be old reliable. I vote for the 4 banger car.

    2nd car is toy where you can fall back on car 1 if its down for a while.

    $1500 honestly isn't going to get you much.
     
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  7. Jan 16, 2019 at 2:10 PM
    #7
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    I don't understand how your father won't approve of you saving/investing money but that is another discussion for another day....The 4 is usually good if the maintenance has been done up to 300K plus. But you have to really check it out or it may nickel and dime you to death.
     
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  8. Jan 16, 2019 at 2:14 PM
    #8
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    He wouldn't approve of investing. He thinks it's too much of a gamble.
     
  9. Jan 16, 2019 at 2:19 PM
    #9
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    I used to feel this way also....dam I have really hurt myself cuz now I don't have time on my side. If was your age and knew what I know now...I would be a retired multimillionaire at 50 years old and wouldn't have to work the rest of my life. I would suggest you keep reading and researching the subject, learn all you can. Then you can decide for yourself what will be the best for you and your future. Good luck in your car search...you will always remember your first car, I remember mine, too funny. :D:burnrubber:
     
  10. Jan 16, 2019 at 2:54 PM
    #10
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    But buying an older 4x4, taking it "adventuring" as your first car is not?

    Man I'm confused now.
     
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  11. Jan 16, 2019 at 2:55 PM
    #11
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    I'll try talking him into letting me invest. I'm researching it myself now
     
  12. Jan 16, 2019 at 3:09 PM
    #12
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    Unless is a classic where value is guarantee going to go up a vehicle is one of the worst "investments" to make. If I'm understanding you correctly.
     
  13. Jan 16, 2019 at 3:16 PM
    #13
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

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    Regarding investing, I wish to hell I'd done more of it in my 20's. Even through market ups and down, good mutual funds have historically doubled in value about every 8 years over the past few decades. Yes, 2008 sucked, but anyone who left their money in there got it all back and then some.

    Example, if at age 17 you put $1500 into a mutual fund (figuring 8% annual return, which has proved to be totally doable over the decades), and add just $300 per month, you would have $2.3 million by age 67.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2019
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  14. Jan 16, 2019 at 3:18 PM
    #14
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    Investing as in stocks
     
  15. Jan 16, 2019 at 3:18 PM
    #15
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    What are some good places to look into custodial accounts as I'm 17 so I can't open one myself until next year.
     
  16. Jan 16, 2019 at 3:21 PM
    #16
    Mass4runner

    Mass4runner New Member

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    That I don't know, but if you can't do it now, do it next year. And when you get a job that offers 401K matching contributions, always put the max in.
     
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  17. Jan 16, 2019 at 3:50 PM
    #17
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

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    This is a must. Too much young guys I see blowing their money and not saving. Not that I'm old (34) but I've had a 401K since I started working full time at 18.
     
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  18. Jan 16, 2019 at 5:15 PM
    #18
    SR5 Limited

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    Once you have had a job for awhile get ur dad to co-sign a loan for say 15k and that will get you a NICE one and it’s only like 300 bucks a month for five years to pay the loan off....
     
  19. Jan 17, 2019 at 4:37 AM
    #19
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    That will be awhile this kid sounds like he's going to college. For the older used jeep good luck there unreliable and you'll be having something fixed or replaced weekly so good thing they are easy to work on. Jeeps are not known for reliability. Any jeep owner I've ever known curses the thing weekly haha.
     
  20. Jan 17, 2019 at 5:37 AM
    #20
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Well every Jeep I have had has been very reliable. The older Jeep Cherokees are everywhere, they are reliable. That 4.0 motor and trans is practically bullet proof. If you are talking about a JK, I agree, stay away. Any 4.0 Jeep, as in TJ, Cherokee, reliable.
     
  21. Jan 17, 2019 at 6:20 AM
    #21
    Catlas_Se7en

    Catlas_Se7en [OP] New Member

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    I am planning college. IDK if I want a jeep. They are also extremely overpriced in my military town. You're looking at $4K for a rust bucket with a blown motor and 4 flat tires.
     

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