Looking to buy a new car, opinions on potential purchase?

[jbaker73266]

Hello all! First off thanks so much in advance for taking the time to read and help me with advice. I recently moved to GA and discovered that I'll be needing to pay around $2k to register my 2014 Subaru WRX here... So I figured maybe it was time to sell it and jump back into older JDM-type vehicles. I've been out of the game for over 10 years so I'm looking for some help with getting back in (previously owned an MR-2 turbo, FC3S Turbo II, FD3S, AE86 GT-S with AE101 silver top... then got into BMWs like my E36 M3 and '07 335i). I've found the following vehicle and want to know what your opinions are. My main concerns are daily driving and maintaining its value in case I need to sell down the road. Again, thank you all for your time.

CList post is http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/5681283792.html

[KAT-PWR]

You're going to daily drive a car with no AC in the south?

[jbaker73266]

HAH, my first question to the seller was "what will it take to fix the A/C" and I was told Just needs compressor, condenser, and lines and thats it. I would NOT drive around here without A/C.

[OBEEWON]

LOL so everything?

[jbaker73266]

Haha right? I'm hoping with the age of the car that isn't an expensive fix.

[rawgarage]

2k to register in GA?

Why so much

[jbaker73266]

It is a one time fee of 7% of the value of your car. Paid almost 800 for my wife's car and my car's kbb is around 23k. So I've been staring at skylines, S30 datsun and 240sx for the last week. Biggest thing for me is daily driver reliability. A close second is a fun car that brings back those teenage feelings.

[ellopuppet]

So your going to sell your reliable car to get back into a 20 year old vehicle that needs work because you don't want to spend $2000 on registration. Your logic is confusing. Factoring in initial cost of vehicle and parts to repair, plus cost of registering and paying taxes on said vehicle. I just don't see how this is a better option.

Why not just spend the cash to register yours and have a reliable DD and then look around for something to play with?

[jbaker73266]

I have an early 2000s civic that will be my back up but I still want the car that I buy to be reliable nonetheless. Also I have a lot of equity in my wrx so it'll be nice to have the liquid cash for any expenses with the new vehicle or what have you. I get what you're saying though, without the civic back up that would probably be the thing to do.

[driftsucky]

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooo, 1 time fee of $2k or $6500 plus AC parts plus nickel and dime indefinitely. Math being math, I'd say you're going the wrong way buddy. Or, at the very least, you're lying to yourself about what you're really wanting to get into. If you'e over 25, and 240 shouldn't be your daily. They're fun, and reliable but...well...they break a lot lol. Like any old car, they're a labor of love and how much "love" they need will depend on condition. But, because of jdmdrifttax, they do hold their value. Like, the one you're looking at should be 2400-3k tops...because of wheels. But, it's twice that. So, if that means anything to ya, you're on the right track in that regard.

[STR8 H8N]

240xxx on body but very clean no dents

[jbaker73266]

Are the wheels nice? I was going to ask if they had stocks or something since they're not quite my style. And yes I'm well over 25. I want that labor of love back. I miss working on the cars that I mentioned I had but I owned them all before drift tax became a thing to consider. Man I'm glad I'm doing my due diligence and hearing all your opinions. I really wanted to come out of this ordeal spending less than 12-15k for something tastefully modded and reliable to an extent but it seems like all these cars are potential ticking time bombs nowadays lol. I suppose I just need to stare at craigslist for another 20 hours before deciding to keep my car and waste $2k. I appreciate all you guys taking the time to shoot advice my way.

[jbaker73266]

Really sorry but what is 240sxxx? I swear I Googled it before asking lol

[STR8 H8N]

Really sorry but what is 240sxxx? I swear I Googled it before asking lol

:picardfp::facepalm::picardfp::facepalm:

[OBEEWON]

That's insane.
Tax can S a D.

[jbaker73266]

Maybe I should try bing or yahoo

[jbaker73266]

I know, I almost wish I had been stationed here so it would have been free to register

[driftsucky]

Are the wheels nice? I was going to ask if they had stocks or something since they're not quite my style. And yes I'm well over 25. I want that labor of love back. I miss working on the cars that I mentioned I had but I owned them all before drift tax became a thing to consider. Man I'm glad I'm doing my due diligence and hearing all your opinions. I really wanted to come out of this ordeal spending less than 12-15k for something tastefully modded and reliable to an extent but it seems like all these cars are potential ticking time bombs nowadays lol. I suppose I just need to stare at craigslist for another 20 hours before deciding to keep my car and waste $2k. I appreciate all you guys taking the time to shoot advice my way.

240sxxxxxx...I believe he's referring to the miles on the chassis.

That said, I'm not saying DON'T do it. I'm just saying consider what you're getting into. They're fun cars. I love'em. But, you gotta be realistic or you WILL hate life lol.

[10psitx]

Backwards move, with or without the math, sell the civic, pay to register the subie and save up for another toy that you actually want...how hard will that be?

[jbaker73266]

Ah thanks for clearing that up. I really do appreciate the advice and I won't be purchasing this particular vehicle. In terms of registering the subie, I could do that and buy a fun car but to me that's more money than I want tied up in cars and insurance. I was hoping I'd end up with 9k ish from the subie sale and have a fun car free and clear with the excess money from the sale, no monthly payment and possibly cheaper insurance more than cover any kinks that show up as long so I did my due diligence and ensuring I bought a decent one by picking the brains of you guys experienced in seeing these day in and day out.