Need car suggestions?

Hi all.

I would like to get car suggestions from you guys and gals.

Just got my driver license, and may want to purchase a car (not going to lease).

First some details:

1) I am a guy (for anyone who didn't know yet...lol)
2) I live in NY
3) I want a nice modern looking car, I love a wide variety of cars...but I do not want to be stuck with some kind of 1985 Corolla, even though it would be very affordable and possibly low insurance
4) Would love something affordable (under $10,000-$15,000 maybe)

Now the thing is it gets complicated.

1) I really don't need a car, but would like to get one as I really am tired of MTA, but I would still be using MTA anyway sometimes, and a cost of a car really is much more expensive than just dealing with MTA

2) I'm 27, and now after getting DACA I am dating alot more...I have been using car rentals for a couple of my dates, but it is starting to add up...and I had a laugh with one of my dates about it being a rental car (hopefully I get another date with her as she was a delight to be with)

3) The cost itself may be an unnecessary burden on my finances. I have college coming up, plus I will probably have to work full time and take college part time, but the full time work will allow me to continue bringing in full time work income, and part time community college classes at in-state rates is hella cheap here in NY, I can probably take 8-16 credits per semester at a rate of like around $1500-$2500

4) I think I really want a car, and I am now at a point in my life where I am a full working adult (plus I am applying to some high paying job opportunities that I will hopefully get in), so I think I should be able to keep up with car finances

5) I am low maintenance, I don't have much expenses besides basics like food/water/MTA fees/soon to be part time college fees/Rent. I don't have much money going towards my hobbies considering all I do is play video games, watch movies/tv or go outside...standard stuff.

So, tips would be appreciated.

Some friends mention waiting 6-24 months before actually getting a car as insurance rates will drop...does insurance rates drop even though I have never driven a car??? But then if I calculate rent car fees for example 26 weeks out of a 52 week year, that would around $5000 just renting cars!!!

If anyone has any tips on what cars to look for, if I should even bother owning a car, etc. I would appreciate it.

When I bought my car I browsed Craigslist for about a month until I saw a cheap car that I liked. If you have cash saved up, I would go this route instead of financing. I ended up buying a 2001 Dodge with 70,000 miles for $2,500 back in 2011. It was a son of an older lady who didn't want his mom driving anymore because she had recently run over a dear.

As far as insurance goes; since you just got your license it's going to be really expensive, but as the years go on and avoid traffic tickets and accidents, it will go down. And since you're older than 25, it will definitely be cheaper than for those of us who are under 25.

You bought a Dodge with 70,000 miles, what does this mean?

Does it mean thats how much miles the car has driven? How many miles the car has left before breaking down?

Sorry don't know much about cars, trying to work out the lingo.

Thanks for the insurance info, didn't know about the over 25 thing.

But lets say I never owned or drove a car for 2 years while I have a license, does insurance still drop? Don't they expect for you to actually drive instead of for example 2 years later trying to get insurance with no driving experience beyond a couple of lessons 2 years before.

Also, now that I think about it.

Anything above $5,000 might not be the best choice for me, I mean I could try and go to $10,000 - $15,000 and rely on making money to pay for the payments monthly as I go, but I believe a nice affordable used car might be the best start for me.

Although I hope I find a nice modern looking one, but the insurance rates are still putting me off owning a car right now still...

ultimately your insurance rate will depend on your insurance company, if you go with a substandard insurer or a standard insurer (ex progressive,gieco,allstate) these companies report a driving history to the state. I was with a substandard company earlier this year and it turns out my insurance did not drop because Progressive (my new insurer) does not recognize substandard insurer I was using to cover my truck.


Right now sure I am paying $220 on progressive, but I am building a driving history which in the long run will help me if I finance a car as ill most likely be required to have a full cover on the car.

also go with a small car, I made a mistake and got stuck with a sort of gas gussler.

How are you getting $220?

I am in NYC and people tell me to expect between $500-$1000 a month?...wtf...

And what is a small car? Like a coupe or hatchback or something? Smart cars?

Should I look for a used car that rates 30 mpg or more?

Honestly I would love a Hybrid car like a prius, but they are still a bit pricey...

I'm from New York as well and I believe unlimited monthly metrocards are $120ish now?

Let me first start this off by saying I scoped out craigslist for 4 months before I bought a car (when they announced daca till I got approved) you can scope out a good deal in about 1-2 weeks maybe 3 if you're unlucky (very unlikely though)

My car costs me $90 insurance a month and $80-100 in gas every month (I commute to school 4 days a week, work 5 days a week, gym 4 times a week and my girlfriend whenever I want and I go out with friends atleast once a week) a car is well worth it, when I was added to my family's insurance, our rate didn't go up regardless of me being a new driver so that whole 6 months wait is bull crap in my opinion.

Get a car! It's well worth it! You can buy an amazing mint used running car with low milage for 5K

If you want a new car, you can lease for $300 a month + a $3000 down payment.. If you rent even for one more day you are a sucker.. It's not worth it. Don't do it.

Good luck to ya! Btw what part of NY are you in if you don't mind me asking?

The miles is how many miles the engine has run for. An average car drives about 10,000 to 15,000 miles a year. So lets says you buy a 10 year car, it should have between 100,000 to 150,000 miles. The less the better because it will last you longer and you'll have to spend less on maintenance. NEVER buy a car that has excessive miles.

Just remember that when you buy a car you need to change your motor oil about every 3,000 miles or 3 months. You don't need to do it that often if you don't drive a lot.

I'm not sure about the answer to your insurance question.

Happyman0607 also brought up leasing a new car. I would not go down this route because when the lease is up you can either decide to buy the car or return the car to the dealer. If you decide to return the car, then it's like throwing money away. And because technically it's still the dealer's car, they require you to buy Premium insurance instead of just the liability insurance

what about an acura tl? any from 2004-2008

It's actually not throwing away the car because in 3 years of leasing a Braden new car and being $10,000 into it is the same as buying a new car and selling it in 3 years because it depreciates about that much.. It's the same thing.