I need a pick-up truck ASAP. I've never owned a car, have no credit, 21 years old. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

CityOfAngels · 12-07-2005, 08:24 AM

I'll try to get through the back-story as quick as possible:

So I started working w/ one of my best friends, for his father's company, and everything has been going good for about a month. Thing is, I don't have a car or a truck, so I've been relying on my friend for rides to the job. It worked out just fine because we both had the same jobs, working as a team. Well yesterday we had a falling out (over something VERY stupid), so now I'm pretty much assed-out for rides to work. I took my bike in to the office this morning and had a chat with my boss, and we both decided it's best for me to come back when I can be self-reliant on rides. He told me he likes my work and he definitely wants me back as soon as possible. I want to go back as soon as possible.

So now I'm in need of a truck and a drivers license. I have a drivers permit, and I've practiced driving; only thing I need to work on is backing up. I haven't had much time put into that because it's a very rare occasion that I find a friend with time to let me drive their car. Another thing is I've never driven stick before, and don't know anyone with a stick-vehicle to teach me. I'm really in need of a pick-up truck, because that's what my job ultimately demands anyways.

So my plan is to beg and beg and beg my friends to let me practice backing up and parallel parking with their car (preferrably in an empty parking lot), and then running to the DMV to get my license ASAP. Thing is I've never owned any vehicle, and don't have ANY credit (Capitol One has denied me twice based on the fact that I don't have any credit history). I don't know where to start. Given the fact that I don't have any money right now, things aren't looking so swell.

So what should I look out for? Is craigslist a reliable source? Is it standard practice to have a mechanic check out any vehicle before I buy it? How costly is shipping usually? Do all pick-ups have stick-shifts? Pretty much my goal is to gather up as much money as possible, get my license, and hopefully know what I'm doing so I don't waste anyone's time. Any advice whatsoever would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

Martian · 12-07-2005, 09:50 AM

Re: Your license, I think you have a good plan. Or as good as any, anyway.

To get a truck, I'd recommend going to the bank for a loan if you don't have the money. Get a parent or other family member to co-sign for you, somebody who does have good credit and your lack of credit won't matter.

And no, not every pick-up is standard. Most of the are automatic, these days.

Jinn · 12-07-2005, 10:01 AM

Are you sure that your state/county requires backing up and parallel parking? I know for sure that mine didn't.. I drove around a parking lot, out onto the road for 3 or 4 miles, and back.

Not that I don't think these are critical skills, but you could certainly get your license sooner if you didn't need to practice these.

As for trucks, I think that the good old newspaper is still the best source. Online is alright and car dealerships are alright, but they both have big flaws. Online, you may never seen the car or the seller, so you have no idea what's potentially wrong with it. With a dealership, they're going to push and push and push you.. and likely try to get you into a shitty financing plan. With a newspaper ad, you're getting some guy or girl out there who just needs to sell their car, for whatever reason. Your impression of their honesty can go a great deal in determining if the car is worth what they're asking.

And yes -- DEFINITELY get a mechanic to check it out, if you can. Vehicles are a big expense, and you don't want to waste a bunch of money on one that won't drive reliably. The last thing.. make sure you look up the VIN online.. there's tons of places to do it for free, and it'll tell you about any accidents its been in, etc..

maleficent · 12-07-2005, 10:03 AM

Going thru Craigslist to buy a vehicle - is definitely caveat emptor... i'd take a mechanic with you who knows a lot about cars /trucks and can tell you if it's a good deal or not...

A lot of dealers have certified used cars/trucks... that is - whatever you buy has a warranty with it -- so if in 3 months the transmission goes bellyup - you are covered - going thru CL - you don't have that option.

Just one question -- well one for now anyhow - why a truck? if you are a new driver, why not start with a car - something smaller and easier to manage and park...

CityOfAngels · 12-07-2005, 02:14 PM

Thanks for your replies!

I would get a co-signer, but both of my parents have had horrible credit all throughout my lifetime. As for other family members, I'm not really sure who would be willing to co-sign with me.

I'm in California. I've been told by various people both yes and no. Some say they had to back-up and parallel park in their test, some say they haven't. It's about 50/50 on that one. I know I seriously need to practice my backing-up at least. I've had the chance to practice it about twice, and although I didn't hit anything each time, nor did I come close to it, I was still very nervous, cautious, and therefore slow. Given the current street I live on is so narrow, knowing how to parallel park efficiently would make life a heck of a lot easier.

Ah, how could I forget newspaper ads? Thanks for that tip. :P Never heard of VIN but I'm sure after some google searching I'll be more educated on that subject.

What's the standard practice in having a mechanic look at the vehicle? Do I 'borrow' the vehicle and take it to a mechanic? Do I let the seller take it in and trust whatever paperwork he/she brings back? Or do I have to bring the mechanic to the car? I was never sure how that worked.

I've been debating whether or not to go through a dealership. Thing is I'm looking for something as inexpensive as possible, but is not a lemon. Dealerships in my area are notorious for selling lemons, and I'm sure just about every dealership has inflated prices. So many options; none of them are as efficient as I want them to be.

I've decided on a truck because I work for a property management company. Going in with my friend, my options were limited to what he wanted to do at the time. I hate to say it, but my friend is an uber-slacker, and we've been coming short on some of our jobs because he likes to take 2 and a half hours to go pick up a broom, which is just down the street, and other crap like that. We don't really have supervision (most of the time), so even though he gets away with it, his lack of work reflects badly upon ME. With a pickup, not only will I be able to go get supplies when need be, but I'll be able to carry just about everything I need for each job, whether it be a powerwasher, broom, shovel, ladder; whatever. Also, I'll be able to finish jobs on my time, and be able to call in when I'm done and ask if anything else needs to be done, increasing my reliability.

I guess I want a truck so I'm not stuck as just a powerwasher. I'll be able to do demolitions, construction, and other stuff. My ultimate goal is to learn as much as I can with this job, become known as reliable in what I do, and hopefully make more money because of it. Even though I was able to get to the job with my friend, I was stuck as a powerwasher, or a sander, or whatever HE was doing at the time. I felt stuck; and with him not pulling his fair share and all, I was being made to look bad. It was pretty much the opposite of why I started working there in the first place.

Rodney · 12-07-2005, 04:03 PM

I live in California, and I had to back up and parallel park for my driving test. But that was many years ago. Want to bet that it depends on the driving examiner?

Good luck with the pickup. Buying from craigslist, the newspaper, or a friend is all the same. Basically, don't trust anybody, not even little old ladies.

Line up a mechanic in advance. Ask him how much for a vehicle check and what kind of notice he'd need to do it. Everything else is up to you; whether you borrow the car or whether the other guy brings it in. I'd ask to borrow it; if the other guys doen't want to do that, let him take it over, but go with him. As for the report, that's from the mechanic directly to you. You get the report from him in person or over the phone. (And you make sure, if you weren't there, that the car he inspected is the car you're buying... it's a dirty trick, but it has happened.)

Anyway, if the seller is a prick about getting the car inspected or tries to force the deal quickly without inspection, get out of there. The car has secrets he doesn't want you to know about -- until it's yours.

rlbond86 · 12-07-2005, 04:10 PM

Dunno about your truck thing, but don't get a capital one card -- they're a horrible company and have merciless intrest rates, despite the claims of their commercials.

CityOfAngels · 12-07-2005, 04:16 PM

Thx. That makes tons of sense; get the report directly from the mechanic.

I can't get a capital one card if they don't approve me.

trache · 12-08-2005, 12:07 PM

All you have to remember about driving a stick is this:

Put it in first gear (clutch down, shift stick into first, hehe) and then sit there. Gently lift your left foot and wait until you can feel the car start to move. This is the point at which the tranmission engages, and it is different in every car, and its different because the clutch gets worn differently depending on the driving behaviour of the vehicle's owner (supposedly the one who drives it the most). At this time also, you need to give it a little gas, so step lightly on the gas pedal. If you don't do this, the vehicle will stall because no gas is getting to the engine. The vehicle will lurch forward a bit and die. You'll have to start the vehicle again.

After that, just remember not to red-line the car (if you have a tachometer), or in other words rev the engine too high. You do want to stretch it out, that is, rev the engine a bit, but not too much. Don't shift for the sake of shifting! You'll just ruin the tranmission.

When in doubt, always remember that if you depress the clutch downwards, you are in neutral, just as if you had physically put the car in neutral. So if you're ever in doubt if you're going to stall the car (by not giving it enough gas when it starts to move out of a standstill), just press the clutch down.

I had one hell of a time learning how to drive my father's beat up 1984 BMW 320i manual 5 speed. I now own a 1998 Toyota Tercel CE w/ manual transmission and won't buy a vehicle with an automatic transmission if I can help it, even if it means driving through bumper to bumper traffic at 5 Km/h constantly shifting!

I'm probably a control freak deep down inside my shy self!

Jinn · 12-08-2005, 05:32 PM

VIN: an acronym for "vehicle identification number," is usually followed by "number," a redundancy hallowed by custom. It's a string of 17 digits and letters posted on the driver's side dashboard, where it can be seen from outside the car. Each VIN number is unique and contains a code that gives considerable information about the vehicle, including country of origin, manufacturer, and model year. The VIN system in its current form has been in use since the 1981 model year.

It's a car's version of a SSN. Everything that happened to the car (that was reported) gets attached to that VIN. Likewise, change of ownership, theft, etc.. show up on a VIN check.

And as for backing up; I was super pissed when I got court-ordered driving classes for a speeding ticket, but half the day was spent backing up. They told me the most important thing is to put my non-driving arm behind the passenger seat. This goes against most people's initial thought (having both hands on the wheel) but only one hand is necessary in a low-speed back up maneuver. Putting your hand behind the seat lines up your shoulders and makes your view of the rear perfectly centered. Now, it's just like driving forward, only the steering is reversed. Occasionally check your side mirrors on your blind side (left, for most people backing up) and you'll be glorious. The best way to practice is to find an empty parking lot. Back into a spot, perpindicular to yourself.. That is to say, back up the "lane" like you would driving forward, and turn backwards into a spot. It gives great practice at figuring out how gentle to be.

jwoody · 12-09-2005, 08:18 AM

Is there a used car auction anywhere nearby?

Expensive-car dealers will get rid of unwanted trade-ins through auction.

Cheap-car dealers buy at auction, give the car a T-Cut and a vacuum clean, then sell them on for profit.

Like others have already said, never buy a car without having it checked over by someone who knows.

highthief · 12-09-2005, 05:15 PM

You can probably pick up a decent van for less than you'd pay for a decent pick up, IMO. Pick ups retain their value pretty well and are thus more expensive when bought used.

Rodney · 12-09-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief

You can probably pick up a decent van for less than you'd pay for a decent pick up, IMO. Pick ups retain their value pretty well and are thus more expensive when bought used.

I remember reading a few years ago that any pickup that was running, no matter how old or battered, could be sold for $1500 unless there was some serious known defect. I did some checking in different markets, and that was correct. No pickup sold for less anywhere, no matter how old or high-mileage or how poor the area.

And the bottom line's probably higher now; and in California especially, there is a _lot_ of competition for cheap pickups. From trademen like you who are starting out, from farm workers, and more. And a lot end up heading to Mexico, because old trucks can be bought more cheaply here than there.

So, the van idea might be a good one. Compare prices and see. Of course, if you wanted to go as cheap as possible, buy an old clapped-out minivan and rip out the carpet and rear seats.

jusolson00 · 12-13-2005, 12:24 PM

okay,, not to offend you here,, but are you really 18? it sounds like it when you are talking about this job and your dedication to it,, but then not knowing about VIN numbers, only backing up a vechile a few times, ect..??? That sounds like your awefully young. But I could be and probally am wrong. I am 24 now and have been driving legally since I was 16. Hell dad even started me out in the old stick-shift pickup. Nothing teaches you better than to just get in and "do it"... albeit in a safe non crowed area, ha.

CityOfAngels · 12-14-2005, 07:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, but my goal is definitely to get a pickup. Also thanks for even more advice!

jusolson00 - In the subject I stated I'm 21 years old. If you indeed did see that, well I'm not lying to you; I'm 21. Sorry if I sound 18. :/ It's just when your family is so poor that your parents can't even afford vehicles for themselves, it's kinda hard for them to buy you a vehicle.

thingstodo · 12-16-2005, 08:47 AM

A few things....

My parents didn't buy my first vehicle, I did at 16, a junker that I could saveup for and also be able to purchase liability insurance.

Next, you'll need more than just the price of the vehicle...you'll need to register, get title and a tag. That could be a few hundred dollars.

Which leads me to insurance. Most states won't register a vehicle if you don't have liability coverage. Low credit scores mean higher insurance costs. No driving experience increases the costs regardless of age. You could be looking at $1,000 or more every six months.

Next, it always seems that when you can least afford it something breaks down, especially when you have to settle for a lower priced or older vehicle.

Sorry to bring all this up but learning how to back up is nothing compared to the financial aspects you will need to address. You might think about a different job and just save some money.

Best wishes to you on getting some wheels!

Plaid13 · 12-16-2005, 02:58 PM

Personaly i like the idea of a Van because everything you store is inside and you can get them cheaper then a truck. But one big problem with vans is if your going to learn to drive in one and backing up isnt your strong point being in a van is going to make it that much worse. blind spots are bad and you can hardly ever see behind you in one. But without knowing what you can afford to spend its kinda tough to make any suggestions on what you should do. ask friends or relatives if they know anyone selling a truck or van or big golf cart or whatever will work for you. better off buying something cheap from someone you can trust then getting ripped off by a stranger.

12-07-2005, 08:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	I need a pick-up truck ASAP. I've never owned a car, have no credit, 21 years old. I'll try to get through the back-story as quick as possible: So I started working w/ one of my best friends, for his father's company, and everything has been going good for about a month. Thing is, I don't have a car or a truck, so I've been relying on my friend for rides to the job. It worked out just fine because we both had the same jobs, working as a team. Well yesterday we had a falling out (over something VERY stupid), so now I'm pretty much assed-out for rides to work. I took my bike in to the office this morning and had a chat with my boss, and we both decided it's best for me to come back when I can be self-reliant on rides. He told me he likes my work and he definitely wants me back as soon as possible. I want to go back as soon as possible. So now I'm in need of a truck and a drivers license. I have a drivers permit, and I've practiced driving; only thing I need to work on is backing up. I haven't had much time put into that because it's a very rare occasion that I find a friend with time to let me drive their car. Another thing is I've never driven stick before, and don't know anyone with a stick-vehicle to teach me. I'm really in need of a pick-up truck, because that's what my job ultimately demands anyways. So my plan is to beg and beg and beg my friends to let me practice backing up and parallel parking with their car (preferrably in an empty parking lot), and then running to the DMV to get my license ASAP. Thing is I've never owned any vehicle, and don't have ANY credit (Capitol One has denied me twice based on the fact that I don't have any credit history). I don't know where to start. Given the fact that I don't have any money right now, things aren't looking so swell. So what should I look out for? Is craigslist a reliable source? Is it standard practice to have a mechanic check out any vehicle before I buy it? How costly is shipping usually? Do all pick-ups have stick-shifts? Pretty much my goal is to gather up as much money as possible, get my license, and hopefully know what I'm doing so I don't waste anyone's time. Any advice whatsoever would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

12-07-2005, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Re: Your license, I think you have a good plan. Or as good as any, anyway. To get a truck, I'd recommend going to the bank for a loan if you don't have the money. Get a parent or other family member to co-sign for you, somebody who does have good credit and your lack of credit won't matter. And no, not every pick-up is standard. Most of the are automatic, these days. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

12-07-2005, 10:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	Are you sure that your state/county requires backing up and parallel parking? I know for sure that mine didn't.. I drove around a parking lot, out onto the road for 3 or 4 miles, and back. Not that I don't think these are critical skills, but you could certainly get your license sooner if you didn't need to practice these. As for trucks, I think that the good old newspaper is still the best source. Online is alright and car dealerships are alright, but they both have big flaws. Online, you may never seen the car or the seller, so you have no idea what's potentially wrong with it. With a dealership, they're going to push and push and push you.. and likely try to get you into a shitty financing plan. With a newspaper ad, you're getting some guy or girl out there who just needs to sell their car, for whatever reason. Your impression of their honesty can go a great deal in determining if the car is worth what they're asking. And yes -- DEFINITELY get a mechanic to check it out, if you can. Vehicles are a big expense, and you don't want to waste a bunch of money on one that won't drive reliably. The last thing.. make sure you look up the VIN online.. there's tons of places to do it for free, and it'll tell you about any accidents its been in, etc.. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

12-07-2005, 10:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Going thru Craigslist to buy a vehicle - is definitely caveat emptor... i'd take a mechanic with you who knows a lot about cars /trucks and can tell you if it's a good deal or not... A lot of dealers have certified used cars/trucks... that is - whatever you buy has a warranty with it -- so if in 3 months the transmission goes bellyup - you are covered - going thru CL - you don't have that option. Just one question -- well one for now anyhow - why a truck? if you are a new driver, why not start with a car - something smaller and easier to manage and park... __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

12-08-2005, 12:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
trache Insane	All you have to remember about driving a stick is this: Put it in first gear (clutch down, shift stick into first, hehe) and then sit there. Gently lift your left foot and wait until you can feel the car start to move. This is the point at which the tranmission engages, and it is different in every car, and its different because the clutch gets worn differently depending on the driving behaviour of the vehicle's owner (supposedly the one who drives it the most). At this time also, you need to give it a little gas, so step lightly on the gas pedal. If you don't do this, the vehicle will stall because no gas is getting to the engine. The vehicle will lurch forward a bit and die. You'll have to start the vehicle again. After that, just remember not to red-line the car (if you have a tachometer), or in other words rev the engine too high. You do want to stretch it out, that is, rev the engine a bit, but not too much. Don't shift for the sake of shifting! You'll just ruin the tranmission. When in doubt, always remember that if you depress the clutch downwards, you are in neutral, just as if you had physically put the car in neutral. So if you're ever in doubt if you're going to stall the car (by not giving it enough gas when it starts to move out of a standstill), just press the clutch down. I had one hell of a time learning how to drive my father's beat up 1984 BMW 320i manual 5 speed. I now own a 1998 Toyota Tercel CE w/ manual transmission and won't buy a vehicle with an automatic transmission if I can help it, even if it means driving through bumper to bumper traffic at 5 Km/h constantly shifting! I'm probably a control freak deep down inside my shy self! __________________ "You looked at me as if I was eating runny eggs in slow motion." - Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip

12-07-2005, 02:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Thanks for your replies! I would get a co-signer, but both of my parents have had horrible credit all throughout my lifetime. As for other family members, I'm not really sure who would be willing to co-sign with me. I'm in California. I've been told by various people both yes and no. Some say they had to back-up and parallel park in their test, some say they haven't. It's about 50/50 on that one. I know I seriously need to practice my backing-up at least. I've had the chance to practice it about twice, and although I didn't hit anything each time, nor did I come close to it, I was still very nervous, cautious, and therefore slow. Given the current street I live on is so narrow, knowing how to parallel park efficiently would make life a heck of a lot easier. Ah, how could I forget newspaper ads? Thanks for that tip. :P Never heard of VIN but I'm sure after some google searching I'll be more educated on that subject. What's the standard practice in having a mechanic look at the vehicle? Do I 'borrow' the vehicle and take it to a mechanic? Do I let the seller take it in and trust whatever paperwork he/she brings back? Or do I have to bring the mechanic to the car? I was never sure how that worked. I've been debating whether or not to go through a dealership. Thing is I'm looking for something as inexpensive as possible, but is not a lemon. Dealerships in my area are notorious for selling lemons, and I'm sure just about every dealership has inflated prices. So many options; none of them are as efficient as I want them to be. I've decided on a truck because I work for a property management company. Going in with my friend, my options were limited to what he wanted to do at the time. I hate to say it, but my friend is an uber-slacker, and we've been coming short on some of our jobs because he likes to take 2 and a half hours to go pick up a broom, which is just down the street, and other crap like that. We don't really have supervision (most of the time), so even though he gets away with it, his lack of work reflects badly upon ME. With a pickup, not only will I be able to go get supplies when need be, but I'll be able to carry just about everything I need for each job, whether it be a powerwasher, broom, shovel, ladder; whatever. Also, I'll be able to finish jobs on my time, and be able to call in when I'm done and ask if anything else needs to be done, increasing my reliability. I guess I want a truck so I'm not stuck as just a powerwasher. I'll be able to do demolitions, construction, and other stuff. My ultimate goal is to learn as much as I can with this job, become known as reliable in what I do, and hopefully make more money because of it. Even though I was able to get to the job with my friend, I was stuck as a powerwasher, or a sander, or whatever HE was doing at the time. I felt stuck; and with him not pulling his fair share and all, I was being made to look bad. It was pretty much the opposite of why I started working there in the first place.

12-07-2005, 04:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	I live in California, and I had to back up and parallel park for my driving test. But that was many years ago. Want to bet that it depends on the driving examiner? Good luck with the pickup. Buying from craigslist, the newspaper, or a friend is all the same. Basically, don't trust anybody, not even little old ladies. Line up a mechanic in advance. Ask him how much for a vehicle check and what kind of notice he'd need to do it. Everything else is up to you; whether you borrow the car or whether the other guy brings it in. I'd ask to borrow it; if the other guys doen't want to do that, let him take it over, but go with him. As for the report, that's from the mechanic directly to you. You get the report from him in person or over the phone. (And you make sure, if you weren't there, that the car he inspected is the car you're buying... it's a dirty trick, but it has happened.) Anyway, if the seller is a prick about getting the car inspected or tries to force the deal quickly without inspection, get out of there. The car has secrets he doesn't want you to know about -- until it's yours.

12-07-2005, 04:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
rlbond86 Insane	Dunno about your truck thing, but don't get a capital one card -- they're a horrible company and have merciless intrest rates, despite the claims of their commercials.

12-07-2005, 04:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Thx. That makes tons of sense; get the report directly from the mechanic. I can't get a capital one card if they don't approve me.

12-08-2005, 05:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jinn Lover - Protector - Teacher Location: Seattle, WA	VIN: an acronym for "vehicle identification number," is usually followed by "number," a redundancy hallowed by custom. It's a string of 17 digits and letters posted on the driver's side dashboard, where it can be seen from outside the car. Each VIN number is unique and contains a code that gives considerable information about the vehicle, including country of origin, manufacturer, and model year. The VIN system in its current form has been in use since the 1981 model year. It's a car's version of a SSN. Everything that happened to the car (that was reported) gets attached to that VIN. Likewise, change of ownership, theft, etc.. show up on a VIN check. And as for backing up; I was super pissed when I got court-ordered driving classes for a speeding ticket, but half the day was spent backing up. They told me the most important thing is to put my non-driving arm behind the passenger seat. This goes against most people's initial thought (having both hands on the wheel) but only one hand is necessary in a low-speed back up maneuver. Putting your hand behind the seat lines up your shoulders and makes your view of the rear perfectly centered. Now, it's just like driving forward, only the steering is reversed. Occasionally check your side mirrors on your blind side (left, for most people backing up) and you'll be glorious. The best way to practice is to find an empty parking lot. Back into a spot, perpindicular to yourself.. That is to say, back up the "lane" like you would driving forward, and turn backwards into a spot. It gives great practice at figuring out how gentle to be. __________________ "I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel Last edited by Jinn; 12-08-2005 at 05:35 PM..

12-09-2005, 08:18 AM	#11 (permalink)
jwoody Shackle Me Not Location: Newcastle - England.	Is there a used car auction anywhere nearby? Expensive-car dealers will get rid of unwanted trade-ins through auction. Cheap-car dealers buy at auction, give the car a T-Cut and a vacuum clean, then sell them on for profit. Like others have already said, never buy a car without having it checked over by someone who knows. __________________ .

12-09-2005, 05:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	You can probably pick up a decent van for less than you'd pay for a decent pick up, IMO. Pick ups retain their value pretty well and are thus more expensive when bought used. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

12-13-2005, 12:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
jusolson00 Tilted	okay,, not to offend you here,, but are you really 18? it sounds like it when you are talking about this job and your dedication to it,, but then not knowing about VIN numbers, only backing up a vechile a few times, ect..??? That sounds like your awefully young. But I could be and probally am wrong. I am 24 now and have been driving legally since I was 16. Hell dad even started me out in the old stick-shift pickup. Nothing teaches you better than to just get in and "do it"... albeit in a safe non crowed area, ha.

12-14-2005, 07:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
CityOfAngels Oh shit it's Wayne Brady! Location: Passenger seat of Wayne Brady's car.	Thanks for the suggestions, but my goal is definitely to get a pickup. Also thanks for even more advice! jusolson00 - In the subject I stated I'm 21 years old. If you indeed did see that, well I'm not lying to you; I'm 21. Sorry if I sound 18. :/ It's just when your family is so poor that your parents can't even afford vehicles for themselves, it's kinda hard for them to buy you a vehicle.

12-16-2005, 08:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	A few things.... My parents didn't buy my first vehicle, I did at 16, a junker that I could saveup for and also be able to purchase liability insurance. Next, you'll need more than just the price of the vehicle...you'll need to register, get title and a tag. That could be a few hundred dollars. Which leads me to insurance. Most states won't register a vehicle if you don't have liability coverage. Low credit scores mean higher insurance costs. No driving experience increases the costs regardless of age. You could be looking at $1,000 or more every six months. Next, it always seems that when you can least afford it something breaks down, especially when you have to settle for a lower priced or older vehicle. Sorry to bring all this up but learning how to back up is nothing compared to the financial aspects you will need to address. You might think about a different job and just save some money. Best wishes to you on getting some wheels! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

12-16-2005, 02:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	Personaly i like the idea of a Van because everything you store is inside and you can get them cheaper then a truck. But one big problem with vans is if your going to learn to drive in one and backing up isnt your strong point being in a van is going to make it that much worse. blind spots are bad and you can hardly ever see behind you in one. But without knowing what you can afford to spend its kinda tough to make any suggestions on what you should do. ask friends or relatives if they know anyone selling a truck or van or big golf cart or whatever will work for you. better off buying something cheap from someone you can trust then getting ripped off by a stranger.