Car decision (sorry another bucket thread..)

So I'm making a future decision of getting a car. As of right now I am being handed a 2004 dodge ram 1500(silver, quad cab, hemi, 4x4) or $5000 for a more fuel efficient car. This will be my first car as I am turning 16 soon. Lately i have fallen in love with the brand new 2012 scion tc release series. With the dodge it has 150,000 highway miles, and rusting a slight bit (dodge of course).

The scion would have a 36 month payment of 295

The dodge would have no payment, just 12mpg....

help me decide!;D

 

I'd go with a car unless you need the hauling/ towing capacity. Though you may want to look at buying or leasing used. Yes, it's not a brand new shiny car, but you will spend less money in the long run.

One other thing you have to think about is the cost of insurance (unless your parents will be paying for it). The scion will have a much higher insurance cost because it is new and with a lease you have to pay for greater coverage than you might get otherwise.

 

i forgot to mention that is the buying payment after $10,000 down

 

Paying out 300 bucks a month is a lot for a teenager! Wouldn't you rather put that money towards other things?

I'd go with the truck, even though gas will cost more and it has a lot of miles. But still, it's free, and I'd want to keep that 300 bucks for fun things

 

Truck all the way.

Several reasons.... yes, the truck will need maintenance, but that is normal for any car.

I also think that when first getting a vehicle, a brand new one that cannot get a single scratch on it is not a good choice for a newer driver.

A nice sporty car in the hands of a young man will be driven like a nice sporty car in the hands of a young man. Not saying the truck won't be, but the chances are reduced, and the lower insurance is the proof of this one.

Lastly, I could never not have a truck. You may think you will never use it, until you don't have it. It always amazes me how much people need to "borrow" my help.

 

your insurance will be sky high until your about 30. You will most likely only be able to afford the free truck after the insurance payments.

 

Thank you guys for all your replies. I am actually a really responsible driver, I've been in quite a few situations not most teens get to go through.(some i know my mother would have went in the ditch). and My dad took me on a expressway headed to chicago during rush hour the first day i got my permit... thanks for that dad... hahaha. ;D

But i am also leaning towards the truck, as i have the past 8 years. This just came up and it doesn't seem like a bad deal at all.

 

Buy a diesel VW.
Reliability, economy, frugal on insurance, take the truck and push it down as a deposit on a nice 2 year old vw.

60+ to the gallon, fuel will just keep going up and up.

 

your right about the gas, i can imagine if something were to happen with that car though, it wouldn't be cheap.

 

Keep the truck. I could never not own a truck. Cars make great secondary vehicles.... after you have a truck of course. That little piece of Scion TC doesn't have anything on a 1500 Ram 4x4 son!