Question about what to do

[GrandmasterCow]

Ok, as most of you know, I've been on the site since it began, and I've had my good times and bad, especially with the ups and downs of my car. Well, I'm trying to figure out what I want to do: sell it, or keep it. Now i've been back and forth for years, as i keep dumping money and it just keeps breaking. Lots of people are interested, but without the few repairs, nothing works out. I do not have the money for repairs, but I can't take a huge hit because i'm getting deeper into debt, and with a child on the way i need to get caught back up.

I would love to drive my car a bit more and enjoy it but without the money for the few repairs it might never happen. Really only needs a new turbo to be drivable, bumper painted to be presentable. Now I have a few very tempting offers as trades, trucks and awd turbo dsms.

Now here's another thing. I'm considering joining the air force, not only for a means for better income and guarenteed employment, but as a career in a never dull experience. I chose to learn more about the USAF because of the paid education, my uncle used to be a srgnt years ago, i have a few friends in now, and it appeals to me more than the other branches. But at the same time, again, with a child on the way, i'm trying to decide if it's the best thing to do. I work 40 hrs a week now but it's not covering the monthly bills, and with my parents wanting to move soon, both me and my gf would be stuck without anywhere to live.

So I'm asking your opinions: First about the car, as to keep or sell or trade for something else like a truck or a awd car, and also about the millitary choice. Both options keeping in mind a child is on the way due aug 16th.

[Tsar]

Dump the car.

If you join, get married prior so your family will be taken care of. I believe that will also qualify you for housing on base, unless you take the BAH in which case you find your own place anywhere you want to.

I'm sure someone will correct me on whatever I missed.

Do it while your kid is still young, and won't remember moving from place to place, take my word on this one.

[WildBillyT]

In my opinion-

Life always comes before your car. Do not fight to save the car if it will hold you back in the long run. There are plenty of guys out there with great rides and no pot to piss in. Don't be one of them.

[LTb1ow]

Part the car or sell it as is, take the hit and move on.

Can always buy another car later on.

[sweetbmxrider]

get a minivan/family mover. tis life and its coming fast for you it seems.

[ws6 jim]

Your going to have to make the tough decisions soon to set yourself and the family up and give them the security. I had a 2008 of less income moving back home 2 broken cars needing major work and mounting debt etc. This was because of the 2007 decisions i made. 2009 was a year of hunkering down. 2010 is the year ill be debt free!

So make the tough decisions this year work harder and smarter to have better years ahead. Good luck.

[V]

as for the car, its just a car...

and as for a military career... make SURE its what you wanna do. If only i could go back and have a few words with myself right before i signed up.... lol

[NastyEllEssWon]

take the hit on the car and get yourself out of debt. i agree with everyone else when they say life comes before cars. you can always get another one later. i had to make the same choice last summer when presented with a way to get out of my overpriced townhouse and into a bigger house for cheaper, only way to make it work was to sell my car. sucks to do but youll be better off in the long run.

[maroman88]

if u really want the car, put it away until u have extra cash to use it/fix it... my 88 is in hibernation for that reason, ill be selling the TA to pay for school in the spring and the vette will be my primary car

[ryanfx]

sell the car and move on, no questions about it.

[Savage_Messiah]

Put getting out of debt ASAP and anything relating to your upcoming kid before ANYYTHING else.

[Squirrel]

yeah... dont talk to a military salesman before you really look into it if youre serious

[JerzLT1]

PM me if you have any airforce questions, if you have any medical issues or anything like that you can count that out. were not really in need of people, actually trying to downsize so theyre being picky

[91chevywt]

Is demodding the car a possibility? It might not be such a loss that way. About the military, it can be real hard on a family. Its really more dependent on your individual situation and relationship. It would be a good way to support the family

[BonzoHansen]

Any you pay storage for two toys? Really might be time to downsize.

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/48/img0681bw.jpg

Storage FTW!!


I'd argue now you have a child on the way the bike should go for other reasons as well. But that is not the question at hand.

[79T/A]

I'm jumping on the "sell the car" bandwagon on this one, especially since you've got family on the horizon. I made quite a few bad financial decisions in the past and I'm still trying to claw my way back out of the hole. On top of that, I've got a mortgage, a wife, and two sons. If my toys were worth anything, I would sell them to get out of this mess and start over.

As for the military, particularly the USAF, as said above: Make sure you're absolutely certain. I thought you wanted to be in law enforcement?

[mc73nova]

If the car is paid for, I would say to keep it.
If the car is paid for but you could really use the money to pay bills, I would say sell it and pay the bills.
I would have to agree 200% with everyone who says to put the family first. You can always get another car, you only have one life and you have to make the best of it.
I dont have any close relatives in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and so on, so I dont know what it is like but if it demands that it keeps you from being without your family for a while I would reconsider that as an option. For the same reason why I said you only get one life, your child is only young once and while you might struggle, you wouldnt want to miss he/she growing up.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

P.S. congrats on the baby.

[GrandmasterCow]

Thanks so far everyone for the incredible responses. As to the storage unit contents, yes, I will be downsizing and taking care of what I can. The bike I am making payments for so it will stay around, the car is almost definately going. Yes, the car is paid off and I think I will think hard about the millitary and learn as much as I can. I will do what it takes to provide for my family, even downsizing the toys :).

[BonzoHansen]

Good man. Even if a car is paid off, there is still insurance, registration, maybe storage.

[T69SS]

Thanks so far everyone for the incredible responses. As to the storage unit contents, yes, I will be downsizing and taking care of what I can. The bike I am making payments for so it will stay around, the car is almost definately going. Yes, the car is paid off and I think I will think hard about the millitary and learn as much as I can. I will do what it takes to provide for my family, even downsizing the toys :).

Sounds like you have the right idea, dont jump the gun on any career decision and make sure you have your priorities in line. I am going to say what everyone else has already said, sell the car. Dont let it turn into a money pit (which it seems it has) that is going to drag down you and your future family. Good luck with your decisions and congratulations about your kid

[S.J.SLEEPER]

what size turbo you need for replacement to sell car. I have a precision t76. was thinkin about going to an 88mm. let me know

[creeper]

I'm very young so I've never faced decisions this tough, but I would see if you could find someone to trade you their car + some cash, for yours. that way you'd have a toy still and the extra money. maybe try to find a less modded F-body that will still be fun but more reliable and less of a money pit.

about the air force, that's even tougher. if you have a child on the way though, doesn't that mean you'll be away a lot? that'd probably be rough

[NastyEllEssWon]

I'm very young so I've never faced decisions this tough, but I would see if you could find someone to trade you their car + some cash, for yours. that way you'd have a toy still and the extra money. maybe try to find a less modded F-body that will still be fun but more reliable and less of a money pit.

about the air force, that's even tougher. if you have a child on the way though, doesn't that mean you'll be away a lot? that'd probably be rough





im sure he's considered trading down, but when faced with digging out of debt, finding stability career wise and the impending child on the horizon its hard to justify owning toys. the fact that he's considering selling his toys to do the right thing for his future family means he has his head on straight and thinking in the right direction. its tough to do, and unthinkable to some...but maximizing your on hand cash value, minimizing monthly debt/bills leaves you with a bit of breathing room. youll drive yourself into an early grave working 3 jobs just to break even.

[JL8Jeff]

The bike is more of a toy than the car is, but having payments will make it tougher to sell. You can still have an F-body as your main transportation but all the added performance stuff is what is not needed. Maybe trading down to another F-body is an option. Do you have another vehicle that is your main transportation? Selling the car outright will be your best bet to get ahold of the funds you need. But doing a partial trade isn't such a bad idea either if you will still need transportation.

[Mike]

sell the car, use the money to pay off the bike, sell the bike. spend a couple years without all the toys, then start over when you have everything sorted out.

[Untamed]

sell the car, use the money to pay off the bike, sell the bike. spend a couple years without all the toys, then start over when you have everything sorted out.

What Mike said.

Do you / your GF have health insurance? As time gets closer to the August date, she'll need coverage to pay for all of the medical exams and the eventual birth. What you should be doing in this part of your life is making money, period. Toys come later.

My father has a saying - the first third of your life you learn how to make money, the second third of your life is spent making the money, and the last third of your life is spending the money you made.

Do not change careers yet. As morbid as this sounds, you don't know what the future holds for you or your expanding family. Find a way to make money without any permanent changes, then decide what is best once you know what your future will be like.

Lastly... my oldest daughter was born on August 16th. We have two Leo's in the house and so far its working out fine. :wink: