Benz owners under 21? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jsmith · #31 04-01-2002, 01:24 PM

what used to burn me up when i was i my 20's where all these kids just out of college working relatively junior spots compared to myself yet they drove supras and what have you. why couldn't i afford the same cars? because i lived by myself and paid rent! now i really have nothing against rich people and/or whoever has the means to buy whatever car they like. many people have the reverse empty nest problem now because grown up kids stay home because they can't survive out in the real world. i think what Alon is saying may be an oversimplification. someone working part time at minimum wage won't even qualify for a car loan or lease unless they get a co-signer. minimum wage hardly covers food and the rent right? what about the other necessities? what i really think is wrong is that if you live with your parents to save money, you should not be driving a car that has $500 payments - there is just something wrong with that picture! now the parents may not care but i'm sure many people of my generation think the same way...

Holson Adi · #32 04-01-2002, 05:58 PM

I have the cheapest and oldest car (except for that W116 I guess)
a 1983 300CD-T!
So far it's bone stock. However it'll be that way for a while until all the problems are ironed out (even the smallest problems), then I might make some modifications...

I started from driving W124, W210 and finally I chose a W123 as my first car! I see nothing wrong with it. It's just a little odd among all the new cars in school I guess.. (I'm a freshman in college BTW)

I did not pay for it. My parents were quite happy to let me buy a newer car (E320/E420, etc.). I just opted for the CD for a few reasons.

Snowman · #33 04-01-2002, 08:55 PM

I am 18 and recently I came across a dilemma. The S350 my parents had, broke down a year ago and recently it was fixed (had new engine put in). My parents told me that I could choose anyone of the 3 cars: the S350, 500SEL, or the Civic. I thought about this for a very long time.

I drove the S350 also for a couple of weeks. It was nice, I have to admit. I felt real good driving a w140 but in the end it wasn't the car for me. It was big and diesel and slow. I always had to watch out where I parked it because they were plenty of jealous people around.

I decided to make the Civic my daily. Now don't get my wrong or twist around the words ( I am not saying the Civic is in any way better than a Benz, I would never say that) but the Civic matched what I needed at this time. It was small and economical and I could make it look the way I wanted.

I still drive the 500SEL when I get tired of the Civic. I love that car. The fact is so much money has gone into the S350 that my parents don't want to trade it. Same goes for the 500SEL for now. I still want a C36 and along the line somewhere will get it. But for now, too much money would be lost trying to get a Benz of my choice. My heart remains with Mercedes though. Always will

.

Trelinski · #34 04-01-2002, 09:06 PM

I'll be right up there with you when I get my 300SD Holson!

For the record, I am 18, and my dad pays my insurance + 50% of major repairs. Insurance gets cut off if I get more then 2 speeding tickets. So far, so good.

#35 04-01-2002, 10:19 PM

For the record I am 17 Pay my own insurance car payments and repairs it can get intresting.

Trelinski · #36 04-01-2002, 11:06 PM

The thing that would stop me from paying it all myself is insurance, costs me 3 grand a year on the bonneville (Canadian $) and will go up to about 3500 with the SD, its terrible here in Canada, esp GTA

Ali Al-Chalabi · #37 04-01-2002, 11:08 PM

I am now 19.

#38 04-01-2002, 11:52 PM

I just turned 20, and I own a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 190SL (I'm restoring), I own a 1988 300 5 Speed, and I just bought a 1994 Range Rover County LWB. I think I'll sell the rover, and by another Benz...maybe 107. I also look after the other MB sheep in my family

Shaun

#39 04-02-2002, 01:46 AM

I'm 19 now and I've owned about 12 benzes in 2 1/2 years, I own 2 now.

My parents don't help me one bit with my cars or insurance or anything. I am self-employed.

craiggotgame · #40 04-02-2002, 02:57 AM

I am 22. I work in a warehouse and make $11 an hour. It took me three years to save enough money to buy my car. I still had to have my dad co-sign so I could get a loan. I pay $463 month plus insurance. It really gets frustrating sometimes because I really want to upgrade it but it takes so long for me to save money this way. I really want an opera design body kit, chome wheels, lower it, and get a stereo. Oh well I car afford to go get it detailed at least.

jsmith · #41 04-02-2002, 08:14 AM

that's telling it like it is craig...

G-Benz · #42 04-02-2002, 11:13 AM

This is an interesting thread...keep the posts coming...

Being 21 X 2, years old, I can see the generation gap misinformation when it comes to trying to understand how the younger scene can afford to cruise around in MBs (or any other car deemed a high-end marque).

Many of us older cronies remember when PCs weren't prolific, and part-time jobs available were limited to mass retail and fast foods. New MBs were around $20K back then, but still a tall order when you were pulling down $2/hr wages.

With the gas crisis of the 70's, ironically, the Z-28s, Mustangs, Barracudas, and other 60's-era muscle cars could be had for a couple of grand! (Boy, if I could have the cars I passed up back then!)

I have three MBs now, but that acquisition did not occur until I hit 40. I purchased my first new car at 30. And, like some of the younger crowd who made their fortunes during the long bull market, I too, made a few pennies then, as well as lucrative computer contracts.

Bottom line is, I wonder if some of the flamers may be like me, who remember when the ability to acquire something as nice as a late-model MB as a first car was reserved for the well-heeled.

I will have to admit, I felt a twinge of jealousy when I perused this thread, knowing that I would not have been able to do better than a 3-yr old VW at that age. But my hats off to you guys (and gals) for doing so anyway, regardless of whether you worked for it, or it was purchased for you.

The bar is raised for every forthcoming generation, and I'm guessing the next will be buying spanking-new MBs off the lot at 16!

I'm thinking of one for my daughter right now...

#43 04-02-2002, 11:31 AM

A girl I go to school with has a c230 coupe for the week and a s500 for weekends now tell me thats not messed up.

suginami · #44 04-02-2002, 02:02 PM

I'm 33 (soon to be 34) and my experience mirrors that of G-Benz. New and late model used cars were just too expensive for teenagers and those younger than 21. I don't know anyone in my high school who owned one, and there were some kids from affluent families at my high school (I lived on the wrong side of the train tracks).

I bought the 65 chevelle el camino because it cost me $800.

David Klasse is right on about the 16-21 year old crowd being at the lower end of the food chain. Get real. You're in high school or fresh out of high school. Your making relatively low wages because your either new in the work force or going to college and working to survive, or maybe you're starting your new business and investing all of your time and money in your business. I worked 48 hours / week, went to college full time, and made just enough money to survive. I paid for college myself, paid for my rent, bills, car insurance, gas, etc. My income was never enough. I made about $1,600 / month and remember often having $40 left to my name and having to somehow eat for a week (3 meals a day) until the next paycheck. I never went hungry, although I made huge pots of stew or spaghetti and ate that for a week every night.

I don't begrudge anyone young for owning a new or used Mercedes. If you have the money to afford it yourself, I think you're the exception, not the rule. If you're getting help from your parents, I think that's great. I wish mine helped me.

jsmith · #45 04-02-2002, 04:42 PM

suginami and Gbenz

so it wasn't just me. i went back and re-read the whole thread. i always believed that David was a level-headed "kid" (man was i shocked when i found out how old he was - this was awhile back). i saw that he did set some other posters straight. what had gotten to me was one particular post that seemed to imply that you could work part time at minimum wage and afford a $500 car payments. i guess it wasn't saying that exactly and there are a lot of if's right? but i guess you guys know where i'm coming from...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1986 300SDL Question	Marcb	Diesel Discussion	21	02-17-2010 07:17 PM
NOPI NATIONALS Motorsport Supershow - Atlanta - Benz Classes Announced:	NOPIMAN	Events & Gatherings	0	06-01-2004 10:38 PM
benz has lost its way	albert champion	Off-Topic Discussion	8	04-14-2004 07:22 PM