All right guys, here's the curse of my situation- I am a College student, therefore I basically have no free cash, although I do work many hours a week while maintaining decent student status. I REALLY want to pursue a 2 week, 4 credit trip to Ecuador next January, however, it costs approx. $2,500. After tuition, rent, etc. It will be pushing it to even consider affording it, but what an amaizing opportunity!!- Now, for the vehicle situation:
I currently own an '82 GSL in beautiful shape and immaculate running order. I also recently sold my winter station wagon, so this is the only car I own. However, I cannot drive it in the winter; it costs $45 / month for an unheated garage for winter storage, and the real kicker= my uncle purchased the car in 1983, and stored it every winter since, and completely babied the car mainntenence wise until about 2 1/2 years ago, when he said I could have it. Immediately I spent close to $5,000 on it simply making it new again (too much to list, but all major rebuilds or replacements, such as engine work, radiator, carb. Oil cooler lines, have new clutch,exhaust, clutch slave, brakes, tires, I just can't even begin the list here) -Which were huge chunks of change, especially when saving all the time for tuition, etc. As you can see, I am basically obligated to keep it. He will be fairly dissappointed unless I sold it to someone that has respect for the car, and not some punk with daddies money. I need to get a car that I can drive in the winter, but $$ , boy , I'm just confused!?! I really want to pursue so much more in education, but selling it would be like dumping the girl of my dreams for a job opportunity or something......Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I'm sorry if I sound like a negative complainer!!!! Whew, thanks-
Gary

 

hmm... when do you have to pay for the trip?

it sounds like a great time to do what you can to get a summer job (or two) and STOP spending money on extra stuff... WIth several months advance planning like it sounds like you should be able to do that...

A lot of work, and not as much socializing, but it sounds liek the car and the trip mean enough to you, that you'll be glad you did that part. Besides, the more you're working the less time you have time to SPEND $$...

 

Sell blood, at 4 pints a time, you could probally get the money in a couple months... or sell a kidney, you can live on one... Id rather do those things, than sell my car

 

Does anyone fell that it would basically be "impractical" for me to keep the car? Or is it really worth it. Also-IF it is, how do you make an Rx7 better in the snow?!

 

I have a 1st gen winter car and I live in Canada.
It works perfect done like this:
165 70 14 Motomaster Snow tires for mud and snow all the way around Canadian tire sells a 3inch spring lift kit, install all the way around.
Thats it, Enjoy
BTW I have tried to throw the car but it wont budge it just stays stuck.

 

Buy a $200 rusting out beat up honda... it'll last forever... and will get good gas mileage.

 

dude. whatever you do- DON'T SELL YOUR CAR. PLEASE. OR SELL IT TO ME FOR 1 GRAND.

heheh

 

If you must sell it, make sure what you sell it for can cover most of that trip... but with such a gem as a 1-owner 1st gen, it's worth keeping if you can possibly pull it off

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT drive that car in the winter. It's been stored every winter of it's life, keep it that way. Not only does that increase it's value to someone who cares about these cars, but it keeps the car in better shape, so that hopefully it'll last *another* 20 years.

I agree with the "buy a beat up old wreck for the winter*.. but if money is tight, you might not be able to. What I'd do, as both a fellow student and a rex owner is this.

1. Drive the car until winter and store it. See if you can't borrow the money for storage from your grandpa or someone you know who would lend you the money.
2. Get a clunker that would get good gas milage, drive it in the winter.
3. Get as many or as high-paying summer jobs as you can, and save money like crazy.

Basically save the 2500 for the trip yourself, and try to borrow what you need to store the car and get a clunker. Try to earn as much of it back before you leave if you can, but if not, family usually realizes how important these things are and can wait until you return to work and pay it off.

Especially if they see you working your *** off for the trip and car storage, they'll be more willing to fork over dough because they see your determination. Your grandpa is probably the guy to hit for the "I really wanna keep the car and not drive it in the winter" cash for the clunker, because he obviously knows what that car means to you as a family pass-down and whatnot.

Best of luck to you, I hope you can get it all together.

Jon

 

*** sorry, I meant uncle, not grandpa... my friend got his car/money from his grandpa... my mistake.

Jon

 

Keep her! It's a family TREASURE! =)

Good luck on the storage and trip and all that.

 

Here is my advice: Skip the trip now. If it really means selling your car, it is not worth it. I don't care what kind of car it is, you need transportation. $2500 is a lot of money to you right now. Believe me, when you are done with school and have a decent job, you'll be able to afford a nice trip to anywhere you want if you are still driving a 20+ year old RX-7. The trip now will get you nothing but a cool experience. Yeah, you'll learn a lot about the country, but that will get you zero in the job market which is why, I presume, you are going to school in the first place.

As for the car in the winter, that is up to you. If you are able to keep the salt off it constantly, then get some snow tires and you'll be fine. But, for the cost of snow tires and all those car washes, a beater would probably be better. Save on insurance as well.

 

Ah.. but a 4-credit trip to Ecuador!... Man, 1. it's worth credits to get you through school and is a *hell* of a lot cooler than taking some lame 4-credit course like home-ec
2. It's the trip of a lifetime. School trips are always somehow different than trips you take later on... Education vs. Vacation I s'pose

If you can swing what I suggested, do it. I know what trips like that can mean, but if you can't, choose the car over the trip for sure.

Jon

 

I assumed the $2500 is on top of the 4 credits the course costs. Plus, figure another $500 for spending, food, etc.

Yes, a trip for a class is different than a vacation, but there are tavel guides and programs that are similar.

I agree that if he can swing it, take the opportunity. $2500 shouldn't be too hard to earn over hte summer, but I don't know when payment is due.

 

"Canadian tire sells a 3inch spring lift kit, install all the way around."

oliver... were you joking????

if not you gotta post some pics of that lifted rex!...

-greg

 

Thanks to all of you~ I really appreciate all the advice, etc. and I'm pretty sure what Im' gonna do is bust my A$$ even more to try to reach both goals. Yes, Jon, I do agree in a sense that my family will be able to see how much both the trip and car mean, and will probably help out. I guess I just never lean on that as an "insurance" policy to my decisions, but it is there. And, as my grandpa always said-"Always set your goals high, because if you consistantly make it at least half way to your goal, you are better off than the person that does reach there goals that are set low..."

Now, does any one have a rusty honda?!

Thanks again-
Gary

 

Are there any fine chics in Ecuador? If yes, proceed with plans to ditch the seven. If no, take 4 weight lifting section this coming semester.j/k

I dunno if this 4 unit trip is worth $2500. Being a college student myself, I use to copy text book for classes b/c they were so expensive. No, I didn't bring my "textbook" to class. I'd just read ahead. BUT I DO NOT, REPEAT DO NOT THINK YOU SHOULD SELL A CAR FOR A TRIP!! Just skip it, and focus on your edumacation. You can get all your bling bling later.

 

Skip the trip. I've been to Ecuador. You won't miss a anything. Except air conditioning, running hot water, indoor plumbing, and people who take showers daily, as opposed to once a week.