Justin
I'm a college student and I have a part time job. I have car now but it is a piece of crap and it won't last me too much longer. I want to use the 4k as a down payment for something really nice but I have a couple of tickets on my license and I am afraid of getting smashed by the insurance. My current car is under my father's name and the poor guy has horrible credit so getting the new one in his name is out. What should I do?
Answer
College (young)
Poor
Ticket
No co-signer.
===
You are not give us much to work with. Your best bet is to shop and shop to get a MECHANICALLY great car, but with body that's all beat up. I drive such a car. Here in NYC, cars get beat up (the body) because everybody parks so closely. But my engine and tranny drives like news.
So these kinds of cars are CHEAP (under $4K) but will last another 100k miles (assuming you do your regular maintenance).
====
MSNBC had a news story on where is the best places to buy used cars. The used car dealers were on the BOTTOM of the list. They are pros at negotiations (and you and I are rank amateurs), they are pros at hiding problems on their cars, etc.
The private sales (newspaper, etc.) were the best places. The seller will not tell you all the problems, but they don't know how to hide them.
And a private seller are at MOST they are equal in negotiation skills to you and me.
====
Here's some rules you should consider when buying a used car
(1) don't get sold on the paint job = meaning cars having good exterior, fancy CD radio, etc.
(2) look for car with sound ENGINE + TRANNY + SUSPENSION.
(3) test every button, knob, switch, slider, etc.. Ex: even in the summer test out the heater & even in the winter test out the AC (if you can). Slide the AC/heater to fan1, fan2, fan3, etc. then slid the vent to defrost, front, bottom, etc. Test the high beam, low beam, etc. Test (flip) the visor. Test the alarm. Test all 4 doors. Test the rear defogger.
***** TEST EVERYTHING.
(4) BEFORE the first start, open the engine bay and see if the engine is already warmed up. Many engines starts well when already warmed up, but may have problems when cold (or cold start).
(5) test drive with the sound system off and window down. Listen for weird sound coming from the wheels & suspension.
(6) Look inside the engine bay to see if you can see see leaks, etc. It is normal to see some oil and grease. But too much means that the car is leaking oil somewhere. Too clean (really clean) means they just wash the engine bay - possibly hiding some oil leaks.
(7) check the engine oil dip stick. If the oil is BRAND NEW CLEAN, the seller MIGHT be hiding something. If the oil is jet black and /or smells like gasoline (or burnt), you might have engine problem).
(8) once you are satisfied with the above - you can NOW take it to the mechanic for the engine + tranny + suspension inspection. He won't find everything, but he will find the obvious. Take it to a mechanic EVEN if you are buying from a used car dealer. They cars are NO better than cars you buy from ebay and craigslist.com. Just more expensive.
good Luck...
1) Safety Ratings:
http://www.safercar.gov/
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx
2) Reliability:
http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ra...
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/ratings/rati...
3) Fuel Economy:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Good luck...
College (young)
Poor
Ticket
No co-signer.
===
You are not give us much to work with. Your best bet is to shop and shop to get a MECHANICALLY great car, but with body that's all beat up. I drive such a car. Here in NYC, cars get beat up (the body) because everybody parks so closely. But my engine and tranny drives like news.
So these kinds of cars are CHEAP (under $4K) but will last another 100k miles (assuming you do your regular maintenance).
====
MSNBC had a news story on where is the best places to buy used cars. The used car dealers were on the BOTTOM of the list. They are pros at negotiations (and you and I are rank amateurs), they are pros at hiding problems on their cars, etc.
The private sales (newspaper, etc.) were the best places. The seller will not tell you all the problems, but they don't know how to hide them.
And a private seller are at MOST they are equal in negotiation skills to you and me.
====
Here's some rules you should consider when buying a used car
(1) don't get sold on the paint job = meaning cars having good exterior, fancy CD radio, etc.
(2) look for car with sound ENGINE + TRANNY + SUSPENSION.
(3) test every button, knob, switch, slider, etc.. Ex: even in the summer test out the heater & even in the winter test out the AC (if you can). Slide the AC/heater to fan1, fan2, fan3, etc. then slid the vent to defrost, front, bottom, etc. Test the high beam, low beam, etc. Test (flip) the visor. Test the alarm. Test all 4 doors. Test the rear defogger.
***** TEST EVERYTHING.
(4) BEFORE the first start, open the engine bay and see if the engine is already warmed up. Many engines starts well when already warmed up, but may have problems when cold (or cold start).
(5) test drive with the sound system off and window down. Listen for weird sound coming from the wheels & suspension.
(6) Look inside the engine bay to see if you can see see leaks, etc. It is normal to see some oil and grease. But too much means that the car is leaking oil somewhere. Too clean (really clean) means they just wash the engine bay - possibly hiding some oil leaks.
(7) check the engine oil dip stick. If the oil is BRAND NEW CLEAN, the seller MIGHT be hiding something. If the oil is jet black and /or smells like gasoline (or burnt), you might have engine problem).
(8) once you are satisfied with the above - you can NOW take it to the mechanic for the engine + tranny + suspension inspection. He won't find everything, but he will find the obvious. Take it to a mechanic EVEN if you are buying from a used car dealer. They cars are NO better than cars you buy from ebay and craigslist.com. Just more expensive.
good Luck...
1) Safety Ratings:
http://www.safercar.gov/
http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx
2) Reliability:
http://autos.msn.com/home/reliability_ra...
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/ratings/rati...
3) Fuel Economy:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Good luck...
US Army MPs vs. US Air Force SFs Benefits?
What are the educational and monetary benefits/ opportunities of an us army mp vs. air force security forces personnel? I know that all pay is standard throughout the entire military when only rank is considered (e.g. all E-4s get the same initial pay, but not the same as all E-5s). Any and all information is appreciated.
Answer
The Army moves up in rank faster, but takes rank away faster. I was in Honduras and a guy lost rank for walking outside of a building and he didn't put on his hat. How in the hell do you lose rank for not putting on your hat. That would never happen in the Air Force.
But anyway the Air Force has better housing, food, quality of life, dorms, job, work environment, and is more technical then the Army. It is also harder to get into because it has higher standards.
The Army takes anyone. They also deploy more.
You also need to reconsider being an cop. It is a bad job. It has the highest deployment rate (think about it, what do you need in Iraq and Afgan? Fighters and security. Also to be fair in the AF your work schedule is harsh. You work 5-6 days 12 hour shifts working on the flighline guarding an aircraft. Allll by yourself. It is so boring about twice a year guys kill themselves and it makes worldwide AF news. Or you are checking ID cards all day at the gate. You have to move up in rank and be in about 7 years before you can sit in a patrol car and cruise the base, which is what everyone wants to do. Overall just a crap job.
The Army moves up in rank faster, but takes rank away faster. I was in Honduras and a guy lost rank for walking outside of a building and he didn't put on his hat. How in the hell do you lose rank for not putting on your hat. That would never happen in the Air Force.
But anyway the Air Force has better housing, food, quality of life, dorms, job, work environment, and is more technical then the Army. It is also harder to get into because it has higher standards.
The Army takes anyone. They also deploy more.
You also need to reconsider being an cop. It is a bad job. It has the highest deployment rate (think about it, what do you need in Iraq and Afgan? Fighters and security. Also to be fair in the AF your work schedule is harsh. You work 5-6 days 12 hour shifts working on the flighline guarding an aircraft. Allll by yourself. It is so boring about twice a year guys kill themselves and it makes worldwide AF news. Or you are checking ID cards all day at the gate. You have to move up in rank and be in about 7 years before you can sit in a patrol car and cruise the base, which is what everyone wants to do. Overall just a crap job.
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