Before boot camp

[PHILLYBOI]

Do you guys think it would be a good idea to buy a used car now while still in high school or just wait until all of my training is over and get a pds to buy a car? Also would it be a good idea to take out a loan to buy a car if i decide to wait?

[Phantom Blooper]

What kind of car? How much? Insurance & Fees?

Wheres the money coming from to pay for it?

If you buy one before shipping to MCRD,where are you going to put it?


A loan is a good thing if needed to start a life,however you need a substantial income to pay a loan...willing co-signer? and upkeep and maintenance.Saving a down payment or pay for in cash. If you are thinking about the big bucks from the Marine Corps..remember your obligation to the Corps comes first..i.e. haircuts,uniform upkeep,and those little surprises.

What will you do with it after you have it and shipped overseas. Storage fees. Friends,Family....liability.The answers are yours..no one can answer for you.However those PHILLY ladies may think otherwise!:evilgrin:

[PHILLYBOI]

i was going to save up from my job and hope that my mom puts me on her insurance

[PHILLYBOI]

my moms said the same thing, thank you SSGT.

[sparkie]

Really think twice before loading yourself down with stuff, Wait till you're over the hump, and see what life is like on the other side.

[Phantom Blooper]

Wishing is like shiatting in one hand and hoping in the other.

This has been 15 years ago give or take....but to add my children to my insurance here in NC would drive the premium up $1000.00 whether or not this is still true I don't know and I haven't researched it. Kids needless to say didn't get on my insurance. Scenario....not to say it's going to happen. Mom puts you on insurance..car sits idle 3-4 months except for boot leave. After MCT or school you get it and go. Your fault... other persons fault...accident..speeding..moving violation...moms insurance goes up she gets points on insurance...payments go up..whos screwed?

By NO means am I trying to talk you out of anything..just giving you food for thought. I'm originally from PGH....how about them commonwealth taxes. Buying a vehicle even a clunker is a big responsibility. I have a 2005 Jeep,2006 Solstice and a 2007 35'RV. I can pay for it all or its' paid for. But there is still big bucks responsibility in addition to our living and monthly expenses. Wish you well...but don't rely on mom. Her situation in a year and a half can change. And you are an inexperienced driver. Whatever happens Good Luck!:evilgrin:

[WalkingMan]

Do you guys think it would be a good idea to buy a used car now while still in high school or just wait until all of my training is over and get a pds to buy a car? Also would it be a good idea to take out a loan to buy a car if i decide to wait?

If the Marine Corps wants you to have a car, the Marine Corps will issue you a car. :)

Seriously... you might want to seriously consider waiting until out of high school, through basic and schools, and over 21 years of age.

Between now and then, if you are entering the Marine Corps, you are going to be too busy and too broke (as in no money) to enjoy a car, or to afford the upkeep, particularly the insurance, which is quite high for a person under 21, I suspect, not to mention the cost of gasoline.

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

Honestly, as a Pvt. or PFC money can be a little tight. While you're in boot camp it can be difficult to get your bills paid. You won't be able to have your car with you until you've finished all of your training. If you can manage without the car now, just go ahead and wait until you're at your first duty station.

That said, if you need the car, go ahead and get it. I had one, I left enough money to pay for my car while I was in boot camp and MCT. (And my motorcycle) When I got done with my MOS school I picked my car up and went on about my business.

[PHILLYBOI]

mom already said i wasnt getting on her insurance so I might not, I 've been saving for about 6 months and i have about 2500, I guess i'll just save it, but my point is it gets cold out here i hate catching the bus and I sure as hell hate riding the subway everyday dealinbg with the same jacka**

[BR34]

Hmm, wait till you're walking around in October, sleeves rolled, while it's 40 degrees out. Or going to PT at 0615 when it's 35 degrees out.

Or if you go to bootcamp in the winter time...never been so constantly cold in my life!!!

Better than the Frozen Chosin though. Life could always get worse than it is. Save your money and ride the bus. The more you save the better the vehicle you can afford.

[Phantom Blooper]

When I went to school I had to walk six miles in 2' of snow with newspaper in my shoes to keep from gettin' frostbite,after I chopped wood,milked the cows,slopped the hawgs and fed the chickens. Toughened me up for them Marine Corps humps and gettin' squeezed in the cattle cars!:beer: ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

:evilgrin:

[sparkie]

Nice post Phantom..... I do remember puttin new cardboard in my shoes every school morning to try to keep the snow from coming up thru the holes.I recently checked the miles to High school....7.3 one way,,,,,,there were no busses, and my kids still don't believe me. PHILLIE......take the bus,,, while you got it. And feel fortunate.

[Zulu 36]

mom already said i wasnt getting on her insurance so I might not, I 've been saving for about 6 months and i have about 2500, I guess i'll just save it, but my point is it gets cold out here i hate catching the bus and I sure as hell hate riding the subway everyday dealinbg with the same jacka**

For auto insurance, once you are a qualified Marine, you can join USAA (United Services Automobile Association) and obtain insurance from them. Only military people, their dependents, and a small group of others, are allowed to be USAA members. Cheapest car insurance I've ever had. Homeowner's insurance too.

USAA also has a bank, credit card, and loan services. They know the military and are very easy to work with during transfers, etc. Most of the board of directors are retired military and it seems all of the customer service people are either former military, retired military, or military dependents.

For those who remember USAA from years ago as only allowing officers to be members, those days are gone. Now any military member is allowed to join, and once a member - always a member. (Sound familiar?).

Unfortunately, former military people are not eligible unless meeting certain criteria. Membership eligibility from the USAA website:

* Children of USAA members.
* Active-duty officers and enlisted personnel.
* National Guard and Selected Reserve officers and enlisted personnel.
* Recently retired or separated military personnel.


You can go to www.usaa.com and check out their services and membership eligibility in the non-member area.

[PHILLYBOI]

But Ive seen alot of sh** in my days of taking public transportation, in the subway ive seen people get stabbed, jumped, robbed etc,and its disgusting; rats, homeless people sh**ing and urinating on the sub, plus since its only one type of transportation service in the city they do little sh** like ride pass a stop just because or act like their going to pick you up and then just ride off, especially in the winter time!

[sparkie]

I've seen a little sh1t to... and not in no subway.

[Phantom Blooper]

Kristian,

Your signature says you status best!

PHILLY HAS MADE ME THE MAN I AM TODAY
FROM THE NORTH PHILLY STREET CORNERS
TO THE USMC RECRUITING OFFICE
I WAS HEADED FOR DESTRUCTION
IT CHANGED MY LIFE. SEMPER FI!


Except for the Semper-Fi! it looks like you have what it takes....URBAN warfare.....Don't worry about the snow....PI will be hot when you go....you done it all these years,you can hang until you ship. Then it will be allot hotter in the Iraq sandbox!

Every young man dreams of a car....however sometimes circumstances in life prevent things until a later date. Don't know who wrote this: "I cried because I had no shoes,until I seen a man who had no feet."

Life sucks and it's a cruel world! But,

PHILLY HAS MADE ME THE MAN I AM TODAY
FROM THE NORTH PHILLY STREET CORNERS
TO THE USMC RECRUITING OFFICE
I WAS HEADED FOR DESTRUCTION
IT CHANGED MY LIFE. SEMPER FI!


Suck it up! You can do it!

Here's a ride..the insurance is on your OWN!

:evilgrin:

[Phantom Blooper]

I do remember puttin new cardboard in my shoes every school morning to try to keep the snow from coming up thru the holes.

That really is the truth Sparkie. I do remember those days.:beer:

[nsfdmedic]

You are just starting out, just wait awhile and see whats out there. i had a lot friends when they were overseas that bought cars and had them payed for after a one year tour. just think about it from some one who was there.

[WalkingMan]

But Ive seen alot of sh** in my days of taking public transportation, in the subway ive seen people get stabbed, jumped, robbed etc,and its disgusting; rats, homeless people sh**ing and urinating on the sub, plus since its only one type of transportation service in the city they do little sh** like ride pass a stop just because or act like their going to pick you up and then just ride off, especially in the winter time!

As a Marine, there is a high probability that you are going to be operating in places a lot more hostile than the Philly public transportation system.:)

I live in Chicago and have not owned a car for years, so I either walk or use public transport. No problem.

[PHILLYBOI]

I just figured that a car would make these last couple of months alot easier, ive been riding the bus for a long ime, and I never liked it, but I guess I can stick it out .