How much was your very first car?

[fla4fun]

1981 Pontiac Phoenix on New Year’s Eve 1982. It was used, with just under 900 miles, hatchback, two tone blue with all the bells and whistles available. IIRC it was around $8,000 out the door - but what I remember was the horrific 27% interest rate they charged since I didn’t have a credit history yet. Despite their bad reputation, the car was totally reliable and I kept it for 13 years, long enough to pay it off and save up the car payments each month afterward so I could pay cash for the next car. That interest rate put me off of ever financing a car again . . .

 

[mel&me]

75 Camaro, Paid $600 for it.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

1994 Mercury Topaz in 2004. It was $1000 with no safety, as is. We had to replace one tiny hose for 20 bucks and managed to safety it immediately after that. Best first car a college girl could ask for. Every time there was a problem, my father could fix it with a 25 dollar part. The air conditioning still worked, and it came to me with under 100,000 KM on it, even after 10 years.

We ended up selling it 3.5 years later for $900, safetied.

 

[nene0182]

$1200 for a 1991 Chevg cavalier in 1999. I drove it until I bought my first brand new car in 2003 and have only had new cars since then. We did just buy my son his first car, a 2012 Ford Fiesr for a little over $7k.

 

[mrodgers]

About $19,000 brand new in 1995. I didn’t really have much of a credit history, but I got a promotional financing deal by presenting my formal job offer. The credit manager complained that he didn’t make any commission (the whole dealer participation thing) but said it was his obligation to do it.

Wow, $19k in 1995, that's a heck of a first car, LOL.

My first brand new car was $9999 in 1992 just 3 years earlier.

My first 2 cars were hand-me-downs from the parents. My first purchase was an 85 Ford Escort in 1990 when I graduated from school. Paid $3450 I think.

 

[amberpi]

My first car was a couple of years old Nissan Maxima hand me down from my mom in 1996 so I don't know the cost. The first car I bought was a 2003 Cadillac CTS. Loved it until I fell in love with German cars. I'm a terrible driver. I shouldn't have been allowed to buy the cars I've owned/own. I haven't driven in months though, so I'm winning.

 

[bcla]

Wow, $19k in 1995, that's a heck of a first car, LOL.

My parents didn't believe in used cars except maybe as hand me downs between family members. They helped me with the down payment (might have been around $6000), although I did have money saved up from a summer/part time job. I financed it for 48 months at a special rate, and my monthly payment was around $330. Payments were pretty affordable with my new job.

The car served me pretty well, up until it was stolen. It was actually kind of notorious for being a thief magnet. I think newer cars with RFID in the keys are harder to steal. I also got a pretty nice insurance settlement after it was recovered. The adjuster said it wasn't worth repairing after it had been stripped/abandoned, and I'd already bought another car.

 

[MIGrandma]

Our first vehicle that DH and I bought when we got married was a 1976 Chevy 4-wheel drive pickup truck for $4500. Now they cost more than what we paid for our house!

 

[Patio]

1978 black Chevy Monza 4 speed hatchback for $2900......had to teach myself how to drive it

 

[Dan Murphy]

1978 black Chevy Monza 4 speed hatchback for $2900......had to teach myself how to drive it

Just had to give you a quick shout out, Patio, haven't seen you in ages. Great to see you.

(Back on topic now)

 

[nancygirl1]

I bought a 1972 Olds Cutlass in 1981 for $1000

 

[disneychrista]

Not sure on the year but I think it was 1984 Mercury Lynx. This is the same car as a Ford Escort which later I also owned. And even funnier is that this become the Ford Fiesta which I currently own.

 

[North of Mouse]

Wow, showing my age/generation, but mine was a 1966 Chevy Sport Impala 2 dr. for $2,600 (new). It was silver - loved that car!