Hey guys and gals, i have been browsing this site for about 18 months (i am a member of vwvortex and have been a member there for over 3 years) and saw a link a while back and have always browsed with interest as i really like the s2k.

I just graduated and was successful in obtaining a job as a recruitment consultant in London (where i am from). I am starting tomorrow and just spent the last 6 weeks with my gf in London, Spain for 8 days and in LA for 3.5 weeks having my last hurrah before i enter the working world.

I studied at UCLA for a year in an exchange from 2003-2004 and i loved my time spent there. I have always wanted to live and work in the USA and at a social event while i was in LA (my cousins barmitzvah) i was talking to one of my uncle's friends who is a successful property developer in LA (owns over 800 apartments and is continually expanding), who offered me a job starting at the bottom and working my way up in his company. He obviously took a liking to me (although i had met him and been round to his house twice and dirtbiked with my uncle's family and his once last year) and is giving me a chance to work for him and wants me to eventually develop the business with him.

I have spoken with all my family and we all think that although things may not all work out as planned, it is an opportunity that i should jump on. My uncle has known him for many years and said he is not a bs'er and i think the only way to go about this is to try. I am only 21 and graduated so it is a year that most people are still in college. I am going to start my job tommorrow as the visa may not pull through and i don't want to put all my eggs in one basket as they say. Also, if i work for this company for the 2 months it should take to get my visa, i should almost reach the $5500 it will cost for my visa.

Well anyway, last time i went to LA i sold my MKIV golf and spent that money on a 2001 Convertible Mustang GT which was a great all american car. I bought it as i wanted the quintessential american experience (i also joined a fraternity, which was amazing - Sigma Pi International).

This time round i am not sure what to do. I still have my 650cc motorcycle which i can use for transport, or i think a better option is to have a car. I need one for when i will pick family up from the airport, weekends etc.

I have lots of friends in my frat and in West LA near to where i will be living, so i may not buy a car for the first 2 months and see how it goes. I could just drive to their apts/ the frat by bike and when we go out i simply will be a passenger, but in a city where you are always getting around, i think i may need one (the job may require me too go around quite a bit too).

So FINALLY down to my long awaited lifestyle question:

I am coming for 18 months to begin with (due to the limitations of the J1 visa that i am about to apply for) and am wondering whether to (A) Buy a car or (B) Lease a car. An example of a salary and scenario is a free apartment so no expenditure + circa 25k salary a year.

What would you guys do? I am leaning towards leasing a new car for 18 months if they do that period of time and paying monthly. I am setting a limit around 350 a month plus 167 a month for insurance, which comes out around $9300 for 18 months on a lease if i could get it at that price or cheaper.

I am looking to buy something sporty and am really thinking about the S2000. I could buy a POS for the year but don't want any problems and want something nice. I am not looking to save that much money this year as it is my first and i will be setting myself up again - buying cheap ikea furniture, cheap tv etc.

The other option is to buy a car around 15-20k and put a downpayment of around 5k and finance the rest.

What do you guys think? Don't be too harsh, this has all come around the LAST weekend before i left LA and i am really excited!!!

Also, there is the possibility that if i apply for the visa it could be rejected, which would suck.

It sucks too, as my dad just leased me my Mazda miata for 2 years here in London (even though i told him i was actively trying to find a job in the US).

Thoughts? opinions?

The s2k colour i want so bad (a members ride from this site, hope you don't mind):







EDIT: A pic of my current ride(s) hehe:

 

Hi LABrit, Normally I'd buy, but since you may only be in the country for 18 months, see if you can get an 18 month lease. LA is a car culture so you will need wheels there.

 

when i lived in southern california, all i had was my sportbike. i was fine. if you have a network of friends, you will always have 4 wheels available to you. In SoCal it will always be warm and sunny so riding year round is a very viable option. if your business requires you travel, ask for a company car. if the answer is no, then research automobiles. if you were to save that ~$9300 for those 18 months then you would have one helluva down payment on owning a brand new car whether you be in London or LA. Since your life is kinda up in the air right now (i know the feeling) it would probably be best for you not to get tied into anything real solid.

plus, bike nights in LA are awesome...LOL

 

well it's a cruiser, and not that fun when it gets cold in the winter nights or mornings...

 

bump.

 

a good leather jacket and helmet and some thick gloves and you will be set, even on a cruiser. invest in some heated grips too. they don't look like they will work, but are amazing at keeping your hands toasty. I rode in ~20 degree weather all winter one year here in KY (my truck had just gotten totaled and was waiting on the insurance check) and the heated grips made all the difference in the world. That, and a bacalava under my lid...

 

Been there, done that. Not a huge fan when it gets too cold.