Car vs. Computer

[Nalgas D. Lemur]

So escapists, which you would prefer: a Gaming PC of approximately £1000 ($1600ish) value, or a car of similar value?

I'm closer to twice your age at this point, and I'd still prefer the computer. I live in a city with good public transportation, and I've driven a car all of twice in my life, most recently almost 15 years ago. I've obviously never owned one either. I can get where I'm going without one, and I get a lot of use out of my computer(s), both for work and entertainment, so it's not a hard decision.

Actually, now that I think about it, right now my girlfriend doesn't have a car, and neither my sister nor brother-in-law have ever owned cars, as far as I know. My girlfriend and BIL will each probably get one eventually when they can afford to and have places to keep them, but everyone seems to have had higher priorities so far and has been managing just fine in the meantime.

 

[Rainmaker77]

I've been working out the costs of running my 2008, very fuel efficient car recently, as I was thinking of buying a new one.

I do roughly 15 miles a day, and at the age of 21 with no claims discount and almost 4 years driving experience etc my insurance will be roughly £700 this year.

Driving the few miles a day I do, with servicing (assuming I need no new parts) and MOT, the car will cost me roughly £1,600 a year to run - and it's a mordern car!

A £1,000 car at 17 would cost you so much money to run and maintain just thinking about it is eye watering.

A PC was without doubt the best choice for your wallet, espically if you are in education!

 

[deathninja]

Once you get to Uni you'll have to ditch the car anyway, plus given the retarded cost of pre-25 insurance (I used to get quoted £4,000 for a 1.2 Tipo, and this was 10 years ago) the PC's a smarter choice.

 

[MetalMagpie]

I would say the PC is better value. But that's because I'm 24 and in full-time work as a software developer, and still don't own a car. I get everywhere by train.

(Just for information, I can drive. It's just not very economical in my current situation.)

 

[Rainmaker77]

I would say the PC is better value. But that's because I'm 24 and in full-time work as a software developer, and still don't own a car. I get everywhere by train.

(Just for information, I can drive. It's just not very economical in my current situation.)

To be fair it's not very economical in any situation, there aren't many cheap cars you can get that also have great mileage, even second hand ones tend to be expensive as the lower running costs are very desireable.

I have the worst of both worlds in that I take the train to work, but must also drive to the station.

Just traveling to and from work costs me around £7,000-£8,000 a year, and I'm only 20 with a fairly low paying job.

 

[Sampler]

Car - sooner you start paying insurance the quicker the cost reduces and your no claims build up (presuming you drive like a dick).

My gaming PC cost three time that of my car - I didn't start driving till I was 30 and really wish I'd done it at 17 (instead of buying a component hifi with the money).

You may not regret it now, but in a decade..

 

[Rainmaker77]

Car - sooner you start paying insurance the quicker the cost reduces and your no claims build up (presuming you drive like a dick).

My gaming PC cost three time that of my car - I didn't start driving till I was 30 and really wish I'd done it at 17 (instead of buying a component hifi with the money).

You may not regret it now, but in a decade..

Insurance will go down a lot just due to age. Assuming you've already passed your test (I assume OP has) just being 21, and then 25 will decrease the cost a ton, with no claims simply aiding that.

You could easily not drive until 25 (assuming you passed your test at 17/18), and would have much cheaper insurance than a 20 year old with several years no claims.

I would say though that if you can't drive yet, don't buy you own car - learn to drive in your parents, and then a driving instructors. I am firmly of the opinion that learning to drive as young as possible is the best way to go, even if you tend to be more reckless as a 'kid'.

 

[Edible Avatar]

You should have asked for a bike and a computer. I bought myself a relatively nice ($800) computer with the cash i saved from biking to work (about 2-3 miles away). Plus, you'll have buns and thighs of STEEL!

Spoiler

 

[rodneyy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RLP2GdTN7M

to give people an idea what sort of crap buying a car for a 17 year old man in england consists of thats a top gear vid, if you watch from about 40 seconds in to 6:30 ish you get an idea the costs and hassle. with an added point they were getting to spend £2500.

if you live in a city espically london there is no need to drive. i happen to live close to a big bus interchange, over and underground rail stations. the only people who had cars when i was 17 were girls who had rich parents. even the parts of london that are relativly isolated transport wise you're still not normally more than a 5 min walk and 10 min bus ride from the underground.

even if you do have a car and can afford to run it you have the added hassle of finding parking for it, witch in london is a real pain. then you have to think how much you would really use it. if you can take a bus/train to work that only really leaves the weekends, handy for doing all your shopping in 1 trip but you cant take it out if you go drinking.

at the end of all that the insurance companys have such high premium's for a reason. most boys who get cars at that age are going to crash them at some point. maybe more than once.

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

Yeah. Good choice with the PC. After managing the cost of gas in Europe (About double, or more, than what it is in the USA) And Insurence, and the risk of wreaking, I'd much prefer to stick to a gaming PC.

It's going to be my 16th birthday in a few months, I asked for tickets to comic con instead of a car.

 

[R3dF41c0n]

If you live in an area with good public transportation or can get a ride from someone I'd say go for the PC. I got a computer for my 16th birthday instead of a car but I had to get a car a year later because there is no public transportation where I live.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

A 1600 dollar car is utter crap. I've been there, I've done that, I've been stranded in the middle of the road with a 1,600 dollar car. I would take the computer without even thinking about it.

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

As a dedicated gamer I say... You should have got a damn car! When I was 16 I got a part time job and a moped, and when 17 I got a motorbike. I love games, and got all my consoles for christmas', except my Xbox360 which I bought because I had a job... Couple of years later bought a car to accompany my motorbike! Never regretted any of it! Sure fancy gaming PC's sound great, but as I figure it, I have years to get one! Maybe when I have finally settled down and stopped moving every couple of months with work, but I have never regretted having my freedom! Especially when my friends went off to university, it was great actually being able to see them!

 

[orangeban]

Hmm, well in Britain it depends on where you live. If you live in a city or pretty urban area, a car is by no means necessary. In fact, in the busy cities it's a waste of money, public transport is just as good and is cheaper. In more rural areas I'm not sure.

 

[FamoFunk]

Whoa. You got spoilt for a 17th Birthday.

Personally would of went for the car (although very tough choice) but as you said, you know you made the right decision and that's all that matters. Keep having fun with your PC!

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Well you can walk, use a bike and get a bus all cheaper for young people than driving a car. So between a car in second level education and a PC the PC was probably the better choice.