10% APR is not very good -- heal, make sure your medical bills are going to be covered and shop around.

As to what you or anyone can afford... realistically, you probably want to shoot for the newest most reliable car you can find where the total cost/value of the car is considerably less than your yearly income after taxes (I don't know if you are noting take home or not -- none of my business either way), not merely whether the monthly payments are theoretically manageable...

Anyway, all that said, I don't know if a 370Z is going to be that car or not.

Either way, make sure your next car something you can afford, especially if you will be looking at a higher insurance rate. Also, keep in mind if anything should change in your employment situation (not uncommon these days), you don't want to lose the car.

I think, continue to shop around. If you find a car you can afford, secure financing in advance from your bank (or a credit union -- they tend to be a little more easy going on their profit margins), and walk in completely certain (or at least as certain as you can be) of where you stand on wheeling and dealing (there's other threads with good advice on this).

Also, if you are looking at used cars -- look for private sellers. Car dealerships are for brand new cars.

Good luck!

I really am digging the new Mustang, even the "low end" 4 banger version has 313hp thats impressive, its the first mustang ive seen in a long time I think actually looks good.

I am sure you are already aware of this but, just in case....:

Lawyers get 1/3 on top. So if you get $99,000.00. They get $33,000.00.
Out of the $66,000.00, the lawyers then deduct their expenses (investigators, filing fees, court fees, interpreters, medical bills, etc.). My point is that most people think they "net" 66%---in reality, it ends up a LOT lower.

Also, note that 1/3 is "If the case does not go to trial". In most cases, the lawyer's cut for a court-case is over 40%.

Just letting you know so that you could negotiate if it's not too late. I am not trying to depress you.... I am actually just trying to prepare you for early negotiations and for what reality is. I have had many SUV rear-end collisions and I feel you.

Again, good luck with you.


"At the end of the day, be grateful that you are still living to be with your love ones!"

Well what can I do? Im not a lawyer I cant do this myself, I just went to them because they were pretty highly reviewed. I have never been involved in anything like this or had to use a lawyer before =/

you'll need a lawyer for something like this... i think he was just trying to tell you that you will initially take home less then what you were probably expecting after all the lawyer fees/medical bills, etc.

That is why I am suggesting a fairly large payout to make sure you are covered.

My goal -

-Not owe $ on medical bills.
-Not owe ANY $ actually.
-Get enough compensation to have a nice sized down payment on another vehicle.
-Pray I dont have brain damage or long term injuries.

Depends on how deep the other party's pockets are, I would aim a lot higher. More like settlement in the 6 figures for pain, suffering, and unforeseen future medical bills.

But again, if he is broke, your lawyer probably would withdraw from the case

How can the other party pay for anything? Hes going to jail, im sure hes probably lost or going to lose his job because of it.

Who/where would the money even be coming from?

i know when my sister was in a accident the lawyer told her she could sue the person directly (put a lien on their house, personal belongings, etc). also we had to get money from our own insurance because the party that was responsible only had coverage up to $25,000 and my sisters pay off for the car was at $30,000 plus medical expenses and things.

The lawyer keeps pushing me to continue to keep getting medical things done. Scans, examinations etc. I feel much better. But I know I cant see inside my head, why would she keep pushing me to do this stuff? My medical insurance (luckly) kicked in yesturday so now I have medical.

dude keep it going, the more you stay on top of these things, the stronger your case gets, never say i feel better, always say I'm in pain. i got rear ended and some kid totaled my Z, I got mri done and everything, I'm going to physical therapy for 6 months, 3x a week, even tho i feel a lot better, i still say my pain is all-time high. NO MACHINE IN THE WORLD CAN DETECT PAIN, so if you say i still have pain, you have pain thats it. your lawyer wants to make your case stronger and stronger so the end payout is ALOT MORE MONEY. keep on pushing it. make your case stronger.

to run up the bill... your lawyer probably wants a higher medical bill so they can sue for more money.

and dude you get hit dead on, all your medical bills , medicine, scans, etc will be paid by the other dudes insurance / out of his pocket. you my friend will not pay a dime. i didn't pay a cent out of my pocket, the other dudes insurance paid for EVERYTHING. the money you get at the end, dude u could buy a 15 nismo in cash .

I just don't understand why running the bills up makes it better I suppose. But ive never had to deal with anything like this before its all new. I would LOVE to be able to get anough for a 370z.... Its like a blessing from god. Things happen for a reason they say.

Hopefully this down time and depression and being car-less will be worth it down the road.