I need money. Now.

[Agent Danger]

Right now, I drive a 1982 Mercedes 300 Diesel named Shake 'n Bake. Shake 'n Bake was my first car, and she has served me well, but over the last few years, she has been declining. She has a tendency to leak diesel all over the place, and although we've had this repaired several times, it comes back after a few months. Shake 'n Bake is fine for running errands around town, but highway driving is out of the question. After I hit 60 mph or so, she starts making strange noises and wiggling her behind in a way that cars shouldn't.

My point? I think it's time to retire Shake 'n Bake. I'm going to school about three hours away from home, and since she can't make the trip, she ends up sitting in the driveway for months at a time, and I have to spend nine months a year bumming rides off of friends, which sucks.

Today, I saw the Most Perfect Car Ever sitting in a parking lot with a FOR SALE sign in the window. 1974 Volkswagen Superbeetle. Metallic plum purple. Brand new white interior. CD player. Bitchin' speakers. $5000 or best offer. I am in LOVE.

Problem is? I have a minimum wage student worker job that I only work during the school year. I don't have a job right now, although I know I could get one if I needed to. My parents can't afford to loan me any money, and I don't have enough money in my savings to buy it. My parents don't want to sell Shake 'n Bake, because they want to save her for my sister (she's getting her permit in November), although I bet I could

Conclusion? waah.

Short of prostitution, extortion, or drug running, what would be the fastest way for me to earn the kind of money I'd need to buy this car?

[Tim Pedersen]

Um, sell a bunch of stuff on eBay?

[Van Jones]

I hate to be the cold, hard voice of cynicism, but if you're struggling to maintain an 82 Mercedes, you might still be struggling to maintain a 74 Volkswagen. I'm not really one to talk, maintaining a classic car of my own, but you might need to live with a boring cheap modern until you graduate to a better pay grade?


Or, start taking the Merc to the local dirt track on the weekends. Race for fun and profit! This could be the start of a whole new career! Or a lengthy stay in hospital.

[Geoff Foster]

If I were you I’d watch Christine and then start thinking about the perils of dumping "Shake and Bake" for another woman after developing a deep, emotional relationship.

[Barkatthemoon]

La$ Vega$ baby. And like Snipes says, always bet on black.

[Chris Miller]

Theres always the legalized form of Prostitution: Waiting tables. Trust me, its a pretty good college job, and its fairly addictive, you'll probably want to keep doing it during the semester. If you really bust your ass , you could probably amass five grand in three months, however, the beetle might not be available by then. Of course, having five grand at the end of the summer can still get you a pretty sweet car. It's a cool summer job since it wont damage your party time, actually, with how most resteraunt workers are, it will probably enhance it. Just make sure you're not tempted to immediately spend the cash you walk away with every night.

[Doug]

Steal it.

[slowpulse]

I'm going to school about three hours away from home (...) and I have to spend nine months a year bumming rides off of friends, which sucks.no public transportation, huh? now that sucks.

[Angles]

1. Get on eBay
2. Start selling Ghostbusters memorabilia
3. Buy car
4. Tell g-dude you're really sorry and......wait, did you say no prostitution?

[Geoff Foster]

Steal it.

I agree. He is, after all, Agent Danger.

If he can't live up to his nickname, he should be stripped of it - IMO.

[Charlie Brigden]

"He" is a bird, Geoff.

[Geoff Foster]

"He" is a bird, Geoff.

I'm getting that Crying Game feeling.

[Mike Arsenault]

Aren't you still going out with g-dude, Agent Danger? Make him lend you his Modified Ghostbusters Herse for the school year!

[billylove]

5k? Sounds a little high for a 74 bettle. Is it cherry? For 5k you could get a semi-low mileage Honda or Toyota and that would last forever. I'd bet money it would last longer than even a cherry bettle. Be cautious of classics. They can be real lemons at times.

[B_MetalSucks]

"He" is a bird, Geoff.
Then why doesn't "he" just fly everywhere???

[Charlie Brigden]

"He" is not funny, Geoff.

[Diva]

Got grandparents? They tend to want to spoil their grandchildren and usually have some discretionary spending money as they are old and can't take it with them when they move on to greener pastures. :P

Other than that, how soon do you need cash? If you have a few weeks, you can do a garage sale (people will buy ANYTHING) or a car wash (hot girl in bikini = kaching) or as some one mentioned, waitressing (can equal lots of cash if you are pretty and in the right restaurant).

The last resort, is taking out a bank loan. Don't worry that you are a student with no credit. No credit is better than bad credit. If your parents have good credit and can co-sign, even better.


Question: If Shake 'n Bake is ready to retire, why the heck is she getting passed down to your sister? Sell the working parts and make some loot!

[JGButler]

Diva's right. Get a Loan. I bought a car from my Mom when I was 17, paid $7800 for it and my payments were only like $198 a month. Like I said - I was 17, had ZERO credit...my mom had to co-sign for me but it worked and it's a very viable option. Not to mention it gets you a vehicle AND builds your credit rating. Win-Win.

[SAIRUS]

If you were a moderately attractive femaile who poses in the ads seen here, then maybe I'd help you out.

[Matt Goldberg]

n00dz!

Sorry. Someone had to post it. It's required by federal law.

[billz]

n00dz!

Sorry. Someone had to post it. It's required by federal law.

Seconded. I'll pay you with kindness and everlasting goodwill.

[Momotaro]

Been five days... UPDATE!