Having a badass car and living with Mom and Dad or having a reasonable car and living on your own? Personally, I always chose the latter. Having a cool car isn't so awesome when you have to take your date back home where mom and dad are. Gotta be independent at some point in time and 18 is the best time to start thinking about it. Regardless, you are going to be stuck with the car you choose for the next couple of years. It also may hinder you financially from finally growing a pair and moving out. Especially working at a body shop where most end up working paycheck to paycheck.