pay for it, and I have had a few minor accidents. I drove a Duragno for 6 months prior to the Z so I guess it wasn't my "first" car but pretty close. In all honesty I don't reccommend it. At 17 our insurance rates are too high, and Z's cost a lot to maintain, nevertheless, upgrade. If you wnat to get it, go for it, but it's not easy to do.