car choice

Zemurray · 10-01-2011, 10:01 AM

I'm with bvi on this one. Too much money for a car. Both my wife and I have suv's for daily drivers, which last 8-10 years. Then we have more reasonably priced toys, a couple sport bikes, a 280z, and the new 370z. The 370z is my dream car (practical dream car). Sure, I'd love to have a Ferrari, but there would be no way in he'll I'd spend that much on a car.

sojirovskensi · 10-01-2011, 11:27 AM

Well.. In Texas, houses are relatively cheaper than other states, it usually costs $350k for really nice neighborhood, 2 story, 5 bedrooms, and it's new!

By looking at comments, I would just go with next M3, keep my Z as daily (if my Z breaks down I would have to get wrx or something), and wait until my house paid off then chase for my dream car.
Personally, I have a really bad experience about buying a used-car so I am keeping myself away from another one.

Thanks for all the inputs!

PapoZalsa · 10-01-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemers

I'm sorry but I don't think someone making $150-200k can truly afford the GT3 with insurance and maintenance even if it's not a daily driver. Those kind of cars are for people who own their home out right.

Mt Tam I am · 10-01-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojirovskensi

After your financial status have become stable (bought house, no student loan, 1 kid) and making $150-200k a year, what would you do? Assuming that your wife loves car too.

15 years plan

1. Buy ONE of your dream cars (under $120k, in my case GT3), keep it 15 years and get a DD every 8 years (z/sti/evo.. under $35k)

2. Buy a new M3/Cayman R (~$75k) for DD and trade in every 5-6 years.

Option 2 while paying down house. And in 5-6 years reevaluate your situation. Maybe then option 1.

optiontrader · 10-01-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojirovskensi

my wife makes another 6 digits on top of mine...

If that launches you into the $250-300K a year crowd, you're pulling in $15k+ a month net (at the higher tax brackets)...

You've a house in Dallas, probably low mortgage rate if it's new. I'd lease an M3 for now as a DD, sock $5K a month into a conservative investment vehicle, and in three years buy your dream car outright. The then freed up $5k/mo cash flow can go to maintenance and insurance.

sojirovskensi · 10-01-2011, 03:26 PM

I've done some researches about the maintenance and insurance of GT3, and it varies a lot.
Insurance=3~4k /year
maintenance=1~2k/year
does that sounds right?

BrianMSmith · 10-01-2011, 04:06 PM

I make like $160ish, that's a lot of money if you're single, but that doesn't add up to much with family of 5, 15yr mortgage (big payments) and a good 32% of my income goes to health insurance and retirement savings right off the top. I am a LONG way away from a GT3, about 20 years of 5% income growth...

optiontrader · 10-03-2011, 12:40 AM

If you've just entered the work force, then I can imagine the insurance rates would be around what so say, soji. It's a little less for us old folks.

Factoring that for maintenance sounds right. Figure a couple hundred for oil changes + routine maintenance. U buying new, CPO, or used?

RoshDawg · 10-03-2011, 02:39 AM

#2 wait for new m3 if you like cars as well as luxury or if you're a huge car nut then cayman r!

sojirovskensi · 10-03-2011, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by optiontrader

If you've just entered the work force, then I can imagine the insurance rates would be around what so say, soji. It's a little less for us old folks.

Factoring that for maintenance sounds right. Figure a couple hundred for oil changes + routine maintenance. U buying new, CPO, or used?

I will get new M3 if not, GT3 less than 10k miles on it.
I will have to see the actual spec of M3 before I make a decision because both M and GT3 are my dream cars and want to own them both.

M sounds right for my age because I still have more than half a century to live and it will probably a better idea to invest for future.
If I ever lucked out later on, hopefully drive GT3 before my 50's.

Red__Zed · 10-03-2011, 09:19 AM

I will probably keep on my two fun cars, new one every 6-18 months plan.

optiontrader · 10-03-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sojirovskensi

...M sounds right for my age because I still have more than half a century to live and it will probably a better idea to invest for future.
If I ever lucked out later on, hopefully drive GT3 before my 50's.

Well, it sounds you're on the right footing with the earnings power you've got now; just keep your head on straight, work hard (play hard too!), and keep your priorities straight, and you've a good chance to driving a GT3 WELL before then.

One point I must make: you're dual income right now, but I'm sure discussions on raising your kids will come up, and it'll come down to your preferences. My wife and I came up to this crossroads awhile ago, and talked about her leaving the workforce and becoming a full time mom. It's a decision that I don't regret (except for when I talk about the cars we drive.

). I'm sure you'll both come to a decision that suits you both (We're single income, but I know a lot of DIMK [Dual Income, Married with Kids], that work out their schedules quite well - and one of the bubbas drives a GT2 *cry* ).

Good luck, and enjoy that M!

10-03-2011, 12:40 AM	#23 (permalink)
optiontrader Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Smog Hell, SoCal Posts: 595 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 15	If you've just entered the work force, then I can imagine the insurance rates would be around what so say, soji. It's a little less for us old folks. Factoring that for maintenance sounds right. Figure a couple hundred for oil changes + routine maintenance. U buying new, CPO, or used? __________________ 40th Anniversary Z - 3M Paint Protection Film, CA Legal Tint! (70/40)

10-03-2011, 02:39 AM	#24 (permalink)
RoshDawg Track Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NM / CA Posts: 981 Drives: '13 911 C2S Rep Power: 15	#2 wait for new m3 if you like cars as well as luxury or if you're a huge car nut then cayman r! __________________ \| EVO X MR \| '11 WRX STI \| 370Z SPRT \| 911 (991) C2S \|

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10-01-2011, 10:01 AM	#16 (permalink)
Zemurray Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: La Grange, KY Posts: 117 Drives: 78 280z, 40th 370z Rep Power: 13	I'm with bvi on this one. Too much money for a car. Both my wife and I have suv's for daily drivers, which last 8-10 years. Then we have more reasonably priced toys, a couple sport bikes, a 280z, and the new 370z. The 370z is my dream car (practical dream car). Sure, I'd love to have a Ferrari, but there would be no way in he'll I'd spend that much on a car.

10-01-2011, 11:27 AM	#17 (permalink)
sojirovskensi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 287 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Wh M6 Rep Power: 14	Well.. In Texas, houses are relatively cheaper than other states, it usually costs $350k for really nice neighborhood, 2 story, 5 bedrooms, and it's new! By looking at comments, I would just go with next M3, keep my Z as daily (if my Z breaks down I would have to get wrx or something), and wait until my house paid off then chase for my dream car. Personally, I have a really bad experience about buying a used-car so I am keeping myself away from another one. Thanks for all the inputs!

10-01-2011, 03:26 PM	#21 (permalink)
sojirovskensi Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 287 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Wh M6 Rep Power: 14	I've done some researches about the maintenance and insurance of GT3, and it varies a lot. Insurance=3~4k /year maintenance=1~2k/year does that sounds right?

10-01-2011, 04:06 PM	#22 (permalink)
BrianMSmith Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: secret Posts: 267 Drives: 370Z, Ducati 748S Rep Power: 15	I make like $160ish, that's a lot of money if you're single, but that doesn't add up to much with family of 5, 15yr mortgage (big payments) and a good 32% of my income goes to health insurance and retirement savings right off the top. I am a LONG way away from a GT3, about 20 years of 5% income growth...

10-03-2011, 09:19 AM	#26 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 119	I will probably keep on my two fun cars, new one every 6-18 months plan.