Help me pick my next car/decision!

[theblackbox]

yeah, oh my, you hit it right on the head. omg! someone has something i don't...i better make fun of them.
You ever see someone drive around in a convertible with 90% tinted windows up? guess not.

anyhow, like i said, you could be smart and save, invest, make more out of it, but then again, i'm not your financial planner. go buy one of the three cars, have fun, and at the end of the day look at what you have and decide is it worth it?
Just a little more to add to that. If you take that money, buy a car, you piss away a good amount in depreciation. You down the road might try to resell it, but you won't get nearly what you put in, and you'll lose even more. If you invest, unless something happens to the world in the near future, you go away with a plus. much better then you'd do for a car that will just sit there and take away.

 

[pray4mojo]

You dont really seem to be concerned with reliability and upkeep so I'll suggest the FD3S RX-7.

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: theblackbox
yeah, oh my, you hit it right on the head. omg! someone has something i don't...i better make fun of them.
You ever see someone drive around in a convertible with 90% tinted windows up? guess not.

anyhow, like i said, you could be smart and save, invest, make more out of it, but then again, i'm not your financial planner. go buy one of the three cars, have fun, and at the end of the day look at what you have and decide is it worth it?
Just a little more to add to that. If you take that money, buy a car, you piss away a good amount in depreciation. You down the road might try to resell it, but you won't get nearly what you put in, and you'll lose even more. If you invest, unless something happens to the world in the near future, you go away with a plus. much better then you'd do for a car that will just sit there and take away.

car =! investment

 

[theblackbox]

Originally posted by: pray4mojo

Originally posted by: theblackbox
yeah, oh my, you hit it right on the head. omg! someone has something i don't...i better make fun of them.
You ever see someone drive around in a convertible with 90% tinted windows up? guess not.

anyhow, like i said, you could be smart and save, invest, make more out of it, but then again, i'm not your financial planner. go buy one of the three cars, have fun, and at the end of the day look at what you have and decide is it worth it?
Just a little more to add to that. If you take that money, buy a car, you piss away a good amount in depreciation. You down the road might try to resell it, but you won't get nearly what you put in, and you'll lose even more. If you invest, unless something happens to the world in the near future, you go away with a plus. much better then you'd do for a car that will just sit there and take away.

car =! investment

some cars can be an investment. ask any mopar hemi owner, 67-69 camaro owner, mustang shelby owner, or a bevy of other classic cars. some cars (most) won't hold their worth, especially newer cars that in about 99% of the cases get trashed by their current owner won't. As long as interest holds up in the televised auctions, classics are having a great time making money, BUT, only in a limited market. I wouldn't put big money on a car though when there is way more in life.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: xAMD4Lifex
I'm looking around for a car after saving at a very young age. I drive a 91 Civic right now so this is going to be quite an upgrade for me... I have narrowed my choices down to the Nissan Skyline, Toyota Supra, and Acura NSX. They are all more or less around the same price ($30,000) and are all outstanding cars. Just wanted to see what you guys have to say about the cars listed. (I realize that the Skyline is going to have to be registered, but I can get it done for $3000).

OR

I can just save my money and put it into some long term (short term possibly) security and let the money accumulate while I'm in college and hope that I get something back in the end. I kind of don't want to go this route as you're only young once but if this is going to be ALOT more beneficial for me, I rather have more money to spend once I'm done with school. What would you guys do?!?

Buy something classier. 30K could get you a nearly new G35, IS/GS. You will get over the rice rocket phase before too long.

You already said it - you will get used to the power no matter what you get.

 

[RedArmy]

I too would like to know on how you plan to import a Skyline. The only company that did it was busted a while back for shady dealings and not holding up their end of the bargain...along with ripping off customers. I've always been a fan of Skylines but I gave up on ever getting one due to the whole importation issue and needing to meet OBDII requirements.

 

[DivideBYZero]

STi STi STi.

/Thread

 

[Fenixgoon]

put money into retirement type stuff... compound interest FTMFW

 

[tyanni]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
put money into retirement type stuff... compound interest FTMFW

Seriously. I don't know how much your parents plan on helping you out, but I spent a lot of money during college. Mostly on fun stuff, obviously. It didn't seem to matter when rent was cheap, and there was no end of college in sight. But when you graduate and all of a sudden you need first,last and a security deposit to get an apartment, plus moving expenses, the nice car you have won't seem so great anymore.

Please, save your money.

 

[exdeath]

Of those three I'd say Supra without thinking twice just because it would be the most fun to work on and has the most potential due to the well known bulletproof engine, established aftermarket, etc. Same idea with the LS1s, 5.0s, 03 Cobras, MR2s, etc, you can pretty much find parts anywhere.

But thats just me. I assume you aren't looking to play around regularly at a track that you will just be driving city streets, stop light to stop light, straight roads, merges, on ramps, etc. I'll warn you that no matter what you get, the first time some arrogant ass hat bests you at a light or blows you off the road with ease at a merge when you have your foot to the floor, all you are going to want is more power at your foot. Bling interiors and marginally better handling will be the last thing you care about as neither will help when the pedal is to the floor in vain. Might as well pick a car known for its power potential from the start.

Even if you are happy with it for a while, it's nice to know you have a solid foundation to work with, and the 2JZ-GTE is as solid as it gets.

Just take the power numbers you see all over the net with a grain of salt... nobody claiming 1000+ HP with a Supra is doing that on pump gas... usually its a special 'dyno only' tune running with 35 psi on 115 octane to make impressive numbers on paper, then detuned to 18 psi for pump gas. 600+/- RWHP is a good target for 93 octane =D If only you could buy 115 at your average corner pump...

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: theblackbox
yeah, oh my, you hit it right on the head. omg! someone has something i don't...i better make fun of them.
You ever see someone drive around in a convertible with 90% tinted windows up? guess not.

anyhow, like i said, you could be smart and save, invest, make more out of it, but then again, i'm not your financial planner. go buy one of the three cars, have fun, and at the end of the day look at what you have and decide is it worth it?
Just a little more to add to that. If you take that money, buy a car, you piss away a good amount in depreciation. You down the road might try to resell it, but you won't get nearly what you put in, and you'll lose even more. If you invest, unless something happens to the world in the near future, you go away with a plus. much better then you'd do for a car that will just sit there and take away.

You only live once....you can always make money that you lose. Really, how boring can it be that you saved your a** off and not spending it until you are 65.

If he had the discipline to save that much, I think he should enjoy it. + He's only eating the depreciation + insurance and maintenance. (which amount to 5-6k each year).

What about the risk of taking on investment? What if you bought index funds or stocks and it goes down for a good year or two? Your money is tied up and you gained nothing out of it.

If anything he can always sell the car.

I say, go for the car!

 

[scorpmatt]

AMD... I agree with you that there is something special about the note of the i6, having a few myself....

but, about the 11 second supras, I do know that you are mistaken in this manner. the only reason to hold a supra to 11 seconds is to keep it from needing a cage and other track safety factors. I have seen a few <10 second supras and actually sat in one of them (note: I sat in it, I didn't ride nor drive it. did get to see it run on a abandoned runway, damn thing was beyond crazy.).

If you have this money to blow on a 30k car, then go after what your heart wants to drive.

remember, opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one and ATOT is full of them.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: theblackbox
yeah, oh my, you hit it right on the head. omg! someone has something i don't...i better make fun of them.
You ever see someone drive around in a convertible with 90% tinted windows up? guess not.

anyhow, like i said, you could be smart and save, invest, make more out of it, but then again, i'm not your financial planner. go buy one of the three cars, have fun, and at the end of the day look at what you have and decide is it worth it?
Just a little more to add to that. If you take that money, buy a car, you piss away a good amount in depreciation. You down the road might try to resell it, but you won't get nearly what you put in, and you'll lose even more. If you invest, unless something happens to the world in the near future, you go away with a plus. much better then you'd do for a car that will just sit there and take away.

You only live once....you can always make money that you lose. Really, how boring can it be that you saved your a** off and not spending it until you are 65.

If he had the discipline to save that much, I think he should enjoy it. + He's only eating the depreciation + insurance and maintenance. (which amount to 5-6k each year).

What about the risk of taking on investment? What if you bought index funds or stocks and it goes down for a good year or two? Your money is tied up and you gained nothing out of it.

If anything he can always sell the car.

I say, go for the car!

It?s all about balance like everything else. What happens if you save all your life, never have any fun, and you get killed by a drunk driver or something... there goes your savings just sitting in the bank, and you were a cheap ass and ate all that ramen for nothing!

On the other hand you don't want to be irresponsible about it and screw your future either. One bad move now and you will have that same car 20 years from now when its rusted out and a beater while you live in an apartment and all the people you bested in the short term with a flashy car have left you behind.

But it doesn't hurt to spoil your self from time to time. When it comes down to it, the only thing we actually NEED in life is to be able to eat, drink, sleep, excrete, and reproduce. Anything more than that is considered excess and pleasure.

The best thing to do IMO would be to keep half in savings and spend half on the car. Just the thought of people dumping their entire savings to zero in one lump sum for anything, esp something as disposable as a car, makes me feel uneasy.

 

[iversonyin]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: iversonyin

Originally posted by: theblackbox
yeah, oh my, you hit it right on the head. omg! someone has something i don't...i better make fun of them.
You ever see someone drive around in a convertible with 90% tinted windows up? guess not.

anyhow, like i said, you could be smart and save, invest, make more out of it, but then again, i'm not your financial planner. go buy one of the three cars, have fun, and at the end of the day look at what you have and decide is it worth it?
Just a little more to add to that. If you take that money, buy a car, you piss away a good amount in depreciation. You down the road might try to resell it, but you won't get nearly what you put in, and you'll lose even more. If you invest, unless something happens to the world in the near future, you go away with a plus. much better then you'd do for a car that will just sit there and take away.

You only live once....you can always make money that you lose. Really, how boring can it be that you saved your a** off and not spending it until you are 65.

If he had the discipline to save that much, I think he should enjoy it. + He's only eating the depreciation + insurance and maintenance. (which amount to 5-6k each year).

What about the risk of taking on investment? What if you bought index funds or stocks and it goes down for a good year or two? Your money is tied up and you gained nothing out of it.

If anything he can always sell the car.

I say, go for the car!

It?s all about balance like everything else. What happens if you save all your life, never have any fun, and you get killed by a drunk driver or something... there goes your savings just sitting in the bank.

On the other hand you don't want to be irresponsible about it either.

But it doesn't hurt to spoil your self from time to time. When it comes down to it, the only thing we actually NEED in life is to be able to eat, drink, sleep, excrete, and reproduce. Anything more than that is considered excess and pleasure.

The best thing to do IMO would be to keep half in savings and spend half on the car. Just the thought of people dumping their entire savings to zero in one lump sum for anything makes me feel uneasy.

I would say at most put $4k in an IRA...and enjoy the rest...he had the discipline to save $30k, he can definitely do it again. Money is not a problem...its how you want to live your life.

 

[wasssup]

Why don't you buy yourself a cheap fun car (2007 Civic Si, 2007 WRX, whatever) and save the rest? Buying a used sports car is asking for trouble imho.

I definitely agree with the "you only live once" comment, but maybe wait until you graduate and have worked a few years? I'm 26 and still driving my old '99 civic with 120k miles, I've got a decent chunk of change saved up and have a stable, good paying job so I think I'm ready to splurge on a car. (I would've had a car by now if I could decide between the WRX and TSX)

 

[Cobalt]

Get an E36 M3 and turbo it.

 

[SSSnail]

PAB, is that you?

 

[Kirby]

There is no way that I would spend 30K on a car in college. Hell, I wouldn't get a ANY car in college unless the one I'm driving kicks the bucket. Save it, then spend it when you get out of college and have a job. 30K is a nice downpayment on a house.

<- In college BTW

 

[ballmode]

RX-7 with an LS1 put in.

That should be attainable.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ballmode
RX-7 with an LS1 put in.

That should be attainable.

Why would you hurt such a beautiful car? The rotary engine is a work of art.

I'm not necessarily a fan of it, but I have a lot of respect for the guys that actually understand those cars and can maintain an RX7 with the rotary engine. The turboed ones are what I hold the highest, they require a bit more work and are definitely geared for a car enthusiast.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: ballmode
RX-7 with an LS1 put in.

That should be attainable.

Why would you hurt such a beautiful car? The rotary engine is a work of art.

I'm not necessarily a fan of it, but I have a lot of respect for the guys that actually understand those cars and can maintain an RX7 with the rotary engine. The turboed ones are what I hold the highest, they require a bit more work and are definitely geared for a car enthusiast.

Agreed. Just... no!

I don't particularly care for RX7s myself, but that kind of swap just defeats the whole purpose of choosing one particular car over another. You buy a car for its own unique traits. If you want a LSx go buy a SS, WS6, C5, GTO, etc. No need to trash some other car. But if you insist, at least build a tubular frame, stick a RX7 body kit on it and do it that way. No need to molest a perfectly good original car.

I'm all for exotic swaps and all that, but at the very least keep it somewhat compatible and in the family (Cobra engine in a Focus, 3S-GTE in a 5S-FE Camry, LS7 in a 2002 SS, etc)

BTW, I chose Supra from the original three choices, but if you do decide you want to spend the money on a car and nobody can talk you out of it, give the 2003 Cobra a look.... yeah I'm pimping the Terminator again. Drive one and see for yourself and get addicted =D 25k for a nice clean unabused car and another $2000 for 500+ HP to the rear wheels all doable with hand tools in a weekend by yourself. And a priceless exhaust rumble and supercharger whine that will scare everyone in a two block radius shitless and open the gate to hell in your wake every time you use the go pedal.

Leave any misconceptions and hearsay regarding American cars at the door though; for all its raw power, the 03 Cobra isn't a slouch in the corners either even if it is a bit of a pig.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Also, OP - before you put money into a car, think about something more lucrative you can do with it. See if you can get a condo near your college with 3 bedrooms, find 2 roommates, and use their rent to pay off a mortgage. You have money to put down on it.

This is just an example of something you can do, and something I'd say to think about. I love sports cars and hope to buy something fun someday, but at the same time I don't want to throw money away only to see it be worth half of the original value within X years.