Reality Check: When? How? What? Owning a luxury sports car

"B_dol" (bdolan40)
08/16/2013 at 17:05 • Filed to: None

Like many car-obsessed couch racing junkies, I have far fetched grandiose plans of owning the sports car of my dreams. Of course, it would be parked safely in my garage with my beater $2000 craigslist daily driver out front.

Fortunately for me, this is not as far fetched of dream as it may seem. I make a decent wage, I save money, and given a decent return on investments I could have some serious disposable income in the next 3-7 years.

My short term goal looks a lot like a used Cayman-R or new generation Cayman S (green color and all)

The pipe dream is this, not wavering in that at all. Mclaren MP4-12C

I realize most people are far too practical and uptight to even undertake such a purchase, but I want to hear from those living more by the seat of their pants.

1. First off, do any Oppo readers out there own a supercar or legitmate luxury sports car? If so, at what age did you acquire it? New/used? What was your journey to ownership?

2. Do any Oppo owners have short or long term plans to acquire their dream car? When? How? What?

Many of us out there daydream about it, I want to hear the plans of people stashing away $$ each month and scouring craigslist for that pre-owned steal of a deal. For now, I'll just keep dreaming.

DISCUSSION (70)

moarpowerr > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 17:11

Don't know if you saw my post earlier but I said that I promised myself that I will own a V12 powered car in my lifetime. It might be when I am a little older and have stashed away enough money to buy one, but I will get it. It will definitely be a used, but well maintained, model because as we all know about the smaller displacement/forced induction bandwagon all the manufacturers are hopping on. And the current V12's are crazy expensive. A Cayman R would be sweet, they are pretty lively cars. That said, a new cayman has the benefit of warranty...

Sn210 > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 17:17

Kinja'd!!!

I fall in the second category. Right now, I'm saving for a garage, because I've got to keep it somewhere right? My biggest problem is my bucket list is 75 cars long, so I'm going to organize it by price and obtainability and go from there. I plan to start with a first gen mr2, or a mid '80s Trans am. Eventually, by the time I hit midlife crisis, either a Ferrari 550 or 456. The craziest car on my bucket list is a Rs200, who knows...
My savings plan is my employer's stock purchasing plan (15% match) and a strict budget.

Joe_Limon > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 17:19

I'm a 25 year old Mechanical EIT, with an eleven year old son and a fiancee on medical leave. Cash is painfully tight, but I'm optimistic for the future. Provided we have no more kids, I will have an empty nest before I am 35, and my fiancee will be in fighting form again (hopefully pursuing whichever career she chooses to decide). Also our mortgage will have been closing in on its half way point, so I can really start saving for something fun.

Until then, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for potential entrepreneurial enterprises to kick-start so wealth into my pocket.

delete-me-please123 > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 17:26

"legitmate luxury sports car" does an M3 count?

I bought a two year old M3 (E36) when I was 19, that was pretty bitchin.

Went overboard a couple few years later with a 911 (996) sided by side with an XK8 drop and a 29 foot sailboat.

Life happens and I'm rocking a Z3 now. I think a Boxster or Z4 is next. The plan is for a Ferrari 355 if things go well in the next few years while I rebuild my credit. I don't have much in the way of savings or investment returns, just a decent salary. Will you be my financial adviser?

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 17:38

Owning a Porsche Cayman BASE would be the huge for me right now. It would be like owning the fastest car in the world. My world. But that is what I would want. Cars over 15-20K do not exist because that amount of money is so hard to imagine. The dollar amount and horsepower figures are not real because I do not have that much money and have never ridden anything with that much horsepower haha.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Joe_Limon
08/16/2013 at 17:40

11 months old? Not judging though.

Anyways we need to organize some jalopstyle kick start business ideas.

Joe_Limon > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
08/16/2013 at 17:43

Nope, years, fiancee is a year older then me, and had him when she was 15.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Joe_Limon
08/16/2013 at 17:50

OK just curious. I have dated women that are older than me since I was 19 haha. Currently my gf is 7 years older. One chick I was interested in had a 8 year old son when I met her and this was years ago with a similar age difference. So I would probably be in the same boat as you. Different situations.

What is an Mech EIT? Auto tech? Aviation? Heavy machinery?

B_dol > delete-me-please123
08/16/2013 at 17:54

Sounds like you have had quite the stable. Were these spur of the moment things or more calculated purchases?

Vizzini > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 17:54

Not sure if these meet your criteria since they are not in the McLaren class, but:

1. Acquired a 1997 Porsche 993 in 2004 when I was in my mid-30s. 50K miles or so. It was my daily driver until this past January. Loved it. I was lucky; I had a car allowance that partially paid for the car.

2. Acquired a 2006 Porsche 997 this past April; 60K miles or so. Got a kiiiiiiiiller deal on it somehow, and paid for most of it with insurance money from my old 993 (black ice and roadside trees are bad for the car, but create opportunities for new additions to the garage).

The upshot is that I have felt like Billy Joel married to Christy Brinkley for almost ten years now. A lot of hard work, some good fortune and some dumb luck have kept me in my dream car(s) for a long time. Note that I have always bought cars that were well broken in. No way could I have ever swung this financially with newer cars, but the want was strong, so I have been willing to accept more thorough seasoning in order to bet my butt in the driver's seat. I have never been disappointed.

Joe_Limon > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
08/16/2013 at 17:55

I have a 4 year mechanical engineering degree, but so far only about 2.5 years of experience. In Alberta I need 4 years of work experience before I can call myself an engineer and get a PEng designation.

B_dol > Sn210
08/16/2013 at 17:55

Agreed. That was my number one concern car shopping last year. There are just too many options, and it is hard to get out and test drive them all. Once you hit upon something special, bond between man and machine... you'll know it.

B_dol > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
08/16/2013 at 17:57

Obtainable goals are the best kind. Just far out of reach enough to really need to save/stretch for, but realistic. They Cayman is doable for the average, thrifty man. Careful on the used market though

B_dol > Vizzini
08/16/2013 at 18:01

You sir have great taste. Porsche's more than fit this category, note that the McLaren is pipedream. May I ask the kind of profession and lifestyle you led up to purchasing the cars?

I am a bit younger than you, but determined to own something truly spectacular by 30 (my FR-S fits that bill for now).

Long Live the Longdoor > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
08/16/2013 at 18:12

I completely agree! That is kind of my car end game, a base Cayman (or Boxster) of today's vintage. The slowest one I can find. Why? Because for me, driving a Porsche is going to be more spirited than anything else I'm used to driving AND you can use more of its power, more of the time. I really just can't justify spending so much more money for a Cayman S, 911 etc. etc. I can, however, justify buying the base Cayman because it looks and sounds AMAZING! Plus, I'll also need to save that money I would have spent on a better model, for the maintenance :S

Vizzini > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 18:21

I'm so boring ... I'm an attorney, the kind who's married and has kids and a mortgage and not much else in the way of frills. The whole Porsche chain started shortly after I made partner in a small firm and one of the perks was the modest car allowance. Without that, I would probably have no story to tell. It was fantastic to realize a childhood dream, far sooner than I had any reason to expect.

Keep working hard and spending/saving responsibly, and you will reach your goals. Don't let other great or important things in life slip by for the sake of that particular dream, though. The cars will always be out there; there is no need to live way beyond your means just to get something amazing by a particular date. By the same token, you may find that you need those set-aside funds for something else important in your life (house, education, wedding, medical care, etc.). You will get there eventually, and in the meantime, the FR-S is a great place to spend your time until then.

delete-me-please123 > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 19:07

Kinda neither. It was almost 'just because I could'. It wasn't spur of the moment, but it definitely wasn't because I knew I could afford it. I was living just beyond my means.

B_dol > Vizzini
08/16/2013 at 19:16

Well spoken and thanks for the advice.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > Long Live the Longdoor
08/16/2013 at 22:14

Exactly. Our thoughts are aligned. Got 25k you can spare?...dang me either.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > B_dol
08/16/2013 at 22:56

I bought my first boxster when I was 23, not sure if that counts (2nd at 25.) Now I'm driving a 550i, kind of want to get an 03ish m5 next, I hate idrive that much but want a bit more power. I actually got my first boxster and the 550 from the local porsche dealer, when I was looking I found the boxster there, it was 1st owner, some old guy who just drove it on the weekends, mint condition. The 550 was a dd, but again, took perfect care of it, all dealer records, etc. A good friend's dad is a 911 aficionado who is my target "seller" - he babies the crap out of the cars, doesn't drive them hard at all, and trades up every 3 years or so. Just do your research and you can find some damn good deals on slightly higher (~60k) mileage cars that are in great shape. Only downside is you almost exclusively have to go through the luxury dealers since that is where they get traded in. If you let the used guys know what you're looking for, you can get a damn good deal (they made <$500 on the 550 for example.)

(also have my wife's x3, an mr2, grand wagoneer and 3 bikes. If I sold them all I could probably get something pretty badass...)

B_dol > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
08/16/2013 at 23:30

Nice! Boxster does indeed count, i'll give you credit since the new model is much more car than the former generation.

And I agree, the used car search is one where you need to do your homework, and be patient. Deals are out there to be had.

What kind of work are you in to have two porsche's before 25.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > B_dol
08/17/2013 at 09:29

IT consulting. worked my ass off since I was 18 and hopped jobs a bunch until I ended up somewhere I could climb the ranks quickly

kitchenaire > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
08/20/2013 at 01:45

What kindof bikes?

RedWriter7 > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 02:18

I'm 29 years old. About 10 months ago I bought a CPO 2007 997.1 Turbo 6 speed with Sports Chrono with 35k miles. I've owned a 2005 Subaru WRX STi since 2005, and still drive it 3 or 4 days a week and the Turbo the rest. Always been a car guy. Put a lot of work into the career the last 7 years or so and it's started to pay off. I was going to get something new like an M3 sedan (white with comp package), C63, Audi TT-RS, etc but then saw what league of car I could get by going used. Before landing on the 997.1 Turbo I spent months trying to decide what to get. I had huge lists (new and used), Pinterest boards, etc. I was afraid of having an out of warranty expensive/high performance car, but once I discovered Porsche's CPO program I was in. No regrets. Great car to drive everyday. Insanely fast, beautiful, comfortable, fun, and while it was not why I bought it, pretty practical for a weekend road trip for 2. (2 or 3 duffels, 23.5mpg, and 380 mile range) Bought it in Austin and drove it back to Boulder over 2 days. Would have regretted my choice pretty quickly if I had made a bad one. I didn't.

TheHedberg > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 02:55

I'll put a different spin on this: I'm 23 years old, and have bought and sold a 360 challenge stradale.

I started a generic IT business in my late teens, mostly due to the fact that I had dropped out of engineering at uni (Australian for 'college') and needed something to do.

Fast forward 3 years to my 21st birthday, and I was now bored out of my mind with IT work. I sold the business at it's market value, and that happened to be enough for a 360 CS plus change to start a new project. So I did exactly that.

After doing the obligatory rounds of friends and families houses to show it off....it got old. Noisy. Uncomfortable, and even though I love the 360 shape, a few too many people had sat in it and said "oh..... i thought it would be nicer inside..." or words to that effect.

I racked up 5000km in it and got a service. $3500 later and I was totally over the whole 'supercar' thing. Maybe if I'd stumped up extra cash on a 430 I'd have felt differently, but whatever. Live and learn.

I still love cars. Petrolhead through and through. But owning a ferrari wasn't everything I thought it would be. It got me a whole lot of male attention, and not enough female attention, not to mention a whole bunch of other misconceptions I'd had (give me a break, I was stupid...)

Here we are, present day, i'm 23 years old and driving a blue focus rs. I fucking love it wayyyyyyy more than the 360. More comfortable too.

cartapacio > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 03:04

I love cars but dirt bikes give you more for less. I'm on the mission of owning a new crf450r converted to supermoto.

Cars are passion but motorcycles are life changing.

RPM esq. > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 03:07

It's certainly no McClaren, but I bought my dream car: a garage queen (very low mileage, impeccable condition) E46 M3 with just the mods I wanted at 27, 22 months out of grad school, despite being neck deep in student loans and a new mortgage, plus a kid. It just took a decent salary plus attention to a budget—not crazy tight, just making sure there's room for all the bills. The downside is that while the debt is manageable, there's not much cushion in case I wanted to leave my job or make another big change. Now I'm trying to scrape together a winter beater budget.

Adam > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 03:20

Ferrari 360 Modena F1, MY2004, bought earlier this year after selling my M3 and begging the wife for almost 2 years. Almost bought a lovely TdF Blue 456 GTA, but mechanical report found it was running on only 5 cylinders. Still, a V12 Ferrari with rear seats for both of my young girls would have been pretty special, although I am still in love with the 360 and kick myself every time I take a look in the garage and see it. DD is a 19 year old Holden Commodore inherited from my recently departed dad, I'm sure he's proud I have the Ferrari in the garage though.

Tim Tom > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 03:44

I had IS-F for 11 months until I realized I am sacrificing too much for the car and got rid of it (I would not sell it so easy but I had an opportunity to sell it as 2 year old car with 35k miles for almost the same money I paid when I bought it as 1 year old with 10k miles).

Since then, I rent for the summer. This September I will have the new Boxster from Avis Prestige for 109 EUR/day, and I will drive it from Slovakia to Cot'd Azur, I have a very nice apartment with underground parking in Monaco for 3 days in Monaco through airbnb, and 2 more 3 day stays near Nice and then in God forgotten village on the italian shore, 12 days of rental - 1300 EUR, airbnb fees - 700 (Monaco is 100 a night, but it is directly above the docks), gas - 700 - 1000 (depends on the pressure I will put on the gas pedal), and about 300 or 400 more for food and such. 3500 EUR for a 11 day trip is a lot. I could have very exotic and very luxurious vacation for that money. And I could have the same amount of fun if I would stick to Austria/Germany/Luxembourg (cheapest gas in EU, with the sense of luxurious city comparable to Monaco), but I always wanted the weekend in Monaco in a good car, to taste the cherry on top of life for few days, to have something to remember for the rest of the year busting balls at work. I do not feel the need to own an expensive car anymore when I know I will enjoy one for 2 weeks each year, but I will enjoy it probably more than I would be able to enjoy such cars if I owned one.

gCo987 > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 03:52

28 year old Alternative Energy (slightly ironic maybe?) Research Scientist here. Bought a used '07 Cayman S in February of this year after doing a ton of research on an FR-S/BRZ. Found this thing for about 34k used (M/T, well taken care of, decent mileage, single owner, clean title, fully loaded with everything but PASM and the leather lined dash) , when the BRZ Limited was going for about 32k new at the time. Easily the best car I've ever owned, if not not the most practical.

I figured why buy the Toyobaru (test drove it and enjoyed it btw), which I just know I'm going to want to add a turbo to, when I can get the Cayman and call it a day? The major difference of course being insurance costs, but that was something I was willing to deal with for the car. Technologically, the only thing I missed was Bluetooth for hands-free calls, but the aftermarket is there for a reason. As for maintenance, in my 6 months of ownership the only thing I've had to do for the car is an oil change I went in for this week, along with having them check out an issue with not being able to use the auto-fill on a gas pump.

They actually put me in a 2014 base Cayman as my loaner, and while I feel the car absolutely looks better both inside and out, I can definitely confirm that there is a little something lost in their transition from hydraulic steering to electric. It's still much more lively than any other fly-by-wire car I've driven, but I find myself missing that extra bit of feel every now and then. On the other hand, even though I love me a good M/T, I have to say this PDK transmission is freaking fantastic. I find myself manually downshifting on every corner approach because 1) I LOVE the mad crackle this thing makes when it rev-matches at about 5-6k rpm going into 2nd, and 2) I don't have that lingering fear of screwing up a heel-toe, killing my clutch just a bit faster than I'd like. I really wish they had given me a CS as a loaner just so it would be an apples-apples comparison, but part of me is really considering a move to a 987.2 CS when these cars start appearing on the used market a few years down the line.

McSchmalex > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 04:38

Being in the Army over the last decade has shunted me into some shitty living situations (deployment overseas for most of my adult life)

One upside of this is that I have been forced to save money. A lot of money. I have a healthy retirement savings, so I feel less buyer's remorse. At age 27 I have on order a 2014 Audi S4, monsoon gray with a 6 speed manual and torque vectoring diff. Picking it up is one of the first things I plan to do when I set foot back in the USA after this stint in Afghanistan.

I strongly considered not getting a new car that is going to total somewhere in the neighborhood of $55,000 once it is all said and done. I was considering a cheaper beater as a daily driver that is functional (small to midsize truck ie Ford Ranger, or beige Japanese hatchback) and then have something else silly, loud, fast, expensive, and flashy on the side for weekends or what have you. This car would have to be no more than $30,000 before taxes. My short list is as follows:

1) Mid 90's/early 00's Porsche 911, or newer Cayman

2) Stupid loud Fox body Mustang

3) Stupid loud 'vette

4) E39 M5

5) E46 M3 Convertible

The eventual conclusion I had was that I, being 27, will have the following decision to make in the morning as I stroll out to the garage:

Drive the boring slow ugly daily driver.

Drive the sexy fast awesome weekender.

Hmmmmm...

I decided things would end up with the weekender being my daily driver and my daily driver would be the occasional grocery getter, but would mostly sit in the garage and require an insurance payment every 6 months. In the mean time I would be paying maintenance costs on the weekender because I would drive it all the time.

And so I settled on a new Audi as an all the time car. I may live to regret this. Someday I will grow up and probably have a slow practical car. Someday I also want to have an awesomely fast, flashy, sexy, loud toy that I drive on the weekends. I am going to continue to sock away money for this eventuality. What will probably end up happening is I meet a nice girl, get married, have 5 kids, and buy a mini-van.

McSchmalex > Vizzini
08/20/2013 at 04:48

Much agreed.

for many years I drove a Mazda MX-3, then a beater Subaru Outback, then a beater Nissan truck.

Eventually I had an adult job and could afford something nicer. So I sprung for a certified pre-owned Honda Civic. What a great car. It never broke down, it was great on gas, maintenence was inexpensive. It was so boring to drive and I hated it.

But I drove it for 6 years, all the while saving money and building up things like retirements funds and savings for a house down payment.

Next year I am getting an Audi S4 and it is going to be awwwwsssommeeee

Fauxe > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 05:42

Once I finish my PhD and get my first proper job, I will get a Cayman S. Of course it means that I will have to part with my Gen5 Celica GT4 :( Somewhere along the line I will buy a GTR/Vantage and go on a Eurotrip before I can finally settle down be content. :D

ZeGermanPwa > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 06:37

I'm 24 and work a real estate manager in my own company. I do not have kids or a girlfriend/wife so I can spend my money on whatever I want. I dont really know if this even counts as luxurious or very sporty but I picked up a new Boxter (Base) this april. I got a pretty good discount on it and in Germany, when you buy a new car and register it through your company, you dont have to pay sales tax on the vehicle which overall saves you another 19%. So all in all I ended up spending around 47 grand on my dream car with all the extras I wanted.

aygfiefkus > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 07:27

I've owned some nice cars over the years; BMW. Infinity, Mercedes but I have always dreamed of owning a real exotic, I guess like every one of us does. Last year I decided to at least look for something used and I started at a Ferrari/Maserati dealership. I really didn't know much about Maserati, they really weren't even on my radar screen until I saw and fell in love with the GranTurismo. They had a beautiful 2008 with only 6,500 miles on it. I test drove it, and loved it, but even though the price was great compared to a new one, it was still a lot of money. So I started to walk out the door until my wife stopped me and said "Go for it!". Which I did, and couldn't be happier. Everything I do is usually for my wife and kids, but this is without a doubt, the best thing I have ever done for myself.

Kinja'd!!!

PardonMyFlemish16 > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 07:41

I am playing the ladder game...

A lot of cars have bottomed out in price... I am thinking my progression will look like this: 350Z (which I have now), Z3M/Z4M coupe, Cayman S or 997 C2S

These cars have pretty much bottomed at ~15K, 20-25K and like 35K for decent examples. I can find ~10K every 5 or so years and the Porsche would be my last purchase for years.

Turk > cartapacio
08/20/2013 at 08:08

Totally agree (though I'm behind schedule posting).

I have a GTO bought with 30k miles when I was 24 yrs old. It was a commuter and weekend toy all in one for the last 6 years. I broke stuff on the track and had marathon repair sessions through the wee hours sometimes, but made it to the track at least 3-4 times a year and only had to carpool to work when I was waiting on parts in the mail. I was tempted to go the Vette or other, lighter, toy + commuter route, but figured I was married already, kids was happening sooner or later, and I might be happy I kept the 2+2 someday.

Now I have a kid. And a track bike. I'm very close to getting rid of the GTO and getting a generic pickup to haul the bike to the track. Especially if I get a racing license, it's hard to have better bang-for-buck in weekend toys than an actual, competitive, race vehicle like my Suzuki (once I put a bit more work into it). Seriously, I could throw everything I want at this SV and even with initial purchase price AND the cost of the folding trailer, it'd still be cheaper than a rough high-mileage boxster. If I swap the trailer and the GTO for a pickup truck, then my family can come to the track also, with cash to spare for a little pit bike for the little gearhead.

afaik > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 09:07

driving a 2011 STi. It is neither a sports car or a luxury car, but it was a car I have wanted to own since I was a wee lad. Being able to buy it new provided a unique ownership experience that has been great. I bought that car when I was 26, I was single with really only my own expenses, which werent significant. Plans were to pick up a 997 Gt3 or a v12vantage but with a house being a higher priority I am probably going to go add an s2000, which is another car I have always wanted, and shouldnt affect house hunting prospects too much. If we are talking pipe dreams, we here in canada can import cars when they are 15 years old, so I am hoping Zondas have depreciated to under a quarter mil by then, and my has appropriately risen to make that viable.

AnimeMecha > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 09:10

In this same spot right now - been kicking around the idea for about a year. My finalists are a C6 Z06, 911 C4s(997) and a GT-R. It's been painful looking at tradeoffs between each - the GT-R would be better if I held off for a '12 with the HP bump, but those are still too expensive, the 911 is tough because to get into the price point it ends up with a lot of miles or pre-997, and while the Z06 is probably the easiest to buy in the price range, I still get hung up on the interior. When buying a car like this that will not be a daily driver and that I will probably keep for quite a while the decision gets that much tougher.

GARedE34 > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
08/20/2013 at 09:38

Nice garage sir. I traded (well, technically sold) an E60 535 manual recently for an '03 Dinan M5. I actually miss iDrive, Logic7 more so, but just prefer the styling of the E39 and it's been my semi-reasonable dream car for years now.

To the point of my post though: Can you tell me about Grand Wagoneer ownership? By and large I hate SUVs, but something about those wood panels evokes this Hamptons-esque dream world of mine. I think they ooze class and I would actually drive one occasionally. On the flip side, I've heard they're wildly unreliable, and from what I've seen the good ones are getting more and more expensive. What's it been like for you?

John Ross > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 09:56

Setting goals is important. In 1968, when I was 11, Dad bought an aluminum head L89 '68 Corvette. He died two years later of cancer and left it to me, telling me he didn't want me to drive it on the street until I was 17 and had one year of legal driving under my belt (I was racing 100cc class motocross at that time.) I kept the oil changed and would get it up to operating temperature every week.

Two weeks before my 16th birthday, while I was at school, my mother sold the car for $2500 and put the money in my bank account. She'd been told by a cab driver that I would kill myself in it. I didn't speak to her for a week.

A month later I bought a '65 Chevy II SS for $375, an L88 crate motor for $1360, a Fairbanks Clutch-Turbo for $280 from a guy parting out his wrecked drag car, and had everything delivered to the motorcycle shop my uncle owned. This was in 1973. "Decent" Dawson widened the stock wheels, and the tires were recaps from Jack McCoy in Modesto, CA, capped with a compound that gripped like nothing I'd ever seen. It took almost three months of nights and weekends to get the car done but I made a bunch of money with it. Eventually the doors got hard to open from all the violent shifts that twisted the unibody. No cages in those days...

Almost a year later, a week after I turned seventeen, I bought a one-way ticket to NYC to pick up a 1969 Phase III Corvette with 60,000 miles on the clock from Joel Rosen at his shop on Sunrise Highway in Long Island, Motion Performance. I made some money with that car too, on the Chicago Skyway, running the black guys that hung out at Harry Dawg's place, the Tuff Rabbit Lounge.

At age 23 in 1980 I set a goal of having a net worth of $1 million by age 30, and went to work at EF Hutton. I left Hutton and started my own investment firm in 1986. During the time at Hutton I bought a 1966 427/425 Corvette that I kept until 2007. My DDs in those years were 4WD Toyotas.

In 1998 I had a really good year and bought a 1996 Viper GTS which I put Porsche endurance racing brakes on and raced for a season in the Supermodified class of the Michelin Challenge. I was Eastern Region Champion in Supermod in 1999.

In 2000 I had a stroke that left my right side paralyzed for a while, I lost my three biggest clients, my income dropped by 90%, and my wife cashed out. Since then, it's taken me a bit to get on my feet financially, but I'm back now.

I'm now a member of The Club at Putnam Park in Indiana, and have bought a Superlite Razor (similar to an Ariel Atom, but much stronger) and am building a Superlite Coupe (SLC). The SLC will weigh 2600 lbs., has a Ricardo transaxle out of a Ford GT, and an LS 442 inch motor with individual throttle bodies that dynoed at 740HP @6500 and 655 ft.-lbs. torque @ 5400. My current DDs are a 1998 C43 AMG and a 2007 Jeep GC SRT8. I bought the Jeep new with proceeds from the '66 Vette.

I don't know if any of these qualify as luxury supercars but here's my advice on getting the car (or whatever) of your dreams:

1: Set realistic goals, and work towards them

2. Pay cash for everything. If this is a problem, revise your dreams downwards. A track Miata that's 15 years old and paid for is much more fun than some pizza-pan special that's about to be repossessed.

3. Buy used for the most part, and buy cars you can afford to get fixed. That way, you can drive them HARD without worry.

I am including pics of the Razor and SLC.

Kinja'd!!!

TheMadSciontist > cartapacio
08/20/2013 at 09:59

Came here to post similar.

Ducati. They're gorgeous (museum pieces, at times), decent handlers, and amazing sound. And the drop on prices for older Ducs is unbelievable. Plus they don't take up that much space in the garage- or living room.

magman007 > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 10:02

I bought my e46 m3 when I was 22, in 2008 and the car was MY 2002. It was still a 30k car with 49k miles on it, and I had a $600 a month car payment, but it was excellent, worth it, and I was still in college, so I just had $600 less a month for beer.

AnimeMecha > McSchmalex
08/20/2013 at 10:41

Thanks for your service! I think an S4 is a pretty sweet way to get the best of both worlds - you have a comfortable ride on a daily basis and when you want to get a bit more spirited with your cruise on the weekend the car is right there with you. Be safe over there!

CalmerThanYouAreDude > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 10:48

Growing up, my dad instilled in me a healthy love of four-wheeled metal toys. I would join him at every car show I could and we would wax poetical about what cars we would buy and how we would tune them. He always had classic car books and Porsche magazines lying around the house. For my birthday last year he and I went to a Porsche dealership and test drove a list of cars I wish I could afford.

Now my company is doing really well and I'm finally in a decent financial point and once I'm done saving up for my upcoming wedding, I'm planning on buying my dream car: an '89 Porsche 911 in black with turbo styling. I'm going to start saving for it in December and I'm hoping by the end of the summer I'll be able to buy it.

I've been dreaming about this car for years. At every car show I see one, the sulty 80's style curves give me a feeling in my loins. I can't wait to satiate what some would call my irrational insatiable desire.

Nimrodical > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 10:57

Right now I'm struggling with either a 2008 Cayman S or 2007 ZO6 Corvette. I'm 6-1 250 and 49 years old so I'm leaning towards the Vette. (Old, heavy, stiff back, ugh) Bottom line is I really wished Subaru would stop messing with us and release a true STI-BRZ just to confuse me a little more.

CaptMarvel > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 11:06

I'll ask the same question many have asked. I'm not sure what qualifies or not. Does a muscle car count? My big car purchase was more in the vein of Muscle car than Sports car.

I am 29, and recently had an unexpected heart surgery. This knocked me for a loop. As such, I wasn't able to drive for nearly 6 months. In that time I sold my car in order to tackle some of the medical bills. I felt like my freedom had been taken away.

After the 6 months, as a celebration of life, and wellness, I decided to get a car that I have always liked. I got a used Dodge Challenger SRT-8The car is a beast, and is just so much fun to own and drive.

I firmly believe in a balance in life. Sometimes that balance requires you to simply live, and do what you enjoy. And, if the thing you enjoy in your life is a nice car, then all the more power to you.

One day you could be laying in a hospital bed thinking about a lot of things you still want to do in life....

Kinja'd!!!

TheBlackKeys > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 11:06

My friend, if you already have an FR-S, you definitely have Porsche money already. Although the purist may disagree, I'd tell you to look into a 996 (911/1999 - 2004) model years. They are definitely bottomed out on price at the moment, and they are an amazing car. I have one, mainly for weekends and such. But, I can not wait to get into it. It truly is a fascinating car.

You could easily find a 60k mile one in the $20-$25k range. And, can probably get them down on price quite a bit. The great thing about buying a used Porsche, is knowing that the previous owners more than likely took really great car of the car while breaking it in. And, now it's time for you to tear it up.

BamaSS > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 11:21

Had a new Miata when I was 25. Not really luxury, but way better than anything else I'd owned up to that point. Sold it at age 30 and bought an RX8 GT (6MT). Again not luxury or "supercar" by any standard, but it was fun-as-hell to drive - 95% of the experience of owning a supercar without the expense (not counting the 12MPG on premium gasoline part!) Nowadays I pootle around in econoboxes with the family. Some time about 15 years from now (right around when the kids are done in college and I retire) I guess my 2nd mid-life crisis will kick in and it might be fun to get an old Porsche or Jag. Either way, I'm glad I got the fun/fast car bug out of my system early, in case I never get the chance later on.

Jetboy > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 11:54

I bought a MY96 SVX in good shape on the cheap. Admittedly, it's not a sports car. However, it's plenty sporty for daily use and an awesome grand tourer in the classic sense. Swap transmission, tune the engine, uprate the brakes and suspension and Bob's your uncle. You can use STI parts and have your shop machine the really special bits. Maybe you want classic GT (and that includes sportiness) and not a sports car. It's like good alcohol: aquired taste.

ZimFreak > Vizzini
08/20/2013 at 12:25

I've always wanted a used Porsche but it seems like maintenance and repairs would be crazy expensive, especially at that 50k mile mark, where things start to go. Is it not that bad or did you just get lucky?

ChrisFF > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 12:26

Great topic. I’ll have a go.

I have been a full-bore car geek as far back as I can remember. I came from a upper middle class family in Socal but my parents instilled in me a very strong work ethic. In high school, when I’d complain (like a spoiled teenager) “my friend just got a new ____. Why can’t I have one?” My dad would say “you want it, go work for it”. Coupled with a love of cars, I was immediately motivated. I saved for years to purchase my first car, a ’73 240Z and only got worse after that.

My first dream car purchase was 28. It was a 2 year old ’94 FD RX-7 with 10K miles. I had just been married and spent most of the prior year away on a work assignment out of state, again saving prodigiously. When I returned home, it was my present to myself. I loved that car dearly but it cost a fortune to maintain due to constant failures. I sold it 4 years later.

Dream car #2 was my first Porsche; a 997 Carrera S Cabriolet. I purchased it 2 years old with 12K miles for 70% of new. I should have kept saving as I got bored with the convertible aspect quickly. I like to track and a convertible was not the best tool.

Dream car #3 and current love is a ’10 997.2 GT3. This is the car I never thought I would own. Most people I know think I’m crazy for buying it but I honestly don’t care. It is the most amazing car I’ve ever driven and I still smile every time I open the garage. It was 2 years old when I purchased it with 2K miles on the clock. Purchased this one for 75% of new. It still amazes me that someone else paid a huge chunk of cash to drive the car only 2K miles. In the same time frame, I’ve put 16K on her. If you’re going to own a car like this, it’s a sin not to drive it.

Vizzini > ZimFreak
08/20/2013 at 13:00

Yeah, the 50K/60K mark is a major milestone for just about any car. Mine both had their service done before I bought them. It can be a factor in the selling price of a car in that mileage range.

Regular maintenance is a must, of course, as it would be with any car, and parts can be expensive. A standard tuneup is a bit pricey, but you don't have to do major work very often. If I had not wrecked my 993, I would have replaced the suspension this year as everything was pretty worn out. Beyond that, and the occasional tuneup and tires every couple of years, I handled everything else (oil changes, alternator regulator, window switches, hood struts, etc.). The old 993 was pretty robust, and there is an absolute wealth of information online on DIY work, much of which is beyond my particular skill and tool sets.

The 997 is a little less user-friendly for DIY, but the online resources are out there for it as well. And it, too, is fundamentally robust. These are not your father's (or grandfather's) fun but fragile imports. I'm not convinced Porsche ever really fit that mold in the first place. They must be maintained, but they are fundamentally well-engineered (sometimes over-engineered) modern cars. Fifty years of producing the same car ought to be good for something (yes, everything post-993 is basically a new line, but the engineers have that long heritage to draw upon and seem to know what they are doing).

Your mileage may vary, of course, but I'm not afraid to drive my car every day. I have done so for the past nine-plus years and expect to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

CDNSTIG > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 14:10

The answer to this question is Porsche 996.

It does everything most super cars do for less than the cost of a new Hyundai. Sure dealers and mechanics will try to rob you blind, but basic maintenance can be done by anyone with Google and a few metric spanners. Parts are expensive, but as stated, most repairs are labor costs, not parts. Do it yourself!

Sure, there is the fear of IMS bearing ... but I'd suspect that most of those have already failed by now, and I believe the problem is over exaggerated to begin with.

My 996 is going on 70k miles and has been utterly reliable after years of service. My brother just informed me his 70k mile Nissan Altima, half the age of my 996, just sucked debris from the cat in to his engine and took it out to the tune of $6000.

Porsche. There is no substitute.

CDNSTIG > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 14:10

The answer to this question is Porsche 996.

Sure, there is the fear of IMS bearing ... but I'd suspect that most of those have already failed by now, and I believe the problem is over exaggerated to begin with.

Porsche. There is no substitute.

B_dol > gCo987
08/20/2013 at 14:33

Thanks for the reply! Hits very close to home with the Cayman/Toyobaru comparsion

B_dol > CDNSTIG
08/20/2013 at 14:36

Like many have said before, there is no way to silence the desire to own a Porsche, except by owning a porsche for some period of time. There is no substitute

B_dol > Adam
08/20/2013 at 14:37

Awesome! Have any pictures of it?

Adam > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 18:04

Kinja'd!!!

Got up at 5am last Sunday for a drive while family was asleep, managed to get a couple of nice shots as the sun was coming up near a reserve in Glenelg, South Australia. Light was just right, I love the rear end on this thing.

Forgot to mention, as the original post requested, I am 34, a specialist surgeon in training in the Australian public system, the base salary is actually quite woeful but the amount of overtime I do is astronomical, that combined with some wise investing allowed me to buy this car. Plus dad's death at a young age was a huge wake up call, live your dreams now people, you never know what's coming tomorrow! I am Ferrari mad, have been waiting to buy one since I sat in a 308 GTB at about age 7. The goal now is to always have at least one in my garage for the rest of my life, if not more, the wish list is quite long...

ZensOwn > B_dol
08/20/2013 at 19:53

I bought my dream 997 at age 29, used, with 47K on it. It has been perfect since then. I'm closing on 80K miles and it hasn't had a miss-step yet. It has been all over the county, and on the track too. Other than brake jobs its pretty reasonable too use too. If I'm honest I'd have got an older one if I had more disposable income, but I feel I got an excellent deal on a car that is 95% of what it was new.

B_dol > TheHedberg
08/20/2013 at 22:47

Why the serious change? Yes a Ferarri is a bit overkill, but you could have stepped back into a Porsche or even a nice $60K car

TheHedberg > B_dol
08/21/2013 at 00:31

Believe me, I considered all options. In the end I went for something that managed to excite me AND be incredibly practical. Though I will admit to being very, very interested in the audi RS6 avant....

DanZman > B_dol
08/21/2013 at 01:06

I actually am pretty much exactly what you describe: super car and CL beater.

My cars are a 1990 Volvo 240dl wagon (non turbo) and a 2007 Corvette Z06 (not stock)

This is the only pic I have of them together.

Kinja'd!!!

DanZman > Nimrodical
08/21/2013 at 01:57

as the owner of a 2007 Z06 I can tell you that power isnt everything. but I'd get the still get the vette. it will be cheaper in every way other than tires and MPG

B_dol > TheHedberg
08/21/2013 at 02:30

I hear ya. Thanks for the interesting story and perspective.

gCo987 > B_dol
08/21/2013 at 08:21

Since you've stated you're looking at a 987.2 Cayman R, or 981 Cayman S, I really do suggest you test a 987.2 Cayman S as well. As I said, aesthetically I think the 981 generation wins hands down, but I feel like the 987.2 wins by a fair margin in feel and immediacy. If you're going for a weekend toy I say go for an R, however if you plan on DD'ing the car at all, a 987.2 S would be 95% of the car you're looking for, a bit more livable on the road, be easier to find used, and probably cost a bit less.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > kitchenaire
08/21/2013 at 17:35

92 (i think) yamaha xt225

91 (i think) nitehawk 250 (my wife's "learner" bike)

02 honda 919 in flat black (I am going to do my MR2 in flat black wrap I love it so much)

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > GARedE34
08/21/2013 at 17:41

We have only had it for about a year, but it has been rock solid except for fixing all the minor shit that was broken when we got it (4wd vacuum leak, locked up front caliper, bad cat, a few minor interior bits.) A friend has one that lives in the shop, it seems to be hit or miss on how well they're cared for (obviously that is with any car, more so with these.)

It is comfortable as hell to drive though, like a big bouncy boat, the seats are in alright shape so we got covers, but they're still nice and plush. Ours is all power (seats, mirrors, windows, locks) even though its an 89 with a carbureted engine. The body is very straight, needs a paint job in the next few years and the window seals redone, I am budgeting 10k to get it back to looking new

kitchenaire > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
08/21/2013 at 18:46

Cool I just sold my old 85 Honda VF500 Interceptor a few days ago. Not sure what I'm going to ride next though.

TheHedberg > B_dol
08/21/2013 at 19:37

Thanks B_Dol. I wanted to tell the story without sounding like a douchebag. Hopefully got that across!