Is Your Attainable Dream Car Worth It?

"hethoughtofcars" (hethoughtofcars) 01/02/2014 at 01:20 • Filed to: oppositelock, oppo, car buying, car dreams, audi, bmw

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"The two best days in a boat owner's life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it."

—Ancient Proverb (Probably)

Over at The Truth About Cars, Steven Lang writes about !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Not your dream car that costs more than your house, but the car you first lusted over and now, theoretically, you can afford. I have fallen into that trap. Literally within a month of getting my first steady salaried job I was at a Mazda dealership buying a used 2000 323Ci coupe with about 90,000 miles on it. This was not a smart purchase. Not only did I finance it at a ridiculous interest rate (think double digits), but I didn't even really check it out. I test drove it at rush hour and probably never went over 30 mph. In fact, the salesperson didn't know how to drive a manual so I had to back it off the median it was parked on. (I would later find out it had a flat spare tire on the side of the interstate, as well). But It was perfect shade of blue, it had a five speed, it was a freaking BMW! I could afford the monthly payments. It was perfect right? Right?

We all know how this story goes.

In fact I would later lose about $7500 on a trade for a used Scion (impossible you say?!? Sadly, very possible.), which I would then trade for a 2006 BMW, which tore up four rear run-flats in two months due to a poor alignment, so I ran to the BMW dealership and traded it in to lease a MINI. Now the MINI is gone, so basically I am still paying for a car I haven't owned since 2009. All I have left is the shift know of the '06 BMW that I swapped out for an "M" knob. In a very real sense I own the most expensive shift knob in the history of time.

Anyone want a 2006 BMW shift knob? Bidding starts at $13k.

So really, I'm out of this conversation for quite awhile. But that's not why we visit car blogs and websites daily. We are stupid about cars. We watch !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . We click on articles solely dedicated to the updated specs of the Nissan Juke. And really, if I squint real hard and I get a raise at work and the dealer somehow forgets to run my credit, one of my former dream cars becomes tantalizingly available. One car I consider the most gorgeous ever produced, the 1998 Audi TT. Sure some people say it looks like a squashed New Beetle, some say the 5-valves-per-cylinder 1.8 liter engine is not terribly reliable (including my friend who has worked as a Volkswagen mechanic at a dealership for 12 years (he even won an award once, too)), and others just say that's a stupid dream car and not at all cool like the cars built on the Fox platform that they search Craigslist daily for....but that's what makes it available and almost "attainable". My dream TT is just like the one in the picture, in denim blue and minus the spoiler that was added about 6 months into production because it proved woefully unstable at Autobahn speeds. I'd even accept FWD if necessary, just to get those lines. Not Tiptronic, though (even dreams have their limits).

So I think about this car, and continue to make payments on cars I no longer own. And I know that it would be a terrible mistake, but a car guy has gotta dream (and keep up to date on the latest Nissan Juke news) right?

What about you? Is one of your former dream cars getting in the "attainable" range? Would you pull the trigger on it?

Milky > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 01:34

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The most upsetting thing about this is you would remove the spoiler thats needed on a TT.

Also a friend at school has a dropped one, its quite nice.

Desu-San-Desu > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 01:39

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If I get this job that I'm trying to line up, and save up for about a year after I'm done with repairs on the Audi, I'll likely be able to afford a Saab 9-2X Aero and I'm seriously considering doing so once I get to that point. It's pretty much just the perfect car for me- fast, fun, reliable, versatile, stylish, comfortable, affordable, moddable...yeah...I can't really think of a downside to this car and considering a low-miles example is under $10k these days...it's very tempting.

Rainbow > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 01:45

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On my current budget, that would be either a sand rail on street tires or an AW11 MR2. In either case, I'd say it's worth it. Neither one offers much storage room, but both are comparable to a road-legal go kart. And that's enough to make anybody happy.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 01:49

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Well I'm in a tough pickle on that one. My dream car is a Corvette. And I'm sure you know of at least a couple local Corvettes in attainable price ranges, there always are. However, the problem is that those Corvettes are never quality, take care of examples. They're ones that somebody did coke in the back of before ripping off half the door panel, and have the late 80s engine with ~200hp. So you ask would i buy my dream car if it was attainable, but I tell you, the ones that are attainable aint my dream cars.

J. Drew Silvers > Milky 01/02/2014 at 01:52

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I spent a few months on the search for a TT coupe and was ideally looking for a denim blue model as well. Every one I found was FWD, which was fine, but they also had the matching interior, so it looked like a smurf had exploded inside of a microwave in there. The only other thing that scared me away was the fact that most people try to shake them right before the timing belt maintenance is due, since it tends to be either a.) Hours of labor in your own garage or b.) Pretty expensive. I found a few where the owner claimed it had been done, but couldn't back it up with receipts, so I walked. I ended up with a 1979 MGB with a fresh performance/modded rebuild on the drive train and paid about $3800 and sunk maybe another $1500 into it after painting it in my garage and doing some random upgrades. Worked out better since the FWD TT's were around $10,000 at the time and I don't regret my purchase since the MG was fully depreciated anyway. I "lost" $300 when I sold it three years later, which is just fine by me. Grab the TT if you want one though. They're fun little cars.

hethoughtofcars > Milky 01/02/2014 at 02:12

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Whoa...Not "remove" just purchase one in which in was never intended to have installed. It is my understanding that the spoiler was added after a crash or two on the Autobahn at triple digit speeds. Since, frankly, I'll never take a car to that speeds (and the car will have survived the last 15 or 16 years driving without a spoiler), I think I'm okay.

We certainly agree that is a great looking TT, though. Did you take the photo?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 02:17

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Here's the thing:
The original TT is on my list of cars I want to own one day (And it is actually in my car price range when I buy this summer)
This right here is my dream TT:
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…
All I'd do is some swaybars, APR stage 1 tune, and big brembos on it. This is theoretically (with the mods as well) a plausible purchase.

Will I go for it? Heck no. If I did, I'd be out of money within the season to run the thing! Since it's a cheap audi, it's the most expensive car you can buy :)
shame too... it looks soooo nice...

Milky > J. Drew Silvers 01/02/2014 at 02:20

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Ohh I'm not looking, I bought a nice car a year ago …. but that MGB sure does sound nice. Those cars don't get brought up enough around here.

lxarlo > Desu-San-Desu 01/02/2014 at 02:25

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Does the Subaru variant go for any less?

lxarlo > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 01/02/2014 at 02:27

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I'm in the same boat for the same car. This is why I have a Fox Mustang for the time being.

Milky > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 02:28

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I actually have no idea who took that photo but I see now. But I guess I can't fault your logic of it surviving all these years without crashing W/O the spoiler. IMO though I like it with, otherwise its a little too droopy.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 02:31

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Bought an S2000 when I realized I wasn't getting any younger. Not cheap, but it's been worth it.

Mike > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 02:35

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Always wanted a late-model RX-8. I actually nearly bought one in place of my current Civic, but concerns about reliability, insurance, and the fact that my mother wouldn't let me spend my $15k on a manual* led me to discard the dream.

*I'm seventeen, and even though I bought the car entirely with money I earned in my glassblowing business, I still had to get her to sign off on the purchase, because, you know, minor.

J. Drew Silvers > Milky 01/02/2014 at 02:42

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It was quirky, and required knowledge to keep running properly, but loads of fun.

Milky > J. Drew Silvers 01/02/2014 at 02:49

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IT WAS EVEN BRG!! Well done sir.

GhostZ > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 05:03

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Seeing as they've stayed the same price in the last 10 years.... I'd say yes.

http://www.hagerty.com/valuationtools…

The question is whether the mods would be worth it, and I think so too, if only because the part-out-value would be 3-4x the resale value of the car.

I think the trick is to include 'underappreciated', 'classic' and 'at the low point in its depreciation curve' in your dream car criteria.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 06:02

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Already DID!

List price new was $100K.

Mine sold originally for $104.9K.

Knew I had to have one even before the base model was available for sale three years before this model was announced.

Worked on one the third year they were out and kept pieces we removed in my "dream box."

2010 life plateaued.

And I got a deal I couldn't walk away from.

Went to my bank and told them how much I wanted to finance and they looked it up, checked the bluebook, called the dealership, then asked me, "Is that all you're financing!?!?" (and I financed 100%)

SOLD!!!!!!

So now I have my very own convertible hardtop, 0-60 in under 5sec, race-tuned brakes and suspension, 2-seater ...

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Cadillac

2006 Cadillac XLR-V

It's had some work done on it since I got it. Dual 4" chrome intakes, headers, ported and polished Stiegemeier Snake Bite Stage 5, 72lb injectors, enhanced Super Chiller intercooler and pump, custom engine tune, ZR1 sways, Z06 springs, lowered 1.5"

Snake Bit Super Chilled XLR-V aka Elwood (Jake's brother)

Snake Bite Stage 5, InterChiller Super Chiller cooling upgrades, 4" chrome dual intakes, 72lb injectors, and a Wait4Me tune generating 500+RWHP at 24lbs of boost. - See more at: http://forums.coolridesonline.net/showthread.php…

Verified 501rwhp and 486TQ at 6000RPM so far...final goal 575/550
ELWOOD - "Corvette in a Tuxedo... with a Jet Pack"

And I wasted no time sitting around looking at it: ECTA Land Speed Racing Record Holder: 4.2-5.0L Blown Gas Modified Sports Car
Texas Mile Record Holder: Street Legal XLR @ 159.5MPH
2013 St Louis Region SCCA Solo SSM Class Champion

This thing is just wicked at road courses, trackdays, and autocross.

Sn210 > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 07:02

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Probably not...

KirkyV > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 07:21

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It's actually surprisingly reliable for a 20-30 year old hot hatch, but I'll still probably need to seriously step up my mechanical skills, or find a good, reasonably-priced garage, if I hope to live with one every day. And there's a decent chance that it'll do me a lot of damage in a crash.

Still, when the time comes to buy my next car... I just hope I find one in blue.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 07:28

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Yes it is.

My current car is a CLS550, which is somehow it's now my dream car. But still, if i can find a nice CLK500/55 AMG or an SLK55 AMG i'll be a very happy man.

davedave1111 > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 08:27

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You can't find a TT which wasn't intended to have a spoiler, because they all were. The engineers had it on there from the start, but were over-ridden by the designers. After a few deaths in next to no time after launch, Audi very hurriedly - voluntarily, before they could be ordered to - recalled every single one to retrofit the spoiler (and various other changes), because otherwise it would have been their Explorer-rollover moment.

The fatal crashes occurred at fairly high speeds - 100+ mph - but the same problems existed in less serious form at much more normal speeds. Audi knew it was only a matter of time before someone tried a lane-change at 70mph and spun out, and that would have been a publicity nightmare.

Make no mistake, the TT is not what we'd normally consider safe at ordinary highway speeds without the spoiler. It's not a complete death-trap, I don't suppose, but it handles like a car from fifty years earlier with swing-axle rear suspension.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/we-tak…

liquid_popcorn > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 01/02/2014 at 08:33

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DAMN.

Jon-o > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 08:46

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This speaks to me I look for 2005 BMW 330ci's sometimes then just remember the trusty 1996 tbird I've had since highschool has never broken down and maintenance is cheap and the car was free. But dreams are fun I guess there is a reason such expensive cars become cheap to purchase...

Makoyouidiot > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 01/02/2014 at 09:08

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Always loved how these things look. Almost never see one tho.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 09:54

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I could afford to purchase an E39 M5 but the upkeep and fuel would probably kill me if I used it as a daily driver right now.

briannutter1 > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 09:56

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This is quite a battle. I spoke to a Corvette owner that had purchased and sold 6 Corvettes. Each one went a little faster than before around the track. He said that if he had to do it over again, he thinks his first car would have been faster than his latest if he'd concentrated his efforts. He found himself doing the same safety/braking/lightening/suspension mods to each and every one. I have tried to stay True to my C5z and go as fast as possible while keeping it streetable. I like the Viper ACR quite a bit and I'm sure the new C7 Z06 will make my car look slow, but I'll keep working at it.

Desu-San-Desu > lxarlo 01/02/2014 at 11:43

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Usually a grand or so less, but I greatly prefer the Saab version. It's better looking, has a better interior, has the upgraded STI steering rack and bushings, better insulation, and cheaper insurance. That's worth an extra grand in my book.

Plus, the Subaru variants are rarely stock, whereas the Saab versions are almost never modded.

SatriaFanboy > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 12:31

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Ever since I laid my eyes on you in Tokyo Drift. I always said to myself that I will own you one day. Maybe one day. One day..

Linkeh

911e46z06 > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 14:39

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As soon as I saw the specs on the C6 Z06, I ordered one. I wasn't alone, I didn't even get one until the 2nd model year. I paid over sticker for it, and it's the only car I bought that was a bit of a stretch financially. No regrets.

SpeedSix > hethoughtofcars 01/02/2014 at 17:54

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Since I'm still young and yet to have a first car, I'm considering a Mercedes-Benz 240D (probably W123, but if I'm lucky, maybe a W115) or a Volvo 240/740 wagon (probably not the turbo models, however much I may wish) and I'm hoping to learn manual soon after my license.

hethoughtofcars > SpeedSix 01/02/2014 at 18:41

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Those are solid choices and it's awesome you'll be learning a manual. Learn from my mistakes, though, don't finance your choices from a dealer (use cash if at all possible or a credit union as a last resort)!

lxarlo > Desu-San-Desu 01/02/2014 at 22:56

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Very strategic. I like.

hethoughtofcars > davedave1111 01/03/2014 at 01:43

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I honestly had no idea. Thanks for the link. I thought it was something like Audi's 'unintended acceleration' of the 80's

davedave1111 > hethoughtofcars 01/03/2014 at 08:18

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I think it was much more serious. Although to be honest I don't know that much about the Audi UA issues because, bizarrely, it was only a US thing. My dad had a 100, I think. He'd never have sent his wife to drive the kids to school in it if there'd been any risk of anything going wrong.

hethoughtofcars > davedave1111 01/03/2014 at 13:49

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Well, Audi was vindicated in the case. There was no actual "unintended acceleration" it was just people getting confused and hitting the gas instead of the brake. There's actually a pretty interesting story about how 60 Minutes did a story and made it look as if the cars unintentionally accelerated. It killed Audi sales in the US for 10 solid years though. They didn't really start to come back until the A4. This is one of the reasons I thought it was Audi overreacting and sticking a spoiler on the back that, imo, ruined its lines.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? 01/13/2014 at 23:01

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"Afford" means you can afford to run it.

Once you can make it happen, MAKE IT HAPPEN! Hope it's soon, brother.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > hethoughtofcars 01/13/2014 at 23:03

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Trigger pulled, in the summer of 2012.

marshknute > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 00:05

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I feel your pain! I sold my 95' Miata this past summer and replaced it with a 2001 BMW 330xi. From the sounds of it, you and I inspected our BMW's equally as (un)thoroughly. I ended up spending $3900 in the first month of ownership to fix a broken oil pan, corroded gaskets, seized calipers, shot rotors, worn pads, and faulty engine/oil sensors.

6 months later, I underwent an 11 hour drive home from college (Pittsburgh to CT) in a blizzard, AND THE DAMN HEATER BROKE!!!! To make matters worse, the washer fluid nozzles broke, so I couldn't clean the slush off of the windshield to see where I was going. OH, and the check engine light came on! That journey was so cold and miserable.

My mechanic quoted me $1300 to fix the heater and check engine light since the whole dashboard had to be torn apart. Also, Shittsburgh's potholes destroyed the rear suspension coils and window motors, which would have cost another $1750.

I didn't bother getting any of those problems fixed. I traded it in the next day at a $4000 loss for a 2007 Audi A4 2.0T. I hate BMW!

yung bramblepelt > Sn210 01/14/2014 at 00:45

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Dang, how is that the first time I've seen this car? Thought it had the hoodline of an Alfa Romeo, with that tiny grille. It's beautiful

Alternator Fax > Rainbow 01/14/2014 at 01:38

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The mr2 is an awesome choice, but, at least in my area, prices have gone up over 50% in the last 2 years. I got my supercharged example for $3000 in spring of 2012, put "new" seats in it, did normal maintenance items, cleaned it up a bit, and sold it for $5500 this fall.

CptStumpy > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 02:06

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Living over here in Japan, I have that whole list of 90's sports cars that are lots of fun for incredibly cheap. I spend hours and days just looking at what I could get after saving up for just a few months. It's a long list indeed. STi's, Silvias, Skylines, Stageas, RX-7s, RX-8s, Supras, MX-5s, just so many to choose from that I lose myself thinking about which to get.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > SatriaFanboy 01/14/2014 at 05:40

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I don't get the storyline, Han died in Tokyo drift, yet he somehow is in FF6 and 7?

Is tokyo drift in the future?

SatriaFanboy > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 01/14/2014 at 06:56

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Pretty much like that. Tokyo Drift is after FF6 and FF7 is the sequel to Tokyo Drift

Sn210 > yung bramblepelt 01/14/2014 at 07:00

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That's the 8-Series, with either v8 or v12 power. They can be had for cheap, but you can spend what they're worth in maintenance real quick... Still want one though

Wufnu > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 07:47

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I have two dream cars. I've wanted a '46-49 DeSoto for about 10 years now. I can get a good one for about $8000. I have that much in the bank. I still can't afford it. Why? Being responsible. Fucking sucks! Need to save a year's worth of bills (just in case), then save for some gravel, carport, fence, and we're planning on having a baby next year. New job will require a long commute so I'll have an econobox to drive. I doubt I'll ever have eight grand in fun money around :(

Second is the C7. It's how I found out about Jalopnik! Good lord, I fell in love with it when I first saw the spec sheet. The live reveal left me pitching a tent. I lust over that car. Maybe I'll be able to afford one when it's 20 years old and "not that good anymore".

UltrasonicBlueMica > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 08:09

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Worth it? Totally. Expensive still? Yes. I've had 3 dream attainable dream cars so far. In reality only two that most people would find typical but w/e. My first was a v6 eclipse as a teenager. I worked my butt off. Super reliable. (At least I thought so at the time. I've since realized that I am much more intent on fixing any problems now then I was back then) I had it all the way through college. It was great. After college I bought an e46 M3 and ran it for a year. Mind you with about 5k in maintenance and repairs. After that I went with a C5 Corvette to have something a little more reliable. Which has been about 5k in maintenance and repairs for two years. (Improvement!) And now I'm looking at ISFs, C63s, CTS-Vs and E9x M3s. I know which one is the smarter choice for the price range I'm set on as far as reliability goes. The auto is the only thing holding me back. :( Everything else about the ISF is great for what it is. Especially in Ultrasonic Blue

RevCrowley > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 08:30

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Will you have to finance your TT? If not, go for it. Otherwise, don't. You do NOT want to be on the paying end of compound interest. If you have to, because a car is a necessity, you buy the cheapest one that will get you from point A to point B, at the lowest possible interest rate, for the shortest possible time. Once it's paid for, you run it for another decade and a half. I feel like a grumpy old man who was raised by Great Depression survivors - because I am - but this is a lesson I learned the hard way.

It's hard to feel bad for the shrinking middle class when the middle class does dumb shit like finance a toy at double-digit interest. /rant

RevCrowley > Desu-San-Desu 01/14/2014 at 08:39

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I owned the Subaru version of that car. Fast, roomy (for its size), practical ... but only fun to drive when you're going twice the speed limit. I sold it quickly. But - it you can discipline yourself on public roads - it's sorta 2002tii of the 21st century. Good luck.

RevCrowley > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 08:42

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Cars that old typically can't be financed for more than a year or 2 through a Credit Union/Bank. And that's only if the specific vehicle is in a book called "Cars of Particular Interest") - which the old Benzes will be. You might be able to do it as a personal loan, but then the interest rate is higher (because it's an unsecured loan).

RevCrowley > Wufnu 01/14/2014 at 08:46

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If you're disciplined about saving money, planning for the future, and being responsible, the future will pleasantly surprise you. If nothing else the peace of mind you get from not stressing over bills is worth it.

tifosi3317 > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 09:44

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In 08 I bought a 07 C6 Z06. Was it worth it? HELL FUCKING YEAH!! Life is too short to drive lame cars. Do your research, get the best one you can, refinance if your credit wasn't so good when you got it.

Danger > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 09:48

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Sometimes when a great deal comes along you have to pull the trigger!

Casper > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 10:21

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There are a lot of cars I would like to have, but very few that I really would call a dream car. I try to drive anything I have an interest in, then based on that experience I kind of narrow the list down. The cars character matter to me, it's just a block of clay that I can improve on, but I try to feel out it's soul to decided if it's something worth the time and money to build before I jump in. It appears to be the opposite to you, you are making your selection on imagery.

That said, the next cheapest base car on my list is probably either an FD3 RX-7 or 68 Camaro. Both are affordable initially, both have my interest. It all depends on what I find for the best deal from my list, when I have enough money to built it properly, etc. For instance the Camaro is on the list in competition with a few other old school muscle cars and the winner of which one is built will be based on which I find in better shape for the best money and I like the most when I slide behind the wheel. It could end up being a Cuda or Challenger, who knows.

magman007 > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 10:25

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Yes, its worth it. But you have to do the leg work. It took me 4 months to find my e46 m3. 6 months to find the right e36 m3, and 3 months to locate my current sti. Then after you find the thing, you have to get it looked over. I am a strong proponent in the Pre purchase inspection, since most of the cars I have located have not been exactly local.

Then once the PPI comes back, you negotiate any short comings found in the inspection, book your ticket, and retrieve your new vehicle. The farther away it is the more time you have to fall in love with it.

Lets face it, as soon as we get a new thing, all we want to do is play with it. A nice long road trip satisfies this need nicely.

TheCraigy > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 10:26

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It sounds like you have really crappy dreams which leads you to be too hasty to trade them away.

Attainable does not simply mean "obtainable" but instead able to be accomplished or achieved . Anybody can buy the bimmer, but to truly attain it you need to be able to foot the repair bills as well.

Also "a BMW" isn't really what I would call a dream car, either, and it's also evidenced by your proclivity for trading them in at a loss. I'm not sure what all was wrong with the first one, but it sounds like you traded in the '06 because it had a bad alignment. Why not just get an alignment?

Set your sights on something reasonably exciting that you will be able to afford and maintain. S2000, Miata, Corvette, STI, BRZ all spring to mind. Don't keep dreaming about garbage. ;)

Collin > Sn210 01/14/2014 at 11:24

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The key is to find one that's owned by a lawyer or a banker who has already done a lot of repair work on it, decided it wasn't worth it, and wants to offload it cheaply to stop the bleeding. My 540i's been reliable because the guy I bought it from already replaced the stuff that wears out at great expense to himself.

vr6geek > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 12:12

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My short list consists of a Mk4 R32, M Coupe, Integra Type R, and some much older cars that I don't have the space (garage or driveway) or tools to maintain at the moment. I never actually pull the trigger though. I currently have a 2003 Mk4 GTI with the 24V 2.8L VR6. I could maybe get $7,000 on it through a private sale, as it is in excellent condition with a bunch of OEM goodies. For the $10k+ difference I would have to pay for any of my attainable dream cars (probably with higher miles too), it just isn't worth it to me. Sure, I'd really love to have an M Coupe, but being out $15,000 just for a fun car doesn't seem like a smart choice to me. I guess you could say I'm in my comfort zone with the GTI. Eventually I'll have to replace it, but I'll probably end up going with a mildly used car in the same performance category instead of a VERY used car in a higher performance category.

Darigaaz > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 12:48

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Already have em...totally worth it

ononeathome > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 01/14/2014 at 18:13

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It's a really nice car and since almost nobody bought them new they are even more rare now, rare cars are fun to drive and show off. This next part is not for you but I will tell a funny, to me, story. When these girls just cam out I had my 2000 Suzuki Hayabusa, for anyone that don't know about her look her up. I was on an on ramp minding my own business when one of these tried to show off and take me in the ramp, it was a dealer car with the wife driving it. I was going to have none of that so .. BAM! open up the throttle in 2nd, lift up the front end and take my baby over 110MPH in 2nd. She got off the next ramp. Short of it is, don't mess around with sport bikes. Car maybe quick and fast but sport bikes are at a different level.

Shanon Wagner > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 22:16

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Actually, about a month ago, I found myself in a position to finally afford my dream project S30 . I knew going in that I was going to spend some money getting her fixed up, probably more than I had, but of course much like John Snow I knew nothing. Things seemed perfect, '73 240z with L28 and 5 speed swap. Zero body rust, just some holes under the floor pans which is common and in need of a new paint. No radiator, no battery, no mirrors, but I did negotiate some sweet wheels with a fresh set of Falkens and a free tow. Turns out the floor pans are much worse than expected, the only working electrical is ignition, the differential is sketchy to look at, and the interior was an absolute train wreck. It didn't look too bad at night when I bout it. I'd say lesson number one being, never buy a car at night. All in all, I am still very happy to have her and can't wait to get her fully restored and back on the road.

EtrnL_Frost > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 22:51

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Yeah.... fallen into that trap. Twice. 1995 e36 318i to 1998 e36 m3 to 2001 e39 m5.

Next car?

Cooper S Coupe. I'm sorry BMW, but I gave you a lotta love, and you just didn't love me back.

Disclaimer: I'm going to be buried in my m5 god damnit.

hethoughtofcars > EtrnL_Frost 01/14/2014 at 22:59

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I moved from BMWs to a MINI. No shame in that.

EtrnL_Frost > hethoughtofcars 01/14/2014 at 23:01

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Ha, the shame isn't the move to MINI, it's that, somehow, in my hubris, I thought that the e39 would be any different in maintenance than the m3.

About that...

Luckily, I picked up on it this time and am foregoing the purchase of an e86 z4 m coupe. While I still want that car badly, it's just not fiscally responsible...

hethoughtofcars > marshknute 01/14/2014 at 23:06

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It does sound like we are kin. However, despite seeing every single warning light on an e46 dash, I still love driving BMWs.

hethoughtofcars > Wufnu 01/14/2014 at 23:09

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Completely understood, this was my original dream car:

Bullet nose and check out those suicide doors!

Wufnu > hethoughtofcars 01/15/2014 at 06:19

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Pic isn't showing for me. I'm imagining a Studebaker or Tucker! hah

Wufnu > RevCrowley 01/15/2014 at 06:19

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Thanks, Reverend!

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/15/2014 at 08:12

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Its in the five year plan.

hethoughtofcars > Wufnu 01/17/2014 at 01:18

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Aw...Kinja. Yup it's a Studebaker.