Yet another "help a friend choose a car" post

"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
12/20/2016 at 21:04 • Filed to: Friends

...but not quite the usual one.

Thing is, I’m somewhat running out of patience with this friend. Changes minds constantly, when I ask him his budget he gives me unrealistic numbers and/or unworkable constraints. Subject here currently drives a Range Rover Sport or Mercedes ML63 interchanging it between. Range Rover is a lease and ML used to be lease but he bought it out. Used to have a E39 530i, but I think he dumped it lately.

He started asking me about cars almost more than a year ago. Started off talking about maybe getting an M3 or M4, but gave up on the idea, saying it was “common.” (It sort of is, in my area, a lot of rich kids got their parents to get them one)

Rapidly changing to an Audi R8 V10 with a stick shift. Tried convincing him out of it, since he’s not exactly the best driver out there, I don’t want to end up seeing him in a cars and coffee-esque video. Plus he JUST learned manual with nearly no experience, so an MR car with 525hp is probably way too much for him.

While looking at the R8 he kept going on and on about the Aventador, but I know he wouldn’t.

Started sending me messages about the Ferrari California T, but again I knew he wouldn’t get it.

Suggested he look at the Vantage GT, it was a bit better value than the Audi and not as powerful. He ended up calling the dealer and gave them a runaround, got them to deliver him a V12 Vantage to fool around, didn’t take the car. Said he’s doing his MBA instead, will buy it “as a prize to himself later if he gets in.” (PS: he said if he didn’t get into MBA, he’ll buy a Honda Civic to “punish himself”... I was lost at words.)

Showed him the AMG GT, he immediately put a deposit on it, then retracted the bid saying he’s doing his MBA instead. I think this was around the time he bought out the ML as well.

Got in to his MBA, and he flew in between the States and Canada, so things died down a bit. In and out contemplating selling his ML and the E39.

Done his MBA, started bugging me again. Citing how his ML is a gas guzzler, brakes wearing out and cost a fortune to replace ( no shit, Sherlock ), so said he wants a new car, priority is fuel economy, and maybe “fun to drive”.

Begged me to loan him my 328i while it was hibernating, so he can “experience daily driving a manual”. I said no, and suggested starting small and more humble cars to experience what is fun to drive. He counter challenged me to find something for $400 a month. Me and my friend suggested various cars ranging from Ecoboost Mustangs to Acuras, or even CPO 3-series in the same range as mine, then he pretended he never said it.

Then another friend suggested him looking at a Tesla. Went to test drive it, and said he’s “underwhelmed”. Wants something more “sporty”

Suggested some CPO M4s and and year-end leftover new 440xi, didn’t seem to like them either, ranging from “not suitable for winter” or some other BS reason

Then out of nowhere, today told me he wants to look at 2017 MX-5 Miata.

I don’t know... continue suggesting other cars as his requirements “update”, or tell him to pound sand?

(True Story, I swear. To compensate for your time, here’s an Escala and a private jet.)

DISCUSSION (21)

CB > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:14

I think what he needs is to get his head out of his arse and write down what he wants out of a vehicle.

You’re Toronto, right? Tell him no sports car or super car will ever not be “common” in this city.

DipodomysDeserti > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:16

So...what are you asking?

404 - User No Longer Available > DipodomysDeserti
12/20/2016 at 21:18

Either what cars should I suggest to him, or tell him to pound sand.

Grab Paddle > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:19

The answer, as always, is Porsche. 911 Carrera 4 S or GTS in any year. the manual is easy and fun to use. Extremely good when at 10/10ths, but also very useable as a daily.

404 - User No Longer Available > CB
12/20/2016 at 21:20

Yeah I suppose. I tried the sit down and rethink method, but he still couldn’t seem to get it straight.

One thing for certain is he really likes that Yas Marina Blue on the M4, so I told him to take a Tesla or M2 and wrap it. Obnoxious... I know.

Tazio, Count Fouroff > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:24

Seems like finding the “right” car isn’t necessarily the real main issue here...

404 - User No Longer Available > Grab Paddle
12/20/2016 at 21:26

I forgot to add that I did suggest that, and he said he didn’t like Porsches.

See that’s how many times he bugged me over it, even I forgot.

Grab Paddle > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:32

He’s clearly never been in one.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:39

Tell him to stop bugging you.

LongbowMkII > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 21:39

Lotus Evora.

Someone just please give them money.

E92M3 > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 22:03

I would just block his number.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 22:14

So he either wants grilled cheese or a 10oz filet mignon and a lobster tail for dinner, or anything in between. Let this guy figure it out on his own.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 22:15

What about an R8 V8 with the gated manual, wrapped in Yas Marina blue with brushed aluminum-wrapped sideblades?

404 - User No Longer Available > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/20/2016 at 22:18

I showed him a few used R8s, he didn’t say anything.

404 - User No Longer Available > Grab Paddle
12/20/2016 at 22:19

I would agree... was briefly in a Macan, I knew they were different. Just all in all a very nice place to be in.

404 - User No Longer Available > Tazio, Count Fouroff
12/20/2016 at 22:19

Yeah... that’s why I left the “pound sand” option open.

CB > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 22:21

Sounds like you need to tell him that, unless he actually wants advice, to quit his bellyaching, shut up, and leave you alone.

DipodomysDeserti > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 22:28

And the only requirement is fun, manual, and $300/mo?

Tell him to lease two Civics.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 22:31

He sounds like the type of guy who only knows what he needs when he sees it. Someone who needs something truly spectacular.

Kinja'd!!!

F-Type SVR Coupe, Ultra Blue, Gloss black Coriolis wheels, fixed wing, tan interior, and extended leather pack.

Kinja'd!!!

A mechanical sex object for the 21st century. As it should be for $151,900 Canadian as specced.

Tapas > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/20/2016 at 23:44

When he comes over, open this post and literally walk him/read through each of the times he backed out of making a decision, with you in tow.

Then tell him to pound sand, or get a Civic to punish himself for being flakier than baklava.

Vítor > 404 - User No Longer Available
12/21/2016 at 08:36

Try the F-Type, with the V6. It also has a manual, if he is interested