Gorgeous cars we can actually afford.

"Stephen Rivers" (stephenrivers) 04/13/2020 at 14:10 • Filed to: Supercar, TVR, Aston Martin, Porsche

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Hey there amigos! Here’s my latest bit on gorgeous affordable cars that are reasonably priced. Any surprises in your opinion? Any I missed?

There are some Astons, they’re dirt cheap these days. Also Porsche. Also one TVR. :-)

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Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:16

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At least they got number 1 right, but I disagree with most of the rest.

I also take issue with their premise

If you show up in any of the cars we mention here, not only will people think you’re loaded, but they’ll be drooling all over your car.

Most people impressed by money into confidence aren’t worth impressing.

EDIT: I just realized you wrote this and I want to explain I may have been a bit harsh. I have unconventional tastes and am not trying to bash your work. There were some gorgeous cars on there and my opinion is mostly in the minority. Thank you.

WitL

Stephen Rivers > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/13/2020 at 14:18

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That Volvo is stunning isnt  it

TheJWT > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:19

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I think $1200 is most people’s budget these days

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:22

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Yes it is. I hope I didn’t come across as too harsh; I edited my reply to make sure.

:)

Stephen Rivers > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/13/2020 at 14:24

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Amigo you’re all good. I just appreciate the thoughtful reply. Also, I don’t actually write the meta description. I’d like to, but they’d have to pay me more for that lol. I would agree in general that trying to impress people with your car is incredibly stupid and speaks to your own perception of yourself.

Stephen Rivers > TheJWT 04/13/2020 at 14:25

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That may be true. I can tell you that I’m not about to go plop down $30k on a car but I ’m given the story and then have to go find stuff that’ll fit.  I do think that in general $30k is a pretty reasonable budget for most people in the middle-class who are shopping. 

Jim Spanfeller > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:26

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“The gills, the huge fender arches, and the short wheelbase was a combination that didn’t last for long.”

What? They made Corvettes in that body style with only minor changes all the way from the late sixties until 1982. In fact, critics in the seventies often wondered when Chevy would finally update the darn thing. The gills, the huge fender arches, and the short wheelbase was a combination that lasted a very long time.

SiennaMan > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:28

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 While I agree that all of those are on the "good Lord, yes" list, I'm afraid my current budget for fun would be stretched by anything that doesn't qualify for a Lemons race.  That said, I'm genuinely surprised (and drooling a bit) to find out that things like those Astons and a clean Morgan can be had for under 30 grand.  

Nothing > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:28

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Man, I wish my toy budget was $30k and up.

Stephen Rivers > Jim Spanfeller 04/13/2020 at 14:34

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I should’ve said “Length”. Wheelbase did stay the same you’re right. The length grew which is what I meant. That shorter, stocky snout from 69 to 72 was awesome. Then the whole car got longer while the wheelbase stayed the same. 

sony1492 > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:34

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*Comment about how the middle class doesn’t exist

Its nice to see so many Astons have made the cut

PowderHound > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:34

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I know that 30k is generally “cheap” in terms of buying a car but I feel like the majority of these you would need to have that cash on hand which skews things. Good list though, I would love a Lancia Fulvia.  

facw > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:35

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$30k isn’t bad, in the sense that the average new car is like $35k (I wish people would list median instead of average, but apparently that’s not a thing). However, given that few of these can really be a daily driver (especially for someone with a family), I’d like to see <$15k, maybe less than $10k. A price for something that can be at least somewhat of a toy rather than being utilitarian. So you are looking at Boxsters instead of 911s and 2000ish Jag XK8s/XKRs instead of Astons and newer Jags.

In any event, in no world is that TVR gorgeous. Fun maybe, but really a bit misshapen. Not a fan of the Morgan or the Celica either, but I at least see how someone could like them.

Stephen Rivers > SiennaMan 04/13/2020 at 14:35

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I was too! The Astons especially. Makes me want to shop for a Vanquish pretty badly. 

Stephen Rivers > facw 04/13/2020 at 14:37

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I’ll put that on a list of topics and ping you when I have it published! I like the idea.

Additionally beauty is in the eye of the beholder my friend. That TVR is the business. 

Stephen Rivers > PowderHound 04/13/2020 at 14:38

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Yea , I can see that perspective too. Certainly it’s a bit of fantasy for most of us, me included, to have that kinda play money laying around.

DipodomysDeserti > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:39

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Uh, Stephen, not sure if you’ve noticed, but we tanked our entire economy about a month ago. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:47

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I’m in with the others here - your budget’s a little skewed toward the high side. I also find it interesting that your selected picture for this article includes cars that aren’t on your list. I followed the link expecting to find something about the WRX (my budget hot rod of choice), but was disappointed. 

Stephen Rivers > DipodomysDeserti 04/13/2020 at 14:48

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Mentioned above, but I’m given topics by the editor and then go for it. You’re right, pretty clearly the economy is crap right now, but some people are positioned better than the majority and are still shopping, and ultimately we’ll pull out of this. Think of it as a fantasty  list. 

Stephen Rivers > TheRealBicycleBuck 04/13/2020 at 14:52

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First, thanks for the thoughtful reply. Second, I am totally taking that in stride and going to do a lower $15k budgeted article. Third, I wanted to use it too, but didn’t get the clearance for it. I did use that photo for another piece. https://www.hotcars.com/15-european-sports-cars-that-are-surprisingly-cheap-to-own/ All four in that photo I would consider great cars for the money.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:52

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Vanquish, sub 30K? Terrible condition....maybe.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 14:56

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I think trying to impress other people in general is dumb. Do what you want, get what you want, because it’s what you want, not because is what you think other people like, or society expects you to have or do.

I’ve met some really awesome Ferrari owners that totally break the mold . They love their cars, they love the brand, but they know the history and they love cars in general and respect other brands. Conversely I’ve met douche bros in clapped out *insert JDM here* who look down their nose at EVERYTHING. It’s all about the person and the attitude. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > facw 04/13/2020 at 15:01

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I’m really with you with the median value. Averages are way overused. I imagine that the median new car would be even less than 35k. Maybe high 20s. 

Stephen Rivers > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/13/2020 at 15:01

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Hahaha . that’s funny. It might be toughh and you may need to pull a @Tavarish and be the warranty but I found one while writing this that was going for $33k. Here’s one I found in just a couple mins sold for 42k that had low mileage so I’m sure the deal is out there, just gotta keep looking. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Aston-Martin-Vanquish/303519022687?hash=item46ab24be5f:g:np4AAOSwlyJec89m

Snooder87 > facw 04/13/2020 at 15:04

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Eh, I kinda like the list as a “if you are young and dumb enough to blow 30k on a family unfriendly daily”.

B asically a “you could buy a new Mustang or...”

Stephen Rivers > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/13/2020 at 15:04

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Couldn’t agree more. I love cars because of how engaging they are. How brilliantly engineered they are. How they make you feel to be behind the wheel.

Buying something because you think it makes someone else think more of you is a poor choice. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 15:16

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Amen.

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Future next gen S2000 owner 04/13/2020 at 16:55

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Early Vanquish’s are going cheap. Have you seen what it costs to repair the gearbox when it fails? Ouch. Although for the price of another Vanquish you can have it manual swapped. I haven’t quite figured out the electronics side yet, but the mechanical bit is easy. Maybe, one day, I will have it figured out and start offering swaps. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 17:04

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I think a list that captured vehicles used in that photo could have been more relatable!

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 17:33

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This is a great list, great feature.

Jim Spanfeller > Stephen Rivers 04/13/2020 at 19:20

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That’s fair. I prefer that nose, too.