Debating a car purchase

"JR1" (type35bugatti)
05/15/2020 at 11:01 • Filed to: None

I am currently in the market for a sports car (sort of a graduation present to myself). I am kinda conflicted on a car to buy. So far I have test drove a 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Ingot Silver. I love how rare it is and it has a great price. I also test drove a 2007 Z06 I did not enjoy as must as the Boss 302 LS. This weekend I plan on test driving a 2017 GT350 and a 2012 GT500 and maybe a classic 64/66 Mustang we well .

I think it will likely be between the GT350 and the Boss 302 LS. Any advice Oppo on which I should purchase? The exclusivity of the Boss, the side pipes, and the style are all great. The GT350 though has the much loved yet accident prone Voodoo engine, it also is not as exclusive as the Boss but I have always wanted a Shelby...

DISCUSSION (20)

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > JR1
05/15/2020 at 11:26

I r eally like the GT350, and wish I’d test drove one before I bought my M2C. I haven’t heard great things about their reliability though.

TheRealBicycleBuck > JR1
05/15/2020 at 11:29

Check on the insurance rates for all of your options. A graduation present says to me that you may still be under 25 and you might not like your insurance costs, especially on the vehicles you’re looking at.

Thomas Donohue > JR1
05/15/2020 at 11:44

I am currently in the market for a sports car (sort of a graduation present to myself).

I’m certainly not qualified to give advice, but I’d generally advise you to reward yourself with a purchase ~90 days after starting a new job. I’m guessing you already have that covered, but I know too many new graduates (including law school) that made large purchases above and beyond the $100,000 they already owed to School, Inc.

Having said all that, I vote for the silver Laguna Seca.

Captain of the Enterprise > JR1
05/15/2020 at 11:44

Is this an everyday driver? Personally the GT350 is more special to me. I like that it’s a Shelby and that engine is really special. That said I think the Boss engine would probably be more reliable long term but you also lose independent suspension. I’d go GT350 but you have to test drive them and see what you like. I’ve also never driven any of these so I’m just armchairing it. I like that your test driving and think you have good taste.

Future next gen S2000 owner > JR1
05/15/2020 at 12:49

Shelby>Boss

JR1 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
05/15/2020 at 13:02

The reliability is one of my bigger worries with that car. An M2C would be an interesting test drive as well. Sorta wanting an NA car though.

JR1 > TheRealBicycleBuck
05/15/2020 at 13:03

I have checked insurance on Hagerty not great but not terrible. I’ll have to see if my State Farm is cheaper. Luckily I am over 25 I guess I should have clarified I graduated law school last year.

JR1 > Thomas Donohue
05/15/2020 at 13:04

Luckily I have had a job for over a year and my debt is relatively low compared to most luckily. Appreciate the concern though.

Thomas Donohue > JR1
05/15/2020 at 13:45

Congrats and good luck on the bar exam . GO STUDY and look at cars later!!!

(Look at me, continually throwing around advice I rarely followed myself !)

JR1 > Thomas Donohue
05/15/2020 at 14:01

I passed the Bar last year! It’s a belated graduation present. Thank you though!

Thomas Donohue > JR1
05/15/2020 at 14:43

Disregard all of my advice!!!!! I can’t even read the date of a post.

A Boy and His Longtail > JR1
05/15/2020 at 14:57

I’m not an expert on this, or even an owner, but I believe I’ve seen a couple of things saying that the Voodoo reliability issues are overblown. I guess it’s just the internet being the internet. If you are really worried about it, try to get a 2nd gen Voodoo (I believe those are 2018+).

I vote the GT350, though. You need that glorious flat plane in your life.

JR1 > A Boy and His Longtail
05/15/2020 at 15:28

The flat plane would likely be glorious but the Boss has quite an outstanding soundtrack of its own with those side pipes and 7500rpm redline.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > JR1
05/15/2020 at 15:59

Not saying you have to consider an M2C if aren’t interested, it’s just what I cho se because I like small discrete cars that don’t draw attention . I also looked at a Camaro 1LE SS, but I just couldn’t see out of it . If I wasn’t shopping for a main car I probably would have looked an awful lot closer at that GT350; engine is redonculous, styling is sinister in just the right way, interior is a bit cheap but is to be expected . M2C’s interior isn’t exactly Rolls Royce to be fair.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > JR1
05/15/2020 at 16:03

Personally id do a Shelby. Especially with exhaust they sound amazing. I have not heard much of reliability issues and know of a few local ones that are now boosted.

JR1 > Tim (Fractal Footwork)
05/15/2020 at 16:55

I drove a regular SS as a rental on vacation recently. My wife is 5 4 on a good day and she could barely see out. Conversely I’m 6ft with a bigger torso and my head hit the damn roof almost (it did hit the roof with a hat on). I’m interested to see how the GT350 is tomorrow. Honestly the M2 is still a tempting choice nice car!

A Boy and His Longtail > JR1
05/15/2020 at 18:43

I didn’t realize the Boss had a redline that high. Good grief!

QCGoose > A Boy and His Longtail
05/15/2020 at 19:11

The revised Voodoo is ‘19-’20 (‘20 being being the final year for the 350 and Voodoo).

Also, yes, the issues with the Voodoo are WAAAAY overblown, as happens on the internet. The biggest problem year seemed to be ‘17, although each year has had claims from folks having issues.

However, go to any car forum, and you’d think that specific car (of whatever forum you’re on) was an unreliable nightmare. It’s just the nature of the internet.

Fact is, only a very small percentage of GT350 owners have actually had issues... just like any other vehicle. It’s an incredibly special car, and unbelievably satisfying to drive.

OP: It’s a tough call between the Boss and the 350. Both are special, rare enough, and utterly phenomenal driver’s cars. Make sure you drive both. I ended up going with a GT350 (a ‘20 that’s still on order with a delayed production start date of June 11 , thanks to the pandemic).

Speed > JR1
05/16/2020 at 00:12

At least drive a 14-15 Z/28. They’re in the 30’s now and that LS7 would be a blast to wring out. There are steel replacements for the carbon ceramics and you don’t have to replace the tires with Trofeos.

Kinja'd!!!

JR1 > Speed
05/17/2020 at 22:11

I drove a C6 Z06 I figured that was pretty close in the experience department compared to the Camaro and maybe even slightly better considering the weight advantage. It was a pure rocket ship