"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
06/05/2020 at 10:22 • Filed to: None
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"Thomas Donohue" (tomonomics)
06/05/2020 at 10:22 • Filed to: None | 0
| 16 |
I didn’t really read the FP post, but will steal the idea to see what Oppos would come up with if they had an extra $395 a month.
I did a four year loan at 4%, so basically you can spend $17,500 on a used car of your choice. Must be in running condition and not need another $400/month in parts or obvious repairs. I’ll allow a $14,000 purchase and $3500 in upgrades if you must.
Bonus points for something vintage that might hold it’s value until the next pandemic in 2024.
So what would Oppo buy?
SL500 for $16,800 ?
MkVII GTI for $16,800 ?
$17,500 for a 1980 Vette?
Or go a little newer for the same money?
Future next gen S2000 owner
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 10:49 |
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Boat loans generally run a bit longer and with higher interest. 10 years at 5% gives me 37K to play with. I’ll take this
https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2006-formula-260-sun-sport-7456934/
TheRealBicycleBuck
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 10:52 |
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I just paid off my WRX. Now I have two purchases in the cue - an SUV for my wife, a truck for my son. For some strange reason, my son wants a Frontier. It’s not an amazing truck, but from what I’ve seen, they have few problems and will run forever. I can get a 2018-19 for $17,500.
My wife probably wants another Explorer. Her’s was a 2013. I could get a 2014-2017 for $17,500, depending on mileage and model.
So, those are my entries. Nothing exciting over here.
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Thomas Donohue
> Future next gen S2000 owner
06/05/2020 at 10:54 |
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Very interesting option.....a little water never hurt anyone!
Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 10:55 |
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There are few cars that get me all too interested lately that seem so drastically different from what I have but the recent WRX would be a really interesting addition to my garage(I’m stretching the budget or relying negotiation to get something with a little lower miles and in red) 2015, 60,000 miles, red WRX
Other than that, maybe a FR-S; 2013 blue
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Thomas Donohue
> Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
06/05/2020 at 11:05 |
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I like that FR-S, didn’t realize they were now down in that price range. They always reminded me of my old Z.
Which is s omething I forget when I wrote my original post.....1978 280Z. Over budget by $2,000 and I’d swap the wheels.... but I’d be tempted.
If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 11:07 |
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Boom. Next question.
ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 11:09 |
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I’m all about SL500s right now, but the prior generation R129s are so awesome. $17K will buy you a really nice one too. Wouldn’t expect it to appreciate much, but should hold value unlike that next gen model. And what a car!
There are a million cool old 80s and 90s cars that apply so I am not even going to get started.
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Thomas Donohue
> If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
06/05/2020 at 11:10 |
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Excellent suggestion. The time is now.
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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 11:13 |
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Textured Soy Protein
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 11:45 |
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You’re on track with the SL except you picked the wrong SL. That one has the Active Body Control suspension which is a maintenance nightmare. R129 SL500 has the classic boxier styling and its only potential large repair cost is the hydraulics for the top, which aren’t nearly as bad as the ABC suspension on the R230. I’ve personally been very tempted to try and sell my 335xi and get an R129 SL500. There are two “best” options, IMHO.
The ’96- ’98 has minor facelift styling but most importantly are the only 2 years with the older, more powerful DOHC M119 motor plus the 5-speed auto instead of 4-speed. The sport package with nicer styling wasn’t introduced until ’97 .
The ’99 -’02 got another minor styling tweak , some minor updates to the interior like chrome rings on the gauges , and most notably it switched to the simpler, less powerful, but cheaper/easier to maintain M113 SOHC twin-plug motor. Power dropped from 322 to 302 hp.
Purists prefer the less commodity-seeming M119 motor but I’m of two minds about it as the M113 is easier to maintain. The M119 is stout too though. The main thing for me is I really don’t like the tan interiors on the R129 and I really do like the sport package styling and wheels. The sport package and black interior is a lot more common on the ’99-’02 than the ’97-’98.
There’s also the 2002 SL500 Silver Arrow which has a totally unique interior which is great, but these are somewhat more collectible and priced accordingly.
This is a ’98 with the sport package, black interior, and AMG Monoblocks.
(Normally I can’t stand silver cars but the R129 I’ll make an exception.)
Jb boin
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 11:58 |
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https://odessa.craigslist.org/ctd/d/austin-2014-bmw-3-series-328d-rare/7136020356.html
Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 12:54 |
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I would be happy with
the nicest Boxster or Cayman I can find at
17
.5.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Thomas Donohue
06/05/2020 at 13:20 |
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I don’t care how cheap they are, no 230 SL will ever be anywhere near a good deal. They’re junk. 12 9's are dumb too.
JasonStern911
> ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/05/2020 at 21:29 |
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Wife owns a 2005 SL500. Been trying to sell it but “SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE’S GOT.” Other than a crankshaft position sensor, the drivetrain has been bulletproof. But the air suspension and the mechanical hardtop have been nightmares. Likewise, there are no enthusiasts from a DIY standpoint. So if you’re used to doing your own repair work and hoping for YouTube videos or forum posts, there’s a good chance that all you’re going to get is:
How to fix _____:
1. Drive to the dealership or an independent mechanic (if the car is over ten years old - otherwise Mercedes locks down the equipment needed to interface to their proprietary computers)
2. Hand over your wallet
3. Enjoy your fixed car
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ZHP Sparky, the 5th
> JasonStern911
06/08/2020 at 14:41 |
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Ha yeah I can only imagine. Thankfully The R129s seem to be much better supported on the communities online. The cylinders on the top mechanism seem to be the biggest risk factor and that is well documented to DIY for a fraction of the cost to do it at a dealership - of course will require plenty of elbow grease. But absolutley - nobody should look at an SL500 vs a Miata and say hey they’re the same price! The Mercedes will be infinitely more expensive to maintain even if it is known to be a reliable car.
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JasonStern911
> ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/14/2020 at 18:53 |
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> nobody should look at an SL500 vs a Miata and say hey they’re the same price!
Completely agree, yet there is an entire YouTube video producing
culture profiting from pumping that narrative.