All the cars I want are too expensive

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/17/2016 at 08:35 • Filed to: None

I’m noticing a trend: All the cars I want are in the $30k-$40k range. Most things cheaper I’m not interested in. Is this because I want what I can’t have? If I could afford a $35k car, would I only want a $45k car?

DISCUSSION (32)

Nibby > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:37

just buy 4 nissan versas

Jayhawk Jake > Nibby
02/17/2016 at 08:43

How bout no

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:43

I think that 30-50 is kind of the sweet spot if buying used. You can get really high end much older stuff, or better slightly used (ctsv, m5, etc). Or 4 nissan versas

JeepJeremy > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:45

How about Leasing one? It may be more affordable that way.

Flavien Vidal > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:47

You don’t want a miata?? How about an RX7? Or a C5 Corvette? You have PLENTY of choice for awesome cars under 20k$. Of course if you’re talking about brand new car, then I can only thank you for your sacrifice as I’ll be the one who will end up buying back your 40k$ sports car for 1/3 of its price in 5 years :)

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:50

Buy used to avoid the depreciation.

Tripper > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:50

I think that’s just the age old story if you’re a car person. I always have a number when I start looking for a car. By the time I’m done looking I’m up budget a few thousand from where I started, by the time the deal is done I’ve spent 4-10k over what I originally said that I would be comfortable with.

CalzoneGolem > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:53

I think I want all the cars all the time.

Tom McParland > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:53

I was in those shoes once....when my lease was about to be up on my Mazda3 I was going to either buy something used or lease again. However, there was nothing I really liked within my budget. I decided to hold onto the 3 for a while until I my income situation improved and I could afford something I really liked.

My advice is to hold what you got for awhile and save up. You will have more money to use and the 40k cars today will be high 20's-low 30's in a year or two.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:58

The average transaction price for a car in the US is $32k, so there are probably more options in the $30-40k range than any other price band. Thinking about it, the only new enthusiast car that isn’t intended to have at least a $30k transaction price is probably the Fiesta ST. The 500 Abarth is borderline due to the convertible.

Master Cylinder > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 08:59

I think everyone on this site probably feels your pain.

That said, there are SO many options on a $15K-20K budget. That kind of money will get you a nice C5 or maybe even C6 Corvette, a recent Mustang or Camaro with a V8, a nice Boxster S or maybe a Cayman or 996-era 911 if you get a deal, a low-mileage BRZ/FRS or FiST or FoST, a smattering of BMW M cars, and the list goes on...

jariten1781 > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 09:00

If you’re like me, when you can afford 50k$ cars your perspective will have done a full 180 and you'll not want to spend more than ~25k.

Nibby > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 09:11

your loss

PorkchoPlissken > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 09:31

I’m quite the opposite. I knee that I was indeed a redneck when I realized I’d rather have a pile of older, partially functioning cars than 1 car for 30k.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Nibby
02/17/2016 at 09:32

avoiding 4 versa’s seems like a wonderful win

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 09:39

I kind of know the feeling. I want a Fiesta ST, I can afford a base model Fiesta. I’ll just be saving a little longer to get what I want.

Quadradeuce > jariten1781
02/17/2016 at 10:01

This. This this this. I can easily afford a $50-60k car, but at this point in my life I am looking for bargains. I worked hard for that money. I would hate to see it be vaporized by depreciation. My current car buying threshold is sub-$20k.

I am waiting for 2010-2011 Saab 9-5 Aeros to get below that line. Right now, they are juuuuuust above it. A Chevy Caprice PPV demo car is also tempting, but those are closer to $25k. But a low mile 2015 V8-powered family sedan for $25k? Tempting. Too bad the ass looks like an old Malibu, otherwise it would probably be in my garage right now.

Jayhawk Jake > Flavien Vidal
02/17/2016 at 10:04

My problem is I like modern stuff too much. I’m looking used, but anything more than a few years old I’m not interested in. Or more accurately I’m not interested in them at the prices they command. C5 Corvettes are fine as second cars, but I can’t afford a nice one as a second car and as an only car I’m just not interested.

Get more modern and the prices start to rise too much. I could get a previous gen Mustang GT for $23k, but then I’m spending $23k on a car with cloth seats and a basic radio. 90% of the time I spend in my car is a boring commute, so I like having luxury too much.

Jayhawk Jake > Tom McParland
02/17/2016 at 10:06

Then I’m just perpetually holding on to a car I’m bored with. Also part of my point with the original post was where does it end? If I save up enough to afford a $35k car then a $40k car is only a little further away. Hit $40k and $50k is only a bit further away. It probably ends there because my endgame is a C7 Corvette, but still.

nerd_racing > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 10:08

you know what’s even worse? Wanting cars that are too cheap. I like some bottom of the barrel economy cars and it’s a constant struggle to not pick them up for $200 here or $300 there.

Tom McParland > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 10:15

So you still have the Sonic RS right? Anything you can do to make it less boring? Some small upgrade to increase the fun, perhaps a ECU flash or a better set of rubber. My Mazda wasn’t exciting, but it treated me well and it was “fun enough” until my finances matched my goals.

Everyone has different goals, but when I hit the point where I could afford a 40k car, I looked at my options and decided it wasn’t for me. I was very serious about a 328 with M-sport package and 3 pedals. Good car, but I personally could not justify the cost over the GTI.

I guess what I’m saying is you gotta look at the big financial picture and see where your auto spending fits into your other money goals. I’m sure you have a plan for savings, home, retirement etc...IIRC you are fairly young so now is the time if you have extra cash to start having a long-term strategy. This advice isn’t fun, but your opportunity for a C7 Vette will be there for some time.

Jayhawk Jake > Tom McParland
02/17/2016 at 10:41

I’ve already done exhaust, tune, swaybar, sticky rubber. It helps, but it’s still an econobox.

RPM esq. > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 10:45

As someone who could afford a $35-40k car but finds himself interested only in $50-60k cars, I’m afraid the answer may be yes.

Boxer_4 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/17/2016 at 10:50

I don’t know, 4 Versas could be fun.

Kinja'd!!!

Tom McParland > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 10:55

I hear you...but in the grand scheme of things if you look at your financial goals, is the Sonic “fun enough” for now? Maybe yes, maybe no...and it all depends on your priorities, but just keep the big picture in mind.

EL_ULY > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 10:57

oppolyfe!

Jayhawk Jake > Tom McParland
02/17/2016 at 11:01

If I didn’t have the big picture in mind I’d just go blow all my money on a 50k sports car. I could easily afford it if I stopped contributing to my retirement and savings accounts.

BigJayDogg3 > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 11:09

Katzkin and Pioneer.

If seats and infotainment are the only “luxury” items you want, that’s easy to add in the aftermarket for next to no money.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Boxer_4
02/17/2016 at 11:10

I would choose a very, very long list of other things for that job

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 12:01

Buy $700 Rx7+$3500 LS1 and T56+combine = more fun that almost anything out there at 30K

Jayhawk Jake > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/17/2016 at 12:56

That requires time, tools, and mechanical skills. I have none of thosr

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jayhawk Jake
02/17/2016 at 13:06

thats why i have mine at a shop