Need another vehicle

[j_garcia]

Also, there's such a disparity on value. I mean I love Audi. I love our A6. In looking at the A5 they range nicely equipped from $40 up to $75. I'd never pay for the RS5. There's just nothing special enough about it and it looks just like a normal A5 to most people.

Value is not a factor in silly grin. Audi is one that "gets it", for sort of the reason you stated. The RS5 doesn't look much different (instantly recognizable to me and those who know), but when you smoke a Vette and they are there scratching their head, that is the grin factor. The RS5 is not something you buy because you want a "normal" car, you buy that because you enjoy what it was intended for: spirited driving. That is something I would spend my hard earned money on over any sort of luxury, because I love to drive.

When you are talking about this kind of cash though, I'd likely have two cars - one for the track and one that was comfortable for daily driving, because despite the fact that I love driving, I (and this is generally well known) something that is great on the track does not necessarily make a good daily driver. Not everyone is interested in that sort of thing though, nor does everyone want or need an RS5.

I am pondering, or rather loosely looking for, another car that could be built with the intent of being used for track days.

 

[avnetguy]

Also, there's such a disparity on value. I mean I love Audi. I love our A6. In looking at the A5 they range nicely equipped from $40 up to $75. I'd never pay for the RS5. There's just nothing special enough about it and it looks just like a normal A5 to most people.

I agree, the RS5 is good for the real performace minded but the regular A5 or S5 (~20K cheaper) would fit the bill nicely. I'd seriously look at an A5 if it came with the 3.0 TDI engine but they are not available here.

Steve

 

[Steve81]

i want something nice, be it a sports car, sport sedan, or SUV. The thing that's difficult is that at the $50-$70 price range, there's a lot to choose from...

Obviously there's not going to be a lot of horrible vehicles in that segment, so you've really got to focus on what your priorities are. I happen to like the sports sedan segment as being a good blend of fun and practicality, but that's not going to help you much.

all different kinds of cars and when you factor in the higher depreciation normally associated with even more expensive cars, you know have a whole other group of 1-3 year old cars that were significatly more expensive, now sitting in your target group.

Depreciation is a problem, but you've got to be happy with the vehicle you're buying as well. It's one thing to avoid a big depreciation hit, but it may not pay off if it's got some little defects (scratches, paint chips, etc) that bug you. This is especially true in the off lease segment, given that those vehicles are rarely babied. Also with regard to off lease, you'll probably have (potentially significant) maintenance costs coming up relatively quickly, so that's also something to keep in mind.

Maybe go practical... or more so now... and splurge a little further down the road.

It's less fun and there is the old saying that you only live once, but being conservative certainly has a tendency to pay off in the long run, and certainly there are fine cars in the 40k class. I mean, if you really want a Ferrari some day, being frugal now is certainly the most effective way to get there.

 

[Adam]

It's worth a little consideration I suppose, but presumably he's not going to be taking his Ferrari to pick up groceries or for a dine in trip at McDonald's.

Spoken like a person who's never been driving his car when he got the news that the McRib was back.

There are a lot more places to go than those two places. Work, for example. Out to eat. Wherever.

 

[Matt34]

Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier with your spectrum of choices. Here is a compromise of both a SUV and sports car. Blow the doors off a Range Rover and be more practical day to day than a Corvette.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 - Specifications, Pictures, Prices

I personally would get an 2011-2012 model, I think they look better.

 

[ratm]

If your heart yearns for a Z06, don't go for a RangeRover.

Agreed. Since your looking in the 50 plus market, I agree with whomever said get a mid life crisis sports car (not that your having one). That said, I would take any one of these and call it a day.

2013 GT500
Any year C6 Z06
CTS-V
2010-11 E63

OR if you really want to show everyone that you're one step away from a ponytail and unlimited supply of Viagra, then get this in the 2010 range Nissan GT-R

 

[ratm]

Don't know why I didn't think of this earlier with your spectrum of choices. Here is a compromise of both a SUV and sports car. Blow the doors off a Range Rover and be more practical day to day than a Corvette.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 - Specifications, Pictures, Prices

I personally would get an 2011-2012 model, I think they look better.

Forgot about this one. Great choice and I agree with the year range. It also got me thinking about Challenger SRT8 That car is stunning to me everytime I see one.

 

[deedubb]

If you want an SUV, at least get one that has a bit of get-up-and-go and can corner too. I've been thinking about dumping my RS4 for something a bit bigger and have only considered the Cayenne GTS and X5M as far as SUV's go.

As for the Ferrari, only consider this if the thought of spending $5-20K if something breaks doesn't make you weak in the knees and sick to your stomach. The newer ones are pretty reliable and the F430 has a chain so no belt changes are needed every 3 years. Maintenance is fairly cheap as far as Ferraris go, but if something breaks, be prepared to lighten your wallet significantly.

 

[j_garcia]

A friend of mine had a V8 Cayenne and I have to say it was pretty nice.

 

[ImcLoud]

Chevrolet : Camaro 2 door in Chevrolet | eBay Motors

Add this..
Holley HP EFI Multi-Point Engine Management Systems 550-839 - SummitRacing.com
and a Richmond {or tremec} 6 speed transmission Kit , even if you dont do the work yourself {I have a lift, the tools and know how to do it myself} you will only spend around $10K making the car fuel injected and a 6 speed...

And now after that car is injected and a 6 speed it is worth an additional $25K...

I have done this a few times, I bought a 72 camaro for $18K that was redone {they did a very nice job} but no a/c, had a powerglide 2 speed, and a brand new engine with a carb. I put a 200r4 trans in it so it had overdrive, a fuel injection kit, and A/C- Sold the car 4 months after I bought it on EBAY {where I got it} for $33,500- I spent $4000 doing the tranny, a/c, and fi!!!

I also bought a 68 GTO tribute car for $13000, jthey did a new motor and paint job before they listed it, I added fuel injection, air conditioning, new wheels and tires, leather interior and changed the gear ratio in the rear end {they had 4.11's in it, 1st gears top speed was 5mph, lol} to 3.23 and sold the car for $40K buy it now on ebay!!! I spent about $5,000 and that included getting it trucked in!!! And I drove it for over a year!!!

I did one more {sorry if Im boring anyone} it was a 1969 roadrunner, that someone but a chevy engine in , I bought a 440 crate engine, had a tranny for it, changed the wheels, converted it to disc breaks, had it painted and redid the interior to new condition.. I bought the car for $11K spent $12K and sold it for almost $40K 8 months later...

I always say out of all my hobbies, the cars are the only ones that can ever turn a profit...

But anyway, Buy a classic cruiser, something with a/c and fuel injected or with out and add it, thats where you get your money's worth... Now you dont lose a ton of money driving a new car off the lot. Most likely your car is going to be worth MORE when you sell it, after your drive it for a few years!!! And insurance is usually cheaper, taxes are cheaper, and you dont have to wirry about someone pulling up to you with the same car and color...

 

[itschris]

I've done some looking and I know more about what I don't want. The CTS is out. Cool car, roomy enough, but took it for the day and after about being in the care for 30 minutes in traffic, it started to get annoying. The visability total sucks. In fact, you feel like you're in a capsule. It was really enjoyable at first and I really thought this could be on the short list, but not after spending the day with it. I took a new XTS the following day and really liked it, but to me, it's not a $60K car.

I'm glad the sales guy insisted I take the cars for the day. I wasn't going to but glad I did now.

I had a long talk with one our car industry analysts who was absolutely infatic that you're an idiot if you buy a $50K+ car new because the depreciation hit is so much proportionally greater once you go past the mark. Looking 2011's or 2012's with just 5-10K miles on them usually sell for $7-$9K or more less than new. That's a big hit on a $60K car right of the bat.

I've also run the numbers on leases. It may make even more sense to buy up the miles and get a lease. Cars are becoming like phones and computers. They're changing faster and keeping a care for 10 years makes less and less sense because the value just isn't there anymore even if it's in good condition. The cars have changed so much and people just want the newer models with better safety and features which just make the older models (5 years plus) far less valuable and desireable.