5

4/6/2008 11:52:33 PM

i've personally never gone above 50%, and am glad i haven't (and i think have been happier when spending somewhat less than that. as much as i love cars and stuff, i like being able to invest money for future baller-behavior and not live paycheck to paycheck or have to sweat minor purchases). Also, once you buy them, killer cars are much more expensive to operate than you're probably used to. $50 oil changes every few months, mpg in the teens or low 20s (while burning high-test fuel), $1000 worth of tires per year, $100/month (or more) in insurance...and that's BEFORE you start doing track days (spending another few hundred dollars every month or two, and going through fuel and consumables even faster).

that said, especially before my daughter was born, i came awfully close a few times to really going nuts on vehicle (car, motorcycle, jet ski) purchases (like, if the dealer in Pensacola would've cut me a better deal, I was about to walk out with a brand new ZX-6R and brand new Sea-Doo, while I had the supercharged S2000--and was only making barely over $40k/year). in hindsight, it would've been a terrible mistake.

your mileage may vary

on that matter and on buying highly modified cars

and i will almost certainly own some more highly modified cars...but learn from the good and bad decisions of others in this thread who've gone further down this road than you yet have. For the time being, don't blow TOO much money on the purchase, and get something halfway fucking sane (like an older S2000 or E46...or an E36...or a bone-ass-stock Miata or MR2 or the generation of your choice)...

if you won't even change the oil and don't really know how to do at least mundane maintainance and repairs, you have NO BUSINESS whatsoever owning a car with modifications beyond intake/exhaust and suspension...unless you just have money to burn. Do not get anything with modded or added forced induction, engine swap, tuning beyond a simple chip or ECU flash, etc.

4/6/2008 11:55:02 PM

^don't bother talking him out of it. He's just gonna get a modded MR2.

4/7/2008 12:00:44 AM

yeah, i keep telling myself to quit bothering, because he's already gotten tons of good advice, but is determined not to listen to it.

for some dumb reason i keep responding, though

4/7/2008 12:02:30 AM

me, on the other hand, appreciate your advices. I'll definitely look into buying a s2000 when I graduate next year.

4/7/2008 12:06:09 AM

they aren't a perfect solution, by any means. they're a lot of sports car for the money, though (although from the time I bought mine until now when I very well may buy another one, I've always been torn between the S2000 and the C5 'Vette).

4/7/2008 12:08:42 AM

I'll probably look for one at around $15K. That should be around 25% of my salary. I would spend more, but I have to pay back all these student loans.

4/7/2008 12:11:24 AM

Duke if I didn't listen to your advice I would have bought a car months ago. I do appreciate it.

4/7/2008 10:24:05 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/609482351.html

a little over modified... but if it was well taken care of..

otherwise there is

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/621516492.html

and duke I know you hate FWD so just be quiet

4/7/2008 12:40:15 PM

no, and no. Have you ever driven a new mini?

4/7/2008 2:36:53 PM

That seems like a whole lot to spend on such a little car that isn't particularly fast.

[Edited on April 7, 2008 at 2:40 PM. Reason : .]

4/7/2008 2:39:40 PM

^^ I've driven an 05 Cooper S


And the winner for most overpriced car is:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/615170473.html

4/7/2008 3:07:49 PM

Look at this damn wing:

http://tinyurl.com/658fak

I wonder if that can be removed cleanly, cause that is a nice price.

4/7/2008 3:43:50 PM

Holy crippty crap

http://tinyurl.com/5hx93u

I might go check that out

4/7/2008 3:56:43 PM

G35's are nice. Tight and strong but still very liveable on a daily basis.

4/7/2008 5:28:56 PM

the G35 looks good, I'd go look at it.

4/7/2008 5:55:49 PM

The only minus is the high mileage...

56k after 4 years,

[Edited on April 7, 2008 at 6:16 PM. Reason : ]

4/7/2008 6:16:23 PM

that isn't all THAT high

4/7/2008 6:16:51 PM

yeah, that mileage is no big deal. nice car--i thought about buying one, but decided the 330ci was more what I wanted (other than being slightly less powerful) and generally was slightly less expensive.

you could get a 325ci or 325i for even less, and they're great, great cars.

4/7/2008 6:58:17 PM

True, they're nice, but I don't think that will deliver the power that I want. I drove my stepdad's 325 (it's an e90) and it was godawful slow, even compared to my A4.

4/7/2008 8:13:21 PM

VROOM VROOM!!!

4/7/2008 9:49:29 PM

I almost choked when you posted a G35.

Go look at it, and if you afford it, buy it. Seriously. Nice car, enough power, and you wont: kill yourself in it, want to "mod" it, or get killed on the resale for the thing. And it will be reliable, comfortable, and other people may actually ride in it with you.

4/8/2008 1:50:05 AM

Quote :

"and you wont: kill yourself in it, want to "mod" it, or get killed on the resale for the thing. "

Okay, well for starters, it's got enough "power" to kill anybody in if they're driving like a fucktard. Secondly, do you think from all the shit he's posted he wouldn't want to mod it????! Third, it looks like the resale has been dying slowly already...

I hope you're just trolling. If so you got me!!!

Quote :

"56k after 4 years"

Yeah, that's about right for a daily driver/triangle commute.

[Edited on April 8, 2008 at 1:54 AM. Reason : k]

4/8/2008 1:52:54 AM

Buy a Lotus

4/8/2008 2:03:51 AM

another vote for the g35... sounds like the perfect car for you right now. solid reliability, plenty of power/performance to have fun with, but not enough to get you in terrible trouble if you're careful. excellent platform to build from when you're ready. gg's all around, if you drive it, like it, and they'll play ball on the price go for it.

as for the s2k, that winshield banner and the graphics should come off easy. probably just vinyl. unless you've got a strong desire for a roadster, the g35 is hands down the way you should lean.

4/8/2008 2:04:17 AM

well, the G35 isn't nearly as focused of a sports car as the S2000. If you don't plan on tracking it, I'd go with the G35 (or a 3-series).

If you want to track it, and are ok with not going to VIR (unless you put a bar in it, which is somewhat of an ordeal with the S2000), the S2000 is a lot of sports car for the money. I'd say it's rivaled only by the C5 'Vette in that price range (I mean, the C5 will spank it in pure performance, but the S2000 is more appealing in some ways).

I will say that my 330ci was, in my opinion, the best car I've ever driven, as a total package. It wasn't the best at anything, but it was really good at EVERYTHING. To be fair, though I've only driven a G35 sedan, and I'm pretty sure it was an automatic, and I didn't really get to drive it in anger.

[Edited on April 8, 2008 at 2:12 AM. Reason : if you don't know whether you are an S2000 or G35 person, you are a G35 person.]

4/8/2008 2:11:25 AM

Quote :

"if you don't know whether you are an S2000 or G35 person, you are a G35 person"

If you buy that s2000's I'll buy the wing. I love that ricer shit!

[Edited on April 8, 2008 at 8:40 AM. Reason : .]

4/8/2008 8:39:50 AM

Yeah, it looks like the S2000 comes with an aftermarket exhaust as well as some sort of aero kit (the front bumper looks different) and painted calipers. Eh.....

Quote :

" Hi Matt, I received your email concerning the S2000. The Spoiler can be removed, however not cleanly. We are considering just replacing the rear trunk lid completely. That would run us about $500 and the price would go up accordingly. Yes as you figured out, the reason it is currently priced the way it is, is because of the modifications that have been done to the car. Now it is noteworty that all the modifications are with genuine Honda parts, from the alloys to the spoiler to the cold air intake. There've been a few other modifications done, for instance if you can see the pictures, theres two front spoilers? for lack of the proper term, on either side of the front bumper. they are angular maybe 3-5 inch raised strips that help channel air around the car. The Used Car Manager says he thinks to make the car close to original factory specs would run $1500.00...he is unsure if he wants to do that straight away or give the car a chance to sell to someone first... If he had a buyer that wanted it done however, we would be willing to discuss things with you. "

[Edited on April 8, 2008 at 9:29 AM. Reason : ]

4/8/2008 9:04:20 AM

Quote :

"Now it is noteworty that all the modifications are with genuine Honda parts, from the alloys to the spoiler to the cold air intake."

riiiight

4/8/2008 12:07:50 PM

i'd prefer a stock car if i was throwing that kind of money down. looks like it was driven but a mexican

4/8/2008 1:37:11 PM

Regarding the G35

Quote :

"An associate of mine told me a little while ago that he had a Marine from Jacksonville coming in on it tonight so you'd better come on if you can. I know this sounds like a sales tactic but we don't play those games here. If you're very serious about it and want the car we can get it done. If you don't want to rush we can wait to see if he buys it. It's up to you, I'll do what ever it takes to assist you. I'm building a BMW business here and I need the referals so I'll do anything it takes to make this deal work."

My bullshit detector must be broken...

4/8/2008 3:53:56 PM

lol @ Marine having money to buy G35.

4/8/2008 9:29:10 PM

anyone with a job can buy a g35


hell look at the thread starter

4/8/2008 9:32:35 PM

That MR2 with the 2zz swap has a Power FC for engine management. It won't pass inspection (no OBD II capabilities in any Power FC that I know of) with that installed--I know this because I have a Power FC in my Rx-7, which is not OBD II.


[Edited on April 8, 2008 at 10:22 PM. Reason : it's a Florida car, and I thought FL didn't have inspections, which explains it]

4/8/2008 10:18:35 PM

Florida doesn't have inspections? lol.

4/8/2008 10:29:32 PM

Nope. That's half of the reason I'm a FL resident (the other half is no state income tax).

Quote :

"lol @ Marine having money to buy G35. "

uhh, you don't have to be a baller to buy a $19k car...especially if you have minimal expenses (and especially if you're deploying a lot, getting paid tax free, and not spending shit).

not to mention that there's a decent chance that he's a staff NCO or officer, who would have no trouble at all affording a $20k car.

4/8/2008 11:00:37 PM

If my income tax is any reflection of how marines are paid they should all be able to afford NEW g35's

4/9/2008 8:00:23 AM

Quote :

"well, the G35 isn't nearly as focused of a sports car as the S2000. If you don't plan on tracking it, I'd go with the G35 (or a 3-series). If you want to track it, and are ok with not going to VIR (unless you put a bar in it, which is somewhat of an ordeal with the S2000), the S2000 is a lot of sports car for the money. I'd say it's rivaled only by the C5 'Vette in that price range (I mean, the C5 will spank it in pure performance, but the S2000 is more appealing in some ways). "

He can BARELY afford to buy a car, if he tracks anything other than a sub 4k beater, he is stupid as hell. The only reason I'm tracking my Lotus is because I bought separate raceday insurance on it. And if God is talking about spending 2/3 of his income on a car, there's no way in hell he can afford to track ANYTHING he's listed in this thread, except maybe another busted ass MR2.

Quote :

"Okay, well for starters, it's got enough "power" to kill anybody in if they're driving like a fucktard. Secondly, do you think from all the shit he's posted he wouldn't want to mod it????! Third, it looks like the resale has been dying slowly already... I hope you're just trolling. If so you got me!!!"

Ok troll, any car has enough power to kill anyone if they are driving like a fucktard. There is no comparison between a stock G35 and the turbo miatas, turbo MR2s and s2000's he's been tossing around in here.

Second, I can only pray he wouldn't mod it.
Third, the resale on all cars dies slowly, its called depreciation. And the g35 will depreciate more slowly than any of the other models he has posted.

[Edited on April 9, 2008 at 11:31 AM. Reason : .]

4/9/2008 11:27:00 AM

^but that's what America is all about, buying stuff you can't afford.

4/9/2008 11:30:24 AM

its one thing to buy it outside of your capability. its another to race it on a track where it's not covered by insurance, wreck it, and left with no car and a huge loan still to pay off on it.

4/9/2008 1:44:02 PM

I may end up getting a Cooper S. A local euro board member is selling his. 2004 with 56k miles. If I can get it for $4000+ cheaper than the G35, I'm going for it.

4/9/2008 2:36:07 PM

what the hell is wrong with you

4/9/2008 2:39:57 PM

Quote :

"its one thing to buy it outside of your capability. its another to race it on a track where it's not covered by insurance, wreck it, and left with no car and a huge loan still to pay off on it."

if you're at a sanctioned event with an instructor in the car, and you didnt do anything "stupid" AND you have somewhat of a good record. some insurances will cover it.

as long as its a driving school.
^^ have you test driven a cooper? get what you want. it seems like people on here are 100% deciding on what car you should get. yes, they give good advice on not buying a trashy car, but man if you want a G35, get it. if the cooper is $4K less, and you want a G35, then get a G35.

dont let some negros on here buy a car for you

[Edited on April 9, 2008 at 2:51 PM. Reason : ]

4/9/2008 2:49:33 PM

yep, it's possible to get coverage. i do pay a little extra for it, but my c5 is covered for "competition and off road use". i know a lot of people that do all the vintage racing stuff are well protected too since some of those cars are nearly irreplaceable. i imagine it's outrageous for them though.

Quote :

"lol @ Marine having money to buy G35."

actually, most people in the military have quite a bit of disposable income. they don't have living expenses to speak of and get lots of other perks that a civilian usually doesn't have.

[Edited on April 9, 2008 at 3:15 PM. Reason : .]

4/9/2008 3:05:45 PM

...

[Edited on April 9, 2008 at 3:14 PM. Reason : double post]

4/9/2008 3:14:29 PM

Quote :

"^^ have you test driven a cooper? get what you want. it seems like people on here are 100% deciding on what car you should get. yes, they give good advice on not buying a trashy car, but man if you want a G35, get it. if the cooper is $4K less, and you want a G35, then get a G35."

Actually, yeah. I was two seconds from getting one, and then the guy sold the car out from under me. It was a great deal also. Being that this is the first large purchase I'll be getting for myself, price is fairly important. If I can save a few thousand dollars for a car I'll be just as satisfied with, then that's fine with me.

4/9/2008 3:30:33 PM

Quote :

"if you're at a sanctioned event with an instructor in the car, and you didnt do anything "stupid" AND you have somewhat of a good record. some insurances will cover it. as long as its a driving school."

You better read your policy, because of the major carriers (Progressive, Geico, Allstate, State Farm, USAA, eSurance, Granger, and every other "name brand") they all have very specific exclusions.

Some are worse than others (for instance, Geico wont cover you even in a street race), but HPDE is NOT under any circumstances insured, and AutoX isn't either.

You have to purchase either a separate addendum to your policy like BBR has (which is really hard to do now for HPDE) or buy a separate track day policy.

My point was, if he's spending 2/3 of his income on the car, there's no way he can afford track insurance, tires, brakes and everything else needed to responsibly track it. I have no problem with him buying a good reliable car with his money at all. I think the G35 would be a great choice, far better than a Mini. You never realize how much you need trunk and seat space until it's gone.

4/9/2008 5:18:20 PM

How much is track insurance noen?

4/9/2008 6:13:49 PM

^yeah, I'm pretty curious as well about that.

4/9/2008 7:07:55 PM

The best I've seen, and what I will be carrying is through Snelling Walters which has apparently been bought by http://www.furmaninsurance.com/ since the last time I looked. More importantly Furman has added liability and transportation liability and collision coverage for non-road legal vehicles.

Rates are 2-2.5% of the car's value, with a ~2000 dollar deductable, for a one year policy. The few other carriers I found in searching are close to double that (4-5% + 5k deductible).

The best part about track insurance is there is no haggling, you get your money quick and without much hassle.

----------

Also, I don't know about Furman, but most carriers have a 30-40k minimum on the agreed value of the car. It varies widely from place to place, some have high minimums, some have none.

[Edited on April 10, 2008 at 3:37 AM. Reason : .]

4/10/2008 3:35:49 AM