Another car thread

[Jeff05]

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I LOVE CARS.

after fellowship next year i will probably be torn between practicality - something like a toyota/subaru and enjoyment - BMW/Audi/lexus/infinit. maybe i'll combine the two and get a 3 series wagon or something so at least i can throw a stroller in the back. i think people that have driven a 3 series vs an accord would probably understand.

in this era of declining reimbursements, etc. do you guys feel about the cars you want? buy something less expensive or lease something you like. how to avoid the GUILT of spending money on the worst waste of money - a car.

it may come off as being pretentious (ie new grad gets bmw), but cars have always been a hobby and a great source of enjoyment for me (a nice drive with music is one of the most relaxing things i can do - would be nice to do that everyday before and after work).

 

[lobelsteve]

I am partial to the Subaru STI.

http://gymkhana.dcshoes.com/

 

[Tenesma]

1) get a cheap ass car... set-up a home business, and then deduct all of your mileage... that way you will funnel more income into your pocket at the end of the year, instead of paying taxes...

2) negotiate with your employer that they purchase/lease the car for you .... realizing that in the end it just means a lower salary

3) you can get smooth rides with good music in the cheaper non-german, non-lexus brands... AND save money

4) plus when you finish your training, odds are that you will not stay at your first job... so it may be better to get a cheap car and stash money away to help with transition to job #2 or #3...

5) disregard all of the above if you have a LONG commute... cause i'd rather sit in a lexus for 45 minutes versus an accord..

 

[Jeff05]

sounds like my conscience.

1) get a cheap ass car... set-up a home business, and then deduct all of your mileage... that way you will funnel more income into your pocket at the end of the year, instead of paying taxes...

2) negotiate with your employer that they purchase/lease the car for you .... realizing that in the end it just means a lower salary

3) you can get smooth rides with good music in the cheaper non-german, non-lexus brands... AND save money

4) plus when you finish your training, odds are that you will not stay at your first job... so it may be better to get a cheap car and stash money away to help with transition to job #2 or #3...

5) disregard all of the above if you have a LONG commute... cause i'd rather sit in a lexus for 45 minutes versus an accord..

 

[coldweatherblue]

FWIW you can get a really nice ride for pretty cheap if you're willing to look into used cars. E36 M3's in fairly good condition can be found easily for $10k. E39 M5's can be had for ~$20k. Key thing of course with any German car is to make sure the previous owner has spent a lot of money recently on maintenance. 😀

for me, I'm a LOOONG way from being in your position but I can't WAIT to get back in a car I enjoy driving.. I owned an E30 325i for 6 years while in high-school/undergrad, maintained it myself, paid for everything etc, I absolutely loved that car every day I owned it. Such a joy to get in your car and have a smile on your face all the way to work/school. 👍 It was super cheap too, less than $2.5k purchase price.

 

[Jeff05]

amazing...

I am partial to the Subaru STI.

http://gymkhana.dcshoes.com/

 

[powermd]

I faced this decision last year and decided to get car I'd really like to drive vs one that I'll be sort-of happy with, but slightly pissed I didn't get what I want.

I'm rolling a 335i now and LOVING it. That twin turbo engine is so smooth, the weight balance is perfect, and the car is beautiful in monaco blue. Accelerating from 0-80 is still a thrill, even after 8 months. I may even go for the Dinan stage III upgrade next year... Hopefully in a few years I'll have an excuse to get a convertible. An excuse like, maybe a two car garage!

Cars are definitely NOT just convenient transportation for me, it's like an expensive hobby. I'm going to have a 30-45 minute commute anyway. Unless I can do 120 on the Capitol beltway!

I'm down with Tenesma on the whole "war chest" idea though. I do plan to save most of my first two year pre-partnership income, minimize housing costs, etc. 0.9% financing from BMW made the 335i an easy sell.

 

[Trisomy13]

.

 

[neuroride]

That STI footage is unbelievable. Made the hairs stand up the first time I watched it.

 

[lobelsteve]

That STI footage is unbelievable. Made the hairs stand up the first time I watched it.

Stig avatar? Tres cool.

 

[Noyac]

That STI video is by far the best car driving and performance piece I've seen. However, it isn't practical for me to have a 530 WHP STI since I haul skiers, bikers, and a camper everywhere. But being that I am a lover of vehicle performance and think that a vehicle should serve more than one purpose, transportation. I went with a slightly different vehicle.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-4tndpjl4Q

Here's mine:

Eat your heart out Jet.

 

[jeesapeesa]

noyac,

sick ride. what happened to the rovers?

 

[Noyac]

noyac,

sick ride. what happened to the rovers?

still got em.

The defender is now a trail rig and the Range Rover is for the wife.