Well... I know we generally frown on blogesque threads, but what the hell.
I'm getting my first car soon (to be fair, I had an Explorer and a Sentra with my ex-wife, but this will be the first one that's actually mine). I'm a bit excited about finally having one of my own so I figured I'd make this thread half to let you know that I'm excited, and half to get your opinion on my choice(s), my logic.
I haven't made a decision yet, and I'm still open to your suggestions (within reason).
(sorry Plurry - depreciation driving off the lot be damned, I'm getting a new one).
The choices I'm most interested in are...
Third:
Toyota Prius
Pros:
I know you don't like it, but I really like the way it looks
the MPG might be less than EPA, but it's still PDG
somehow I just feel like I need three pros here... carry on
Cons:
way too much advertising for my taste
other Prius drivers
crappy insulation (to save weight, they didn't put much in it so it's got horrible road noise)
peppier than you'd think, but still takes over ten seconds from zero-to-sixty
Toyota certified blind-spot
even though it's supposed to start at $21k (which seems reasonable to me), actually getting one seems take a lot closer to $30
Second:
The Honda Civic Hybrid
Pros:
most reasonable in terms of price
not really advertising the hybrid so much (looks like a reasonably normalish car)
drives reasonably well with decent MPG (though not as good as the Prius)
even though the list price is slightly higher than a Prius, the actual cost to purchase ends up being less than a Prius (though MPG makes up for it in the TCO)
Cons:
clearly an economy sedan
other Honda Civic drivers
First:
Toyota Camry Hybrid [no theme here at all]
Pros:
comfortable zero-to-sixty (<~ seven seconds; not exactly high-performance, but it's a comfortable amount of pick up) while still having decent fuel economy (close to the Civic Hybrid at ~35-40 MPG but a lot peppier and more fun to drive)
push-button start (I really like that)
big enough for Zona and friends
option of getting leather seats (OK - you can also get that in a Prius... but why would you?) and a moonroof (generally comfortable and spacious)
Cons:
a little more expensive than the Civic and the Prius (though not so much that you'd notice)
seems like it's a bit of an old person's car
Then there are the wild cards (impractical / more expensive / worse fuel economy and emissions) like the Z and the G Coupe - nice enough and tempting, but realistically just a bit too impractical for my taste (at least at present).
I'm more or less sold on the Camry Hybrid - it seems like a good compromise of niceish car with acceptable performance and size while still having decent emissions and some of the cool Priusesque features (like push-start) without screaming pretentious self-rightous jackass.
My biggest worry about it is semi-retarded but still something my mom said that stuck in my craw - it's kind of an "old-person's" car.
Not that I'm so image conscious that I really care all that much, but I do care enough that I don't really want to be screaming "old guy" if I don't have to.
So what do you think? (other than - crappy thread)
Those are ridiculous choices, anobody, and remind me of the South Park episode where people got so smug about their hybrid cars that they enjoyed smelling their own farts.
I like the Jeep Wrangler, and since I can't get it right now, I think you should.
The zero-to-88 time should have been a lot better by design, but the emissions controls standards and crappy 1980s technology ended up giving it abysmal performance.
Also it turns out that stainless steel isn't exactly ideal for making a car that doesn't get crushed like a beer can in a crash.
Those are ridiculous choices, anobody, and remind me of the South Park episode where people got so smug about their hybrid cars that they enjoyed smelling their own farts.
Meh.
That sort of person is actually why I'm leaning against the Prius.
Don't think I'm being smug here - just have a set of constraints, combined with my taste and those satisfy them best.
I like the Jeep Wrangler, and since I can't get it right now, I think you should.
Quintuple meh.
Cute enough and decent to drive but not really me.
Also very impractical in places where it gets obscenely hot in the summer (like AZ).
Please take this in the spirit in which it is intended, but for a young single guy those are some of the absolute pussiest choices ever. I realize that I'm probably the only one around here that's into cars, but at least you'll get an opinion from a different view.
Unless you really want to make a statement (the statement of "I don't know a goddamn thing about cars but a bunch of blowhard faux-earth-friendly celebrities drive this so I overpaid by 10 grand to get it"), then I wouldn't get the Prius. Hear me now : YOU ARE NOT SAVING THE PLANET ONE CAR AT A TIME IF YOU DRIVE A PRIUS. Also, the initial cost vs. fuel savings are not advantageous, even at $3.50 a gallon.
The Civic would be my choice but I wouldn't get the hybrid. The Camry will be a good, safe bet and will let the world know how absolutely boring and out of touch with the finer things in life you are.
If you really want to get something that will help the environment, get a diesel. The gas mileage, while not like the Prius, is still amazing. And, you have the option to use biofuel and the like if you wish. Not to mention, the torque will reactivate any remaining male genetic material still left in your body.
Also, unless you drive with more than one passenger all the time, then a G coupe wouldn't be impractical. The rear seats are still useable, unlike the Z, and the trunk is a good size.
Thanks Miyagi - that's actually what I was hoping for (useful feedback).
Unless you really want to make a statement
Exactly the opposite of my goal (not just your statement, but to the extent possible, any).
The Camry will be a good, safe bet and will let the world know how absolutely boring and out of touch with the finer things in life you are.
Unfortunately I actually am boring and out of touch with the finer things.
If I wanted to try a diesel, are there any in particular that I should look at?
I'm not that focused on helping the environment - but to the extent that it's possible, I'd like to have something that performs decently while having minimal emissions and fuel consumption (diametrically opposed, I know, but still).
The thing that surprised me the most abut the G coupe was how close the price is to the Z (especially once you factor in options).
Most of the time, it'd be just me (occasionally plus one and Zona).
In your opinion, would the G be more of a "best of a bunch of crappy options", or actually a good choice (at least worth looking at)?
there was a time when one could name a car, and could tell you the engine displacement sizes offered, horsepower, 0-60 and quarter mile times, tire size, how much new and how much used. somewhere around 1999, i lost all interest in keeping up with cars. idk why, but anyway...
how about a volkswagen bug or passat diesel? what about audi?
but, if i had to pick between the 3, i'd go for the honda. i think the prius looks best, but $30,000 is just too much. the camry seems like it's for people with kids unless it's a solara. i really like those.
I'd get the Civic for sure out of those 3. Honda's are fun to drive. The Camry wouldn't be far behind though, they're very similar cars. Do NOT get a Prius.
If you're buying soon, new diesel cars are almost nonexistent. There's going to be an Accord and A4 diesel coming, but at the moment I think Mercedes is the only option. Used there are tons.
The G35 was in my opinion one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. It's one of the few affordable new cars that I would replace mine with. The 3.5L VQ35DE engine has a note that is best described as intoxicating. The 2007 was the last year for the G35 before the new G37 in 2008. An '07 you might be able to find left over (end of the year is a good time for left over models) but the new G37 might not be in your price range (I think they start at ~34k).
somewhere around 1999, i lost all interest in keeping up with cars. idk why
Exact same thing happened to me with computers.
how about a volkswagen bug or passat diesel? what about audi?
Don't think I quite have the balls to drive around in a bug (seems like a novelty car and a lot of advertising I don't want).
Will look into the Passats.
i think the prius looks best, but $30,000 is just too much.
Yeah - I'm definitely sold against the Prius.
if i had to pick between the 3, i'd go for the honda.
That was my leaning too before I read a comparison in Edmunds and got excited about the Camry (which I now think I'm pretty much sold against).
If you're buying soon, new diesel cars are almost nonexistent. There's going to be an Accord and A4 diesel coming, but at the moment I think Mercedes is the only option. Used there are tons.
Is there a reason there aren't many new ones at the moment?
end of the year is a good time for left over models
Unfortunately I won't be able to buy till mid January (bad timing, I know, but nothing I can do about it).
the new G37 might not be in your price range (I think they start at ~34k).
It's more than I was planning on spending, but I could actually do it.
At the very least, I'm going to take one for a test drive.
The Family Truckster
I need to watch that movie again - it's been too long.
Given the season, I could also stand to see Christmas Vacation.
I think diesels are misunderstood by the average consumer. They think they're truck engines that spew extra-harmful gases out (which is backwards). Also, European manufacturers are really the only ones that classically used diesels as their fuel-efficient options, whereas the Japanese have used hybrids and efficient gassers exclusively until now. And Americans.... make landau tops.
BTW, this is the only FWD car I would consider buying
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 8:28 AM Edited Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 8:29 AM
If Ano wants something boring, the German cars are out. And anyway, I have heard that VW has had a lot of mechanical problems with their cars the last few years.
I don't know that much about engines, but my understand is that the down side of diesels is that they're very efficient, but they don't accelerate very well.
It seems like hooking one up to a generator then using batteries and electric motors for pickup would be ideal (they've been doing it with trains for longer than I've been alive; unless there's some issue I'm not aware of, I can't understand why they can't figure that out with cars).
BTW, this is the only FWD car I would consider buying
Maybe I'm just too concerned with looks, but that just doesn't do it for me.
I don't know that much about engines, but my understand is that the down side of diesels is that they're very efficient, but they don't accelerate very well.
No. Shitloads of torque = plenty of power off the line. 1/4 mile times suck, but that doesn't matter for you. But seriously, compared to the cars on your list there's no way a diesel would feel too sluggish. Unless of course you've never driven anemic cars like the ones you're considering.
Also, don't believe a fucking word that any Prius owner tells you about how fast they are.
It seems like hooking one up to a generator then using batteries and electric motors for pickup would be ideal (they've been doing it with trains for longer than I've been alive; unless there's some issue I'm not aware of, I can't understand why they can't figure that out with cars).
It would be perfect and lots of people want them. The problem is that the price would be insane. Hybrids are expensive, diesels are significantly more than gassers. If you put the two together, you'd have a $60k Civic.
My practical side says four, but... the same side actually also says two ('cause how often am I going to be filling up the back seat?).
How long are you going to drive the car for?
I'm not completely certain.
Tentatively my plan is to have it for 2-3 years then hand it down to my mom or trade it in for one that she'll want when I upgrade.
Shitloads of torque = plenty of power off the line
Very weird - I'm gonna have to read more about them.
If you put the two together, you'd have a $60k Civic
Ah - I do see your point.
What I don't get is that I thought diesel engines were simpler (in terms of number of components and overall complexity). Seems like if anything they should be cheaper (though I could see it being a matter of economies of scale since they're not very popular).
Also, don't believe a fucking word that any Prius owner tells you about how fast they are.
No need to believe them - a couple of years back I rented one for a few days to try it out.
Pickup isn't great (though it's not *that* bad)
I actually liked the way they drive. It's not gonna give you a kick in the pants, but it was still fun, and the drive-by-wire is nice (though a bit of force feedback would have been a bonus).
I had no trouble getting it up to 85 and I'm sure it could have gone a lot faster if I tried... of course, that didn't help the fuel economy much.
The most impressive thing was that when I got stuck in horrible stop-and-go the fuel economy went up to about 110MPG.
On the other end, if you really push it and drive like an asshole, it's not hard to get it down below 30 MPG.
My biggest complaints were that it had a horrible blindspot in the back left (I had to lean forward and over to see there), and that they skimped a bit too much on the insulation (was very annoying to have to constantly readjust the stereo's volume every time I got on and off the freeway).
The thing that really pisses me off about them is that nobody seems to make a nice sporty coupe hybrid.
It's not a technical issue. Before they came out with the RX 400h, Lexus had a really cool looking prototype of one that did 0-60 in 4.7s and still got around 27MPG (though probably not at the same time; still a PZEV though).
Instead of releasing that, they came out with a damned half-assed SUV/station wagon.
Now they make two sedans in addition to that (one I think is the Lexus version of the Carolla hybrid, the other is over 100k, and none of the above are anywhere near that little coupe prototype in terms of aesthetics).
Ano--far too hungover to read the entire thread. The feds just revised their MPG tests and all of the hybrids took a huge hit. Some of them are reporting it, but a bunch are waiting until they are required to do so. I was all set to buy one after graduation and now it makes less sense. Toyota is reporting the new MPG levels and I have been happy with both my Matrix and my Corolla. I sold the Corolla before coming out here--the Matrix is a nice ride if you have a dog. I'll be the first one to jump on the plug-in hybrids when they come out, but I can't pay the premium for the modest mileage gains.
I just hope there are enough that aren't thrashed if/when I decide to get one. Every STI owner in town comes to me for parts and they sure as hell don't baby them.
You should get a used car if you're only going to drive it for a few years.
Sorry but no way in hell.
Besides (as I said) - even if I'm only driving it for a few years, it'll have a life past my use.
The feds just revised their MPG tests and all of the hybrids took a huge hit
Yeah I saw that. They're still in line with the real-world numbers I've seen in reviews though (and still quite respectable - not to mention that another benefit of a hybrid is the low emissions)
the Matrix is a nice ride if you have a dog
Thing about the Matrix is that although you'd think I'd like the way it looks because it's a bit Priusesque, somehow I really find it repulsive.
I'll be the first one to jump on the plug-in hybrids when they come out, but I can't pay the premium for the modest mileage gains
You can get TCO numbers from Edmunds based on real-world fuel economy. The hybrids have never had enough of an advantage in terms of MPG that would make them look dramatically cheaper in the long run. I think the main reason for getting one (aside from just supporting the technology) is that the load on the gas engines is more uniform so they can be run closer to their peak efficiency (thus reducing emissions significantly).
All of that said... I'm seriously considering the G coupe now after Miyagi's input.
Just for you stud.
LOL :D
That's great.
My next car^
It's got a charictature (sp?) spoiler and air intake... I'd bet it has a coffee can muffler too, right? I guess those make it go really fast, eh? [rolls eyes]
um, the "appeal" might have nothing to do with the spoiler/hoodscoop/muffler blah blah blah and have EVERYTHING to do with the way the car drives, the amazing get-up-and-go and the overall smoothness of the car's handling around tight turns.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 3:56 PM Edited Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 3:57 PM
No Lena, it's not a Pinto.
Oh, the stock gold rims are a nice touch too =p
I find them gaudy and cheap myself (but to each his own, eh?).
um, the "appeal" might have nothing to do with the spoiler/hoodscoop/muffler blah blah blah and have EVERYTHING to do with the way the car drives, the amazing get-up-and-go and the overall smoothness of the car's handling around tight turns.
Meh. After you finish self-flagellating for blowing by someone in a Ferrari, at a certain point, you've got to realize that you're driving a Subaru.
man what's your problem? subaru's are generally gay, but the wrx is one major exception. Try driving one, then you'll see what I mean, it will probably be the funnest car you'll ever drive.
The STI is one of the few non-supercars that actually needs the spoiler it comes with. Don't even try to compare it to a riced out Civic, because Civics can't outperform cars 3x the price.
And it's also miles above a WRX (even though the WRX is good too).
Instead of a rice can muffler, it has one of, if not the best sounding 4 cylinders in the world.
So wait--you don't want a Prius because you'll be some kind of righteous jackass but you'll get a G Coupe for 35k+ which in my book makes you a pretentious jackass. Definitely get the car you want, but you don't strike me as the kind of guy who:
a. drives a lot b. uses a car to get laid.
For those two reasons why spend more on one new car than a lot of people spend on two? Get a couple of steps up from basic transportation, put some nice options in it, and then buy a house. If you're going to be looking at spending that much I do like the BMW 328 series. I think Dr. Drew drives a BMW.
Anobody is going to be a doctor...right? If so, have you ever been inside the first level parking garage where it's reserved for physicians? He definitly needs something nicer than a BMW 328.
If you like taking your car to the dealership every time you want to check the oil level then you should definitely buy a new BMW. They have graciously designed all new non-M models without dip sticks so you can enjoy the pleasure of being anally raped by the dealership all the time, not just when you have a problem.
In my opinion, a pretentious jackass is someone who buys a car purely for the stereotype of the owner of said car. Secondly, how is a G35 a pretentious car? Furthermore, how is a G35 a more pretentious car than a base model BMW 3 series?
My dream car is to own a Nissan Skyline GTR (R34) OF COURSE. This cars exhaust smells like sex. One moment your sitting at a bus stop next second your fucking some 57 year old house nurse.
If you like taking your car to the dealership every time you want to check the oil level then you should definitely buy a new BMW
Most BMW dealerships give you free oil changes for life.
In my opinion, a pretentious jackass is someone who buys a car purely for the stereotype of the owner of said car. Secondly, how is a G35 a pretentious car? Furthermore, how is a G35 a more pretentious car than a base model BMW 3 series?
I have picked up two new cars in this life and haven't spent more than 16k on them. You can say car xyz is a better model than my basic Toyotas, but is your driving experience really twice as good or worth an additional 20k? I think Mercedes/BMW/Infiniti/ ect. are all vehicular overkill. I'd much rather spend my money on travel or my house. The richest people I know don't drop more than 20k on their 4-wheeled depreciating assets.
Anobody is going to be a doctor...right? If so, have you ever been inside the first level parking garage where it's reserved for physicians? He definitly needs something nicer than a BMW 328.
Eh... Lena... you do realize that there's a difference between having a Ph.D. versus an MD or a DO, right?
Most PhDs have practical cars because they get reasonable jobs (postdocs and professorships don't pay all that well till you get some serious seniority; if I went the academic route, I wouldn't be to my current starting salary for about 10 years; not that I'll be making an obscene amount now).
Even MDs have some serious lead time before they start making money. 4 years of school, then at least a few of residency before they start practicing (and then they've got to pay off astronomical student loans before they're in the clear).
Add all of that together, and I'm more likely to be shunned by my peers for driving an Infiniti rather than something more reasonable.
And it's also miles above a WRX (even though the WRX is good too).
I think you're right - it was the STI (I'll have to ask tomorrow).
you don't want a Prius because you'll be some kind of righteous jackass but you'll get a G Coupe for 35k+ which in my book makes you a pretentious jackass
Meh. I'm actually cool with that.
The thing that really bothers me with the Prius is (in addition to what Plurry said about the premium just because it's cool in the right group) that I've noticed that a lot of Prius drivers seem to act like entitled pricks (far worse than the people who drive decent luxury cars, as far as I can tell). Maybe it's all in my head, but there really seems to be an air of "I'm so much better than all of you assholes because I drive a Prius, so I don't need to be curious" Even if I'm not one, I don't really want to be associated with them.
Minus that and the Prius premium, I really do like their looks and handling (with the above caveats), and it would probably be my first choice.
Definitely get the car you want
Unfortunately nobody makes the car that I really want (which would be something like a hybrid G 37 Coupe), and if they did, it'd probably be out of my price range anyway.
b. uses a car to get laid.
Certainly not.
I'm more of a hopelessly romantic / lost cause who isn't at all interested in me (and even if she was, I don't think my car would make a difference) kinda guy.
Get a couple of steps up from basic transportation, put some nice options in it, and then buy a house
I'm going to buy a house in a few months (that and the car are top on my priority list).
The richest people I know don't drop more than 20k on their 4-wheeled depreciating assets
I'm torn there really. Part of me completely agrees with you and scorns the J-Os who piss away money on expensive cars.... then there's the part of me that gets a hard on just from looking at the G37.
If you're going to be looking at spending that much I do like the BMW 328 series. I think Dr. Drew drives a BMW.
I don't really like the 3 series bimmers. You pay so much of a premium for the BMW name and you're really only barely at their entry level when you get one which, to me, makes you look like a poser. If you're not getting a 7-series, it just doesn't feel like you should bother with one in my book (but then I don't really know cars, and what should anyone care about my opinion anyway?).
If you like taking your car to the dealership every time you want to check the oil level then you should definitely buy a new BMW. They have graciously designed all new non-M models without dip sticks so you can enjoy the pleasure of being anally raped by the dealership all the time, not just when you have a problem.
I'm pretty sure that oil changes are part of their standard maintenance program (which has zero additional cost after purchase).
I look at their 4wd wagon as what I'd get instead of one of the many Subaru ski-machines that they've done zilch to since 1996 (what happened?). Other than that I'm right there with you.
I'm torn there really. Part of me completely agrees with you and scorns the J-Os who piss away money on expensive cars.... then there's the part of me that gets a hard on just from looking at the G37.
Take it from a guy who has lived both above and below his means. The slower your burn rate the better your life is. My friends with nicer cars always ask us how we can afford to go on tropical vacations and such. Not spending $1000+ a month on cars helps. It's a lot easier to buy the cheaper car and then sell it if you think you need more than to go the other way since the universe of buyers is a lot bigger at the lower ends of the spectrum. In the world of luxuries I'd much rather have a vacation home on a mountain or at the beach than a nice car--but I totally get the love of the nice cars--they are pretty.
Most BMW dealerships give you free oil changes for life.
The anal rape I was talking about didn't have to do with money. I mean the hassle of dealing with dealerships, who as a whole are barely below publicist, even if you want to check the oil level. Totally unacceptable for me but maybe not for everyone.
I have picked up two new cars in this life and haven't spent more than 16k on them. You can say car xyz is a better model than my basic Toyotas, but is your driving experience really twice as good or worth an additional 20k? I think Mercedes/BMW/Infiniti/ ect. are all vehicular overkill. I'd much rather spend my money on travel or my house. The richest people I know don't drop more than 20k on their 4-wheeled depreciating assets.
Then why would you suggest he get a BMW?
You can make this arguement about anything in life. Obviously you don't care whether you have an expensive car, so of course you wouldn't spend the money. No one needs million dollar houses or trips around the world, but people that want that stuff spend the money. Cars are no different.
You can make this arguement about anything in life. Obviously you don't care whether you have an expensive car, so of course you wouldn't spend the money.
Actually, I can't think of many things in life where the money you spend of above a certain level gets you less value. Ano talks about wanting to be able to ride his bike to work and wear shorts every day. A car in the 30-40k range doesn't exactly fit that lifestyle.
If you mean overall value including monetary and whatever personal satisfaction it gets you, then it's completely subjective and is different for every person. I'm sure the aforementioned STI is massively more valuable to me than it is to you.
If you mean monetary value then there are plenty of things that have zero, like travel (excluding frequent flier miles).
Ano talks about wanting to be able to ride his bike to work and wear shorts every day. A car in the 30-40k range doesn't exactly fit that lifestyle.
Then he shouldn't buy a car at all.
By the way, I'm typing this on my low-value 22" w i d e s c r e e n monitor.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 10:20 PM Edited Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Take it from a guy who has lived both above and below his means. The slower your burn rate the better your life is.... but I totally get the love of the nice cars--they are pretty.
I really do hear what you're saying.
The only reason I'm not totally sold is that the difference in price is going to be on the order of a few hundred a month. That's small enough that I think it'd be worth it for me.
Ano talks about wanting to be able to ride his bike to work and wear shorts every day. A car in the 30-40k range doesn't exactly fit that lifestyle.
I'm an enigma.
I can't think of many things in life where the money you spend of above a certain level gets you less value.
Actually that's the case for everything.
Even if value always increased monotonically with cost, the incremental change in value / cost would reach a maximum at a certain point.
That is - you can really feel the difference between a 250k$ house and a 500k$ house, you can still feel the difference between a 500k$ and a million dollar home, but it isn't as big. At a certain point, doubling the cost barely makes a noticeable improvement.
Then he shouldn't buy a car at all.
Which is actually why I haven't bought one up till now.
The difference is that now my income is bumping up enough that my quality of life will still increase even after factoring in car and mortgage payments, insurance, etc.
By the way, I'm typing this on my low-value 22" w i d e s c r e e n monitor.
Just for the record - I'm typing this on a low-value / loaded 17" w i d e s c r e e n MacBook Pro.
I'm not exactly a practical person (I just have different priorities than most people).
By the way, I'm typing this on my low-value 22" w i d e s c r e e n monitor.
Just for the record - I'm typing this on a low-value / loaded 17" w i d e s c r e e n MacBook Pro.
Just for the record I just opened up the box on my brand new XO (the one laptop per child laptop). That means I now have 4 notebooks and a desktop in the house. I guess we know where my money goes.
That is - you can really feel the difference between a 250k$ house and a 500k$ house, you can still feel the difference between a 500k$ and a million dollar home, but it isn't as big. At a certain point, doubling the cost barely makes a noticeable improvement.
Yeah but still. My amended argument has two parts. 1. Your house will actually make you money (as long as you keep it long enough) but your car is a sunk cost. To keep up with inflation (assuming you're going to have to move someday) you should be buying a house in the 75th percentile or higher of what you can afford (unless you're stinking rich, then you should fuck yourself). 2. Disposable goods such as massage parlor handjobs and other such things are more available to the dude who spent less on his car. If a larger variety of things make you happy you should spread it around more.
The difference is that now my income is bumping up enough that my quality of life will still increase even after factoring in car and mortgage payments, insurance, etc.
Your house will actually make you money (as long as you keep it long enough) but your car is a sunk cost
My counter is that a few hundred extra a month toward my mortgage won't help *that* much in terms of how much house I can buy or how quickly I'll pay it off *but* it will make a dramatic difference in terms of what car I'll be able to get.
unless you're stinking rich, then you should fuck yourself
Definitely not going to be even mildly malodorously rich... but I'll be making a comfortable salary with room for advancement and nice benefits.
Disposable goods such as massage parlor handjobs and other such things are more available to the dude who spent less on his car. If a larger variety of things make you happy you should spread it around more
Ironically, that's just a wash. If I pay more for the car, then I can get the hand jobs for free.
Where are you going to work?
On campus at ASU (just a few buildings away from where I'm working now) but not directly for ASU (kinda straddling both worlds).
'Knight Rider' Car Could Be Yours - Ebay Auction Only Receives 1 Bid Through Thursday
GREENWICH, Conn. -- An original KITT -- the talking car that helped David Hasselhoff escape bad guys on the '80s TV series "Knight Rider" -- is up for sale on eBay.
The black 1984 Pontiac Trans Am is being sold to satisfy the debts of a slain real estate developer, whose killing last year is unsolved. Boats, cars and other items owned by car aficionado Andrew Kissel already have been sold after creditors claimed he owed $30 million.
One bid -- for the $20,000 minimum -- had been posted on eBay as of Thursday.
"I'm a little surprised because it is a unique car," said attorney Patrick R. Gil, administrator of Kissel's estate. "My understanding is that there were only four of them made specifically for the television series. I expected some 'Knight Rider' lovers to jump on it."
Another original KITT was put up for sale by a California auto dealer in April. The 1982 Trans Am was fully restored and had documentation as one of the four "camera cars" used for close-ups and scenes where Hasselhoff, who played Michael Knight, was behind the wheel.
That car sold in July for about $100,000, down from the asking price of $149,995, said dealer Johnny "Vette" Verhoek of Kassabian Motors in Dublin, Calif., in a telephone interview Thursday. He declined to identify the buyer.
Kissel apparently bought his KITT from an auction house for $69,000 in 2005. The online auction site says pictures are available of the car to verify its authenticity.
Kissel was found dead in his Greenwich mansion in April 2006 just days before he was to plead guilty in a multimillion-dollar real estate fraud case. His brother, Robert Kissel, died three years ago in Hong Kong when his wife fed him a strawberry milkshake laced with poison and bludgeoned him to death with a statue.
ano why do you even want a car so badly if you're not big on cars. Listen to me for once and get a used mercedes. there are a bunch of german car specialists in AZ so the cost to keep it up wont be as much, and then with the money you save vs getting a new car, you can pay your house expenses (electric, water, a/c) and still have money left over to take chicks out.
My pops owns a beamer, that's bullshit if you think it's cheap to take car of it. It's a luxury car out here in the states, in the rest of the world it's a taxi.
ano why do you even want a car so badly if you're not big on cars. Listen to me for once and get a used mercedes. there are a bunch of german car specialists in AZ so the cost to keep it up wont be as much, and then with the money you save vs getting a new car, you can pay your house expenses (electric, water, a/c) and still have money left over to take chicks out.
Jeez - where to begin?
Lets see... couple of things...
First off - fuck a used Merc. Then fuck a used car... and then - fuck getting a used luxury car that I'm gonna pay an eff-ton more for because of the little emblem on the hood.
If I wanted a used car, I'd get a used Toyota, or something reasonably cheap and reliable (with a warranty) that's not an overpriced POS that's gonna require a lot of costly and time consuming maintenance.
Second - my income is gonna be enough that I can afford to get a new car, pay my living expenses, save a bit and still have a little left over for fun. I've had a used car and have dealt with all of the expense and hassle of having to take it in to get it repaired. I want something that's at least passably nice, that I'll enjoy driving, and that's going to be reliable (and, if by some calamity it does need repair, I want something with a warranty so I don't have to spend huge sums ).
One last thing - and take this in the spirit which it's intended (which would be the most condescending way possible) - seriously boy - there's no way in hell you should be giving people advise about how they spend or piss away their money. Coming from Plurry and BG it actually means something and carries a good deal of weight. Once you figure out your own shit, then you can start giving people lectures about what the best use of their money is (and I can guarantee that no matter what your priorities or position in life, buying a used Merc is not the best).
To summarize - even you can reasonably argue against the Infiniti (and I'll do some serious soul searching and budget analysis before I get one) but if I didn't get one, then I would absolutely be getting one of my top picks (which I can definitely afford, I'll enjoy, and they'll all be nice and reliable).
