[Hypno]

(03-08-2017 11:30 AM)monster Wrote:  

Sounds like a poser move to me.

"Ima get a used luxury car so people think I'm a lot richer than I really am"

Your charade will be exposed as soon as you invite people over to your digs and start talking about what you do for work.

People will LOL IRL.

Especially when there are some VERY NICE cars you can pick up new or almost new for 25-30.

I can afford a new Jaguar but its wasteful. I like to live below my means.

I was going to call you a hater because your comment did not answer the question I posed, but upon reflection, your comments are quite valid and helpful for most people, just not to me. my inner game is fine, just tweaking my outer game a little.

I previously drove a Lexus for 10 years that I bought new which was fine, but I want something a little more exotic.

The math is compelling (leaving aside repairs). You could buy a new Jag for $75K, and in 5 years its worth $20-25K, or you could buy a $25K used Jag and in 5 years its worth $10-15K. And with a car like a Jag or a Porsche, if you get the right model (that is, its not discontinued) no one is going to care that its not brand new because the car is more exotic than a BMW or Lexus. That's how I look at it anyway.

everything is trade offs.

For a set amount of money, you could get a used Jag or a slightly less used BMW 3 series. If you go M5, the price might be the same. When people look at your car, the reactions are different. BMWs are quite ordinary where I live. Guys will notice its an M5, but I'm not interested in them.

[estraudi]

Here's a steal that is nothing to scoff at. I love traditional manual cars and this C230 benz is probably the only Benz that has a manual tranny.
The year is good for reliability, maintenance, and looks. Mileage is not bad at all either.
Has smaller engine which will be better for maintenance and power is still good. Also looks classy for it's age and price point.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventoryl...=103387843

[Simeon_Strangelight]

(03-08-2017 11:40 AM)LockeAndLoad Wrote:  

(03-08-2017 07:34 AM)ShotgunUppercuts Wrote:  

"surprised at the disdain for corvettes. as a kid I always wanted one."


Don't be . I don't no what these guys are talking about .vettes are for old folks? Maybe a decade ago .but now? I never seen so many young guys driving vettes . Since the c7 dropped the prices for c6 vettes dropped significantly,hell the zr1 can be had for the 50 or so ish and you got 638 horses from the jump . You can get a c5 zo6 for no more than 30gs .

They handle great also. Check out car and drivers c7 grandsport vs the Porsche 911 and see which one wins.

Agreed--the "Corvettes are for old people" trope displays either a lack of knowledge about Corvettes or a willful blindness to American cars (or blind allegiance to European and Asian sports cars)

The US car manufacturers did it to themselves by being on the vanguard of planned obsolescence - designing their cars so that they had to fall apart. Now everyone is doing it to some degree, but the Japanese and Koreans less, Porsche was even dodging that train for a long time.

US cars in the 60s and early 70s were designed to drive tens of thousands of miles without any problem - from coast to coast. Then their crappy ideas started that bankrupted them all in the 90s-2000s.

It is not that they could not make excellent cars - at this level I doubt that they want to anymore.

Mercedes is better than BMW in terms of reliability, though it has fallen in recent years as well. 1970s Mercedes was a reliable beast and you could drive 50.000 miles without an oil change - that too got worse due to the same destructive engineering.

My tip is to buy a Porsche - for 25.000$ you can buy a boxster or a Cayenne.

By the way - ever since I heard a guy worth 10 mio. $ say that he would never buy a new car unless he tops 100 mio. $, then I simply would not consider buying a new car - the depreciation is not worth it. Some cars go down from 100k to 30k within 5 years even if they don't rack up many miles. And 70k for a guy who has 10 mio. $ is still worth something - especially since the actual enjoyment is identical to a new car.

Game-wise it does not matter much at that level. Women find pick-up trucks the most masculine followed by convertibles that could just as well be old-school 70s classics - better raw reaction to a car will only work if you wanna spend 60-75k on a used Lamborghini or another super-car. A flashy Bentley will work too, but you won't get that for 25k.

[kaotic]

Fuck all this pussy car shit.

Go buy a Harley Street Glide or Road King - half your budget.

-Steal Bitches
-Bitches Ride Bitch
-?????
-PROFIT

[General Stalin]

Don't buy a Range Rover. They are money pits, which is why one that is only a few years old is only worth 25% of its MSRP when new. If you want a SUV get a Mercedes G wagon or a Cadillac Escalade. I also personally recommend a Yukon Denali like Kona said (I have owned two and loved both of them - one of them is my current vehicle) - basically an Escalade but less expensive.

As for a budget used sports car, I don't know enough about a lot of foreign makes to say a lot about them. Corvettes get a bad rap because a lot of old dusty retirees buy them and never put the needle past 60MPH so they are seen as "old people sports cars" - it's sad because they are serious machines. Cadillac CTS-V is a sweet car too. Mercedes Benz are nice but they are a little girly, though I don't think you will be clowned on if you drove a black E-class with the V8.

[UlteriorMotive]

I agree with the other posters.

Those cars vary from bad reliability to terrible, not counting the bloated cost of repair.

I'm curious, what is the reason for buying such a car in the first place? something to excite you or just for the wow factor?

If it was me I'd be leaning more towards these.

Nissan 350Z (bulletproof engine and reliable, I have a friend who has owned 3 of these over the last 10 years and has had very minor issues)


Subaru BRZ (same as above, friend with one and he cant speak high enough of it.


TVR Tuscan (British made, reliable, exotic factor)


Jaguar XK8 (A family member has owned one of these for as long as I can remember and it's hardly spent anytime in the garage except for some rust issues)


A good place to get information would be http://www.Autotrader.com (under the car itself on reviews) or at http://www.parkers.co.uk

I heard there is also a lot of R34/R33's floating around the US now, why not one of those?

Edit: These cars range in price from (£3000 - £15,000)

[GeneralMacDaddy]

(03-08-2017 09:48 AM)Hypno Wrote:  

(03-08-2017 08:00 AM)Atlanta Man Wrote:  

@Hypno

Why are you buying the car? Is it to get laid , race, or personal enjoyment?

Not to race, I'm too risk averse.

More about getting laid and personal enjoyment, and moving my image from a 9 to 5 executive to something a little more dangerous.

I guess sports car would have been better in the title rather than luxury car. Nothing wrong with the Benzs and BMWs, its just not the direction I am going in.

I am seeing 2007 Jag XKR convertibles for under $25K; 1997 for $10K

Ah, a sports car. That makes sense. The previous german cars I mentioned were more luxury focused.

Then I think you are on the right track with the Porsche boxster.

Many die-hard porsche guys hate that car. But who cares!

Honestly, girls cannot tell the difference between a $10k used boxster and a $150k 911 turbo, they don't really care and image wise the boxster is the best bang for you buck.

Plus its fun to drive, looks good with the top up or down, and makes a great second car. And if you aren't going to race it, you don't need a 911.

The Jag just doesn't look as good for the price in my opinion, but if you like the look go for that that it is unique at least.

[booshala]

These car threads are always good for a laugh because there are invariably members of the sour grapes gallery that chimes in with "corvettes/porsches/etc are for old men and posers" when I'm sure that they'd be happy driving the same cars if they could comfortably afford them.

OP: I have a 10 year old Lexus too (2006 IS250) and it's a great little car. Too bad you didn't hold on to it as a beater.

It's gonna be tough to upstyle your car-game for $25k with one of the luxury brands you mentioned unless you think outside the box: http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/how-to-own...1668638286

Perhaps also look into 80's Datsun 240z's? Think the really high-end restorations are 50k+ but you could probably find something in your price range. Not luxury, but definitely eye-catching.

Good luck!

[Hypno]

ATL Man - you're thinking on the Boxster is exactly where I am. Although I would probably not use the convertible all the time, and the Jag looks better with the top up than the Boxster.

Ulterior Motive - I used to have an Infinity G Series which had the same engine and almost the same performace as the 350Z. Great car.

That TVR Tuscan is exactly what I am looking for, but there are only 5 in the entire Western Hemisphere! Great article about them here, but they are only legal without modification in Canada after 15 years and in the U.S. after 25, because they don't have airbags or ABS and meet other safety requirements! http://www.autotrader.com/car-video/i-dr...ere-255921

[ShotgunUppercuts]

are you into older cars op?

[RoastBeefCurtains4Me]

I'm personally driving a $7000 sports car and a $7000 SUV, both in excellent shape. I'm thinking when I have more money to blow, I'll step this up to a $20,000 SUV and a $20,000 sports car, with both of them very high end used vehicles in perfect condition.

I'm with the OP in preferring a distinctive, high end vehicle for the $25,000 over a mundane jelly bean shaped Camry-class car.

[cosworth]

TVR's seem to have lots of engine rebuilds and its not cheap . I got a CLK550 , performance bargain of the decade IMHO

[FlyHigher123]

I'd avoid the Boxster. It's lower quality than the usual Porsche-standard and is looked down on even by chicks who don't know anything about cars.

[DJ-Matt]

Corvette hands down! If I had the money and a safe place to store it (and lived someplace where it doesn't snow) I'd be getting one of the 50s early 60s models or an 80s C4 if I'm on a budget.

[The Beast1]

(03-08-2017 06:09 AM)Rawmeo Wrote:  

Regarding Benz reliability, my old LTR and a family member of mine had them - both regular C class sedans. One was new, and one was second hand. Both of them never had any issues. However I think that this is a kind of car that is more suited to girls - that's just my personal preference, I have no facts on that.

You know, the more I think about it you're right. My last Merc experience was a mid 80s model. The car exuded a refined aura. I drove it from 300,000 to 400,000 miles before selling it.



The later models from the 90s onward are more aerodynamic and have that girly look about them.

Funny this thread popped back up because i'm in the market for an older luxury vehicle. I'm leaning towards a Benz because that is what I am familiar with, but i'm open to trying new things.

Are classic BMWs any good?

[ShotgunUppercuts]

Bmw Shark nose 635i^

Mercedes W126 560 sec coupe

[ShotgunUppercuts]

Dj Matt if you love c4s like I do ,it go for the later year vettes 92 and up . You'd have access to the lt1,4and5. Wayyyyyy better than dealing with the tunes port injection in the first c4s


The zr1 lt5 in its last year for that gen had 405 hp . I've seen some mint condition ones go for about 20-25k but the prices are starting to go up.

[Hypno]

(03-08-2017 04:21 PM)ShotgunUppercuts Wrote:  

are you into older cars op?

I love 'em but i'm older so its not a good look.

For example, a 70s Corvette Stingray would be ideal, but is going to look like an antique and rub off on me.

[Hypno]

(03-08-2017 04:11 PM)booshala Wrote:  

These car threads are always good for a laugh because there are invariably members of the sour grapes gallery that chimes in with "corvettes/porsches/etc are for old men and posers" when I'm sure that they'd be happy driving the same cars if they could comfortably afford them.

OP: I have a 10 year old Lexus too (2006 IS250) and it's a great little car. Too bad you didn't hold on to it as a beater.

It's gonna be tough to upstyle your car-game for $25k with one of the luxury brands you mentioned unless you think outside the box: http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/how-to-own...1668638286

Perhaps also look into 80's Datsun 240z's? Think the really high-end restorations are 50k+ but you could probably find something in your price range. Not luxury, but definitely eye-catching.

Good luck!

my car got totaled, not my fault. Woman driver not paying attention plowed into me.

Love the 280z's but those are pretty old.

[Off The Reservation]

The questions you are asking mean you shouldnt be buying a "luxury" car.

The amount you have chosen of 25k means you are looking at the wrong cars.

If the 25k is to be financed you are going further down tue wrong path.

Please, for the sake of ease of answering be honest who are you trying to impress? What does it mean change from executive image to "dangerous."

What do you do and how much do you make?

Are you gay? (Because you are looking at Jag convertables, which are for 56 year old gay men looking for 29 year old gay partners who are trying to get their life on track.)

What is your commute like?

[Hypno]

(03-08-2017 05:21 PM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  

Corvette hands down! If I had the money and a safe place to store it (and lived someplace where it doesn't snow) I'd be getting one of the 50s early 60s models or an 80s C4 if I'm on a budget.

are you talking investment or fun?

What do you think of C3 - why did you skip that one? Anything before a C3 is out of sight price wise, C4s are ugly. Later models are OK too but it sounds like you are talking investment.

[Hypno]

(03-08-2017 05:43 PM)ShotgunUppercuts Wrote:  

Bmw Shark nose 635i^

Added to my list, thank you.

[ShotgunUppercuts]

If you get a c3 ,for the engine option I wouldn't go any smaller than a 350. You can build those cheaply and they respond well to go fast parts . If you want to get it moving for sure you can go to the junkyard and grab yourself a LS engine (though it's a modern power plant I've seen some mocked up to look like it was period correct in older vehicles carb'd ,air cleaner n all ) and build that up. Even the smallest engine in the family (4.8) has potential and have Interchangeable parts with the bigger engines of the ls series.I won't bother talking about the top trim level version of c3s cuz that'll be outta your price range.

[Razgriz]

You have to remember this car was originally $50k or more when new. When it breaks it is still a $50k car. lots of them have upgraded components thats will cost you an arm and a leg and most of these european ones are a pain in the butt to try to work on out of your garage. Just know what you are getting into.

[polymath]

Buying an old car and keeping it in good shape is cool.

But.

1) You're not going to fool anybody, if that's what you're going for. Stuff that sells for $25k usually looks like it is worth $25k, otherwise there would be some inattentive sucker willing to pay more and justify a higher asking price. Even something so simple as a ticking engine can give away the reality of the situation. Not criticizing the idea, just telling you the truth. I have a friend who bought an older Ferrari. Great car but he once got called out by a group of girls he rolled up to, for driving a cheap Ferrari and trying to look rich (frankly, he was and still is quite wealthy). If a bunch of airheads in LA can tell the difference, I think anyone can.

2) If you don't know how to wrench on a car and bring it to life when it sounds like it's dying, it's probably a bad idea to buy an older European sports car. You will get more comfort and satisfaction out of a new Honda Civic that starts every time, even when it's cold.

But shit man, ultimately you have to do what you want.

If it were me and I were committed to the idea, I would search for all the models in my list of desired automobiles, and make my selection based on the best value in the market.