Am I mad? Heart set on a 370 nismo but considering M5

[scottyfocus]

Had my heart set on a 370z Nismo since just before lockdown, very nearly bought one but it didn't happen. If I did I could probably sell it now for what I'd have paid.

Anyhow, lockdown, change of job, new house all put everything on hold. But in 2-3 months will be in the position where I will have 20k cash, and will be looking to top that up with a loan of 5-10k. So a budget of 25-30k. Will probably be my last ever 'interesting' ICE car.

Got myself looking at how much nismo that can buy me, then started browsing. I'm noticing very nice F80 M5s in that bracket. One of the few cars that could tempt me away from a nismo. Just the outright power in a 'luxury' car really appeals to me.

I want to add I will be stretching myself here. Will be making sacrifices to afford this, rarely drinking, no holidays no expensive clothes etc etc. This doesn't bother me, may well be my last chance to own an exciting car with the way things are going and wanting to start a family eventually.

It will be mainly for fun, I live close to work and wfh 3 days a week. Otherwise it will be weekend drives and (more likely in the M5) the odd really long cross country drive. Will be keeping the miles relatively low and will be for 1 or 2 years at which point will probably sell and go back to a cheap car.

Considering a nismo would be stretching myself a bit financially, am I mad to consider an M5? Seems so much more car for the money!

As always Pistonheads, I'm open to other suggestions!

[liner33]

Assume you mean F10 M5 rather than F90

The M5 is a great car but not one to stretch yourself to imo , the bills can be staggering and frequent , the 370z is a solid car really and pretty cheap for most things

[scottyfocus]

Ah yes I meant f10 m5.

Thanks!

[brillomaster]

So its a one last hurrah before high fuel cost and families get in the way? Personally id go two seater, and get the nismo. Can always switch to the m5 when kids come along, cant go the other way though.

But me personally, id spend a bit less, and see what porsche i can get for £15K or so. Not a good idea to stretch yourself financially, and then have to scrimp on important thing like tyres (a full set for an m5 is what, a grand!?!)

[Muzzer79]

scottyfocus said:

I want to add I will be stretching myself here. Will be making sacrifices to afford this, rarely drinking, no holidays no expensive clothes etc etc.

This, for me, is a bit of a red flag.

New cars are great for a few weeks or months, but the novelty soon wears off.

If you’re living like a monk and/or not having any non-car related fun, that will grate fairly soon and you may start to resent the car you’ve bought.

I would buy a fun car that you definitely afford, rather than a dream car that you really can’t.

[mintmansam]

I’d reconsider your stance. Right now you are happy to make sacrifices on the assumed budget, but what about 12 months in.

I bought the most expensive car I’ve had 18 months ago, and the only thing I want to do with it is drive it and do more events with it. If I’d have stretched further, I’d have made a mistake, it’s the things you do with the car that makes it.

Everyone is different but having a dream car is about the driving of it, nothing worse than having to justify driving it or stressing about fuel / tax / insurance costs.

Going back to ownership, i budgeted my new car and the increase was very manageable but it does bother me some months, it’s my dream car but I look at sometimes when I don’t drive it and I think it is a bit selfish of me.

While it’s great to have nice things, the value of doing and seeing things shouldn’t be understated.

An M5 will be a costly car to run, and if you want return on investment, costly to service properly. The psychological (even if budgeted)effect of spending a lot on a car that sits, don’t underestimate how it might turn into resentment, if you end up sacrificing a lot then this might become a nightmare car.

Have you discussed these sacrifices with your partner?

Have you got a budget for repairs, fuel price increases? A month where you do double or triple the average mileage? Budgeting is exceptionally good thing to do, but sticking to a tight one can be exhausting. Sometimes it’s nice not to think about money, again this car might become a constant thorn.

Edited by mintmansam on Sunday 15th May 16:08

[scottyfocus]

It has crossed my mind a 640d maybe a good halfway house.

Kind of combines aspects of the nismo and the m5. Obv it's an oil burner which is a shame.

[cerb4.5lee]

brillomaster said:

So its a one last hurrah before high fuel cost and families get in the way? Personally id go two seater, and get the nismo. Can always switch to the m5 when kids come along, cant go the other way though.

Muzzer79 said:

New cars are great for a few weeks or months, but the novelty soon wears off.

I would buy a fun car that you definitely afford, rather than a dream car that you really can’t.

I'm definitely in this camp too.

[cerb4.5lee]

scottyfocus said:

It has crossed my mind a 640d maybe a good halfway house.

Kind of combines aspects of the nismo and the m5. Obv it's an oil burner which is a shame.

I had a F13 640d and I loved it for what it was(a comfy mile muncher), but I think that you might get bored with it though...because they aren't exactly fun to drive for me.

[Trevor555]

scottyfocus said:

Had my heart set on a 370z Nismo since just before lockdown

Lovely things.

I'd stick with the 370

[Milner993]

By a 350z for £10'000 to £15'000 your have just as much fun and won't be skint either!

[SWoll]

Last ever interesting ICE car and a £30k budget?

Might as well do it properly.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...

[LightningBlue]

I wouldn’t spend that if it’s a stretch - energy bills are already through the roof with another massive rise due in autumn. Food bills are increasing as you’ll know as are interest rates and we seem to be heading into a recession/economic collapse - I’d slash the budget

[ZX10R NIN]

scottyfocus said:

It has crossed my mind a 640d maybe a good halfway house.

Kind of combines aspects of the nismo and the m5. Obv it's an oil burner which is a shame.

You'll get a nice sensible miles Gen1/2 Nismo for 20k the running costs are sensible as you'd expect with a large capacity N/A unit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...

If you're stretching yourself maintenance on the F10 is not something to be overlooked especially when you consider you'll be looking at cars with around 100k on the clock:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...

I'd actually suggest going for a halfway house where you don't spend as much but still get a great V8 with a nice chassis that will actually be sensible to maintain & have very low depreciation:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112240...

You should also be able to enjoy life a bit too.

[scottyfocus]

ZX10R NIN said:

You'll get a nice sensible miles Gen1/2 Nismo for 20k the running costs are sensible as you'd expect with a large capacity N/A unit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201221...

If you're stretching yourself maintenance on the F10 is not something to be overlooked especially when you consider you'll be looking at cars with around 100k on the clock:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204265...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...

I'd actually suggest going for a halfway house where you don't spend as much but still get a great V8 with a nice chassis that will actually be sensible to maintain & have very low depreciation:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112240...

You should also be able to enjoy life a bit too.

Was hoping you'd pop up! The VXR8 does nothing for me unfortunately, after driving vauxhalls for most of the last ten years I just can't bring myself to do it 😅

Think I may limit myself to 20k, atleast then I won't be taking on any debt.

Suppose there's always the option of banking the money and waiting a year, maybe prices may drop.

[Lincsls1]

Another vote for the Z car!

[liner33]

Could always get the regular 370 as a cheaper alternative

[Om]

I would go for a 370z, but perhaps a GT rather than the Nismo. More affordable and pretty much the same car under the skin. Unlike the BMW, apart from road tax they are pretty 'cheap' to run and much less likely to throw up unexpected and expensive bills.

[Belle427]

I'd stick with the Z, lovely cars and not too expensive to maintain.

[Trevor555]

Belle427 said:

I'd stick with the Z, lovely cars and not too expensive to maintain.

Post April 2017 cars are now cheap to tax as well.