F Type R coupe (2014) or finish the track build?
Discussion
I appreciate I'm very much in first world problems territory here, but it would be good to get some petrolhead perspectives.
My girlfriend and I are currently in a situation where she has another 12 month qualification, related to her job, which requires us to stay in our rented home for that period of time. After which, buying a house, marriage, baby, and f
k all dough will be very much happening in quick succession.
In my mind, I've got 12 months to have a bit of fun before reality sets in.
I like the idea of buying a F type R (2014, rwd) and enjoy it for 12 months. They're currently low 30s. Thanks to a healthy stock market, I'm in a situation where I can buy outright, but it would be about 40% of my current portfolio.
I currently own a fiesta st which I've done a few track days with. It's a great car, and I loved the track. I've currently added a gripper lsd, upgraded discs, pads, braided brake lines, and bc coilovers. I have wanted to finish the project, 330hp, bbk, lighter wheels, and turn it into a track weapon. That would be around 7k, but that cost would not be recovered, should I sell.
TL:DR
Option 1
F-type R (rwd)
Buy outright
Keep for 12 months
Sell
Issue being running costs and consumables (tyres, brakes)
Option 2
Fiesta ST track building
7k in parts
Own for foreseeable future
Issue: embrace the boy racer lifestyle and unrecoverable cost
My girlfriend and I are currently in a situation where she has another 12 month qualification, related to her job, which requires us to stay in our rented home for that period of time. After which, buying a house, marriage, baby, and f
k all dough will be very much happening in quick succession. In my mind, I've got 12 months to have a bit of fun before reality sets in.
I like the idea of buying a F type R (2014, rwd) and enjoy it for 12 months. They're currently low 30s. Thanks to a healthy stock market, I'm in a situation where I can buy outright, but it would be about 40% of my current portfolio.
I currently own a fiesta st which I've done a few track days with. It's a great car, and I loved the track. I've currently added a gripper lsd, upgraded discs, pads, braided brake lines, and bc coilovers. I have wanted to finish the project, 330hp, bbk, lighter wheels, and turn it into a track weapon. That would be around 7k, but that cost would not be recovered, should I sell.
TL:DR
Option 1
F-type R (rwd)
Buy outright
Keep for 12 months
Sell
Issue being running costs and consumables (tyres, brakes)
Option 2
Fiesta ST track building
7k in parts
Own for foreseeable future
Issue: embrace the boy racer lifestyle and unrecoverable cost
I think only you know. What would give you the most enjoyment?
I bought an FType V6S in June and love it. But fun cars are not selling quick at the moment, prices are sliding and I don't think that's going to get any better. But you can't put a price on haing the experiences you want.
Is it important that you have sold that car to buy a house when the time comes? That might affect my view on it.
Nice decision to make though - I think you will be happy with either by the sounds of it. I would go the FType route but am obviously biased.
I bought an FType V6S in June and love it. But fun cars are not selling quick at the moment, prices are sliding and I don't think that's going to get any better. But you can't put a price on haing the experiences you want.
Is it important that you have sold that car to buy a house when the time comes? That might affect my view on it.
Nice decision to make though - I think you will be happy with either by the sounds of it. I would go the FType route but am obviously biased.
Problem with Option 2 in my mind is you're putting quite a lot of cash into quite heavily modifying a Fiesta, which is invested in taking it away from what it's designed to be, so you're pushing water uphill as I see it. I also think that modding is like drugs, the first mods are the best, as you spend more and do more you get a worse bang for the buck and more negative side-effects. And as you say, it's dead money.
Option 1 sounds better to me, just be aware it's a slow market for such cars right now, don't overpay for an F-Type V8.
If it was me I'd look for an actual sports car like a Boxster or Evora or similar, that way it splits the difference, you get to take a step on from the Fiesta and have something with more than 4 cylinders and RWD, but can still enjoy trackdays as you wish. You could also spend quite a bit less on say a Boxster, so less of a dent in savings. But you may have already done that or have no interest in it.
Of the two options given though, I'd go Jag. Who knows, if they *&^% the brand up enough in the next year it may even hold its value !
Option 1 sounds better to me, just be aware it's a slow market for such cars right now, don't overpay for an F-Type V8.
If it was me I'd look for an actual sports car like a Boxster or Evora or similar, that way it splits the difference, you get to take a step on from the Fiesta and have something with more than 4 cylinders and RWD, but can still enjoy trackdays as you wish. You could also spend quite a bit less on say a Boxster, so less of a dent in savings. But you may have already done that or have no interest in it.
Of the two options given though, I'd go Jag. Who knows, if they *&^% the brand up enough in the next year it may even hold its value !
Hmm. Tricky one. Heart says Jaguar, head says you’ve evidently had a lot of fun with the Ford and you might miss having a sporty hatch to thrash around a circuit.
I suspect you might spend more than £7k inc depreciation and opportunity cost of selling the investments (ps is this from an ISA or you may trigger a capital gains tax bill!) on the Jaguar. At least you’d have a car to show for it at the end if you tweak the Ford.
I suspect you might spend more than £7k inc depreciation and opportunity cost of selling the investments (ps is this from an ISA or you may trigger a capital gains tax bill!) on the Jaguar. At least you’d have a car to show for it at the end if you tweak the Ford.
I wouldn't personally cash in a significant part of my long term savings in this situation. There are two things I'd be mindful of:
- withdrawing a large sum from your portfolio now will impact growth significantly over time
- that £30k could become a £20k trade-in price in the 12-month timeframe mentioned
Maybe there's a middle way like getting an allrounder 5-door model now, which would cover many of the scenarios outlined in the original post.
- withdrawing a large sum from your portfolio now will impact growth significantly over time
- that £30k could become a £20k trade-in price in the 12-month timeframe mentioned
Maybe there's a middle way like getting an allrounder 5-door model now, which would cover many of the scenarios outlined in the original post.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff