Can I afford to run these cars?
Discussion
Audemars said:
Laughing at all the figures. Ok let me re clarify. Can you buy one for £1500 per month... Yes...
Do you have £1500 per month to spend on one if you are on a £42k salary.... No! Especially if you have not yet bought a home you feel you could live in for the rest of your life.
Some say you only live once so if you want to blow your future on the initial novelty then go ahead. As others have mentioned, it will put a strain on your future finances for a long time. Many people (especially those on here) will finance cars for the rest of their lives.
Again, you're basing your response on your priorities and situation rather than the OP's.Do you have £1500 per month to spend on one if you are on a £42k salary.... No! Especially if you have not yet bought a home you feel you could live in for the rest of your life.
Some say you only live once so if you want to blow your future on the initial novelty then go ahead. As others have mentioned, it will put a strain on your future finances for a long time. Many people (especially those on here) will finance cars for the rest of their lives.
If he's happy with his present living arrangements and has decided that he's rather spend his available money on a car for the next few years then I don't see the issue. Quite why he's blowing his future by doing so you'll have to explain to me, and if you can at the same time as justify your earlier comments regarding the costs of running a fiesta and how someone on £100k a year can't afford an R8 either it would be appreciated as I'm genuinely intrigued.
As with a number of posters I earn significantly more than the OP but in my circumstances couldn't consider that kind of outlay on a car as I'm married, mortgaged and have 2 kids. That's my choice though, not some rule by which we all should live.
R0B. said:
A few of the cars on the list aren't actually depreciating at the moment (GTR, R8, AM V8) in fact may be increasing, buy a decent example and if the running costs become too much, sell the car on, at least then you've had some fun in a special car.
Id say go for it
Ps the GTR major service is circa £850 from Litchfields, get one thats had the big service and recent tyres/brakes and could be as cheap to run as say.....a Fiesta!
Their warranty is supposedly top notch as well and costs about £1500 a year. Not a lot for the peace of mind it would offer.Id say go for it
Ps the GTR major service is circa £850 from Litchfields, get one thats had the big service and recent tyres/brakes and could be as cheap to run as say.....a Fiesta!
I don't know, it really depends how you are living now, what is your current situation, how badly you want one of that cars...
In my 20s I put the car almost first, I was happy to cut almost any other expense in order to being able to afford running it.
Now, I am still a car nut in many ways, but I have been struggling for 2 years to buy a sports car even if I could afford one. Any other expense now seems more ligical than a buy a car I don't need but I like.
I bought a new 530xd Touring as daily 6 months ago but my only weekend car is the Elise since I sold the V8 Vantage years ago.
In my 20s I put the car almost first, I was happy to cut almost any other expense in order to being able to afford running it.
Now, I am still a car nut in many ways, but I have been struggling for 2 years to buy a sports car even if I could afford one. Any other expense now seems more ligical than a buy a car I don't need but I like.
I bought a new 530xd Touring as daily 6 months ago but my only weekend car is the Elise since I sold the V8 Vantage years ago.
mikemike08 said:
Can i just say, from my experience of driving 40k cars at a young age expensive cars will get you laid !!! Whoever doesnt think that ckearly has a chip on their shoulders.
I'm always somewhat confused by this.How do you get laid with the use of a car? Do you cruise the streets hanging out the window looking for women to chat to?
In my lifetime 9/10 I have met women on nights out, in bars, clubs, pubs and parties. Dates have generally involved a bar or restaurant. I can't think of many occasions at all where the car has been a feature other than once they have either stayed over at mine or an invitation to stay at theirs has meant use of a car from A>B.
Hey guys,
Thank you so much for the replies. They have been EXTREMELY useful and I am taking everything said on board (minus the chap who thinks the Fiesta is a massive undertaking).
I’ve been thinking long and hard about this (didn’t get any work done yesterday!) and felt a bit down on the way home that the dream might be shattered at this stage.
To answer a few questions (sorry I’m not directly quoting people- it takes ages and I’m not used to this forum), I don’t own a home but that is not an issue because of a specific set of circumstances to me. I do take your concerns on board re:mortgages etc
Yeah I don’t want my purchase to have such a drastic impact on my lifestyle as some have stated
LOL! That's not the intention behind the purchase. I have a gf. Then technically you have zero spare money after bills.Haha this is probably the truest statement ever.
But you make a good point about compromising on other things. I don’t go all flashy but I do like to dress smart and go on holidays. The thing is, I’ve been on quite a few already and am going on others soon but I am trying to get them out of my system so to speak. Owning a nice car is something I’ve really wanted.
[btw I REALLY want to quote and reply to all of you but time doesn’t permit it]
The reason why I want these cars:
• For the longest time I could not afford nice cars. I have been a car fan for ages, particularly modified cars (I don’t know what the general attitude on PH is to these cars but did spot a thread on why does PH hate modified cars). Not utter monstrositites with massive bits of plastic hanging off them btw (subjective though I know). But for the first time ever in my life, the prospect of owning a nice car, let alone an exotic car is actually real so naturally, I'm beyond excited about being in such a situation and don't want to let that go.
• Its not just luxury/exotic cars I want. YES, the whole baller thing is a big part of me picking those cars but if they drive like crap then I won’t buy them- performance is important to me
• Owning these cars at my age would be great. I really do think I might have regrets ion the future when its not so viable OR it is viable but I’m in my 50-60’s and the wow factor has significantly diminished (for me).
I have been looking into Porsche 997’s and in standard form they look too plain. I know that if I did manage to get one for say £20k I would be STRONGLY compelled to get a Liberty Walk kit or something of the sort to make it look like this:
http://www.the-lowdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
Or closer to the GT model if you know what I mean.
I know it sounds like I’m just wanting to get attention for the cars that I’ve listed, and yes, to a great degree, this is true. Its just that, for YEARS when I used to dream about owning cars like 350z’s, Supras, Porsche’s etc they were so unattainable and all of a sudden my salary has hiked up and I want to get a really nice exotic car. Something different from the beemer and mercs that littler the roads in London. If I did get something like them then it would be something like this:
https://streetstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
(Yes I love LW).
I don’t want to sound like a cock and I don’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with wanting to own an exotic car for the reactions it will illicit. I just feel this immense time pressure that if I don’t own one now it’ll be too late to enjoy it. And yet, at the same time, I am really worried that it all becomes so ridiculously unmanageable that I will hate the car/my decision to buy it etc.
You guys have given me a lot to think about (and a lot of cars to consider!) I need to test drive the R8 and the Porsche 997.
Maybe I should just move to somewhere like Dubai where my salary is probably 3 times what is now for my profession and tax free
Thank you so much for the replies. They have been EXTREMELY useful and I am taking everything said on board (minus the chap who thinks the Fiesta is a massive undertaking).
I’ve been thinking long and hard about this (didn’t get any work done yesterday!) and felt a bit down on the way home that the dream might be shattered at this stage.
To answer a few questions (sorry I’m not directly quoting people- it takes ages and I’m not used to this forum), I don’t own a home but that is not an issue because of a specific set of circumstances to me. I do take your concerns on board re:mortgages etc
Yeah I don’t want my purchase to have such a drastic impact on my lifestyle as some have stated
Sam. said:
Ranchitup said:
LOL! That's not the intention behind the purchase. I have a gf. Hungrymc said:
OP, Two schools of thought.....
1) No risk, it's all about your fiscal security in your 90s.... Else you're a moron
2) You could be dead in a week, so do what you want now and sort the future in the future....Else you're a moron.
Of course these polarized perspectives both have merit and you have to make you're own decisions about financial planning and how much you're prepared to risk or lose on what is, I assume, a major interest of yours.
I don't think the question is really 'can you afford these cars?' But I think the answer to that is yes, but not with a huge amount of safety net.... I think the question is 'will the occasional £5k bill ruin the pleasure in owning one?'
<SNIP>
Great post and yeah, the occasional £5k bill would kinda sully the driving experience! Depends on how occasional it is!1) No risk, it's all about your fiscal security in your 90s.... Else you're a moron
2) You could be dead in a week, so do what you want now and sort the future in the future....Else you're a moron.
Of course these polarized perspectives both have merit and you have to make you're own decisions about financial planning and how much you're prepared to risk or lose on what is, I assume, a major interest of yours.
I don't think the question is really 'can you afford these cars?' But I think the answer to that is yes, but not with a huge amount of safety net.... I think the question is 'will the occasional £5k bill ruin the pleasure in owning one?'
<SNIP>
jamieduff1981 said:
OP - you probably could afford the cars.
I'm going to suggest you don't though. Although £42k/year is a salary many would love to have, it's still not great to be honest. You could roll around in an exotic car, but since you dismissed one or two suggestions for being too conservative, it sounds as though you want a bit of flash.
I'm going to suggest you'll look a bit of a prat pulling in to the work's car park in a Bentley earning a fairly modest £42k/year. Flash works well when you have a enough money that when you want a nice photograph of your Bentley, you don't need to drive it out of your own property to get it. Your clothes and food choices should also be fairly good quality. I don't mean that you need a Saville Row suit to drive a Bentley, but your T.M. Lewin suit should be f
king tailored to fit you properly rather than one from Marks & Spencer.
That all might sound a bit prattish - it's not meant to. What I'm trying to tell you is that the vast majority will not be impressed by someone who has clearly compromised in most areas to drive an exotic car around. You're not wealthy. You may be in the future, but you're not wealthy yet.
You can have something unusual without trying to look flash. People can at least respect that you have an expensive hobby, but seriously, cruising London in a Bentley trying to look like Billy Bigballs on £42k/year is not where you want to be.
I mean, the envy the car generates isn’t a big concern to me, aside from haters possibly damaging my car. Heck, if they did that to my current car, regardless of what it is, would get me riled up. I take your point on board though but this kind of thing wouldn’t affect me as far as I am aware.I'm going to suggest you don't though. Although £42k/year is a salary many would love to have, it's still not great to be honest. You could roll around in an exotic car, but since you dismissed one or two suggestions for being too conservative, it sounds as though you want a bit of flash.
I'm going to suggest you'll look a bit of a prat pulling in to the work's car park in a Bentley earning a fairly modest £42k/year. Flash works well when you have a enough money that when you want a nice photograph of your Bentley, you don't need to drive it out of your own property to get it. Your clothes and food choices should also be fairly good quality. I don't mean that you need a Saville Row suit to drive a Bentley, but your T.M. Lewin suit should be f
king tailored to fit you properly rather than one from Marks & Spencer.That all might sound a bit prattish - it's not meant to. What I'm trying to tell you is that the vast majority will not be impressed by someone who has clearly compromised in most areas to drive an exotic car around. You're not wealthy. You may be in the future, but you're not wealthy yet.
You can have something unusual without trying to look flash. People can at least respect that you have an expensive hobby, but seriously, cruising London in a Bentley trying to look like Billy Bigballs on £42k/year is not where you want to be.
But you make a good point about compromising on other things. I don’t go all flashy but I do like to dress smart and go on holidays. The thing is, I’ve been on quite a few already and am going on others soon but I am trying to get them out of my system so to speak. Owning a nice car is something I’ve really wanted.
[btw I REALLY want to quote and reply to all of you but time doesn’t permit it]
R8Steve said:
A valid point, but it also demonstrated that monthly costs, in my experience anyway, amount to approx £200 per month.
Lets say OP financed one at £40k with a 5k deposit - £35k over 5 years is approx £680 per month.
Put the two together and you are still under 1k a month and at the end of it you're still going to get at the very least (IMO) half of your money back.
You could argue whether this is sensible to do, that's for the OP to decide but facts are that it is easily affordable with his budget.
An R8 is basically an RS4 in a nice dress and i doubt if the OP would have got quite as hard a time if he had been considering buying one of them.
This is PRECISELY what my thought of the situation was. Ultimately, that still gives me £1k to play with and take out the mortgage stuff out of the equation then it doesn’t seem that bad. Heck, the car is still an asset that I can sell later on. Lets say OP financed one at £40k with a 5k deposit - £35k over 5 years is approx £680 per month.
Put the two together and you are still under 1k a month and at the end of it you're still going to get at the very least (IMO) half of your money back.
You could argue whether this is sensible to do, that's for the OP to decide but facts are that it is easily affordable with his budget.
An R8 is basically an RS4 in a nice dress and i doubt if the OP would have got quite as hard a time if he had been considering buying one of them.
The reason why I want these cars:
• For the longest time I could not afford nice cars. I have been a car fan for ages, particularly modified cars (I don’t know what the general attitude on PH is to these cars but did spot a thread on why does PH hate modified cars). Not utter monstrositites with massive bits of plastic hanging off them btw (subjective though I know). But for the first time ever in my life, the prospect of owning a nice car, let alone an exotic car is actually real so naturally, I'm beyond excited about being in such a situation and don't want to let that go.
• Its not just luxury/exotic cars I want. YES, the whole baller thing is a big part of me picking those cars but if they drive like crap then I won’t buy them- performance is important to me
• Owning these cars at my age would be great. I really do think I might have regrets ion the future when its not so viable OR it is viable but I’m in my 50-60’s and the wow factor has significantly diminished (for me).
I have been looking into Porsche 997’s and in standard form they look too plain. I know that if I did manage to get one for say £20k I would be STRONGLY compelled to get a Liberty Walk kit or something of the sort to make it look like this:
http://www.the-lowdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
Or closer to the GT model if you know what I mean.
I know it sounds like I’m just wanting to get attention for the cars that I’ve listed, and yes, to a great degree, this is true. Its just that, for YEARS when I used to dream about owning cars like 350z’s, Supras, Porsche’s etc they were so unattainable and all of a sudden my salary has hiked up and I want to get a really nice exotic car. Something different from the beemer and mercs that littler the roads in London. If I did get something like them then it would be something like this:
https://streetstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
(Yes I love LW).
I don’t want to sound like a cock and I don’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with wanting to own an exotic car for the reactions it will illicit. I just feel this immense time pressure that if I don’t own one now it’ll be too late to enjoy it. And yet, at the same time, I am really worried that it all becomes so ridiculously unmanageable that I will hate the car/my decision to buy it etc.
You guys have given me a lot to think about (and a lot of cars to consider!) I need to test drive the R8 and the Porsche 997.
Maybe I should just move to somewhere like Dubai where my salary is probably 3 times what is now for my profession and tax free
R8Steve said:
No, because i get that money back on the sale of the car so the 450pm could have went to a savings account to the same effect. Your figures are correct but i've only used the actual cost to me at the end of the ownership if that makes sense. If you were to be picky i suppose you could include interest on that loan on the overall cost - that was approx 1k so pretty negligible really.
I understand that, but you cant really say what your monthly costs are going to be by not including the cost to borrow in the first place based on a future re-sale figure.you still have that cost to pay out. if you buy a car for 30k and finance it all over 3 years but in appreciates 20k over that period, are you saying its cost nothing to run ? your monthly repayment to the loan company is still a cost. you're just lucky it has appreciated.
maybe I work my figures different to you but money out your bank every month is money out. regardless of what you get back. you still have to plan / cover for it.
SWoll said:
Again, you're basing your response on your priorities and situation rather than the OP's.
If he's happy with his present living arrangements and has decided that he's rather spend his available money on a car for the next few years then I don't see the issue. Quite why he's blowing his future by doing so you'll have to explain to me, and if you can at the same time as justify your earlier comments regarding the costs of running a fiesta and how someone on £100k a year can't afford an R8 either it would be appreciated as I'm genuinely intrigued.
As with a number of posters I earn significantly more than the OP but in my circumstances couldn't consider that kind of outlay on a car as I'm married, mortgaged and have 2 kids. That's my choice though, not some rule by which we all should live.
Good post, and I fall into your final paragraph too. If he's happy with his present living arrangements and has decided that he's rather spend his available money on a car for the next few years then I don't see the issue. Quite why he's blowing his future by doing so you'll have to explain to me, and if you can at the same time as justify your earlier comments regarding the costs of running a fiesta and how someone on £100k a year can't afford an R8 either it would be appreciated as I'm genuinely intrigued.
As with a number of posters I earn significantly more than the OP but in my circumstances couldn't consider that kind of outlay on a car as I'm married, mortgaged and have 2 kids. That's my choice though, not some rule by which we all should live.
Audemars, I'm also all ears about Fiesta/R8 running costs/maths, as you clearly know something everyone else doesn't. Or are just trolling.
OP - not meaning to add to the antagonistic posters or those who argue you need to maximise your pension fund etc first but, genuine Q.
If this has been your dream for so long, and your living expenses are so minimal, how come you haven't made big inroads in savings (or equity in an existing motor) to follow said dream? You envisage having £1500 throw away money and, unless your circumstances have changed massively only recently, one would think you would have had that historically to build more than a £3k deposit.
30 something sensible head person thinking here says why not "test run" potential ownership costs of an R8 or whatever by throwing £1500 a month into the bank for 6 months, building up another £9k to put down on the car, and take advantage of winter price drops on sports cars to boot.
If this has been your dream for so long, and your living expenses are so minimal, how come you haven't made big inroads in savings (or equity in an existing motor) to follow said dream? You envisage having £1500 throw away money and, unless your circumstances have changed massively only recently, one would think you would have had that historically to build more than a £3k deposit.
30 something sensible head person thinking here says why not "test run" potential ownership costs of an R8 or whatever by throwing £1500 a month into the bank for 6 months, building up another £9k to put down on the car, and take advantage of winter price drops on sports cars to boot.
MDMA . said:
R8Steve said:
No, because i get that money back on the sale of the car so the 450pm could have went to a savings account to the same effect. Your figures are correct but i've only used the actual cost to me at the end of the ownership if that makes sense. If you were to be picky i suppose you could include interest on that loan on the overall cost - that was approx 1k so pretty negligible really.
I understand that, but you cant really say what your monthly costs are going to be by not including the cost to borrow in the first place based on a future re-sale figure.you still have that cost to pay out. if you buy a car for 30k and finance it all over 3 years but in appreciates 20k over that period, are you saying its cost nothing to run ? your monthly repayment to the loan company is still a cost. you're just lucky it has appreciated.
maybe I work my figures different to you but money out your bank every month is money out. regardless of what you get back. you still have to plan / cover for it.
I redone the figures for the OP to show total costs including finance in a later post.
From your latest post it does strike me as being a bit of a squeeze. Getting holidays "out of your system"? Errr. Don't own a home? Err. Worried about potential damage? hmmmm
IMHO - if a car is putting too much of a squeeze on your finances, and your lifestyle, it is a liability too great to actually gain the enjoyment for precious moments. As others have said, a noose around your neck with the finance and a burden when it comes to taking a week abroad or sat there in tears cos someone has reversed into it in a supermarket (or, worse still, never parking it in a supermarket as you panic about where its parked).
Buy a TT RS for £25k, chip it to R8 bhp levels and get to 60 mph a second quicker. Job jobbed. Once that is paid for then chip it in for an R8 if you still want to cruise down a high street and be the johnny big balls. (no one cares anyway and you are forgotten 2 mins after you have driven past).
IMHO - if a car is putting too much of a squeeze on your finances, and your lifestyle, it is a liability too great to actually gain the enjoyment for precious moments. As others have said, a noose around your neck with the finance and a burden when it comes to taking a week abroad or sat there in tears cos someone has reversed into it in a supermarket (or, worse still, never parking it in a supermarket as you panic about where its parked).
Buy a TT RS for £25k, chip it to R8 bhp levels and get to 60 mph a second quicker. Job jobbed. Once that is paid for then chip it in for an R8 if you still want to cruise down a high street and be the johnny big balls. (no one cares anyway and you are forgotten 2 mins after you have driven past).
OP – My take on this, you mention £1500 a month spare. Presumably that is after rent, bills etc from the rest of your take home?
If that’s pretty much going to run your car then what about clothes, going out, holidays, events/concerts, wining & dining etc?
Can you run any of those cars on that money? Yes – without a doubt. Do you really want to? That depends…
Most months you’ll have just fuel to pay for (as well as the finance you mention) and other months the servicing. Some years will be a basic service, others will see a big bill. Then theres things needing doing between servicing.
I have a similar amount to you free to me each month but that’s after mortgage, share saves (several), large pension payment, bills, season ticket for work, other savings and I wouldn’t want such a large proportion of that disposable going on 1 thing. Main difference is I wouldn’t have the finance but I’m lucky in my savings and shares. I also get a large bonus each year in addition.
What about a 20k 987 Boxster or Cayman S? Or a Maser 4200 or Lotus Elise? Though even these have the potential to spit out wallet busting service bills. I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable with finance close to my own salary as well as the running costs.
What would you do if you encountered a large bill? My TVR for example needed an engine rebuild – 11k later all sorted. A service can be an easy 4 figures, or only a low 3 figures. More-so for the cars you’ve mentioned.
If that’s pretty much going to run your car then what about clothes, going out, holidays, events/concerts, wining & dining etc?
Can you run any of those cars on that money? Yes – without a doubt. Do you really want to? That depends…
Most months you’ll have just fuel to pay for (as well as the finance you mention) and other months the servicing. Some years will be a basic service, others will see a big bill. Then theres things needing doing between servicing.
I have a similar amount to you free to me each month but that’s after mortgage, share saves (several), large pension payment, bills, season ticket for work, other savings and I wouldn’t want such a large proportion of that disposable going on 1 thing. Main difference is I wouldn’t have the finance but I’m lucky in my savings and shares. I also get a large bonus each year in addition.
What about a 20k 987 Boxster or Cayman S? Or a Maser 4200 or Lotus Elise? Though even these have the potential to spit out wallet busting service bills. I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable with finance close to my own salary as well as the running costs.
What would you do if you encountered a large bill? My TVR for example needed an engine rebuild – 11k later all sorted. A service can be an easy 4 figures, or only a low 3 figures. More-so for the cars you’ve mentioned.
Ranchitup said:
This is PRECISELY what my thought of the situation was. Ultimately, that still gives me £1k to play with and take out the mortgage stuff out of the equation then it doesn’t seem that bad. Heck, the car is still an asset that I can sell later on.
The reason why I want these cars:
• For the longest time I could not afford nice cars. I have been a car fan for ages, particularly modified cars (I don’t know what the general attitude on PH is to these cars but did spot a thread on why does PH hate modified cars). Not utter monstrositites with massive bits of plastic hanging off them btw (subjective though I know). But for the first time ever in my life, the prospect of owning a nice car, let alone an exotic car is actually real so naturally, I'm beyond excited about being in such a situation and don't want to let that go.
• Its not just luxury/exotic cars I want. YES, the whole baller thing is a big part of me picking those cars but if they drive like crap then I won’t buy them- performance is important to me
• Owning these cars at my age would be great. I really do think I might have regrets ion the future when its not so viable OR it is viable but I’m in my 50-60’s and the wow factor has significantly diminished (for me).
I have been looking into Porsche 997’s and in standard form they look too plain. I know that if I did manage to get one for say £20k I would be STRONGLY compelled to get a Liberty Walk kit or something of the sort to make it look like this:
http://www.the-lowdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
Or closer to the GT model if you know what I mean.
I know it sounds like I’m just wanting to get attention for the cars that I’ve listed, and yes, to a great degree, this is true. Its just that, for YEARS when I used to dream about owning cars like 350z’s, Supras, Porsche’s etc they were so unattainable and all of a sudden my salary has hiked up and I want to get a really nice exotic car. Something different from the beemer and mercs that littler the roads in London. If I did get something like them then it would be something like this:
https://streetstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
(Yes I love LW).
I don’t want to sound like a cock and I don’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with wanting to own an exotic car for the reactions it will illicit. I just feel this immense time pressure that if I don’t own one now it’ll be too late to enjoy it. And yet, at the same time, I am really worried that it all becomes so ridiculously unmanageable that I will hate the car/my decision to buy it etc.
You guys have given me a lot to think about (and a lot of cars to consider!) I need to test drive the R8 and the Porsche 997.
Maybe I should just move to somewhere like Dubai where my salary is probably 3 times what is now for my profession and tax free
I think the fact that you're even asking is a good thing. You could afford the cars, sure, and you've recognised that some things you enjoy will have to go.The reason why I want these cars:
• For the longest time I could not afford nice cars. I have been a car fan for ages, particularly modified cars (I don’t know what the general attitude on PH is to these cars but did spot a thread on why does PH hate modified cars). Not utter monstrositites with massive bits of plastic hanging off them btw (subjective though I know). But for the first time ever in my life, the prospect of owning a nice car, let alone an exotic car is actually real so naturally, I'm beyond excited about being in such a situation and don't want to let that go.
• Its not just luxury/exotic cars I want. YES, the whole baller thing is a big part of me picking those cars but if they drive like crap then I won’t buy them- performance is important to me
• Owning these cars at my age would be great. I really do think I might have regrets ion the future when its not so viable OR it is viable but I’m in my 50-60’s and the wow factor has significantly diminished (for me).
I have been looking into Porsche 997’s and in standard form they look too plain. I know that if I did manage to get one for say £20k I would be STRONGLY compelled to get a Liberty Walk kit or something of the sort to make it look like this:
http://www.the-lowdown.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
Or closer to the GT model if you know what I mean.
I know it sounds like I’m just wanting to get attention for the cars that I’ve listed, and yes, to a great degree, this is true. Its just that, for YEARS when I used to dream about owning cars like 350z’s, Supras, Porsche’s etc they were so unattainable and all of a sudden my salary has hiked up and I want to get a really nice exotic car. Something different from the beemer and mercs that littler the roads in London. If I did get something like them then it would be something like this:
https://streetstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2015...
(Yes I love LW).
I don’t want to sound like a cock and I don’t think there’s anything necessarily wrong with wanting to own an exotic car for the reactions it will illicit. I just feel this immense time pressure that if I don’t own one now it’ll be too late to enjoy it. And yet, at the same time, I am really worried that it all becomes so ridiculously unmanageable that I will hate the car/my decision to buy it etc.
You guys have given me a lot to think about (and a lot of cars to consider!) I need to test drive the R8 and the Porsche 997.
Maybe I should just move to somewhere like Dubai where my salary is probably 3 times what is now for my profession and tax free
I'm not someone who thinks you should feel grateful to have a Fiesta. There are some cracking cars you could buy for half the amount or less which you could enjoy as part of a more flexible lifestyle.
Maybe it's only a temporary thing? Some do that - buy a car with the plan of running it a year then "downsize" again. I personally couldn't do that. The step down is something I'd struggle with, so when I consider car purchases it's about financial sustainability. I want to be able to keep it indefinitely and use it however I please as long as I want that car.
If you bought a Cayman S or one of the new Mustangs in 6 months' time or even a £25k Granturismo or V8 Vantage you could enjoy the car without worrying about wearing the brakes out.
If your girlfriend suggested:
"Shall we take the Bentley to Turin next month?"
You don't want your answer to be:
"No I can't afford the petrol" "I don't want to put the miles on it" or anything like that which underscores that you're overstretched having it.
Having a fairly expensive car is only something which improves your general happiness when you can be spontaneous in driving it.
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Just an old porsche fan said:
Not owned any of the cars in the OP but I do own a 911 Turbo.
Running costs so far have been reasonable in the 3 years I have owned it
£600 coil packs plus a battery.
£350 service.
£80 geo check.
However last service at my local OPC was
6K Including a 15% discount!
So yeah high end cars have do have tendency to chuck up a big bill every now and again but overall my car has cost less to run per year than my neighbours BMW. Not bad eh?
Just to add, I don't earn 6 figures and can easily afford to run my car.
Christ, what does a £6K service consist of? Or was it a case of, "This is broken and needs replacing...." whilst it was there?Running costs so far have been reasonable in the 3 years I have owned it
£600 coil packs plus a battery.
£350 service.
£80 geo check.
However last service at my local OPC was
6K Including a 15% discount!
So yeah high end cars have do have tendency to chuck up a big bill every now and again but overall my car has cost less to run per year than my neighbours BMW. Not bad eh?
Just to add, I don't earn 6 figures and can easily afford to run my car.
Edited by Just an old porsche fan on Friday 29th July 11:22
2 x rear tyres £600
Service £250
Fix drivers door handle (door would not open) £380
New suspension top mounts (Front) £f
k knows but a lotNew brake lines £1.5k
Fit RSS engine mounts - Free
Fit Forge motorsport Diverter values £180 (not including valves)
MOT £58 (?)
Valet £150
Clean drain holes. (?)
Brake discs and pads all round £1.2k or there abouts.
There was some other stuff I can't remember bit basically the bill was over 4 pages long
Basically what I am saying is BUY THE CAR YOU WANT... just expect the odd big bill. Most of these cars, and I include Ferraris in this statement, don't cost as much as you think to run. You'll probably only use them occasionally anyway and most will be garaged during winter. It's a win win situation really.
Buy an R8, cheaper to run than you mates daily hack of a 320D.
Edited by Just an old porsche fan on Friday 29th July 13:54
Zippee said:
What about a 20k 987 Boxster or Cayman S? Or a Maser 4200 or Lotus Elise? Though even these have the potential to spit out wallet busting service bills. I certainly wouldn’t feel comfortable with finance close to my own salary as well as the running costs.
What would you do if you encountered a large bill? My TVR for example needed an engine rebuild – 11k later all sorted. A service can be an easy 4 figures, or only a low 3 figures. More-so for the cars you’ve mentioned.
Indeed. I don't recall EVER having a service under £1k on any of the TVRs. My Lotuses were all relatively reasonable to run, but still often £700 - £800 for a service. The Evora had a £1600 service last August (which wasn't even that major). New clutch on the Evora? £3,500...What would you do if you encountered a large bill? My TVR for example needed an engine rebuild – 11k later all sorted. A service can be an easy 4 figures, or only a low 3 figures. More-so for the cars you’ve mentioned.
The Boxster S I had needed a new clutch, air con compressor, new boots, new discs and pads all at the same time. That kissed goodbye to £4k (and I used an indie).
I don't know what background the OP has in cars - he may well be familiar with these sort of costs. However, I know what I talk to non-car mates about running costs they see the real cost of running high performance cars when it comes to running costs more so than purchase costs (particularly if buying second hand). Yes, a well-choosen V8V can cost the same as a new BMW 320. But unless you are very fortunate indeed, the running costs are not comparable, which is often where the real cost of ownership occurs.
I don't want to be another old women saying don't pursue your dream. Equally, with the benefit of hindsight I would urge a degree of caution and not to spend your life owned by what sits in the garage. There is a half-way house somewhere that brings 99% of the fun and pleasure without 50% of the pain. Find that compromise is my opinion - and when you own that, hopefully you can replicate the jump at the next stage into that next thing...and the next thing after that etc etc.
Shnozz said:
mikemike08 said:
Can i just say, from my experience of driving 40k cars at a young age expensive cars will get you laid !!! Whoever doesnt think that ckearly has a chip on their shoulders.
I'm always somewhat confused by this.How do you get laid with the use of a car? Do you cruise the streets hanging out the window looking for women to chat to?
In my lifetime 9/10 I have met women on nights out, in bars, clubs, pubs and parties. Dates have generally involved a bar or restaurant. I can't think of many occasions at all where the car has been a feature other than once they have either stayed over at mine or an invitation to stay at theirs has meant use of a car from A>B.
Just an old porsche fan said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Just an old porsche fan said:
Not owned any of the cars in the OP but I do own a 911 Turbo.
Running costs so far have been reasonable in the 3 years I have owned it
£600 coil packs plus a battery.
£350 service.
£80 geo check.
However last service at my local OPC was
6K Including a 15% discount!
So yeah high end cars have do have tendency to chuck up a big bill every now and again but overall my car has cost less to run per year than my neighbours BMW. Not bad eh?
Just to add, I don't earn 6 figures and can easily afford to run my car.
Christ, what does a £6K service consist of? Or was it a case of, "This is broken and needs replacing...." whilst it was there?Running costs so far have been reasonable in the 3 years I have owned it
£600 coil packs plus a battery.
£350 service.
£80 geo check.
However last service at my local OPC was
6K Including a 15% discount!
So yeah high end cars have do have tendency to chuck up a big bill every now and again but overall my car has cost less to run per year than my neighbours BMW. Not bad eh?
Just to add, I don't earn 6 figures and can easily afford to run my car.
Edited by Just an old porsche fan on Friday 29th July 11:22
2 x rear tyres £600
Service £250
Fix drivers door handle (door would not open) £380
New suspension top mounts (Front) £f
k knows but a lotNew brake lines £1.5k
Fit RSS engine mounts - Free
Fit Forge motorsport Diverter values £180 (not including valves)
MOT £58 (?)
Valet £150
Clean drain holes. (?)
Brake discs and pads all round £1.2k or there abouts.
There was some other stuff I can't remember bit basically the bill was over 4 pages long
Basically what I am saying is BUY THE CAR YOU WANT... just expect the odd big bill. Most of these cars, and I include Ferraris in this statement, don't cost as much as you think to run. You'll probably only use them occasionally anyway and most will be garaged during winter. It's a win win situation really.
Buy an R8, cheaper to run than you mates daily hack of a 320D.
Edited by Just an old porsche fan on Friday 29th July 13:54
A bill like that every 10 years or so is entirely palatable for most though. I think there is a misconception these kind of cars cost that much every time they go near a garage. So long as there's some contingency money put aside, all should be well. I'm still not brave enough to do it yet, and the missus would rather go on 3 holidays a year that sit on some expensive German leather.
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