Thinking about getting a new DD

[SlimKlim]

If you can wait for it.

[CaptainHenreh]

What about the new Cop Caprice?

[Evan]

youre a chevy guy, so if youre going with a coupe why not get a v6 camaro?

[HAULN-SS]

I like the idea of a v6 camaro, however, they just seem so damn big! I haven't driven one yet, but I do think a v6 with an RS looks good in pictures, but getting up close makes it seem less attractive to me for some reason, but I wont rule it out. I looked at one today.

I don't know if anyone suggested it, but I started thinking about a G8. Turns out there is a GT and a GXP - both with V8s, but the GXP was an LS3 with about 40 more HP, some suspension goodies, and bigger brakes. I like the idea of all that, but they only made like 1800, so a GT is easier/cheaper to find.

[BLINGMW]

at least 28mpg combined driving

I started thinking about a G8.

So the truth comes out. Maybe you should define your priorities first. I know you said not to worry about the mileage so much... but now you're at 18 combined. You remind me of my sister when she was looking at getting a car years ago. Couldn't define one damn requirement, preferences were based purely on look and perceived status as far as I could tell. You both are like, a car dealer's wet dream! :lol:

As far as I can tell you're down to:
some kind of relatively powerful car with unknown number of doors or drive wheels for half the cost of a small house, or less. Oh. Leather seats and a stereo.

To be more "helpful".... I might suggest a much cheaper, more used car. Closer to the one you have now. A lot of cars would fit your rather open, boring requirements, you're going to put a bunch of highway miles on it, why not start with something devalued, mundane, comfortable, and reliable. Camry. Accord. Take the 20k you save and take a few awesome vacations. Or buy a track car, motorcycle, and then still take a couple vacations.

[G.Irish]

To be more "helpful".... I might suggest a much cheaper, more used car. Closer to the one you have now. A lot of cars would fit your rather open, boring requirements, you're going to put a bunch of highway miles on it, why not start with something devalued, mundane, comfortable, and reliable. Camry. Accord. Take the 20k you save and take a few awesome vacations. Or buy a track car, motorcycle, and then still take a couple vacations.

This. Sink your money into experiences, they'll make you happier.

Of course, I say this, but I was looking at Caymans again today...

[HAULN-SS]

Yeah, fuck. I dont know, I guess I am just really looking for something more fun. I was thinking I might actually keep my malibu as a DD and do something fun with the money for another car. Then that leads me down the path of "well, why dont you just supercharge your SS, or drop in a new LSx for kicks" and that's a whole nother rabbit hole. Ive got the space and tools to do anything I want just about, but not sure about the time or motivation.

[Apoc]

Take the 20k you save and take a few awesome vacations. Or buy a track car, motorcycle, and then still take a couple vacations.

This. Sink your money into experiences, they'll make you happier.

+infinity

[HAULN-SS]

Already got a motorbike, and vacations to me are like 3 day things..

[Mike]

try one that's longer. there's more to see than obx.

[BLINGMW]

I guess I am just really looking for something more fun.

Start DDing one of the Monte Carlos? :dunno:

[G.Irish]

Yeah take like, a month off and really travel. Hang out in Europe for a month, or go do a week or two somewhere so you can really engage with a place. 3 days is only enough for domestic travel, and even then that's short.

[D_Eclipse9916]

What makes you guys happy may not make HIM happy. I do agree on saving up for some fun but lets do a quick count. He does a long commute everyday, he will likely spend more time being miserable in a crappy car than any length of vacation. If a nicer car makes him happy to jump in it everyday, I say do that instead of the vacation. Being miserable everyday just leads you to want more vacation and more expense. If it makes you happier to drive in a fun car everyday than to take vacations more frequently, I think you have your answer. If you like vacations, then do others. I enjoy vacations and traveling the world, hell I spent 3 months in China, but the chance between going travelling for a month or two, or being able to race a full season, I choose the racing.

That said, you dont have to spend 20-40k for a fun car that your going to put tons of miles on...

Look at running costs and value. A 30k new car is 10k at 100K, lost $20k. A $10k nice used car with $4k of maintenace between 100k and 200k, and sell for $4k is only lost value of $10k. Save yourself money (ps taxes on expensive vehicles for both initial purchase and personal property, as well as insurance are also higher). Of course cost is not only factor, fun, wants, needs is another, but that doesnt change between a used and new car.

My 2-cents, of course no one will agree with my opinion :lol:

[WRXtranceformed]

There's nothing wrong with splurging and buying yourself a nice daily driver. maybe liquidate some of the monte carlo piles you have and pick up something you're going to enjoy driving. I am in the car a lot like you and even though gas is not as much of a concern for me as it is for you (generally I'm not paying for it) there is a lot to be said for enjoying the experience of a long drive.

[G.Irish]

What makes you guys happy may not make HIM happy. I do agree on saving up for some fun but lets do a quick count. He does a long commute everyday, he will likely spend more time being miserable in a crappy car than any length of vacation. If a nicer car makes him happy to jump in it everyday, I say do that instead of the vacation. Being miserable everyday just leads you to want more vacation and more expense. If it makes you happier to drive in a fun car everyday than to take vacations more frequently, I think you have your answer. If you like vacations, then do others. I enjoy vacations and traveling the world, hell I spent 3 months in China, but the chance between going travelling for a month or two, or being able to race a full season, I choose the racing.

Yeah but I would qualify racing as paying for an experience. You get a ton of enjoyment and great memories out of racing. Even in a street car you're autocrossing, drag racing, tracking or whatever, that's an experience.

I agree that a long commute in a car you hate can suck the life out of you so I wouldn't recommend getting an econobox. But when you start getting up towards $30k in price is when you might wanna reexamine what you're looking for.

Look at running costs and value. A 30k new car is 10k at 100K, lost $20k. A $10k nice used car with $4k of maintenace between 100k and 200k, and sell for $4k is only lost value of $10k. Save yourself money (ps taxes on expensive vehicles for both initial purchase and personal property, as well as insurance are also higher). Of course cost is not only factor, fun, wants, needs is another, but that doesnt change between a used and new car.

My 2-cents, of course no one will agree with my opinion :lol:

I think most people here are on the used car wagon. Even just lightly used (e.g. 20k miles) is a big bargain over new.

[ScottyB]

i would counter that in this market, there are some used cars that are way, way overvalued. not to mention end of the year clearance pricing....

anyway, i have no idea what you're really after, but if its just going to be a commuting appliance, i'd be putting an emphasis on highway mileage. why not look at a GTO, they fit your "big fun V8 thing" needs, are under 15k now, and cruise all day at 25mpg highway in comfort.

[BLINGMW]

why not look at a GTO, they fit your "big fun V8 thing" needs, are under 15k now, and cruise all day at 25mpg highway in comfort.

There ya go! Search over, thread solved! :thumbup:

[Evan]

personally, when I look at your situation, it seems inefficient to me to have a big powerful expensive car that you use 95% to just commute long distance by yourself. aside from being inefficient and expensive, also depreciates the car very quickly.

if i were you, i would buy a cheap commuter car with good MPG, something like a new Kia Rio5 that gets 40mpg, has good in car connectivity for entertainment on the commute, and a 10 year warranty, for under 18k and you dont take a big depreciation hit on

Then id buy a big high HP fun machine, for the weekends and any non commuting transportation. miles and depreciation are kept down on your expensive car

[HAULN-SS]

Just to clarify, I am pretty much on the used car wagon myself. I entertained the thought of that Kia just because it has every freaking option you can think of just about for under 30k. I think also, whoever said it is right, that car will be worth 10 in a few years. This is kind of what had me leaning towards a few years older something or other, it will already have the depreciation hit.


I aim in the car a lot - part of what's motivating this discussion. If I'm going to drive that much, might as well be something I enjoy. At the time I bought the Malibu, I had a lot more practical thoughts about commuting. That car served it's purpose, and now i've been on the hunt for some combo of more fun and nicer amenities for a DD. I guess the truth about priorities is that, instead of gas mileage. Most of my driving is highway miles anyway - so really if it gets decent highway mileage that will fit the bill. The malibu gets about 25.5 combined, but I actually think it would be better if it had more power, due to the terrain, and having to pull that heavy of a car up the mountain. My SS with old-school carbureted v8 gets about 22-23 highway on those same roads

[HAULN-SS]

So since i"ve been outed on not really giving a crap about mileage like I thought...what about a 2008ish STS-V? IMHO it looks similar to the current CTS-V which would be my ultimate car, but is still too pricey. STSs on the other hand have sunk like rocks, and you can get 470 gnarly supercharged HPs and Nav and heated ass warmers for under 30k with maybe 30k miles, if you look.