Spending 70-90k on a car, any suggestions?

[Hotel_Detect]

I am spending 70-90k on a new (or possibly used) car. I would love some suggestions from members that probably know a lot more about automobiles than I do.

Some considerations ive made so far are MB SLK 350 (or AMG, how much is it?)

2005 M5 - damn thing doesnt come out until late 2005, otherwise its my first choice

and thats all so far.. I want a sedan or sports car.. used is possible, and 90k is the absolute max, the lowest would be 65k for like a M3 or something.

anywho... any suggestions would be appreciated.

[BoondockSaint]

Well porsches are usually a love or hate thing but I would get a 2003 GT3. It would have to be slightly used. Also a used porsche turbo in the 99-02 range. I have actually seen some really good deals (60s) on the SRT10 Vipers compared to what sticker is.

But since it sounds like you arent of infinite wealth but a significant amount I would go with the M3. I don't have any technical or reliability numbers stuff but I've read a lot about em and love em to death and just think you couldn't go wrong buying one. I'm not sure if you are in the US or not but if you are in Europe I would get a TVR Tuscan and wouldnt even have to think about it I'd just throw the cash down. Unfortunately they can't be imported here because all the emissions regulations and crap. Oh man if you want a car that isnt pratical but is probably the funnest car you will ever drive in your life get a Lotus Elise. They are tiny as hell but are by far the fastest car you can buy in terms of acceleration for 50. It would probably feel like you would imagine a Forumla 1 car would be without the top end speed. Like I said imagine because I'm sure a forumla 1 car is much more insane.

Maybe a old ferrari 456 or 355. Man too many choices. So basically with all I have told you I have helped none. Test drive em all if you have a high end dealer close and then decide.

[Hotel_Detect]

Thanks for some of the suggestions.. I think I unfortunately fall into the "hate" category on porsches, i have just never found them aestetically appealing - same goes for vipers. I find myself gravitating towards bmw and mb, so I agree with you on the m3.. i was just hoping to get some a little more special. The look and the 500 hp on the m5 really appeal to me, its just I do not think I can wait a year to get one. Im also thinking about a pimped out older m5.. but I am not sure.. i saw a great pic of one on the net somewhere, ill post it if i find it

[Radashack]

Get a cheap car and invest in something thats not a depreciating asset . Buy one of the new Lotus's for 40k and take the rest and go do something nice .

Personally though if I was absolutly going to drop that much on a car, I would dump some more and pick up a Ford GT.

[gutshot]

I would lean along the lines of your original suggestions.

MB E55 AMG or BMW M5. They are both very well rounded cars in that they haul ass and handle well, but are still extremely comfortable to sit in and drive for hours on end with all the amenities found in uber luxury cars.

[ttanaka]

I like BMW's, drive one myself, and would have to vote for the M5 or the convertible M3 (if you live in CA or somewhere w/ great weather).

But that's only if you must sink all those dollars into a car.

I actually agree with Radashack, being a dollars and numbers business man and investor by heart, I would, of course, look to real estate and stock investments first.

But, you may have bags of money, and if that's the case, then enjoy it man, can't take it with you...(but the wife, kids, and grand kids could use some food and shelter...)

[strangebird]

I would buy a Range Rover or an Audi RS6.

[zenbitz]

Buy a dodge neon and give the rest to uncle sam!

JK!

[BoondockSaint]

Ill sell you my 90 nissan sentra for 40k if you want. Save you some money.

[TylerK]

Find a mint low-mileage MKIV Supra and spend the leftover on modifications.

[pokerfanatic]

buy something that gets you from you're home to the casino that looks decant and has good gas milage the reast, play high stakes poker with it...

[Hotel_Detect]

Thanks for all the advice everybody.. looks like i am going to go for the m5 or maybe the e55. I think ive realized i am less interested in flash than with class and performance, and agree with gutshot that these cars combine performance, luxury and comfort. ill have to see if I can wait for the M5 to come out, i dont know if i can take it tho.

With regard to the cash being spent.. I am lucky and have it to spend, so I am going to, not really thinking of it as an asset, but I would like to buy something that would remain solid even if I after I get another car down the road - i think that M5s and the like classify as almost instant classics (I wouldnt mind having a 98 m5 for example). Therefore I will go down this or a similar route.

ttanaka, the M3 is still an option, but I do not think the convertible is as I do not care for the cloth top look and I have "access" to a 2004 sl 500, the coupe is a definite option, i wonder if i can sink some additional money into it on modifications.

The comments about saving $$ and playing high stakes poker etc were hilarious, but I do not play for income, so the thought wouldn't even cross my mind, heh. $300 NL ring games is rich enough for me when playing @ casinos.

thanks again everybody, Ill let you know when i make up my mind

[Les_Worm]

[Aceofone]

Find a mint low-mileage MKIV Supra and spend the leftover on modifications.

Yes , you and I have the same taste in cars.

[DavSimon]

Personally though if I was absolutly going to drop that much on a car, I would dump some more and pick up a Ford GT

I agree wholeheartedly on the choice of car, but a Ford GT costs 50% more than his stated budget (the difference is more than two of an average persons new cars) I would love to own one though.

Another option for a sporty prestigious sedan would be a '98 or '99 Bentley Arnage or Brooklands
In the end, for that amount of money I would still go for the M5.

[TylerK]

Another thought...Acura NSX. That might come in a little over your budget though.

[TylerK]

Find a mint low-mileage MKIV Supra and spend the leftover on modifications.

Yes , you and I have the same taste in cars.

I hate spending money on cars though, so even if I had a huge car budget I would probably just buy another DSM and dump some cash into mods. End up with an AWD 600awhp beast for under 20k.

[Corey]

Go buy it brand new and watch the value of that care drop like a rock.

Buy one at least 1 year old for it to keep its face value imo.

But of course if you have money to burn wtf am I talken about

[ttanaka]

Hotel Detect,

Ok, then, you've got the money to spend, then the M5 is absolutely the one and only choice. I, personally, would wait for that M5 (yet, still keep my BMW convertible), and then own it forever. That car is a killer, super high-performing CLASSIC, that will never get old, that will never be boring, while still being more versatile than a Porsche.

Excellent choice, wish you had it now so you could upload some pictures of that bad boy!

[FyrFytr998]

I think I'd have to buy the Dodge Ram SRT. Something intriguing about a Pick up with a Viper Motor in it!

[astrodon]

Willing to pay 90k for an auto and asking the advice of strangers? Hope you come play poker with me; bring the keys to the auto... :P

I have not seen the passenger vehicle worth that kind of money: Porche, Ferrari; Lambrighini, or ???

Reminds me of a friend who bought his wife a new Escalade (45k) and the second time she drove it, she wrecked it rubber-necking a Corvette.

[BoondockSaint]

89k I decided thats what I would get. I love BMWs but I love Ferraris more. Gazillions of people have BMWs but how often do you see someone rollin around in a Ferrari. What I would do is save my money and get a 550 or save even more and get a 575 but if I had to spend and spend it now it would be that beauty for 89 thousand right below.

[zenbitz]

actually, if I had 90K I had to spend on a vechicle, I'd get a vintage WWII tank. Not sure where I would park it, though.. I guess the SF DPT would have trouble towing it!

[Spook]

Where do you park a tank?

Any damn place you want.

[Hotel_Detect]

Willing to pay 90k for an auto and asking the advice of strangers? Hope you come play poker with me; bring the keys to the auto... :P

I have not seen the passenger vehicle worth that kind of money: Porche, Ferrari; Lambrighini, or ???

Reminds me of a friend who bought his wife a new Escalade (45k) and the second time she drove it, she wrecked it rubber-necking a Corvette.

Yes astrodon, b/c I planned on reading the thread and immediately going out and buying the most popular recommendation. Sheeh, I was just bored and curious what other 20-something guys would buy. I figured this was as good a place as any to ask.

[Hotel_Detect]

thats a pretty sexy car boondock , heh, .. little too flashy for me tho, i mean my top picks are sedans :P

[astrodon]

Yes astrodon, b/c I planned on reading the thread and immediately going out and buying the most popular recommendation.

Just razzing ya Hotel... Nothing personal.

[whileone]

careful with the ferrari. An aquantance of mine had one.

he said people would cut him off on the freeway or not let him pass. it had been keyed twice in the last year...

pretty much a laundry list of people fucking with him as long as he owned it.

i'm sure it's a ball, but it's probably not a car to drive everyday.

just my 2c.

[schenk]

lol saw this thread late but im a ferrari and viper kinda guy. although if u really really wan a special car that will actually APRECIATE in value, get the GT500 man. that car is a real classic and if all fails, pop over to the replica prop forum and buy the batmobile from the old tv series. now that is a headturner.