Thinking about buy my first "supercar" (yes another one of these threads)

Hey everyone, haven't posted here in a long time. Been working a lot (which is a good thing now a days). Anyway, I am in need of some constructive thoughts.

So I have been tossing around the idea of buying my first supercar, I am not totally sold on the idea. I love cars, F cars to be exact (confirmed by my SF tattoo) but I love Porsche, Lotus and all other makes and models...So I am at a point in my life (I am 28 about to be 29) where I have, after buying some investment properties and other investments found myself with some left over cash to "play" around with. I have been trying to decide whether or not to buy a exotic. I have the means to purchase one (used of course), my budget being 100k-130k and the means to maintain it. However, the rational me says to hold off some more, buy one or two more houses/duplexes and then when I turn 30 treat myself then. The car lover in me says with all the great deals to be found go ahead and scoop up a nice example of brand x,y or z. I guess my real question is, which side do I listen to the rational side or the car enthusiast side. Here are the cars I am thinking about:

1. 355 (hardtop) - my all time favorite F Car/my dream car
2. GT3
3. Lotus Esprit (V8 edition)
4. Murci
5. Gallardo
6. 328 GTS (because Magnum is what made me fall in love with Ferrari's in the first place)
etc...

Also, if you have any other ideas of "exotic" cars I should look, that wets my appetite and see if I really do like owning a car(s) of this nature or if I am better suited to admire those owned by others, please let me know. Thanks.

Regards,

WRXracer a.k.a BURN



**P.S. please excuse the grammar mistakes.

 

Between all those, Murcielago hands down. Nothing else screams "exotic" like that car does.

How about an SLR?

 

Can't get an SLR registered in VA, so I am told. Our Merc dealer owns one but its registered in a manner in which he can drive it for promotions.

 

I can't imagine that you cannot register an SLR in VA. No chance.

If you had to buy, I would suggest this
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=4780

Otherwise, I would recommend continuing to invest.

 

well if my memory serves me right from our conversation, he couldn't sell one bec it couldn't be registered. he bought one and stuck it in the showroom.

I am leaning more to buying another duplex, or maybe looking into an apartment complex or do HUD homes.

 

I say if you can swing it and it makes you happy go for it!

Another one to consider is the Audi R8, It's a nice modern car, compared to some of the others on your list.

 

Waldoonay - thanks for the advice...its a 60/40 split right now leaning to buying another duplex.

on a side note, I should come by and visit I am only a couple of countries away

 

I was going to recommend the R8 as well, and a new one is in your budget range.

From your list of cars, the 355, my dream car and all time favorite F cars (except I love them all, don't tell the others )

Not on your list, maybe a Bentley, Aston Martin DB9/Vantage, Maserati GranTurismo/GranSport, Dodge Viper, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, somewhat below your price range yet a great car: the NSX, Nissan R35 GT-R, and BMW M6.

Good luck with the search.

 

Buy the Porsche, it is a great car for a first time buyer, and it is easy to work on, not expensive to maintain, and is not expensive to fix, f you happen to have a slight fender bender which can cost 10's of thousands in some of the cars you listed.

 

That almost certianly is incorrect. California has more strict emission laws that require special modifications in some cases, but Virginia should have the same rules as the other 48 states save CA. The SLR can be sold in CA, so I don't see why it wouldn't in VA.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

False, here is one for sale (even though its a roadster)...

http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/Search/DRauSearchDetails.aspx?itemid=751038

Although, i don't think that any SLR is in the 100-130k range, so its irrelevant

 

Exactly. Any decent SLR is going to cost way more than $130k.

 

You'll only be 30, (presumably unmarried?) and with an LP640 once.

 

If you were looking for a super car in that price range my vote would be a new Viper, ZR1 or a 911. Now if you were looking for an exotic in that range I would go with a Murci, Gallardo, Diablo or 360. You might be able to find a 430 or Challenge Stradle in that range although I'm not current on what either one is selling for.

 

Seems like you have some ludicrous variation between those choices. I'd imagine the Murci is a car which could destroy you financially after only a few mishaps (I'd think you'd need at least a 30K reserve fund that could be liquidated at a moment's notice.

Now, a Murci is absolute a ridiculous exotic that will announce your arrival more than anything else on your least (all of which are relatively low key other than the Gallardo).

 

Are you referring to my list??? Why do you think its ludicrous? Also with the exception of a Verde Ithaca Murci the Diablo will draw more attention, I know cause I owned one. And it would be smart to have a reserve if you owned any exotic however with the Audi influence in the G and the Murci 30k would be more than one would need. Unless your "mishap" is driving the car into a wall.

 

No mention of a Ford GT? Wow. One of the best looking cars in the world and will hold it's value better than anything listed so far.

http://fordgtchannel.com/images/2010073102.jpg

 

Ford GT

You are on cusp of Supercar ownership...all of listed will require maintenance that may add up; Ford GT is faster than all, and will require fraction of costs AND hold value better.

 

I'm not sure which of those on your list I would consider "supercars", but I would invest in more property and continue to watch the market. Look for the best example of the car you want and negotiate. Don't jump at the first thing that you see, just to have ownership. Afterall, it is a buyers market out there. Take your time. Talk to some of the owners out there of some of your favorites. You have the money, now have the patience.

 

get $35k 328 and invest in another duplex with the rest. only downside here is that the 328 is a little slow and quirky by today's standards, but it's a great entry into exotic car ownership (kinda cheap too).

 

Are you unmarried w/o kids? If so, go and buy an exotic! I can't think of a better way for a 29 year old to spend $130k.

I'll be in a similar situation in a couple of years. When I'm done with school I plan on basically starving myself and living in a 1 room apartment so I can afford a 1990's exotic. I don't like the Murcielago at all and out of those choices I would pick either the F355 or the Esprit V8. You say the F355 Berlinetta is your dream car, I think it's the most beautiful car ever made, so...

Some others just to throw out: Aston Martin DB7 Vantage, Toyota Supra Twin Turbo, Lotus Elise, Porsche 993 Turbo, BMW 850. Also, the Diablo is about the same price as the Murcielago nowadays and is way more of the quintessential Lambo in my opinion. Cars designed in the 2000's are nothing compared to the dream cars of the 1990's, but that is just my opinion.

 

With just a little speculation on my part, I think buying the best 328 (or 355) you can find and putting the rest of your cash back into real properties bought at the present low can only work out right for you in the long run.

IMHO, a well preserved example of a 328 will out pace other 3x8 cars over time. Not that I advocate buying a 3x8 as an "investment" vehicle. They're for driving and enjoying the ownership of the marque. Attending rallies, track days and concours for example. Selling for a profit at the end of ones ownership can only be looked at as a gift, not the reason to buy initially.

Now if you wanted to really budget the whole bank roll for a vehicle, then I'd recommend a nice 360 bought In the 80-90k market and put the rest into maintenance and upgrades.

Good luck and have fun.

Don't forget to post up photos of whatever you finally decide on.

Cheers

 

355 is fantastic... get out your checkbook to stay up on it though... and expect to pay to fix something before you sell it. great car though... only thing that sounds better is a carrera GT.

Gallardo wouldn't be a bad choice nor an R8 V8.

id skip the murci as its a little too shouty and maintenance is insane.

just don't buy a 911 turbo. boring

 

Hey everyone I am back!

Sorry I haven't replied to all of your great advice! But lets just say I have been working hard, earning that money! Well to catch everyone up, I put a big chunk of that money into buying properties an have enough left over for something like a 328. I know this is not a "OMG look at that exotic" but it is something I know I will enough and it will break me into owning a Ferrari. I had the privilege of riding in an 458 Italia where I am working geographically speaking, and all I have to say is, I WANT ONE, BADLY!!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions, when I make it back to the states. I will keep everyone informed as to my search, and what I buy!

Thanks.

WRXRacer112 aka Burn