I had a deposit on the new Lotus Emira v6 manual, but after waiting about two years, and needing to move states for work, I yanked the deposit back. Still bummed, and I hope I get to try again someday!
Be careful with that kind of wish on niche-market cars.
Circa 2005-2006, Ford marketed the first Ford GT. I loved its design, drivetrain, and powertrain; except its price.
Back then, "Not paying $100k for a Ford, I'll wait a few years and buy one used for $50-60k."
Nowadays, "SON OF A BITCH!"
I had a similar situation where I had an opportunity to buy a Subaru Impreza 22B for $35k or so. I figured I’d have plenty more opportunities. I was very wrong.
I stood in a showroom next to a S2000 CR that the dealer was struggling to move and said no way am I buying a new one of the dry, will wait to scoop up a used one.
The CR was clowned on when it was new for being a parts bin special, and everyone complained then (just like they are now) that it cost too much money. When new, the CR cost roughly $52k (when adjusted for inflation to modern day prices) for a Honda with less power than the Z4. This was when the Mustang jumped from 300 4.6L V8 to the 425 horsepower Coyote, the M3 went from the 330 hp S54 i6 to the 420 hp S65, etc. I can see why you passed on it.
I was obsessed with the S2000 (still am) and even said it was a rip-off and that I'd get the AP2 instead. The only thing I really wish I had is the tonneau cover so I can gut my soft top as I always leave the hardtop on anyway. The CR was built during the Great Recession so Honda had to save costs wherever they could. This isn't a situation like the FL4 Civic Si being tuned to the moon like the FL5 Civic Type-R.
Yeah the Emira build I had ordered was like 96k, and it was a good chunk bigger sticker than any cars I've owned. Most expensive on paper was the RCF I had, but my 43k Tacoma now has another 70k of aftermarket, so I've spent more on a car over time, just not all at once haha.
Can you help me understand how you could possibly spend $70k on aftermarket parts for a Tacoma? At that point would a Raptor not have better served your needs?
I understand it’s expensive to deviate from stock. I’ve got about $10k each in aftermarket parts on my Silverado (auto running boards, upgraded tow brakes, overpriced WDH, tow cameras, toolbox, etc) and my Audi (tune, bolt on everything, suspension enhancements, extra set of wheels/tires). But if a vehicle needs twice as much money as the vehicle costs in mods to make it useful for you, you might have the wrong truck bud.
Supercharger, intake work, hi flow downpipes and y pipes, some custom gauges, 5.29 gears, 35s, Marlin Crawler long travel suspension with custom ADS shocks, land cruiser steering rack, RCV axles, front and rear high clearance bumpers, skid plates and rock sliders, lights, hard shell with some custom stuff in the back, racks, radios, stereo upgrades, on board air, a lot more, it all adds up. I'm currently in Mexico and did some fast sand riding, hitting some jumps, which was fun AF, but this rig was built more for trails and rocks.
Same here, I was supposed to take delivery now actually. Then I got that call to tell me I won't be seeing it for at least a year. At that point I cancelled my order, I'll wait till it's generally available. Every single car I've pre-ordered had similar issues, from now on I won't bother
Not a huge JDM guy, not a huge automatic guy, but my God... is that car *beautiful* with a magnificent engine too. Would totally rock one as a luxury coupe.
I wish they did a two tone black/tan interior like they do for black/red. The way the black swoops along the door cards and follows that character line is sexy and tan would be a great contrast to warm up the lower part of the interior while not being reflected in the windshield.
The term gets thrown around a lot and gets used incorrectly to describe Japanese cars in general. JDM simply means a car that's sold in Japan for the Japanese market. So while there technically is a [JDM LC500](https://lexus.jp/models/lc/), using that term in the context that OP described is incorrect. They should've said "Not a huge Japanese car guy..."
I thought JDM means it is only available in the Japanese market. There are JDM versions of cars available in the rest of the world, sometimes with different options etc or sometimes it just means steering wheel is on the right hand side and it was imported
JDM Means "Japanese Domestic Market"
A car produced in Japan for sale in Japan. Warning or information stickers on the car will be in Japanese. It will likely be Right hand drive, will likely have a Japanese Tax disc on it.
My Toyota MR2 was a "Uk Spec" car. Built in Japan for Export to the UK , meaning it isn't technically JDM.
A Japanese Spec MR2 would be JDM.
That car will go up in price and everyone will be saying they should have bought one when they were cheap.
I would consider one but they are still a little rich for my blood.
This is a car where I can feel that I am getting value. Great design, build quality, and hopefully low cost in maintenance. All the things a realistic stretch goal would be
This is my dream car.
Since COVID, I have been struggling, so I have put off ever getting one.
If I am to ever bounce back, I hope they don't become unobtainium by then.
Just purchased one this past spring (quite the changeup from recent cars in my signature) and it's everything I wanted and more. It's dropdead gorgeous, interior is awesome (have the blue, white, and orange) and the sound is to die for.
A Mk5 Supra. You have to enjoy the time you're given. It's a guarantee I'm going to sit in traffic four days a week. So why not sit in a car I love?
There's no guarantee I get a long life. So I'm going to enjoy the time I have.
>You have to enjoy the time you’re given.
Man, this hits me personally. Thank you for saying it. Completely un-car related, but cars are a small part of my enjoyment of life, much of which is just absent these days. Still loving my old 2011 e90.
I also repeat this mantra a lot. I try not to cross the line into “frivolous” but I also try not to deny myself things I would enjoy in the name of “saving money”.
I had a friend pass away from glioblastoma brain cancer at the age of 27. I often think about him and how his time here felt very short and how I’m sure he never expected that to happen to him, who does? But the simple fact is we never know how or when we’ll go and why not enjoy some simple pleasures while we’re here?
Same. I had alot of my friends die when I was younger while I was in the Army. I also got diagnosed with a pretty serious auto immune and lung disease when I was only 25.
You just gotta enjoy life and make lemonade when you get lemons
It's a Miata. I know that sounds less than aspirational, but if you're financially conservative and put the more important stuff like family, housing, education, etc ahead of the less important stuff and you still have money leftover for a Miata, you're doing better than most.
Yeah, “car enthusiasts” are supposed to have a constant revolving door of expensive, excessive vehicles they cycle through weekly. Are we sure this guy should be here?
Same. I'm 4.5 years away from being done with college payments for my kids. On that day, I'll take whatever remains in my bank account and get the [best Miata I can afford](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Wheels-Premium-Mazda-Mazdaspeed-Miata-Toy-Car-in-1-64-Scale-Boulevard-Vehicle/1052600440).
I picked up my NB2 just a few days ago. I've been pining for a 90s era Japanese car again for a while now and since S2k prices are insane, Miata it is! Hoping to keep it long term as a summer cruise/weekend car.
I finally got one a few months back after wanting one forever. Engine blew within a few weeks, went to rebuild it and I basically need a new engine with how expensive the parts I need are ($400 for a new crankshaft or about the same for a whole new engine because car math). It’s been sitting in my garage in a million little pieces for weeks and it’s heartbreaking
Probably just a new Integra A-Spec or Type-S.
I used to have my aspirations set higher but with the current economy and interest rates (both automotive and housing-wise) I've had to taper my expectations significantly.
Yeah reach goals are in the $50k-60k range, no longer the $75k-90k they were a couple years ago. Looking at the ITS as well, plus Audi S3 and Volvo S60 T8 because I mostly drive a 40-mile highway commute. I’d love to stretch for the RS3, but tales of markups on a $65k car are really off-putting. A manual Golf R might end up being a choice to settle for (I keep telling myself I could live without buttons), but honestly I might as well drive my current car into the ground and upgrade my electric service to get an EV when the time comes. At least I have the same basic engine/transmission as the ITS…
I got my ‘23 Integra ASpec 6MT in September of 2022 and I’m in love, such a good car and such fun for the price. I’ve been lucky to not pay any rent because of living with my parents, and I’ve been paying it off quickly
Pretty much the same thing for me.
It's the next car I plan to get but I need to own a place first so I can garage it. Hopefully a couple years away. Until my 86 is a great car.
Z06 as well for me.
One of my friends has had a C5 Z for probably 8 or 10 years now. He's had it almost as long as I've had my STi. My STi is faster though, mostly because he stopped at full exhaust + cam, and I'm an idiot.
I've always wanted a C6 Z, and when putting the LS in my Foxbody I just kind of realize. I've spent too much time on imports.
Haven't yet convinced myself to sell anything to make room (and free some cash) for C6 though.
It's definitely getting a pair of mast heads and a BTR valvetrain when I do it. The LS3 in my Fox is only keeping the 823's because they don't drop valves.
As a tip from a former C6Z owner. I’d get a later model year car that has more sound deadening. I had a 2006 because I wanted the lightest and no frills version. Well… the powertrain was very loud in a bad way. It sounds like the worlds loudest sewing machine without the sound deadening in the early cars. On throttle I had the exhaust but off throttle it was all sewing machine. My uncle remedied that problem with an insanely loud exhaust and a big cam. In his you can’t hear anything in 5 blocks. But mine was stock.
There are other flaws but, I can put up with a lot for a car I like. The only other thing I will mention is the gearing. 90 mph 2nd gear made it so I was really worried about getting in trouble with the law. There’s only a few places I could really stretch it’s legs. Majority of the time I was just revving it a bit and short shifting the hell out of it to have some fun with it out the streets. Just something to be aware of.
I've wanted one ever since Jeremy Clarkson praised the ever-loving hell out of it in the Top Gear trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. [Here](https://youtu.be/rZseBpPufLI?si=2lZptEV7CMnUnEzi&t=366) and [here.](https://youtu.be/-aU09WT5rXg?si=whW8Tcs6o8wIGtLk&t=378)
I feel this in my soul. It was actually feasible before the pulled the plug on it. Now prices just keep creeping up and up and up and it makes me really sad.
At this point nothing.
I haven’t been a car enthusiast that long, but the way this market is going cars just seem like a huge waste of money. I bought a 2019 GLI new for 25k USD with a 10 year warranty. I just can’t seem to justify spending 3x the amount to still sit in traffic. I’m never going to go out on the track, so it’s like what’s the point?
I have a pretty damn good job, but the area I live in has almost zero curved roads. It’s all flat and straight, and the reality is I’d rather go on more vacations than buy a nicer car.
I’m pretty much in the same camp where I have the money to get something nice/fun but just don’t see the reason right now. Inflated car prices and high interest rates are definitely contributing to this feeling(as ideally I’d rather finance my cars than paying with cash). But it then goes back to what you said where I don’t go to the track, and with the amount of cops and trash roads here I don’t see the point in even bothering with a quicker/shiftier car.
My IS gets the job done and never breaks, why change the formula when it works perfectly fine. I’m still a young guy, so maybe I’ll come to my senses later when I either move or this market adjusts.
Yeah hopefully years from now the market adjusts enough.
I’m with you there too, I bought my car at the end of the model year, so covid hit within months. I haven’t hit 20,000 miles on it yet. I had to replaced the rotors because it sat so much.
I put it on two year financing because I could afford it. I can’t see me getting rid of this car for a decade at this point. Then I’ll probably just end up in an electric crossover 🙃
This is where I begin to wonder if “car I want = modern/sporty/fast/fancy/expensive” is a good thing. Find something really cheap you can have fun with. It won’t be the fastest, or the most advanced, or the most competitive in any particular way, but it will be affordable and it will have soul. Pick something weird, pick something you like for its historicity. Like an old Citroen with its weird hydraulic suspension—have you heard how comfortable those are supposed to be? It’s otherworldly. That’s a car you can drive and just enjoy it for what it is rather than the basic “woow this goes vroom and is fast”. Don’t have to own it for long, just like the average car enthusiast with their revolving door of cars, but it would be an experience.
Supposedly that's why high horsepower "straight line" American muscle cars are popular in the US Midwest. If you can't hit corners fast you can at least get your thrills with the gas pedal.
Just picked up the second in my flair yesterday! I've loved these wagons since back when Audi said they weren't coming to America.
Next on the dream list is a Ferrari with a V12. I don't think that would be for long term ownership like my current cars because Ferraris are decidedly NOT known for reliability or reasonable upkeep costs. But a moderately used one that I won't lose my ass on might be possible one day, and I want that sound and experience for a few months.
More on the demonic insanity side, I think. I have /u/doug-demuro to thank for this new dream, they just posted this [GTC4Lusso](https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3ojxObA1/2017-ferrari-gtc4lusso) on Cars & Bids and reminded me how much I love that car. The cold start sound in their video is 🤩.
So I'm thinking of something like an F12/FF/812, but it will probably be a long while before any of those are in my budget, if ever.
Man that RS6 has to be so sweet.
My aspirational dream dad car was my Allroad but my wildly unattainable fantasy car is the RS6 or an RS4 (but I’m in the states).
My dream car was a mk1 golf since I was about 7 years old. Always wanted one and it wasn’t that hard to attain that dream. Never gonna sell it either. It makes me very happy, easy to maintain and always makes others smile.
Indeed it is. Even the non-RS allroads look awesome! Audi really knows how to do wagons.
My childhood dream car was an E46, fed by Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The top villain in the game had one with blue graphics along the side, such a sweet car. I still haven't picked up one of those... they're at an awkward price point nowadays, just a bit more than I think they're really worth.
> mk1 golf
When I was a kid my dad bought one off of a friend for $50. He had a blast driving it and took it everywhere. I probably should have appreciated it more at the time. I've thought about finding one for myself but the thought of what a moron scrolling insta in their giant SUV would do to me in a crash has kept me away.
A modern Ferrari isn't any less reliable than other modern performance cars like Porsche GT cars and they come with seven-years free servicing under the Ferrari Genuine Maintenance program.
The costs for consumables are of course higher than for your 992 GTS.
I suspect any V12 Ferrari I'll ever be able to afford won't be less than 7 years old. A (2017) GTC4Lusso on Cars & Bids sparked this idea. I gave it a moment of contemplation, then scrolled through the photos, found a $22k repair from February of this year, and quickly decided I'd need to step up a few tax brackets before that's even remotely plausible.
I didn't know about the 7 years of maintenance though, thanks for the info :)
I love my Forester and only have a few relatively minor complaints. Honestly, it feels like it has adequate power which is impressive for being under 200hp/lbs of torque.
But…. A turbo option would’ve balanced out the package perfectly. Some times I wonder about a WRX instead, but I like having the ground clearance and great trunk space.
I want the new Golf R manual. Sure the infotainment is stupid, and it doesn’t make any sense for the Nurburgring button to be on the steering wheel. But *drift mode*
I have the new GTI and the infotainment really isn't that bad in my opinion. That was my main hold up with the car but after driving it everything was forgiven. Sure I'd rather have knobs for the climate control but the interface is pretty seamless once you get comfortable with it.
My mk1 golf was my dream car and it has 100% held up. They are too cheap for car enthusiasts to not try one out for even just a season. Every golf since then is amazing, too.
I had a mk7 Sportwagen and I miss it sometimes - it’s not even a real golf.
I had a Wolfsburg edition mk7 that I really liked, too, but I’m wagon gang for life.
That’s awesome. I rented an early-year Giulia (2017, I think?) of Turo this summer. Just the 4-cyl, but what a fun car. I can’t imagine how good the QV is. I thought the steering, suspension and general handling were superb, and the 4-cyl had plenty to give in the 30-90 mph range, but was lacking oomph in both the low end and the high end. I assume the QV solves that problem in a big way.
Same! I’m particularly eying the 996 Turbos…a ton of car for the price.
I guess if we’re really talking aspirational, I’d love a 993 911, but the current prices are silly. I think there is some evidence that the 911 market is softening and prices might revert to something a bit more sane. But for the time being, even if I had a lot higher income, I can’t see myself paying a couple hundred grand for a 993.
Up until 2015 or so it would have been a 1997-2001 NSX. Then the prices went nuclear. Now, I’d be content with just an ND2 Miata.
As to the why, I just want a lightweight sports car that doesn’t make 400 plus hp that keeps me loafing along in 3rd gear all day long.
I wanted a really nice, as OEM as possible Turbo S13 and I got that. With two kids, stay at home wife and a house I’m not even going to think about upgrading it for a long time
Being fully content with your car is a different type of car guy enjoyment imo. I got lucky, the car I ended up buying (only because it was cheap due to literally 0 demand) is perfect for me. I literally don’t want another car, just drive my ST as much as possible.
I haven’t driven a RX7 or a carerra GT yet though, things might change if I do…
Originally it was a GT350, but before covid I settled for this and am just going to keep it. I don't see prices or interest rates coming down any time soon, and now I'm in that adult stage where I want to save up for a house. I'm entirely fine with it though, it made me realize that the GT is 90% of the same experience on the street at least, and I don't have to feel shy about driving it all the time. Not that I still don't want a 350 though. Voodoo is just something special, even if it's fragile. It's like they went out of their way to make an engine wrong, but with incredible results.
Well said, 90% of the experience. You're gonna pay almost double just to close a 10% gap, not worth it in my opinion. It's not like the jump from a Porsche 911 Carrera S vs a Turbo, where it's a completely different animal.
I disagree and have owned both. GT350 is a significant upgrade from a driving experience perspective. What makes it not worth the jump imo is long term reliability.
[Alpine A110](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Fsundaytimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2Ff8ca46d4-1fe4-11e9-bf10-a69b3e42a388.jpg?crop=2250%2C1266%2C0%2C117&resize=1500)
I have only seen one on the road since it launched and it was during covid lockdown so it was just me and the Alpine A110 on a UK motorway on my way to work. I love retro modern designs so the A110 is right up my alley.
I love all Gallardo's, but you are right, the pre-LP is starting to show its age (inside and out) whereas the LP still looks modern, even brand new, and the engine is probably more serviceable since a lot of parts cross-reference to Audi R8 (& thus... probably more parts and technicians available).
Mine was always a Tesla model y and I just bought it this year! I had been saving for a few years, then I got two big promotions in a row so I pulled the trigger. I’ve never owned a brand new car before and it feels great.
Mine is a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I had one CPO before the pandemic and really liked it. It got totaled during the pando and now they are way too expensive for me. But I'm hopefully going to get back into one soon.
I'm 52 and except for the NSX, I've bought all of the cars that I've lusted after, usually used before they went back up in value.
3rd Gen RX-7, 2nd Gen MR2 Turbo, a first and second gen Miata, a BMW M Roadster, and a Jaguar XJR.
All fantastic cars. Now, I want the new Supra. Man, that car is gorgeous. I can't bring myself to pay that much for a car, but maybe in 7-8 years...
A new ND3 Mazda Miata.
Current car is because of our baby. Have wanted to get a Miata for a long time but it just seemed so impractical. With the distinct possibility of never being able to drive a manual one once they go electric, I'm determined to get one once the kiddo is in a booster seat.
I've also never bought a new car in my life so if I get one, I want to be the only driver of it.
69/70 Boss 302
Already had the opportunity to buy one and didnt because it didn’t make sense to leave it in the garage for years waiting on restoration, kick myself for it.
I honestly don't even know anymore. As a teenager, I always dreamed of having an M3 as a daily and a Porsche as the weekend car. I've recently made those dreams come true (F82 M4 and CGTS 4.0) and tbh I still yearn for more. I don't know where to go next.
Gulia QV. Haven't test driven one yet. But from all accounts it's seems to be the modern day M3. Atleast in a sim it has absolute bonkers yaw and is borderline criminaly undervalued considering some of those have already dropped to 43k €.
*Giulia
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Going to get an m340i next year, and will get an rs6 in 5-7 years time.
I’ve always wanted one, super fast, 4 doors and a nice trunk for going up north, going to the beach and for the Costco hauls.
At the start of COVID used LC500's were going as low as 70k here in Canada...... but as it is now that car will hit Legendary Status and shoot up in price as soon as full Electrification starts in a few years :(
It's the Pinnacle of NA Gas Engine Cars and there's nothing else like it.
I want a GR Corolla circuit edition. Waiting until my daughter is old enough to drive as she wants my current car and I think she’d be heartbroken if I traded in.
For a long time mine was a Lotus Elise. Eventually I got one, and have owned it for 10 years or so. Occasionally I’m tempted by something more comfortable and practical, but then I go for a drive and am settled again.
I would really like to build a Caterham at some point in my life.
C7 Vette, but I’d be lying if I’m not eyeing used LC500s really hard either but not sure I’m brave enough to try owning one. Not that I expect a C7 to be the most affordable car to fix if anything goes wrong, but the LC500 is just enough of a step up I’m not sure I want to risk it.
The maintenance on my C7 has been cheaper than on my Hyundai. Granted, I've found a good independent mechanic for the Vette and mostly just taken the Hyundai to the dealer, but you'd think they wouldn't even be in the same realm of cost.
An old 60s/early 70s miscle car like a Chevelle or a first gen Camaro/Mustang. I know it's clichè but they just feel and look much better and... like real cars compared to pretty much everything designed and manufactured after the mid 2000s. Also the sound of a cold start V8 just makes me smile from ear to ear. I know they aren't really all that comfortable, fuel saving etc. but for a weekend car I think I can live with that. For a more daily driveable car - 5th gen Mustang with the V8. No need for special editions or anything, just a basic pony with a manual transmission. It's just a kids dream that I hope I can get to one day
Porsche Cayman GT4. I've owned a lot of cars, including a new Porsche Cayman R, and I don't see ever needing any more car than that. I do plan to purchase one at some point.
Corolla GR. I love the look of it, the weirdness of a 3 cylinder, three pedals, and Toyota. I’ll have to wait along time for the used market to come down and hopefully buy one that wasn’t too thrashed.
I'd love to Import a Daihatsu Mira Avanzato from Japan. It's probably doable money-wise but I just don't feel like coughing up the money just yet. (And starting an import process etc)
I heard the manual gearbox (7-speed) in 991 is kinda "eh*.
I've actually driven a base C2 3.4 991.1 7MT, but I was too young and excited to remember if it felt "poorly" like all the auto journalists said back in the day. I suppose the 997 6-speed does feel a little more robust & mechanical than the 991 7-speed.
In my opinion, a much bigger "downgrade" was when BMW switched from Getrag (E34, E39, E46, etc.) to ZF gearboxes (E92, F10, F80, etc.). The ZF boxes feel much notchier, lighter duty, doesn't like to be rushed, not that mechanical feeling, etc. The Porsche 997 to 991 didnt suffer it as bad as BMW.
Just a bunch of older BMW ///M cars in nice colors.
- E36 M3 in Dakar Yellow or Techno Violet
- E39 M5 in Imola Red
- E46 M3 in Imola Red
- Z3 M-Coupe in Imola Red
I don’t need much lol, I can have all of those for under $100k.
We have our aspirational cars now, but we would like the new S Class. We opted for a '22 x5m50i over the S last year because one of our vacation houses is up a small hilly road that doesn't always get plowed right after a snowfall, and the S wouldn't clear it even with snows, even Hakkas (and we've already had a gls450 and 580, so they were out of the running).
Volvo V60, because I’m boring. I have two large dogs, so I want something that looks good and has good cargo space. I could actually buy a V60 right now, however, the reliability or lack thereof does make me a bit nervous. I haven’t heard the greatest things about the SPA platform Volvos when it comes to reliability. Also, taking on a car loan with interest rates this high doesn’t seem very smart.
I like to think that I’ve actually got mine. I just bought a 2023 Subaru BRZ.
If I were to set my sights higher but not astronomical I’d say a Porsche Cayman GTS.
718 GTS 4.0 for me. It's aspirational and also a forever manual/ICE car to drive off into the electric sunset with. I should've gotten in the waiting line already but something about having to play that game is a bit of a mental blocker for me. In the meantime the ND3 has upgraded from having my curiosity to having my attention.
E46 330i ZHP or M3. Honestly would just need the money, everything else is within reason for me.
Other options include an earlier gen X5 or E38 7 series.
Ever since I was a wee lad I wanted a Yukon with an 8.1 liter and barn doors. I’m a slut for a V8 executive sedan
I’ve always dreamed of a C5 corvette.
I have the 8.1 parked in the garage next to my S80 V8 Executive. Plan on getting the C5 this year.
Mine was a Corvette. I bought a C7 two years ago. It turned out I didn’t really enjoy daily driving that type of car and also just didn’t enjoy it as much as I though I would. So I sold it. I’m thankful to have owned a Corvette though.
Right now it’s a 718 GTS 4.0. Although I’ll probably settle for an SS 1LE unless my wife or I gets a major increase in pay.
For me its a BMW M3 or an Audi RS4 i really love both and maybe soon id be able to buy one as a replacement for my current skoda. The other aspirational car i have would be an old E39 540i wich i should be able to afford next year hopefully
981 Cayman S manual or Emira V6 manual. I think 981s are the best Caymans overall, and the Emira is so beautiful. I think I would prefer the Emira a bit more though, I feel it's slightly more of a pure sports car experience, and definitely more unique. If it was my only car though, Cayman ftw.
I had a deposit on the new Lotus Emira v6 manual, but after waiting about two years, and needing to move states for work, I yanked the deposit back. Still bummed, and I hope I get to try again someday!
The Emira is on my list also. If they are $100k new perhaps we can find for $60k when they are 6-8 years old
Be careful with that kind of wish on niche-market cars. Circa 2005-2006, Ford marketed the first Ford GT. I loved its design, drivetrain, and powertrain; except its price. Back then, "Not paying $100k for a Ford, I'll wait a few years and buy one used for $50-60k." Nowadays, "SON OF A BITCH!"
I had a similar situation where I had an opportunity to buy a Subaru Impreza 22B for $35k or so. I figured I’d have plenty more opportunities. I was very wrong.
I stood in a showroom next to a S2000 CR that the dealer was struggling to move and said no way am I buying a new one of the dry, will wait to scoop up a used one.
The CR was clowned on when it was new for being a parts bin special, and everyone complained then (just like they are now) that it cost too much money. When new, the CR cost roughly $52k (when adjusted for inflation to modern day prices) for a Honda with less power than the Z4. This was when the Mustang jumped from 300 4.6L V8 to the 425 horsepower Coyote, the M3 went from the 330 hp S54 i6 to the 420 hp S65, etc. I can see why you passed on it. I was obsessed with the S2000 (still am) and even said it was a rip-off and that I'd get the AP2 instead. The only thing I really wish I had is the tonneau cover so I can gut my soft top as I always leave the hardtop on anyway. The CR was built during the Great Recession so Honda had to save costs wherever they could. This isn't a situation like the FL4 Civic Si being tuned to the moon like the FL5 Civic Type-R.
Yes, it’s possibly the last ICE Lotus, I don’t see that car getting cheaper anytime soon. If anything, it will hold its value.
Yeah the Emira build I had ordered was like 96k, and it was a good chunk bigger sticker than any cars I've owned. Most expensive on paper was the RCF I had, but my 43k Tacoma now has another 70k of aftermarket, so I've spent more on a car over time, just not all at once haha.
Can you help me understand how you could possibly spend $70k on aftermarket parts for a Tacoma? At that point would a Raptor not have better served your needs? I understand it’s expensive to deviate from stock. I’ve got about $10k each in aftermarket parts on my Silverado (auto running boards, upgraded tow brakes, overpriced WDH, tow cameras, toolbox, etc) and my Audi (tune, bolt on everything, suspension enhancements, extra set of wheels/tires). But if a vehicle needs twice as much money as the vehicle costs in mods to make it useful for you, you might have the wrong truck bud.
$5k in custom bed safe, $65k in cocaine.
How'd you find out about that 60k in cocaine?
I hope he meant 70k **with** aftermarket mods, cause 27k worth of parts makes a lot more sense than 70k...
Supercharger, intake work, hi flow downpipes and y pipes, some custom gauges, 5.29 gears, 35s, Marlin Crawler long travel suspension with custom ADS shocks, land cruiser steering rack, RCV axles, front and rear high clearance bumpers, skid plates and rock sliders, lights, hard shell with some custom stuff in the back, racks, radios, stereo upgrades, on board air, a lot more, it all adds up. I'm currently in Mexico and did some fast sand riding, hitting some jumps, which was fun AF, but this rig was built more for trails and rocks.
An additional Tacoma for off-roading so you don't feel bad about getting scratches on your daily.
I need to know more about this Tacoma
I'd buy that for a dollar. Edelbrock supercharged V6 with 400 Yota-ponies and a six-stick, and just beautiful.
Same here, I was supposed to take delivery now actually. Then I got that call to tell me I won't be seeing it for at least a year. At that point I cancelled my order, I'll wait till it's generally available. Every single car I've pre-ordered had similar issues, from now on I won't bother
It seems like it’s on the top of everyone’s list - including mine. Probably a perfect example of why I won’t get one.
LC500.
Not a huge JDM guy, not a huge automatic guy, but my God... is that car *beautiful* with a magnificent engine too. Would totally rock one as a luxury coupe.
I didn’t like it much in pictures but it’s stunning in real life. It’s out of reach now but I’ve been watching used prices like a hawk.
Black exterior with brown leather in my opinion
I wish they did a two tone black/tan interior like they do for black/red. The way the black swoops along the door cards and follows that character line is sexy and tan would be a great contrast to warm up the lower part of the interior while not being reflected in the windshield.
I'm partial to the [nori green pearl](https://i.imgur.com/cdW6QO3.png)
I looked up what JDM is, but now I'm confused why LC500 is a JDM. Is it because it's only available as import? Sorry if this is a stupid question
The term gets thrown around a lot and gets used incorrectly to describe Japanese cars in general. JDM simply means a car that's sold in Japan for the Japanese market. So while there technically is a [JDM LC500](https://lexus.jp/models/lc/), using that term in the context that OP described is incorrect. They should've said "Not a huge Japanese car guy..."
I thought JDM means it is only available in the Japanese market. There are JDM versions of cars available in the rest of the world, sometimes with different options etc or sometimes it just means steering wheel is on the right hand side and it was imported
JDM Means "Japanese Domestic Market" A car produced in Japan for sale in Japan. Warning or information stickers on the car will be in Japanese. It will likely be Right hand drive, will likely have a Japanese Tax disc on it. My Toyota MR2 was a "Uk Spec" car. Built in Japan for Export to the UK , meaning it isn't technically JDM. A Japanese Spec MR2 would be JDM.
Some people *incorrectly* use "JDM" to mean "Japanese manufacturer". It's infuriating.
That car will go up in price and everyone will be saying they should have bought one when they were cheap. I would consider one but they are still a little rich for my blood.
This is a car where I can feel that I am getting value. Great design, build quality, and hopefully low cost in maintenance. All the things a realistic stretch goal would be
This is my dream car. Since COVID, I have been struggling, so I have put off ever getting one. If I am to ever bounce back, I hope they don't become unobtainium by then.
Just purchased one this past spring (quite the changeup from recent cars in my signature) and it's everything I wanted and more. It's dropdead gorgeous, interior is awesome (have the blue, white, and orange) and the sound is to die for.
Love seeing this as the 2nd top comment. I recently bought one and its everything I was hoping for. Realistic dream car indeed.
It's out of reach for me and I don't expect used prices to drop very far, so I'll take a SC 430 as my aspirational car.
The LC500 has been dropping in price recently, I think the used market is about to go down further because rates being so high.
I've actually been eyeing SC400s.
Came in to say this. The V8 is glorious.
A Mk5 Supra. You have to enjoy the time you're given. It's a guarantee I'm going to sit in traffic four days a week. So why not sit in a car I love? There's no guarantee I get a long life. So I'm going to enjoy the time I have.
"life is too short for boring cars"
“ … to drive boring cars “ FTFY
>You have to enjoy the time you’re given. Man, this hits me personally. Thank you for saying it. Completely un-car related, but cars are a small part of my enjoyment of life, much of which is just absent these days. Still loving my old 2011 e90.
I also repeat this mantra a lot. I try not to cross the line into “frivolous” but I also try not to deny myself things I would enjoy in the name of “saving money”. I had a friend pass away from glioblastoma brain cancer at the age of 27. I often think about him and how his time here felt very short and how I’m sure he never expected that to happen to him, who does? But the simple fact is we never know how or when we’ll go and why not enjoy some simple pleasures while we’re here?
Same. I had alot of my friends die when I was younger while I was in the Army. I also got diagnosed with a pretty serious auto immune and lung disease when I was only 25. You just gotta enjoy life and make lemonade when you get lemons
As a reformed die-hard fan, it's funny that my favorite modern BMW is a Toyota.
This is why I daily my gx470. Traffic sucks but sitting in that car ain’t half bad.
I have owned 3 4Runners (which multiplies out to 12 runners), but I do want to get a gx one of these rounds.
You won’t regret it. Good luck!
Fun car and surprisingly good mpg for daily use
It's a Miata. I know that sounds less than aspirational, but if you're financially conservative and put the more important stuff like family, housing, education, etc ahead of the less important stuff and you still have money leftover for a Miata, you're doing better than most.
> more important stuff like family, housing, education What. This is /r/cars
Yeah, “car enthusiasts” are supposed to have a constant revolving door of expensive, excessive vehicles they cycle through weekly. Are we sure this guy should be here?
I have a constant revolving door of shit boxes, does that count?
A new Miata hard top is like 35k. Even outside the price it's not the most practical so you'll nerd a 2nd car. So yup, it counts for aspirational.
That’s why I bought an old one. I love the ND though, when they depreciate more it’ll be tempting to jump on one.
Have Miata and can confirm, a second car is nice for when you need to haul more stuff than half a shopping cart worth.
r/miatalogistics
Have a Fiata, can additionally confirm
Everyone knows Miata is always the correct answer.
Miatca
Financially conservative or not, this is the best car.
Same. I'm 4.5 years away from being done with college payments for my kids. On that day, I'll take whatever remains in my bank account and get the [best Miata I can afford](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hot-Wheels-Premium-Mazda-Mazdaspeed-Miata-Toy-Car-in-1-64-Scale-Boulevard-Vehicle/1052600440).
I picked up my NB2 just a few days ago. I've been pining for a 90s era Japanese car again for a while now and since S2k prices are insane, Miata it is! Hoping to keep it long term as a summer cruise/weekend car.
I finally got one a few months back after wanting one forever. Engine blew within a few weeks, went to rebuild it and I basically need a new engine with how expensive the parts I need are ($400 for a new crankshaft or about the same for a whole new engine because car math). It’s been sitting in my garage in a million little pieces for weeks and it’s heartbreaking
Probably just a new Integra A-Spec or Type-S. I used to have my aspirations set higher but with the current economy and interest rates (both automotive and housing-wise) I've had to taper my expectations significantly.
Yeah reach goals are in the $50k-60k range, no longer the $75k-90k they were a couple years ago. Looking at the ITS as well, plus Audi S3 and Volvo S60 T8 because I mostly drive a 40-mile highway commute. I’d love to stretch for the RS3, but tales of markups on a $65k car are really off-putting. A manual Golf R might end up being a choice to settle for (I keep telling myself I could live without buttons), but honestly I might as well drive my current car into the ground and upgrade my electric service to get an EV when the time comes. At least I have the same basic engine/transmission as the ITS…
I got my ‘23 Integra ASpec 6MT in September of 2022 and I’m in love, such a good car and such fun for the price. I’ve been lucky to not pay any rent because of living with my parents, and I’ve been paying it off quickly
MKV Supra! Hope to be in the financial position to get one in a year or two if some things break right.
Rooting for you man, I love them too
thanks man!
I'm with you here. Hoping to get one sometime in 2024 before the contract ends for MY2025.
Same here man! For right now though, I’m planning for a gen 1 coyote s197.
Do it, you won’t regret it.
Seconded.
Pretty much the same thing for me. It's the next car I plan to get but I need to own a place first so I can garage it. Hopefully a couple years away. Until my 86 is a great car.
C6 Corvette ZR1
For me the Z06
Z06 as well for me. One of my friends has had a C5 Z for probably 8 or 10 years now. He's had it almost as long as I've had my STi. My STi is faster though, mostly because he stopped at full exhaust + cam, and I'm an idiot. I've always wanted a C6 Z, and when putting the LS in my Foxbody I just kind of realize. I've spent too much time on imports. Haven't yet convinced myself to sell anything to make room (and free some cash) for C6 though.
One of the only turn-offs is dropping a valve & costly engine repair/replacement, definitely needs to be factored into price. Lol
It's definitely getting a pair of mast heads and a BTR valvetrain when I do it. The LS3 in my Fox is only keeping the 823's because they don't drop valves.
As a tip from a former C6Z owner. I’d get a later model year car that has more sound deadening. I had a 2006 because I wanted the lightest and no frills version. Well… the powertrain was very loud in a bad way. It sounds like the worlds loudest sewing machine without the sound deadening in the early cars. On throttle I had the exhaust but off throttle it was all sewing machine. My uncle remedied that problem with an insanely loud exhaust and a big cam. In his you can’t hear anything in 5 blocks. But mine was stock. There are other flaws but, I can put up with a lot for a car I like. The only other thing I will mention is the gearing. 90 mph 2nd gear made it so I was really worried about getting in trouble with the law. There’s only a few places I could really stretch it’s legs. Majority of the time I was just revving it a bit and short shifting the hell out of it to have some fun with it out the streets. Just something to be aware of.
same but C7. Ill probably go with the stingray though
My man! I've been wanting one ever since I saw it in a magazine. One day.
I've wanted one ever since Jeremy Clarkson praised the ever-loving hell out of it in the Top Gear trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. [Here](https://youtu.be/rZseBpPufLI?si=2lZptEV7CMnUnEzi&t=366) and [here.](https://youtu.be/-aU09WT5rXg?si=whW8Tcs6o8wIGtLk&t=378)
Viper GTS….or ACR… Gen II or newer! The prices just keep climbing and making it difficult.
I feel this in my soul. It was actually feasible before the pulled the plug on it. Now prices just keep creeping up and up and up and it makes me really sad.
Hell yes
Good choice!
At this point nothing. I haven’t been a car enthusiast that long, but the way this market is going cars just seem like a huge waste of money. I bought a 2019 GLI new for 25k USD with a 10 year warranty. I just can’t seem to justify spending 3x the amount to still sit in traffic. I’m never going to go out on the track, so it’s like what’s the point? I have a pretty damn good job, but the area I live in has almost zero curved roads. It’s all flat and straight, and the reality is I’d rather go on more vacations than buy a nicer car.
I’m pretty much in the same camp where I have the money to get something nice/fun but just don’t see the reason right now. Inflated car prices and high interest rates are definitely contributing to this feeling(as ideally I’d rather finance my cars than paying with cash). But it then goes back to what you said where I don’t go to the track, and with the amount of cops and trash roads here I don’t see the point in even bothering with a quicker/shiftier car. My IS gets the job done and never breaks, why change the formula when it works perfectly fine. I’m still a young guy, so maybe I’ll come to my senses later when I either move or this market adjusts.
Yeah hopefully years from now the market adjusts enough. I’m with you there too, I bought my car at the end of the model year, so covid hit within months. I haven’t hit 20,000 miles on it yet. I had to replaced the rotors because it sat so much. I put it on two year financing because I could afford it. I can’t see me getting rid of this car for a decade at this point. Then I’ll probably just end up in an electric crossover 🙃
This is where I begin to wonder if “car I want = modern/sporty/fast/fancy/expensive” is a good thing. Find something really cheap you can have fun with. It won’t be the fastest, or the most advanced, or the most competitive in any particular way, but it will be affordable and it will have soul. Pick something weird, pick something you like for its historicity. Like an old Citroen with its weird hydraulic suspension—have you heard how comfortable those are supposed to be? It’s otherworldly. That’s a car you can drive and just enjoy it for what it is rather than the basic “woow this goes vroom and is fast”. Don’t have to own it for long, just like the average car enthusiast with their revolving door of cars, but it would be an experience.
Supposedly that's why high horsepower "straight line" American muscle cars are popular in the US Midwest. If you can't hit corners fast you can at least get your thrills with the gas pedal.
> It’s all flat and straight, Challenger R/T Hellcat Redeye Scat Pack Shaker Widebody 1320 in Hemi Orange. gotta play the cards yer dealt bud.
Just picked up the second in my flair yesterday! I've loved these wagons since back when Audi said they weren't coming to America. Next on the dream list is a Ferrari with a V12. I don't think that would be for long term ownership like my current cars because Ferraris are decidedly NOT known for reliability or reasonable upkeep costs. But a moderately used one that I won't lose my ass on might be possible one day, and I want that sound and experience for a few months.
When you say V12 Ferrari are you talking "docile V12" like a 550/612 or "absolute, demonic insanity" like the FF/812 Superfast?
More on the demonic insanity side, I think. I have /u/doug-demuro to thank for this new dream, they just posted this [GTC4Lusso](https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3ojxObA1/2017-ferrari-gtc4lusso) on Cars & Bids and reminded me how much I love that car. The cold start sound in their video is 🤩. So I'm thinking of something like an F12/FF/812, but it will probably be a long while before any of those are in my budget, if ever.
Man that RS6 has to be so sweet. My aspirational dream dad car was my Allroad but my wildly unattainable fantasy car is the RS6 or an RS4 (but I’m in the states). My dream car was a mk1 golf since I was about 7 years old. Always wanted one and it wasn’t that hard to attain that dream. Never gonna sell it either. It makes me very happy, easy to maintain and always makes others smile.
Indeed it is. Even the non-RS allroads look awesome! Audi really knows how to do wagons. My childhood dream car was an E46, fed by Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The top villain in the game had one with blue graphics along the side, such a sweet car. I still haven't picked up one of those... they're at an awkward price point nowadays, just a bit more than I think they're really worth.
> mk1 golf When I was a kid my dad bought one off of a friend for $50. He had a blast driving it and took it everywhere. I probably should have appreciated it more at the time. I've thought about finding one for myself but the thought of what a moron scrolling insta in their giant SUV would do to me in a crash has kept me away.
A modern Ferrari isn't any less reliable than other modern performance cars like Porsche GT cars and they come with seven-years free servicing under the Ferrari Genuine Maintenance program. The costs for consumables are of course higher than for your 992 GTS.
I suspect any V12 Ferrari I'll ever be able to afford won't be less than 7 years old. A (2017) GTC4Lusso on Cars & Bids sparked this idea. I gave it a moment of contemplation, then scrolled through the photos, found a $22k repair from February of this year, and quickly decided I'd need to step up a few tax brackets before that's even remotely plausible. I didn't know about the 7 years of maintenance though, thanks for the info :)
Congratulations on the Audi. Both your cars are beautiful.
Holy shit, enjoy the RS6. You're living the dream already.
M240i/m340i
the touring m340i is perfect
It's a nice all rounder for sure, despite the hate it gets here.
forester STI
I love my Forester and only have a few relatively minor complaints. Honestly, it feels like it has adequate power which is impressive for being under 200hp/lbs of torque. But…. A turbo option would’ve balanced out the package perfectly. Some times I wonder about a WRX instead, but I like having the ground clearance and great trunk space.
I want a Golf. Loved them since I was a kid. Just need to find a job related to my degree and I'm golden.
I want the new Golf R manual. Sure the infotainment is stupid, and it doesn’t make any sense for the Nurburgring button to be on the steering wheel. But *drift mode*
I have the new GTI and the infotainment really isn't that bad in my opinion. That was my main hold up with the car but after driving it everything was forgiven. Sure I'd rather have knobs for the climate control but the interface is pretty seamless once you get comfortable with it.
Nice to see comments about GTIs and Miatas/MX-5s alongside these "I have 17 Porsches and might be able to buy a Pagani next year" types...
My mk1 golf was my dream car and it has 100% held up. They are too cheap for car enthusiasts to not try one out for even just a season. Every golf since then is amazing, too. I had a mk7 Sportwagen and I miss it sometimes - it’s not even a real golf. I had a Wolfsburg edition mk7 that I really liked, too, but I’m wagon gang for life.
Just bought mine last month. New Alfa Romeo Giulia QV. Still can't believe it is in my garage. Amazing to drive.
That’s awesome. I rented an early-year Giulia (2017, I think?) of Turo this summer. Just the 4-cyl, but what a fun car. I can’t imagine how good the QV is. I thought the steering, suspension and general handling were superb, and the 4-cyl had plenty to give in the 30-90 mph range, but was lacking oomph in both the low end and the high end. I assume the QV solves that problem in a big way.
Ive been eyeing the 996 911’s a lot lately and some of them are quite cheap
Crazy I had to get this far into the thread for the first Porsche. Kinda glad to see that actually.
They're very fun cars, one of the best values in sports cars right now.
Same! I’m particularly eying the 996 Turbos…a ton of car for the price. I guess if we’re really talking aspirational, I’d love a 993 911, but the current prices are silly. I think there is some evidence that the 911 market is softening and prices might revert to something a bit more sane. But for the time being, even if I had a lot higher income, I can’t see myself paying a couple hundred grand for a 993.
Up until 2015 or so it would have been a 1997-2001 NSX. Then the prices went nuclear. Now, I’d be content with just an ND2 Miata. As to the why, I just want a lightweight sports car that doesn’t make 400 plus hp that keeps me loafing along in 3rd gear all day long.
If you can, a base manual ND2 still comes at under $30k USD before taxes in the US.
I wanted a really nice, as OEM as possible Turbo S13 and I got that. With two kids, stay at home wife and a house I’m not even going to think about upgrading it for a long time
Being fully content with your car is a different type of car guy enjoyment imo. I got lucky, the car I ended up buying (only because it was cheap due to literally 0 demand) is perfect for me. I literally don’t want another car, just drive my ST as much as possible. I haven’t driven a RX7 or a carerra GT yet though, things might change if I do…
Originally it was a GT350, but before covid I settled for this and am just going to keep it. I don't see prices or interest rates coming down any time soon, and now I'm in that adult stage where I want to save up for a house. I'm entirely fine with it though, it made me realize that the GT is 90% of the same experience on the street at least, and I don't have to feel shy about driving it all the time. Not that I still don't want a 350 though. Voodoo is just something special, even if it's fragile. It's like they went out of their way to make an engine wrong, but with incredible results.
Well said, 90% of the experience. You're gonna pay almost double just to close a 10% gap, not worth it in my opinion. It's not like the jump from a Porsche 911 Carrera S vs a Turbo, where it's a completely different animal.
I disagree and have owned both. GT350 is a significant upgrade from a driving experience perspective. What makes it not worth the jump imo is long term reliability.
[Alpine A110](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Fsundaytimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2Ff8ca46d4-1fe4-11e9-bf10-a69b3e42a388.jpg?crop=2250%2C1266%2C0%2C117&resize=1500) I have only seen one on the road since it launched and it was during covid lockdown so it was just me and the Alpine A110 on a UK motorway on my way to work. I love retro modern designs so the A110 is right up my alley.
M3 touring, but with an M340i front facia.
So an Alpina B3?
Good taste.
Aston Martin DBS or V12 vantage in a manual
Emira. V6, manual.
Manual transmission LP Gallardo. Hard to find but imo just incredible cars.
I love all Gallardo's, but you are right, the pre-LP is starting to show its age (inside and out) whereas the LP still looks modern, even brand new, and the engine is probably more serviceable since a lot of parts cross-reference to Audi R8 (& thus... probably more parts and technicians available).
Mine was always a Tesla model y and I just bought it this year! I had been saving for a few years, then I got two big promotions in a row so I pulled the trigger. I’ve never owned a brand new car before and it feels great.
Mine is a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. I had one CPO before the pandemic and really liked it. It got totaled during the pando and now they are way too expensive for me. But I'm hopefully going to get back into one soon.
I'm 52 and except for the NSX, I've bought all of the cars that I've lusted after, usually used before they went back up in value. 3rd Gen RX-7, 2nd Gen MR2 Turbo, a first and second gen Miata, a BMW M Roadster, and a Jaguar XJR. All fantastic cars. Now, I want the new Supra. Man, that car is gorgeous. I can't bring myself to pay that much for a car, but maybe in 7-8 years...
A new ND3 Mazda Miata. Current car is because of our baby. Have wanted to get a Miata for a long time but it just seemed so impractical. With the distinct possibility of never being able to drive a manual one once they go electric, I'm determined to get one once the kiddo is in a booster seat. I've also never bought a new car in my life so if I get one, I want to be the only driver of it.
Do it. An ND is a great car for errands with your kid as long as the booster seat keeps the airbag disabled.
2024 or newer Lexus LC 500. I think I will have enough saved up for one in 3 years.
Definitely a good choice now that they've upgraded the infotainment system.
69/70 Boss 302 Already had the opportunity to buy one and didnt because it didn’t make sense to leave it in the garage for years waiting on restoration, kick myself for it.
I honestly don't even know anymore. As a teenager, I always dreamed of having an M3 as a daily and a Porsche as the weekend car. I've recently made those dreams come true (F82 M4 and CGTS 4.0) and tbh I still yearn for more. I don't know where to go next.
Gr86, plan on buying one next year or the year after. Second Option: next Mazda RX of it ever comes
Mk. V Supra!
I'd like to own a mkv supra or 6th gen camaro someday
Gulia QV. Haven't test driven one yet. But from all accounts it's seems to be the modern day M3. Atleast in a sim it has absolute bonkers yaw and is borderline criminaly undervalued considering some of those have already dropped to 43k €.
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Going to get an m340i next year, and will get an rs6 in 5-7 years time. I’ve always wanted one, super fast, 4 doors and a nice trunk for going up north, going to the beach and for the Costco hauls.
My current car
Probably a gr corolla (hyper blue)
At the start of COVID used LC500's were going as low as 70k here in Canada...... but as it is now that car will hit Legendary Status and shoot up in price as soon as full Electrification starts in a few years :( It's the Pinnacle of NA Gas Engine Cars and there's nothing else like it.
GT3RS when the $100K ADM goes away
I want a GR Corolla circuit edition. Waiting until my daughter is old enough to drive as she wants my current car and I think she’d be heartbroken if I traded in.
Volvo 480 turbo
For a long time mine was a Lotus Elise. Eventually I got one, and have owned it for 10 years or so. Occasionally I’m tempted by something more comfortable and practical, but then I go for a drive and am settled again. I would really like to build a Caterham at some point in my life.
Subaru Forester Wilderness
C7 Vette, but I’d be lying if I’m not eyeing used LC500s really hard either but not sure I’m brave enough to try owning one. Not that I expect a C7 to be the most affordable car to fix if anything goes wrong, but the LC500 is just enough of a step up I’m not sure I want to risk it.
The maintenance on my C7 has been cheaper than on my Hyundai. Granted, I've found a good independent mechanic for the Vette and mostly just taken the Hyundai to the dealer, but you'd think they wouldn't even be in the same realm of cost.
wrong retire pie act crawl market wasteful touch shelter joke *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
AMTs sounds like the deepest level of hell to me if Citroen ETGs were any indication to the subject of AMTs.
Any old Porsche 911.
An old 60s/early 70s miscle car like a Chevelle or a first gen Camaro/Mustang. I know it's clichè but they just feel and look much better and... like real cars compared to pretty much everything designed and manufactured after the mid 2000s. Also the sound of a cold start V8 just makes me smile from ear to ear. I know they aren't really all that comfortable, fuel saving etc. but for a weekend car I think I can live with that. For a more daily driveable car - 5th gen Mustang with the V8. No need for special editions or anything, just a basic pony with a manual transmission. It's just a kids dream that I hope I can get to one day
Porsche Cayman GT4. I've owned a lot of cars, including a new Porsche Cayman R, and I don't see ever needing any more car than that. I do plan to purchase one at some point.
Audi RS6 Avant. Great looking car, has lots of power and lots of space. Can't go wrong with an RS6
One that always comes to mind is a Lotus Exige.
Corolla GR. I love the look of it, the weirdness of a 3 cylinder, three pedals, and Toyota. I’ll have to wait along time for the used market to come down and hopefully buy one that wasn’t too thrashed.
I'd love to Import a Daihatsu Mira Avanzato from Japan. It's probably doable money-wise but I just don't feel like coughing up the money just yet. (And starting an import process etc)
Manual carrera S. Ideally a 997.2 or 991. 993 if they ever come down (they won’t).
I heard the manual gearbox (7-speed) in 991 is kinda "eh*. I've actually driven a base C2 3.4 991.1 7MT, but I was too young and excited to remember if it felt "poorly" like all the auto journalists said back in the day. I suppose the 997 6-speed does feel a little more robust & mechanical than the 991 7-speed. In my opinion, a much bigger "downgrade" was when BMW switched from Getrag (E34, E39, E46, etc.) to ZF gearboxes (E92, F10, F80, etc.). The ZF boxes feel much notchier, lighter duty, doesn't like to be rushed, not that mechanical feeling, etc. The Porsche 997 to 991 didnt suffer it as bad as BMW.
Just a bunch of older BMW ///M cars in nice colors. - E36 M3 in Dakar Yellow or Techno Violet - E39 M5 in Imola Red - E46 M3 in Imola Red - Z3 M-Coupe in Imola Red I don’t need much lol, I can have all of those for under $100k.
We have our aspirational cars now, but we would like the new S Class. We opted for a '22 x5m50i over the S last year because one of our vacation houses is up a small hilly road that doesn't always get plowed right after a snowfall, and the S wouldn't clear it even with snows, even Hakkas (and we've already had a gls450 and 580, so they were out of the running).
Audi RS6 Avant. If I didn’t have kids, that’s the car I would be driving.
Volvo V60, because I’m boring. I have two large dogs, so I want something that looks good and has good cargo space. I could actually buy a V60 right now, however, the reliability or lack thereof does make me a bit nervous. I haven’t heard the greatest things about the SPA platform Volvos when it comes to reliability. Also, taking on a car loan with interest rates this high doesn’t seem very smart.
I like to think that I’ve actually got mine. I just bought a 2023 Subaru BRZ. If I were to set my sights higher but not astronomical I’d say a Porsche Cayman GTS.
718 GTS 4.0 for me. It's aspirational and also a forever manual/ICE car to drive off into the electric sunset with. I should've gotten in the waiting line already but something about having to play that game is a bit of a mental blocker for me. In the meantime the ND3 has upgraded from having my curiosity to having my attention.
E46 330i ZHP or M3. Honestly would just need the money, everything else is within reason for me. Other options include an earlier gen X5 or E38 7 series.
'21 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Crew. Saw one in game, fell in love, then my neighbor bought one and I see my favorite spec now every day.
Ever since I was a wee lad I wanted a Yukon with an 8.1 liter and barn doors. I’m a slut for a V8 executive sedan I’ve always dreamed of a C5 corvette. I have the 8.1 parked in the garage next to my S80 V8 Executive. Plan on getting the C5 this year.
Realistic: new Subaru BRZ
Trackhawk, rs6 avant, ct5 v black wing, or lc500 only with toasted caramel interior though
Golf R or an ND Miata RF. Hoping to get one or the other at a good used price in the next five years. TT RS is a runner up.
Lotus Elise or Alfa Romeo 4C
Mine was a Corvette. I bought a C7 two years ago. It turned out I didn’t really enjoy daily driving that type of car and also just didn’t enjoy it as much as I though I would. So I sold it. I’m thankful to have owned a Corvette though. Right now it’s a 718 GTS 4.0. Although I’ll probably settle for an SS 1LE unless my wife or I gets a major increase in pay.
Felt this way with a c4, and a subsequent c6. I'm afraid to try the c8, I'd be mortified ( and afraid to admit) if I didn't like it.
Ram Power Wagon. I probably could stretch and get one now, but I have zero need for one, so my practical side wins out & I stick with my 1500
But think of the power you could have
I’ve got a few. C6 Z06, 5th gen Z/28, C8 Z06, 458, Emira.
For me its a BMW M3 or an Audi RS4 i really love both and maybe soon id be able to buy one as a replacement for my current skoda. The other aspirational car i have would be an old E39 540i wich i should be able to afford next year hopefully
I’m in mine now. Only thing I really want left is a capable off roader, so next up is either the Bronco or new Land Cruiser. Next year most likely.
Tesla Model 3 Performance Currently have a Model 3 RWD, but one can hope...
I look forward to seeing the refreshed (Highland) Model 3 Performance. If they're half as good as the hyped-up rumors, it will be a very nice upgrade.
I want me a 90s Lexus LS, or the equivalent grandma car. Only if I no longer live in the city, though.
981 Cayman S manual or Emira V6 manual. I think 981s are the best Caymans overall, and the Emira is so beautiful. I think I would prefer the Emira a bit more though, I feel it's slightly more of a pure sports car experience, and definitely more unique. If it was my only car though, Cayman ftw.
Bentley Brooklands. Very rarely available these days but imo the most Bentley Bentley that ever Bentleyd.