Would it be a bad idea to buy a sports car in this day and age?

[MVP1]

I've been thinking of getting a new car in the near future and i've been looking at a few cars which look good and would suit me. I've looked at Chargers, G35s, Mustangs, CTS, and a few others. They're all nice cars but they all have big engines. It looks like gas prices will never go down a significant amount ever again. I don't know what to do now.

Should I buy the nice car with the big engine or a more fuel efficient car like a Honda Civic? What do you think? People still do buy these cars but with gas prices going up will the value of these cars go down?

[VivienM]

I've been thinking of getting a new car in the near future and i've been looking at a few cars which look good and would suit me. I've looked at Chargers, G35s, Mustangs, CTS, and a few others. They're all nice cars but they all have big engines. It looks like gas prices will never go down a significant amount ever again. I don't know what to do now.

Should I buy the nice car with the big engine or a more fuel efficient car like a Honda Civic? What do you think? People still do buy these cars but with gas prices going up will the value of these cars go down?

It comes down to one thing: how much do you drive?

If your commute is like my mom's (3.2 km each way), then honestly, you're going to burn so little gas that you basically don't need to care about fuel economy. Even with a V8 Mustang, your monthly gas bill will be small compared to your car payments, etc. (I won't say insurance because you're in BC, not in Ontario, so you're not getting ripped off like us on insurance)

And note the emphasis on commuting: that's where the kms add up. If you're driving 100-200km daily, then ouch. A small change in gas prices means a big hit on your wallet.

Now, this is RFD. Which should probably be called DFCD (Deals for Civic Drivers). People around here are obsessed with their Civics. :) So most people will tell you that Civic (and Corolla) are the answer to all car questions. But if you can afford a better car, and your driving habits are moderate, then it seems silly to pick a car you don't like just because of gas...

[frogger]

You don't have to buy an economy class car to get decent fuel economy 27mpg+ combined. As mentioned your gas expense will depend on how much you drive, as well as what your driving is like city/highway, easy on the gas pedal or not etc.

[Menace]

It depends on your income$ and age. If you make a nice living and age isn't an issue, go for it.

[rfdrfd]

It depends on your income$ and age. If you make a nice living and age isn't an issue, go for it.

You only live twice..... wait, that's a Bond movie,

[ichpen]

Buy it.... If you're debating go drive the car and make it an impulse purchase.

BTW, I would not consider any of the cars listed as sports cars strictly in the strictest sense of the word. More sporty/touring cars. So you can justify it this way.

[B0000rt]

I've been thinking of getting a new car in the near future and i've been looking at a few cars which look good and would suit me. I've looked at Chargers, G35s, Mustangs, CTS, and a few others. They're all nice cars but they all have big engines. It looks like gas prices will never go down a significant amount ever again. I don't know what to do now.

Should I buy the nice car with the big engine or a more fuel efficient car like a Honda Civic? What do you think? People still do buy these cars but with gas prices going up will the value of these cars go down?
It really depends on how much you drive.

My vehicle gets about 20mpg city and 26mpg highway. But I drive very little during the weekday, only to the train station and back and fill up every two weeks for $50.

[dealmeone]

I think if you use a phrase like "in this day and age" it's a bad idea. :cheesygri

[NLI10D]

I think if you use a phrase like "in this day and age" it's a bad idea. :cheesygri

very true. i drive an avalanche and every once in a while people at the pumps make comment like "dont you wish you had a smaller car" or something to that effect. i look at them, smile and respond with "i'm driving my dream truck, the gas doesn't bother me, the small parking spaces does though".

besides its not like my car is all pretty and it is usefull too. very few vehicles can carry 5 adults comfortably and still be able to carry a fridge upright.

to the OP, if you're not one of those people that like to change their mind get one, but if its just the flavour of the month then it is a waste.

[googoo]

i'm driving my dream truck

Are your dreams in black and white too?:)

Brent

[NLI10D]

Are your dreams in black and white too?:)

Brent

charcoal w/ chrome accents ;)

[Narci]

I've been thinking of getting a new car in the near future and i've been looking at a few cars which look good and would suit me. I've looked at Chargers, G35s, Mustangs, CTS, and a few others. They're all nice cars but they all have big engines. It looks like gas prices will never go down a significant amount ever again. I don't know what to do now.

Should I buy the nice car with the big engine or a more fuel efficient car like a Honda Civic? What do you think? People still do buy these cars but with gas prices going up will the value of these cars go down?

I saw a mint looking toyato MRS driving around with a for sale sign. That's the newer MR2 that never made it up to Canada. It's a smaller engine with lots of potential and handles with the best of them.

Pretty cheap too.

[dealmeone]

charcoal w/ chrome accents ;)

Sweeeet. With just the right amount of black accents too? :)

[urameatball]

it's never the right time to buy a sportscar.
But if you love them, you can't really go wrong.

I'm 'suffering' from a similar dilemma. I can finally afford to buy a nice sportscar, but just can't pull the trigger because it'll probably be one of the dumbest investments I'll ever make.

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

thought id add a teenagers opinion here.

DO IT, nothing says " I PWN U" than burning a riced up civic driven by a teen, or a normal stock civic driven by a reg adult or senior in a straightline from a stand still red or stop sign.

srsly tho, im not a civic/corolla fanboy like every 1 else on rfd is, get a motorcycle, i rode my friends yamaha r6, fck yo, there is liek no god, you literally rape every car, pickup, van, suv in terms of handling and speed, plus the fun factor is through the roof!

edit: you also rape harley davidsons too! the sworn enemy's off super sport bikes!

[blibbertibs]

perhaps he might want to drive it in winter...

[B0000rt]

thought id add a teenagers opinion here.

DO IT, nothing says " I PWN U" than burning a riced up civic driven by a teen, or a normal stock civic driven by a reg adult or senior in a straightline from a stand still red or stop sign.

srsly tho, im not a civic/corolla fanboy like every 1 else on rfd is, get a motorcycle, i rode my friends yamaha r6, fck yo, there is liek no god, you literally rape every car, pickup, van, suv in terms of handling and speed, plus the fun factor is through the roof!

edit: you also rape harley davidsons too! the sworn enemy's off super sport bikes!
Not really, bikes gotta take it easy in the corners ;)

[Narci]

perhaps he might want to drive it in winter...

No such thing as winter in vancouver :P

[motomondo]

Not really, bikes gotta take it easy in the corners ;)


Who told you so?!!!
Lies, lies, lies!

[ShadowVlican]

No such thing as winter in vancouver :P
well i don't think rain is that safe either :lol:

[Gloaming]

In my situation, we have the generic child transporting SUV, and I am also considering something sporty just to get to work, or for day trips when the kid is with the grandparents. Since I DO live in a snowy area, I'm looking at the G37x that is coming in December.

[bythehour]

I'm 'suffering' from a similar dilemma. I can finally afford to buy a nice sportscar, but just can't pull the trigger because it'll probably be one of the dumbest investments I'll ever make.

that's cuz it's not an investment...not one that pays a pecuniary return anyways.

But, everytime I get into my coupe and take a long highway ramp at speed, it makes me smile...that's priceless.

[DLFB]

the most important question you should ask yourself is if you can afford to have one along with its hunger for gas.

if your answer is yes for both, then why not. simple as that.

[T-Man]

You only live twice..... wait, that's a Bond movie,

I agree, you only live once, you work hard all your life, go treat yourself. I had a guy tonight that bought our second last 08 Challenger SRT8, we now have one left at this moment.

[blibbertibs]

OP can get a semi-fuel efficient sports car. One with a small engine that packs a punch when you need/want it. Some that come to mind are the Civic Si, VW GTI, Chevy Cobalt, Speed3

[manixc]

thought id add a teenagers opinion here.

DO IT, nothing says " I PWN U" than burning a riced up civic driven by a teen, or a normal stock civic driven by a reg adult or senior in a straightline from a stand still red or stop sign.

srsly tho, im not a civic/corolla fanboy like every 1 else on rfd is, get a motorcycle, i rode my friends yamaha r6, fck yo, there is liek no god, you literally rape every car, pickup, van, suv in terms of handling and speed, plus the fun factor is through the roof!

edit: you also rape harley davidsons too! the sworn enemy's off super sport bikes!
Except when you are in an accident then you are as good as dead. (not saying you are a bad driver but there are tons of bad drivers out there and I would not trust my life to someone else).

As for the OP, get a GTI or Evo or WRX. I think these are a bit easier on the gas.

[zoolander]

I think if you use a phrase like "in this day and age" it's a bad idea. :cheesygri

lol, lease one short-term and get it out of your system.
What will really suck is later on when the option won't be there for whatever reason, and you wish you had.

[Piro21]

Buy an S2000, or get an MX5 and be the fastest hairdres- uh... autocrosser around. You can even get it with a retractable hardtop if you want to drive it in winter. That or buy a rally car with a 4 cylinder engine.

[bmnb4tches]

sports car

Chargers, Mustangs

TIME PARADOX

Ancient designs, outdated engines, obsolete suspensions, and cars that can't turn. Sure is sports car in here.


G35s, CTS

That's more like it.

[clergykid]

Personally I think it just boils down to if you can afford it and whether you want to afford it.

Any reliable car will get you from A to B, but if you want more than that, then it's like buying everything else: you pay for what you like rather than what you need.

You could always consider just leasing the car you like for a few years, and then make a decision after that. Lease rates can be quite low on most cars, especially now when they are clearing out the 08's to make room for '09's. Even if you don't "own" the sports car at least you can say you've done it and have fun for a few years.

[bythehour]

Lease rates can be quite low on most cars, especially now when they are clearing out the 08's to make room for '09's.

You must have missed the memo. Lease is RIP for many brands, and no longer competitive for most others.

[VivienM]

You must have missed the memo. Lease is RIP for many brands, and no longer competitive for most others.

I think that's a stretch.

Lease is dead for GM/Chrysler. That's it. Other manufacturers... well, it's hard to say. I was looking at Altimas on Nissan's web site - the monthly payment on an 09 Altima right now is roughly the same as an 08 was back in May, so they're still leasing healthily...

[Spray]

None of those cars are even sports cars.
You can get "sporty" cars that are decent on gas.

Mine averages 25 mpg and it's a decent sporty car, but still no sports car.

Miatas are plenty good on gas.


I've been thinking of getting a new car in the near future and i've been looking at a few cars which look good and would suit me. I've looked at Chargers, G35s, Mustangs, CTS, and a few others. They're all nice cars but they all have big engines. It looks like gas prices will never go down a significant amount ever again. I don't know what to do now.

Should I buy the nice car with the big engine or a more fuel efficient car like a Honda Civic? What do you think? People still do buy these cars but with gas prices going up will the value of these cars go down?

[Ziggy007]

Buy a Tesla Roadster?

[bythehour]

I think that's a stretch.

Lease is dead for GM/Chrysler. That's it. Other manufacturers... well, it's hard to say. I was looking at Altimas on Nissan's web site - the monthly payment on an 09 Altima right now is roughly the same as an 08 was back in May, so they're still leasing healthily...

I wouldn't call 4.9% a cheap. IIRC, Nissan didn't get into the cheap lease game.

I'm talking about brands that used to thrive on leasing "The Dream": BMW, M-B, Jaguar, Volvo, etc. Remember 1.9% lease rates?

All of these luxury brands still offer leasing, but at stoopid rates. (Land Rover at 11.49%?!?)

As a practical reality, leasing is no longer a viable sales model for most manufacturers. The volatility of the resale market has turned residuals into a crapshoot. Talk to anyone in the retail industry, it's a bloodbath...

That's why (back to the OPs question): If you're in the market, it's a great time to buy. There are some terrific deals to be had with a little bit of work invested.

[VivienM]

I wouldn't call 4.9% a cheap. IIRC, Nissan didn't get into the cheap lease game.

4.9% with the higher residual on the 09 works out to the same payments as 2.9% with the May residuals.

Is it cheap? I dunno.


I'm talking about brands that used to thrive on leasing "The Dream": BMW, M-B, Jaguar, Volvo, etc. Remember 1.9% lease rates?

Audi was doing 0.5% to clear out A3s 3 months ago. Hell, they're still advertising it to clear out A6s.

The lease terms on their 09s are highway robbery, though.


As a practical reality, leasing is no longer a viable sales model for most manufacturers. The volatility of the resale market has turned residuals into a crapshoot. Talk to anyone in the retail industry, it's a bloodbath...

That's why (back to the OPs question): If you're in the market, it's a great time to buy. There are some terrific deals to be had with a little bit of work invested.

As a practical reality, BMW, MB, Audi, and friends DEPEND on leasing to move their vehicles. Yes, they're trying to move away from that, e.g. by doing 4.9% financing on A4s for 60 months while the lease rate is 5.45% for 36 months, but the bottom line is that people would have to be idiots to finance a new German luxury car.

The real problem is that they insist on charging $8-10K more for the same car as in the US, but they know the resale will suck due to imported cars, so the residual goes down, and now you have us paying $2-300/month more than Americans for the same A4.

[bmw_xperience]

No.. if you can afford it y not?

when you are driving AMG models of M line models E/S classes 5/6/7 series you don't really car about gas.

I rather spend more money on a car that I like then buy one that I sorta like just because of gas.

I'd say just get what you want.

And if you don't have kids yet.. get the car that you want.. cuz after all you'll be driving is a sedan or a minivan.

[YZFMax]

If you can afford it and it's something you want, then go for it. At the end of the day, you will be driving the car that YOU want. That is what I did, I said screw it and bought myself a new Mustang GT... and I love the car.

I was about to buy the Acura RSX, but after test driving the Mustang, I had to have one. :)

[SkylineR34X]

Generally, Germans are more efficient.

CTS4 and G35x are more fuel hungry. And generally, it is harder to get to the Energuide fuel ratings with these cars...

If fuel is a concern, and if you are leasing, go for BMW 335xi, Mercedes C350 4Matic. They are alot more fuel efficient in real life.

As for if you are leasing, you will surprised that a 335xi will be QUITE A BIT cheaper than CTS4 because of alot higher residual and alot lower interest.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

If fuel is a concern, and if you are leasing, go for BMW 335xi, Mercedes C350 4Matic. They are alot more fuel efficient in real life.

Uh, the AWD DI CTS gets better mileage on REGULAR than either of those do on PREMIUM, while also being a larger, more roomy car (closer to 5 series or E-class). :confused:

[alamshahid]

I have a 2004 G35 Coupe and only fill up gas once every 3 to 3.5 weeks. That's because my work is very close to home. :D

Sometimes I can even go 4 weeks depending on how the traffic is on the highways.

[PukiZ]

No, its not a bad idea :)

[kin0kin]

Like others have said, if you can afford a sports car (sporty in most cases...sports car would be like a corvette, sc430, and etc) you prolly don't have problem paying the gas. If you cannot afford to pay for the gas...I think you just can't afford a sports car but want one anyway. Just make sure you understand the total ownership cost of the car, not just the bare value of the vehicle.

Personally, gas consumption is not the top priority of me getting a car. The reliability, resale value, sale price, and condition is more important than gas consumption. I'd be happy to pick up a used 350Z for 30k or so "in this day and age"

[booblehead]

You only lived once !

[ssainani]

while not a full on sports car....i bought this a couple of weeks ago (i still have another normal car)

http://www.bestmyfileslive.com/prog/uploads/s2kclean.jpg

very very happy with it....but if i had resources for one car only i'd be buying a real 4 door sports car ;)

[B0000rt]

while not a full on sports car....i bought this a couple of weeks ago (i still have another normal car)

http://www.bestmyfileslive.com/prog/uploads/s2kclean.jpg

very very happy with it....but if i had resources for one car only i'd be buying a real 4 door sports car ;)

Nice lot, an LS to your left and a Porsche infront :D

[chickenbones]

Nice lot, an LS to your left and a Porsche infront :D

Looks like that LS double parked...

[ssainani]

Looks like that LS double parked...


more than likely he owns both spots.....and has just one car
very common in condos to do this (otherwise people always see an empty spot and think they can take it)

[chickenbones]

more than likely he owns both spots.....and has just one car
very common in condos to do this (otherwise people always see an empty spot and think they can take it)

Maybe it's common in your Condo for loaded people. A spot is probably $25K+ easy. Unless the spot next to him was on sale, he probably had to pay way over market price to convince the owner to relocate & sell him the spot...

But If I had an LS I would probably do the same. :cheesygri

[rfdrfd]

No such thing as winter in vancouver :P

Did you forget last yr's huge snowstorm in Vancouver/Victoria??

[VivienM]

As for if you are leasing, you will surprised that a 335xi will be QUITE A BIT cheaper than CTS4 because of alot higher residual and alot lower interest.

You basically can't lease a CTS anymore.

Months ago, before GM pulled out of leasing, I would have said the CTS and BMW would have been around the same price. Residual lower on the Cadillac; interest rate higher on the BMW.

But now, at 18% to lease a CTS, it's unleasable...

[Coolers]

It boils down to whether you will truly enjoy the car. I picked up an Audi 3.2 TT which isn't at all gas efficient, but it's a blast to drive and it gets lots of looks. Every time I fill up, I complain to myself about gas prices, but I don't regret getting a car I like over one that's "practical".

[ssainani]

It boils down to whether you will truly enjoy the car. I picked up an Audi 3.2 TT which isn't at all gas efficient, but it's a blast to drive and it gets lots of looks. Every time I fill up, I complain to myself about gas prices, but I don't regret getting a car I like over one that's "practical".

for what it's worth -- our 3.2 a3 (same vr6 motor as you...same dsg transmission as you) burns less gas than my s2000 :( :o

[Emancipated]

I saw a mint looking toyato MRS driving around with a for sale sign. That's the newer MR2 that never made it up to Canada. It's a smaller engine with lots of potential and handles with the best of them.

Pretty cheap too.

Those are nice. I would take an MR Spyder over a Miata or the RX8 pretty much any day of the week. Well, certainly over the Miata.

Wow, if you can comfortably afford the payments on a G35 (G37s?) and CTS Caddy, I'd say you can afford the petrol. Just keep level headed about your driving habits and not stamp the gas at every light.

[xcentric]

early 90s NSX + beater

[clergykid]

+1 for NSX. I'd definitely get that if I could afford it LOL

[gheart008]

No such thing as winter in vancouver :P

well that's not entirely true... a tiny bit of snow and the entire city shuts down :cheesygri

[kplange]

If you have an extra $35 to $45 grand kicking around, I'd say "Go for it". You only go around once. After driving Cadillacs and Oldsmobiles all of my life, (I'm 57), I did something completely out of character and bought a 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line roadster last November. Haven't regretted it at all. It still puts a smile on my face every time I take it out. The gas mileage isn't bad either (22 mpg city in hilly terrain and 34 mpg highway. It's impractical as hell with no room in the trunk with the top down, but I can still use the Olds as a grocery getter. BTW the Sky goes up on blocks for the winter, so driving a sports car in inclement weather isn't an issue for me.

[plucky duck]

I think in terms of how fast and easy it would be for me to build up such a nest egg before I even go out of my ways to think which vehicle I would want parked in my garage. Cost of ownership entails many things, things you may not expect, costs that you may not want to deal with down the road EVEN if you can afford it.

A vehicle purchase is one of those emotional decisions you make in your life. Your choice doesn't have to be rational, nor do you need to convince yourself of such and such. Take the car out for a spin and ask yourself honestly how you feel about it.

Follow your heart and you'll know it's the right decision.

[xg3]

while not a full on sports car....i bought this a couple of weeks ago (i still have another normal car)

http://www.bestmyfileslive.com/prog/uploads/s2kclean.jpg

very very happy with it....but if i had resources for one car only i'd be buying a real 4 door sports car ;)

A S2000? A Roadster is not a full on sports car? what do you call a sport car then?

Then i guess, BMW Z4 are not sport cars or SLK. They all may have smaller engines compare to Ferrari's and Corvettes, but they are built from the ground up to be a sport car...

what is a real 4 door sports car? 4 door sport cars never existed. They are "SPORTY"