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General => Lounge => Topic started by: Eliminator on December 03, 2010, 10:17:39 PM

Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Eliminator on December 03, 2010, 10:17:39 PM
So, I'm looking at getting a new car in March or so. I had one picked out but now Im having reservations. A 2011 Shelby GT500. It has to be a daily driver for the most part. Its replacing my 2009 Mazdaspeed3. But I started thinking, no matter how fast, how flashy(or to flashy) or nice of a car it is, at the end of the day, its still just a Mustang. I wanted something really nice and something thats less boy racer.. so I was thinking on an Audi A5 (or maybe an S5). What do you think?
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 03, 2010, 10:24:44 PM
Well, couldn't you say that at the end of the day and Audi is just that, an Audi? I mean, no matter how you look at it, a car is just a car. What matters is what you are looking for and what you want out of a DD.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Scott D on December 03, 2010, 10:29:31 PM
For repair costs alone, I would stay away from the Audi and keep with the home team.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: cougarman on December 04, 2010, 07:51:29 AM
If you could wait until 2012, you could get a Boss 302!!:D
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: jrad235 on December 04, 2010, 01:09:48 PM
As far as repair costs go, some of you apparently haven't seen this thread:  http://www.spokentorque.com/forums/showthread.php?1517-GT500KR-Can-you-afford-to-fix-this-car

Granted, that is the KR edition, but after following that thread, I don't think I'll ever own a Shelby anything.

But, do whatever makes you happy, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Kitz Kat on December 04, 2010, 01:28:07 PM
Buy American,before there are no American cars left!!
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Haystack on December 04, 2010, 02:53:54 PM
Yeah, start buying all the toyota's and honda's that are made here, and not "our" cars that are not.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Kitz Kat on December 04, 2010, 03:06:01 PM
Quote from: Haystack;344366
Yeah, start buying all the toyota's and honda's that are made here, and not "our" cars that are not.

Where are Fords made? What China, I didn't know that. Maybe I will buy a hundie.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on December 04, 2010, 03:49:21 PM
Mustangs are built in Dearborn & converted to Shelbys in Las Vegas(I've been to the shop)...
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 04, 2010, 03:59:31 PM
Quote from: Haystack;344366
Yeah, start buying all the toyota's and honda's that are made here, and not "our" cars that are not.

Made? Or assembled?
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Haystack on December 04, 2010, 05:50:55 PM
little bit of both. Most of the cars that are made "here", are just assembled here. Most fords are made in canada and mexico. I would rather buy a car from a country around here, but made in the usa is a thing of the past. I have heard many people say that parts are made here, but they all come with made in china tags.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on December 04, 2010, 06:10:40 PM
I really can not picture having a 2011 Shelby as a dd. :D
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Eliminator on December 04, 2010, 07:03:22 PM
ok kids...your opinions on "buy American" are not only unwelcome but ignorant. As was stated, Toyotas, Hyundais, and Kia's are made here for their perspective American based companies, giving Americans jobs. BMW has a plant about 100 miles from me. Someone bought an 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis I read, guess what, EPA says its an import, made in Canada...sooooooooooo.. Those who stuck with the topic thank you. As far as a KR is concerned thats a rare/collectible car. A GT500 is made by Ford while using the Shelby name. Repair costs? thats why we have new car warranties, Im replacing my 2009 Mazdaspeed (as I said) because it will have 50K miles on it and its not worth much even being a high performance variant. Our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid already has 40K miles on it and is worth LESS than my Mazda.(Which btw is an import made in Mexico). Sorry to sound bitchy but please. Made in America is a thing of the past. EPA bases the country of origin on the % of parts that come from a certain country. As was said Made in China...the Big 3 aka Corporate America are the ones who destroyed made in America by sending jobs elsewhere to fatten their bottom lines.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Thunder Bantam on December 04, 2010, 07:07:15 PM
I myself if i could afford it would go for a new mustang, there again i also love how comfy the vic/marquis is so i would have to go with one of those for a daily.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Eliminator on December 04, 2010, 07:11:53 PM
yeah, I drove a new Grand as a rental, still like the feel of full frame and rear drive
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: T-BirdX3 on December 04, 2010, 07:14:36 PM
I have not driven one yet, but the new SHO sure looks like a sweet ride!
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Thunder Bantam on December 04, 2010, 07:38:29 PM
Quote from: T-BirdX3;344413
I have not driven one yet, but the new SHO sure looks like a sweet ride!

 
i've heard the sho has a six speed gear box with paddles mounted on the steering wheel, also AWD and new for 2011 its gonna come with a twin turbo engine:headbang:
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: sarjxxx on December 04, 2010, 07:51:21 PM
why not stick with the big M and get an RX-8...they're pretty cool and original too cause of the mid based rotary engine/rwd.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Beau on December 04, 2010, 07:55:02 PM
Taurus SHO FTFW.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: sarjxxx on December 04, 2010, 07:59:16 PM
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;344424
Taurus SHO FTFW.

yeah if you got $43000 to spend on one....
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: The Shredder on December 04, 2010, 09:40:26 PM
I do like the Audi S4.  There is a guy at work that has a killer S4 sedan - sweet exhaust note with his aftermarket exhaust.  But I would go with the S4 Touring sedan (wagon) for more room for dd stuff.

Good luck deciding!  Must be nice to upgrade every couple years.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Cougars 2 go on December 04, 2010, 10:54:19 PM
Quote from: Eliminator;344265
If you had a choice what would you do?


I wouldn't buy a new car.  I've done it only once and will probably never do it again for a daily driver.  The car was great.  The depreciation isn't worth it.  I decided to sell it while it still had a good portion of its worth because I couldn't mentally handle the dropping value.  The only way I would buy new again is probably something that has a chance of future collectible and I would keep it preserved but even that is a far shot for me.  I've realized I enjoy cars that I can drive without significantly affecting the value I paid so trailer queens and 100-point show cars are probably not in my future unless they are really cheap, like $5K.
This discussion can go into more detail and debate but I'm leaving a lot out because I suspect my answer to that question isn't what you were looking for.
Between those two cars, which one has a lower cost of ownership over the amount of time you expect to keep it?  There are cost-to-own assessment tools out there which may include depreciation as well.  I would use those tools to help make a decision between those two vehicles.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: jpc647 on December 05, 2010, 12:26:37 AM
Quote from: Eliminator;344405
Our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid already has 40K miles on it and is worth LESS than my Mazda.(Which btw is an import made in Mexico). Sorry to sound bitchy but please. Made in America is a thing of the past. EPA bases the country of origin on the % of parts that come from a certain country. As was said Made in China...the Big 3 aka Corporate America are the ones who destroyed made in America by sending jobs elsewhere to fatten their bottom lines.

GM makes the new camaro soley in Canada, you want to know why? Because the labor unions in America will not work with them. GM should not have to pay some dumb ignorant man $34 an hour to put headlights in a car, a friggen monkey can do that. Up in Canada, GM is cut some slack, so the newest and greatest product, is made there. It not the companies faults, it was Bill Clinton who allowed it all to happen. I, personally, would rather buy a car made in Canada or Mexico over China or Taiwan. Look what Reagan did for Harley Davidson back in the 80's, we need a president with some guts to do that today for the America Automobile Industry. If the unions would be reasonable, and we had a president with some guts(or just never Bill Clinton), the jobs would have never left!

I personally have been looking into new cars as well, I know I'll take a bath, but I'm okay with that for two reasons. Number one, A warrany is certainly something I would like. I drive my 88 T-Bird as a DD, and I am constantly working on it fixing this and that. I wouldn't have to with a new car. I would really like to be able to do what I want on the weekends/nights instead of worrying about fixing this car, but as of right now, I can't. A lot of you guys enhance your T-birds, custom exhaust, nice wheels, etc. I would like to be able to do that, but I'm always fixing my car, I don't have the time. Secondly, on the where are cars built, first of Chrysler/Dodge have like 46,000 employees in America, all the rest are outsourced, they may has well be a foreign entity, the difference between them and Honda, Toyota, etc, The Profits STAY IN AMERICA. American based companies spend money here, the foreign one's profit goes overseas. Buying something like a cheap new Fusion as a DD, I can see. My mom has had hers for almost 5 years, and there have only been two problems, the door latch broke on the inside, and the button on the center console the linkage got stuck(But this was a Ford Recall/bulletin) and it was fixed real quick. She has like 60k miles on it, and I can say for the $22,xxx she bought it for, thats pretty good. Ford has always been a cheap company, no car they make is ever made to last past 6 years, 60k miles. Between rust, their poor design, etc I don't think it'd be happy in one, it would be a driver, nothing I would spend money on to enhance. Ford has always been behind in the Industry. GM typically spends more on R & D than Ford makes.
I like my Thunderbird, but they weren't made to last. GM's same vintage were made still with full frames, etc. Unibody isn't done because its good, its because its cheaper.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Haystack on December 05, 2010, 01:53:27 AM
I would have to disagree with almost everything you said there. These cars were made to last, that is why there are still so many of them on the roads with 200k. I work on my car alot, and drive it alot. The same goes with new cars, at least ours still have a dipstick and oil fill cap. I wouldn't pay 22k for a car to go 60,000 miles. Not even 200,000 miles. In the last year I have put about 40k on mine. I replaced the heater core 2x now, one u-joint, a set of tires and a battery and a brake line. Its really nickle and dimeing me to death over the last 3 years. I also have not had any new rust pop up in the last couple of years of driving it everyday, rain, snow, and good weather. It was our only car for 2 years. I put 150 to 200 miles a day on it, and i did not have to do much of any work to it while I was driving it everyday.

I am not a fan of uni-bodies, but I also don't like many of the framed cars. My 88 crownvic is fun to drive, but its wide, long, and not ment for tall people. I have quite a bit more room in my 2door then the station wagon. There is a lot better feel for quality in that car though. Its just cool to put the jack under the bumper, or anywhere under the car and be able to jack it up.

American cars aren't made here because of greed. Cars are expensive because of greed, cars are outsorced because of greed, and the money goes elsewhere because of greed.

Guess what? Everyone in the car industry is there to make a profit, which in turn means greed. Ford in the last 5 years seems to be pulling their head out of their butt, but for me, its still not worth it to buy a new car. When I ask people at work what year they think my car is, they generally say mid 90's. Our cars were made out side the box. Not a cookie cutter 4 door that is shipped all over the work as a standard 4 door segment filler.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on December 05, 2010, 08:16:15 AM
Quote from: Eliminator;344405
ok kids...your opinions on "buy American" are not only unwelcome but ignorant. As was stated, Toyotas, Hyundais, and Kia's are made here for their perspective American based companies, giving Americans jobs. BMW has a plant about 100 miles from me. Someone bought an 2011 Mercury Grand Marquis I read, guess what, EPA says its an import, made in Canada...sooooooooooo.. Those who stuck with the topic thank you. As far as a KR is concerned thats a rare/collectible car. A GT500 is made by Ford while using the Shelby name. Repair costs? thats why we have new car warranties, Im replacing my 2009 Mazdaspeed (as I said) because it will have 50K miles on it and its not worth much even being a high performance variant. Our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid already has 40K miles on it and is worth LESS than my Mazda.(Which btw is an import made in Mexico). Sorry to sound bitchy but please. Made in America is a thing of the past. EPA bases the country of origin on the % of parts that come from a certain country. As was said Made in China...the Big 3 aka Corporate America are the ones who destroyed made in America by sending jobs elsewhere to fatten their bottom lines.

 
Foreign cars may be put together here, but all the profit goes back to puppiesan or Korea or wherever.  At least if you buy a Ford or Chevy, etc you know you are contributing to helping an American company get back on their feet.

IMO yes Big 3 sent jobs elsewhere because they were trying to fatten their bottom line.  Making a profit is kinda the whole point of having a company.  The American worker priced itself out of competition.  Like someone said earlier, who the hell deserves $35 and hour to put in a headlight?  It's not right.  Our greed is always our own downfall.

Audi's are nice cars, but why not a new 5.0?  Lots less money than a GT500 and with 412 hp, they would be a fun DD.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Ether947 on December 05, 2010, 02:24:22 PM
Well, I went from a S197 to an A4 Avant to the WRX. The Audi was expensive to maintain, but it was also used. It was a really nice car though. Just didn't have enough overall sport for me to justify the expenses so I got the REX. Part of me wishes I waited and gotten a used STi, but I wanted the full warranty and I was impatient.

One thing I hated about the Audi, was the online Audi community. They are f'n annoying! In general, they look down on anything that isn't German. A Mustang was about as low as you could go, save for the lowly econo-speed-box like an SRT-4. Something about that just didn't sit right with me as I alway felt like I was on the outside looking in. I mean, there will be people that are biased towards any vehicle they've never driven and that's fine. But it was so overwhelming in the Audi community that it was sickening.

Subie community was a welcome change.

Personally, if I thought about the resale value of my car before buying, I wouldn't have bought anything - new or used. It's kinda like getting a pre-nup before getting married. Maybe you shouldn't get married. :p Financially the numbers are depressing and I would be riding the bus (and she would still be my girlfriend - lol). But on the other hand my car note is worth every penny of the fun I have (or can have) on a daily basis. I feel guilty about it every now and then.

Having said all that, overall, I'd go with the Mustang. GT. The GT500 just seems like a trophy car and not a daily driver. And for someone concerned about the value of their vehicles, the GT seems like the best value.

Just make sure you lower that B!


EDIT: What about the CTS-V Coupe?
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Haystack on December 05, 2010, 06:32:12 PM
Lots of guys out here drive STI's. but there all almost trailer queens. You never see one driven in even light rain or snow. Lost of them have alot of power and a permanent spot in the garage.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Cougars 2 go on December 05, 2010, 07:01:58 PM
Quote from: Ether947;344542
Personally, if I thought about the resale value of my car before buying, I wouldn't have bought anything - new or used. It's kinda like getting a pre-nup before getting married. Maybe you shouldn't get married. :p Financially the numbers are depressing and I would be riding the bus (and she would still be my girlfriend - lol). But on the other hand my car note is worth every penny of the fun I have (or can have) on a daily basis. I feel guilty about it every now and then.


Apples and oranges with the marriage comparison.  I have just as much fun with $5K cars as $25K cars.  Buying great conditioned cars at the bottom of their value curve is how you minimize depreciation despite use.  There becomes little cost difference with cars at the bottom of their value curve between a car with 50K miles and a car with 100K miles.  However newer examples yield larger dollar amount differences with use and mileage.  Just look at how many dollars difference it is between fox Cougars in decent shape with maybe 100K miles and really nice ones with less than 50K miles.

Anyway, this is a whole 'nother debate issue and my support for this logic goes on.

Check out some cost-to-own calculator tools for the candidate cars if all else is equal to you with those cars.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Ether947 on December 05, 2010, 08:44:55 PM
Quote from: Cougars 2 go;344578
Apples and oranges with the marriage comparison.  I have just as much fun with $5K cars as $25K cars.  Buying great conditioned cars at the bottom of their value curve is how you minimize depreciation despite use.  There becomes little cost difference with cars at the bottom of their value curve between a car with 50K miles and a car with 100K miles.  However newer examples yield larger dollar amount differences with use and mileage.  Just look at how many dollars difference it is between fox Cougars in decent shape with maybe 100K miles and really nice ones with less than 50K miles.

Anyway, this is a whole 'nother debate issue and my support for this logic goes on.

Check out some cost-to-own calculator tools for the candidate cars if all else is equal to you with those cars.

 
Oh, I agree with you 95% sir. I've owned 14 cars and only 2 have been new. Of course you have that many now don't you? lol.

I know I would of been better off financially buying in used "sweet spot". I scoped out the cost-to-own calc for my car before I bought it. Wasn't bad, wasn't great either. But I wanted a fun/reliable car with a full warranty. Buying an enthusiast's car I also wanted to be in control of its history as well. As Haystack mentioned, these cars get modded quite frequently.

My wife was skeptical at first, but not after she saw me laughing when we first hit 13lbs of boost. On paper, it looks like a bad decision. But at some point there is a separation between the spreadsheets and emotional gratification. I've had this car for over a year now and every morning I cannot wait to get in, turn the key and drive it. For me, with this car, in my situation, buying new was worth the financial costs.

Now if I just wanted A-B transportation, I agree with you 100%.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: 86XR7project on December 06, 2010, 11:44:39 AM
Quote from: sarjxxx;344422
why not stick with the big M and get an RX-8...they're pretty cool and original too cause of the mid based rotary engine/rwd.

 
Until the apex seals go out or you get so tired of your weed whacker having more torque than your car. Rotarys are all horsepower and no torque.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: sarjxxx on December 06, 2010, 03:55:21 PM
but there just sooooo cooooool!!!!!!!

ok, end of biased opinion:D
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Eliminator on December 25, 2010, 06:05:33 PM
Corporate America is evil and the UAW didn't help, lol. I still like the Audi
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Eliminator on December 25, 2010, 06:09:29 PM
Test drove the new 5.0 and did like it, but it didn't blow me away with anything. With my higher price point I wanted to go upscale more. The MS3 is almost used as a pickup which ticks me off, since we have a gmc 4500 with a duramax! I want sporty, trackable and versatile I guess. Just like my mazdaspped3 only with a step up in performance
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: SirChirpAlot on December 26, 2010, 06:02:05 PM
Well i hate new cars. I rather build what i want so ether build something or buy what you feel good owning.
I just missed out on a 67 volvo P1800 that was free to the taking and I have a 5L and T5 that was ready to be swaped in.
Title: If you had a choice what would you do?
Post by: Eliminator on March 09, 2011, 08:33:27 PM
I ended up getting a 2011 Corvette Grand Sport convertible