So in the past 60 weeks or so, guess how much $$ I spent on vehicles alone. I mean dollar bucks out the door.

1/3/2009 9:39:38 PM

$84,000

[Edited on January 3, 2009 at 9:43 PM. Reason : l]

1/3/2009 9:42:50 PM

29389859849584985984958398493

rupees

1/3/2009 9:59:33 PM

Ha! I know where are you coming from. I'm constantly shopping for cars which:

a) I don't need
b) Can't afford
c) Already have

1/3/2009 10:14:40 PM

Are you counting just amount spent or amount actually spent after you subtract what you sold them for?

If just counting what you've actually spent I'd say $130K

[Edited on January 3, 2009 at 11:48 PM. Reason : t]

1/3/2009 11:48:13 PM

$obama

1/4/2009 4:24:44 AM

i know it's enough for her to have beaten your ass over it.

1/4/2009 8:32:52 AM

I actually quit counting at $70k

1/4/2009 3:20:00 PM

lawl

1/4/2009 3:55:16 PM

My currently proposed fleet for when I get back in a few months:

Already have the SV650 (obviously)

the GP1300R will be mine shortly if everything goes as planned

Boat is nothing specific, but planning on getting something similar so I can cruise around with my little girl. Might buy sight unseen before I get home so I can score a winter deal.

Still change my mind a lot regarding cars/trucks, but I've been pretty steady on an E46 M3 and an early Bronco for the last couple of weeks now. A little more than I really wanted to spend, since I'll be deploying again potentially as soon as 10 months after I return (and spending a month of that time out in Arizona training), but I'm getting more and more inclined to say fuck it and going ahead and get something decent. I'm working my balls off out here; I want to have a good time when I'm at home. Plus, it's not like it's money burned in a fire...all I'd lose is depreciation, and if it costs me a couple thousand bucks over a year or two, then so be it (on the M3...I plan to keep everything else long term). Nothing else with a backseat really turns me on for any less money (other than maybe an E36 M3).





[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 11:29 AM. Reason : my Bronco won't be as nice as that one, though...at least initially.]

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 11:30 AM. Reason : plus, that'll get the E46 M3 out of my system so I can move on to the C6 or Porsche 997.]

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 11:42 AM. Reason : man, this plan makes me feel a little ridiculous when i see it in picture form! ]

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 11:43 AM. Reason : the rest of you--including Joel--need to post even dumber things you've done so I can justify this]

1/5/2009 11:26:29 AM

Quote :

"for the last couple of weeks now"

i lol'd at that part

..but totally understand

1/5/2009 1:11:36 PM

hell, i usually change my mind every couple of days. there are a good half dozen different combinations that I favor, depending on the day. The S2000, 350z, "regular" E36 or E46, E36 M3, Miata, etc, and beater truck, Discovery I, (and occasionally FJ40) options, along with the EB and E46 M3, all in various combinations, all are "the plan" until I change my mind in a day or three.

I was "set" on the 350Z for a couple of weeks, too (good combo of performance/trackability and DD/long trip capability, except that a backseat (and useable trunk) would really be nice, considering my daughter and the trips to pick her up or drop her off. When I saw that you can finally get a decent M3 for $17-19k, I decided that it would be worth the extra few grand over the 350z. I was also "set" on a cheap track car that I could drive to GA or FL to pick up my daughter once or twice every month or two, but how much everything I wanted was gonna cost relative to what I'd be getting turned me off.

It finally occured to me that--and this is a kinda weird thing to say at 29--in the absence of anything very severe and very unforeseen, I will run out of years before I run out of money. I have a good enough salary, good enough job security, a bright enough professional future, no debt, a bunch of cash in the bank (ESPECIALLY after this 6 month deployment, and I'll really have a ton after the next one), that even though it seems awfully frivolous to have all that shit without even time to really use it all, the alternative would just be to have shit tons of cash sitting in the bank (I'm not going to invest it in stocks or anything...I cut myself off from putting any more into retirement investing than I already do, or I'd drive myself crazy and live like a college student.

I hesitate to say this, because someone will take it as an excuse to be irresponsible with their money, but at some point, you have to enjoy the here and now. I'd rather retire at 60 with a $4 million nest egg after giving it all I had for the last 35 years than to retire at 60 with an extra million bucks after depriving myself my entire life.

Plus, I won't have much more tied up in all that shit than I did in the Evo, and I was making payments on that one (and I've gotten a promotion since then). I think I've got myself no-shit talked into it.

1/5/2009 1:47:09 PM

Quote :

"I'm working my balls off out here; I want to have a good time when I'm at home."

Then you better plan on hiring someone to take care of all that shit. I see a lot of maintenance in your future.

1/5/2009 1:47:17 PM

You kidding? With 2 boats and a 40 year old truck? No way!


Nah, I really only want the boat just to have something fun to do with my daughter when she's in town. If the jet ski breaks, that's just an excuse to hot rod it even more. The Bronco will be strictly a toy and a project--the only practical purpose it will serve is to pull the boat or jet ski to the boat ramp. The SV? Hell, I only paid $1500 for it...what's the worst case scenario? If one of the "toys" is down for a while, well, no big deal. I'll have plenty of other ones (along with my guns, guitars, and RC airplanes) to keep me more than occupied.

but I will give strong consideration to getting a warranty on the M3, because I bet that motherfucker will be brutal on the wallet if I break anything big on it (when I'm somewhat prone to do). It will be worth $1000-1500 or whatever up front just in peace of mind--WOT isn't nearly as enjoyable when you're wincing and hoping nothing breaks (i.e., turbo Miata, except this would be way more expensive).

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 1:49 PM. Reason : asdfasd]

[Edited on January 5, 2009 at 1:56 PM. Reason : asdf]

1/5/2009 1:49:19 PM

If you are thinking about E46 M3, now is the perfect, most optimal time to buy one. Car is still relatively new and there are plenty of 1st owner cars and car already got hit with depreciation without being ragged out. If you can spring definitely go for 2003.5+ which has addressed rod bearing recall, but from factory as oppose to dealer fix, which they were doing on ‘01-’02. Early ‘01s are also a good buy because they weren’t affected by this recall.

Unless you get stuck with a lemon, E46 M3 cars are solid, in-fact, more solid than regular 3-series, which had more problems. Big time will be Inspection II, which includes $1300 valve adjustments every 30k (40k if you like to push). Second thing is tires, which last 10k if you are not abusing them. Car is heavy and rears are gone in no time. Lesson here is to try and buy the car which new tires and recent Inspection II done. Also, forget about the mods. You will need at least $10k for anything significant. Not to mention that car will be worth more stock down the road.

1/6/2009 4:32:09 PM

Any idea how much independent shops like Shade Tree charge for the Inspection II? I've always found them to be far cheaper than the dealer which makes me wonder if it isn't as big of a deal as people might think.

1/6/2009 4:38:54 PM

sounds like youre talking about money lost to me. that aint shit if you moved a bunch of shit

1/6/2009 4:42:03 PM

^^^^^^ My exact philosophy. bravo

oh, and fuck the tarholes

[Edited on January 6, 2009 at 4:44 PM. Reason : ]

1/6/2009 4:44:04 PM

Quote :

"Any idea how much independent shops like Shade Tree charge for the Inspection II? I've always found them to be far cheaper than the dealer which makes me wonder if it isn't as big of a deal as people might think."

I heard as low as $700 with independent shops (would have to shop around) and as high as $1900 with dealers. $1300 is realistic price and what most people pay. You can DIY, it is not terribly difficult, but if you mis-measure tolerances engine is gone. It is highly tedious task too.

1/6/2009 4:49:41 PM

If you can buy a decent m3 for around 20k that would be worth doing. Leather seats, heated, solid doors, quiet, comfy suspension, HIDs, sunroof, oh the list goes on and on. Wasn't a better car designed for daily driving.

1/7/2009 8:35:27 AM