This is correct, but I did some calculations on what a car payment would be if I financed with a $15k downpayment over 60 months and it was something like $1200/month! So purchasing new (as opposed to leasing) probably that is out of the question if I'm trying to keep the cash flow to

 

Don't do it. Don't overextend yourself financially to purchase any car.

 

+1. Or even lease it. At least with the purchase, you have a car you can keep for $0/month after it's paid off. Leases are just a less painful way of extracting about the same amount of money from you over time (maybe even more money since the imputed interest is higher that a traditional loan).You either pay less now or lose less later.

 

Another car I've been thinking about a lot is a DB7 Vantage coupe, with the 5 spd manual and a V12. Those can be had for $35-40k, which would be much more affordable, but I am afraid of repair costs, although my mileage on it would be minimal. Plus I don't think they will depreciate much more for one in good condition and may even go up in value.

 

I was under the impression that those were on a dated platform even when new.

 

That's walking a tight rope. Something expensive breaks and you are screwed.

If I was wanting the most fun for the money and had $35k-$40k it would be a 2015+ Challenger model variant like the Scat Pack. Of course not as exclusive a car as the above (please don't say you are going that direction to impress women - it won't - they simply don't care).

The 2015+ Challengers were a big leap forward for Dodge - much more refined than previous year models. For pure fun, nothing this side of $40k can touch them.

Even used, you have a warranty, a <12 sec 1/4 mile car, excellent tech (much better than Jag, and light years beyond the DB). A second option would be a used CLA45 AMG - great cars.

2015 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack Coupe 2-Door | eBay

 

You are correct, I believe they were based on the XJS platform, earning the DB7 the nickname of "Jag in drag". However, this doesn't bother me.

It does seem like buying an old Aston is like walking a tight rope, but so is driving my XKR! Although all things considered, the XKR is very reliable--I don't read of many serious problems on the forums.

 

With very little investment, a CLA45 is a 3.6sec 0-60 car; 45 AMG Stage 2 Package | Tricolore Performance

There are nice CLA45s used in the high 30s, with warranty, like new cars. So you could have a car that would stay with a FTR at stop light shootouts for $40k.

YES - the Jag is nicer - but never purchase things over your budget, overextend yourself - in fact keep the XKR!! (Daddy speaking here lol).

 

The cheapest way to go fast in a straight line is well-used Mustang with some bolt-on parts, but then you are driving beat up Mustang with bolt-on parts. The cheapest way to go fast in curves is well-used Miata with some bolt-on parts, but then you are driving beat up Miata with bolt on parts.

There is no cheap way to move fast and look good doing that, unless you are willing to jump off the cliff wearing a rented tux...

 

From my cold, dead hands. LOL

15 months in I am at 20K miles, so it wouldn't be that expensive of a car, but yeah.... this car isn't going into the pool for many, many years.

I don't mean to be dour as much as realistic, but it doesn't *seem* like manuals were selling like hot cakes, so there aren't that many on the road in general, and those who buy them are likely more enthusiast or dyed in wool lovers of the transmission type, and less likely to give them up.

I tried to get national sales numbers for the manual, but my guy never came through. I am somewhat out to lunch on this..... are '17 and '18 lined up with the MT, or are they going to phase it out?

 

+1. NLAA
I remember seeing someplace that at 6-7% of F-Type sales, the sales of MT F-Types is falling short of Jag's 10% target. That means they are only selling about 300 of the MTs each year or less than 500 total since introduction. Once the AJ engines are replaced, I doubt that a manual transmission will ever be available again on the F-Type. R.I.P.

 

If JLR wants to go back to being a brand for stuffy old men, this is one way to accelerate this process.

However, this will make our cars highly collectable.

 

Unfortunately, you may have it backwards. At Katie's Cars and Coffee, some youngish woman polked her head in through my open window (while I was standing elsewhere), and then loudly declared: "Manual transmission...clearly an old guy's car."

If you ain't driving a Triptronic or something similar, you're clearly a dinosaur.

 

Hahaha! - Unhinged how true. My CTS-V has a manual and the other night I was on what I guess you would call a 'date'. I am AARP and no one my age should have to endure such a thing.

She was friend of a friend and 40+. The first thing she said getting into my car was 'Eww ... a stickshift! I didn't know cars still had those."

Needless to say the evening went downhill from there as she quizzed me on my finances, etc, LOL. Enough for me to really consider joining the growing MGTOW community. Women really are not worth the effort, at least in the US, anymore.

Unhinged -- just want to say I really enjoy your posts. You are a great asset to any forum.

 

I would LOVE to find a way to get into an F-type S or R... but even used they carry a hefty price. I put a bunch down on my XE R-Sport so the monthly is very decent...don't know if trade/swap plus some extra $$ would be worth it..or doable, but dang...the R especially speaks to me:-)
CRS

 

Yes, even though there are a lot of used 2015 Rs with low miles in the high 60k range now it is STILL an expensive car. The 35k depreciation on the front end was the hardest hit however.

Purchase a close to new R now for $70k and still know it will be $50k in two years.

There is NO WAY to validate the purchase of an F-Type S or R financially as a reasonable 'investment'.

It is a toy. For enjoyment. A costly toy. That is all.

 

Your right...but on that point, I could still be driving my 91 mazda if I was 100% practical,
Actually the F-Type S would be a more realistic choice, but still expensive:-)

 

To: amcdonal86

The base model doesn't have enough power to utilize LSD on dry roads, as such in California an open differential is just fine (KISS an open diff is maintenance free). I know other might have other opinions.

 

Absolutely it does. I upgraded to MPSS tires to get more dry traction, it is still trivially easy to spin your wheels from a standing stop. You don't even have to go nuts and drop the clutch for this - simple lead foot would do it.

 

Not my experience with an automatic