Let's say you have $40,000| Off-Topic Discussion forum |

mtn MegaDork
4/26/12 10:56 p.m.

I was thinking about this today, what would you do if you had $40,000 for your car situation? Lets say that you are allowed to do with it whatever you want under the following (pretty restrictive) restrictions:

You are allowed at most 2 cars
The most you are allowed to spend on the 2nd car is $5,000

Figure that the $5,000 gets you a winter beater for those of us in the north, and a beater Miata or Pick em up in the south.

So what would you do? New BMW 135? Miata with an LSx swap? Used Ferrari? Z06 with $10,000 worth of go fast goodies?

Just an exercise of boredom here.

93EXCivic MegaDork
4/26/12 11:00 p.m.

But I already have 5 and that would mean I would have to decrease the size of the fleet.

Edit: Crap reread rules, Have to change my cars.

Ok Lancia Fulvia Coupe or Rallye and a sixth generation Ford F-series.

Mndsm MegaDork
4/26/12 11:00 p.m.

Caddy CTS-V, and a Subaru Forester.

RealMiniNoMore PowerDork
4/26/12 11:02 p.m.

A beater 4x4 with a plow for five large and a new H-D CVO Road Glide.

EastCoastMojo Mod Squad
4/26/12 11:08 p.m.

I buy two beater $5000 cars and spend the rest on reducing my debt? Sorry to be a wet noodle, but I can't imagine spending $35,000 on a car.

wearymicrobe UberDork
4/26/12 11:36 p.m.

Best vintage corvette I could find and a crappy F150.

Osterkraut UberDork
4/26/12 11:37 p.m.

EastCoastMojo wrote: I buy two beater $5000 cars and spend the rest on reducing my debt? Sorry to be a wet noodle, but I can't imagine spending $35,000 on a car.

Word, that's a lot of house payments, and I quite like my current car situation. Ok maybe I'd trade the Astro for a 4x4 Cummins-swapped E250.

Cole_Trickle HalfDork
4/26/12 11:45 p.m.

Cheap 4x4 truck, and a used GT 500.

Maroon92 MegaDork
4/27/12 5:21 a.m.

996 Turbo and nothing else.

It's the bargain of the supercar market right now, it's super reliable (that engine has won Le Mans 13 times), and they don't look terrible.

Plus, the AWD gives it a modicum of winter driveability.

tr8todd SuperDork
4/27/12 5:23 a.m.

Noble M400 or a Pantera and Mazda 6. Probably have to do a little shopping around for one of the first two, but they are out there for those prices. But since this is the real world, trade in my F350 diesel on a new F150 with the turbo V6 and trade in the wife's Mazda for a new one. Bam another 40K wasted on being an adult. Can't wait till my kids move out and I can go back to being a kid again.

Grizz UberDork
4/27/12 5:58 a.m.

35K on a newer Charger(I don't know the new prices) and the 5k goes to a 4bt swap for my truck, with improved brakes and suspension(i.e. brakes and springs from 3/4 tons )

LopRacer Dork
4/27/12 6:09 a.m.

Newer Van to tow with maybe an AWD GMC with a 5.3 liter. Pay off the Honda in the driveway. Wish I could be less practical.

Less Practical....

The best VW Thing Ebay has to offer at present http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-Volkswagen-Thing-Fully-Restored-7500-miles-2150-cc-Engine-/140739380315?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item20c4b8845b

The ZAV Project 1938 Other Makes Walter Snow Fighter FCKD http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1938-Walter-Snow-Fighter-Unique-Antique-4X4-Hot-Rat-Rod-Power-Wagon-Oshkosh-/320893316599?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4ab6bb6df7

Ian F MegaDork
4/27/12 6:12 a.m.

Only two? But I have 5 now...

Hmm... Older Miata and a used lwb, hi roof Sprinter.

More realistically, keep what I have and fix my house, using what $ is left over to start on my back yard shop.

mazdeuce - Seth Mod Squad
4/27/12 7:19 a.m.

Something small and new and about $15k, Mazda2, fiesta, fit or the like. Then the best mid 70s camaro $5k could find me and spend the othe $20k making it fast and liveable. I'd probably run out of money before I was really 'done' which is why I haven't started down this road to ruin already.

Woody MegaDork
4/27/12 7:22 a.m.

Assuming that I couldn't keep any change, I'd get a used Cayman and a TJ Wrangler.

z31maniac MegaDork
4/27/12 7:30 a.m.

Restomod E30 M3 with built S14.

I'd use all $40k. Since I already have a 4x4 truck as a DD and a Miata.

mad_machine MegaDork
4/27/12 7:31 a.m.

I would get myself a 80s 911 carrera with the turbo look.. and convert it to the pre 74 long nose look. Vintage looks with a 3.2.. tasty!

For the beater.. I would try to find either a Subaru Baja or a nice Ford Ranger. Sometimes you need a truck.. and a 911 does not have much of a trunk for going to home depot

Giant Purple Snorklewacker MegaDork
4/27/12 7:34 a.m.

The best vintage race car from the Trans Am era I could find.

Ranger50 UltimaDork
4/27/12 7:37 a.m.

Lemme think....

30k buys a new base model 5.0 Mustang. 2k for a real 6 speed. 2k for a CM cage and suspension work. 5k for a Hellion turbo kit.

5k for a ext cab PSD or 3/4ton BB Suburban. Then what is left over for a nice open car hauler.

failboat UberDork
4/27/12 7:38 a.m.

$5000 truck or van for hauling duties, and I guess an NC Miata for DD duty, maybe some upgrades to both, Pay off debts with the rest. If thats an option.

Conquest351 UltraDork
4/27/12 7:39 a.m.

I saw a Porsche 968 with an LSx swap on Ebay for $14k. Figure I'd grab that. I also saw an R33 Skyline GTR on there for $35k, I'd grab that before the Porsche though... Then I'd use the remaining $$$ on go fast parts.

JFX001 UberDork
4/27/12 7:44 a.m.

I'd buy my Wife a new Accord and me a used M Coupe.

*EDIT...Wife new Acura, me 911 Project....

MG Bryan SuperDork
4/27/12 8:02 a.m.

GameboyRMH MegaDork
4/27/12 8:08 a.m.

I'd spend $35k on a custom MR-layout TT LSx (or ideally the new DI V8 that's going to succeed it)-powered car (similar to a Superlite Coupe...but more compact) and a trailer to tow it on, and use every bit of the $5k left to buy a Toyota Pickup (Hilux) and mod it for offroad use - it would double as a tow vehicle.

fasted58 MegaDork
4/27/12 8:24 a.m.

Back to basics first... I'd build a new garage w/ a cpl lifts, heat, A/C, loft, clean room w/ big screen TV etc... then drag a cpl $500 orphans in and get to work.