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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 986 of 1609

#9847 of 16087 Re: Time a Changing [andres3] by habitat1

May 04, 2007 (2:30 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (May 03, 2007 2:38 pm)
"Well, I think I will, because if I ever win this State lottery, a Porsche dealer will see me within the next week."
 
That's what I thought about 15 years ago. But fortunately, I neither wasted my money on lottery tickets, nor on buying and trading ELLPS's every 3-4 years.
 
I'm NOT suggesting to anyone that they run to the Porsche dealership and cross shop a 911 with a 335i or IS350. However, consider what your money bought you 15 years ago in 1992 (base MSRP's):
 
$16,865 - Honda Accord LX
$19,995 - Nissan Maxima GXE
$23,275 - BMW 318i
$24,340 - Acura Vigor
$25,385 - Infiniti M30
 
$67,750 - Porsche C2 Coupe
$76,750 - Porsche C2 Cabriolet
$86,780 - Porsche C4 Cabriolet
 
As you can see, even a base 911 in 1992 ran 3 times the price of a base 3 series. Back then $25,000 was a heck of a lot to spend for a sedan.
 
Now, 15 years later, in this ELLPS forum, we are all discussing "entry level" cars in the $35k to $50k range. A well equiped 335i runs twice what a 318i ran in 1992. Arguably, the 335i is twice the car of a 318i, but the dollars have still doubled. Except for Porsche. The base C2 Coupe runs $72,800, a mere $5k and 7% more than in 1992. Not to mention that, now, Porsche dealers will even discount. They didn't have a German word for that concept in 1992. My dealer recently sold a reasonably optioned, brand new 911 C2 for $69,000.
 
Like I said, I'm NOT advocating the 911 as a potential replacement for the family sedan. But relative prices have changed a lot. It wasn't that long ago (1994) when I bought a 1995 Maxima SE for $21,000 and nearly had an anxiety attack trying to justify to myself the extra $3,000 it cost over a 4-cylinder Altima GXE. Now $3,000 is barely the cost of a navigation system or Mark Levison sound system.
 
Want a Porsche 911 in a decade? Buy a Honda Accord now and keep it for 10 years. Put the difference that you would have spent in your "future fun account". No lottery tickets needed.

#9848 of 16087 Re: Time a Changing [habitat1] by blueguydotcom

May 04, 2007 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (May 04, 2007 2:30 pm)
Damn you and this 70k Porsche. Listen man, I'm supposed to get married and have puppies and junk. I'm supposed to be responsible. I see 70k brand new Porsche and I get visions of stopping by the doctor for a quick snip. "Sorry, honey, no kids. But we can get a 911 brand new!"

#9849 of 16087 Re: Time a Changing [blueguydotcom] by circlew

May 04, 2007 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (May 04, 2007 2:39 pm)
Blue, don't give up the good fight. Just reading into your posts and based on your passion, just have patience. The ultimate will come for you, no doubt.
 
I can envision a Porsche in your hands, however. It would make the corners of your mouth reach for the stars!
 
Regards,
OW

#9850 of 16087 ... by plekto

May 04, 2007 (2:55 pm)

There also is the Cayman, which is a lot less expensive. I've seen those on discount for just around $40K. It's not a 911, but it's also not a slow car, either.

#9852 of 16087 Re: ... [plekto] by circlew

May 04, 2007 (3:03 pm)

Replying to: plekto (May 04, 2007 2:55 pm)
Plekto, I agree. My neighbor has the Cayman S which again would be on the upper end of performance but there's that lofty price again at $65K. Really nice car but not as pure as Habitat's 911.
 
BTW, at UNDER 3K lbs., that would be smack in the middle of Blue's desired weight class!!
 
I'll bet Blueguy could get into one of these for a LOT cheaper.!
 
Regards,
OW

#9853 of 16087 Re: Time a Changing [blueguydotcom] by habitat1

May 04, 2007 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (May 04, 2007 2:39 pm)
"Damn you and this 70k Porsche. Listen man, I'm supposed to get married and have puppies and junk. I'm supposed to be responsible. I see 70k brand new Porsche and I get visions of stopping by the doctor for a quick snip. "Sorry, honey, no kids. But we can get a 911 brand new!"
 
Don't even think about it. If I had to make the choice, I wouldn't trade the fun I had just this past winter coaching my 3rd grade girls basketball team for a lifetime of 911's.
 
You may think there is a big difference between a 911 and a Mini-Cooper S. But in the overall scheme of things, not really. "There is no substitute" for family. And if anyone here thinks that a Honda Accord is better alternative than a 335i given those priorities, I'd be the first to applaud them.

#9854 of 16087 Re: Time a Changing [habitat1] by circlew

May 04, 2007 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: habitat1 (May 04, 2007 3:05 pm)
"There is no substitute" for family.
 
No truer words have ever been written, IMO.
 
All cars are not worth a plugged nickel compared to the experience of raising a family.
 
Regards,
OW

#9855 of 16087 Plus... by plekto

May 04, 2007 (4:13 pm)

Half of the fun is being a grandparent someday...
 
You get to see them deal with the crap you had to and see them suffer as you spoil their kids rotten and then they go home - not your problem anymore (evil grin)
 
I'm so looking forward to it Only another 15 years or so to wait with my son...
 
Still, you *can* get a 3-5 year old Porsche for the price of an Accord V6... Something to think about, definitely. Oh, and there IS a back seat, technically.

Messages Page 986 of 1609

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