Hey all its been awhile since I posted a thread in Azine (mostly comments). Here goes....

I am just another car enthusiast at heart like most everyone on this forum is, but want to hear what you all think. I'm 28, been in the army for 10 years, married for 6, and no kids yet (stationed overseas 3 times and being deployed next month). My wife is awesome to say the least!!! I've owned 12 cars so far and my wife fully supports me in this addiction/hobby, we call "cars, modding, cocaine ()." I had an 07 TL-S (my 9th car) and traded it in for a more "family friendly" vehicle due to the mods I had on it making it very unpractical for me to drive on a daily basis (driving 2-3K miles a month) or for when I have kids.

I traded my TL in for an 07 M45S (12th car). I love the V8 power/torque but miss the whole "modding scene" and miss the looks I got from my modded TL. FYI cars #10 (01 Cobra Mustang convertible) and #11 (01 Yellow Lexus IS300) were my daily drivers so I wouldn't have to drive the TL as much.

In saying all this do you all think I should get a 2nd car to play/mod or upgrade to something that has a little more to offer than my current car?

As a 2nd car I am thinking about 93+ NSX or 03-04 Cobra Mustang (I've owned 3 mustangs). I love the looks of the NSX but the power of the 03-04 Cobra Mustang.

If I get rid of my M45S, I would want something with similar room for kids, more power, and more amenities than I currently have and be just as reliable. $45K is max budget and it has to completely fill the void of the whole modding scene and having a custom car you built. I am considering 07 BMW B7 Alpina or 09 Cadillac CTS-V.

**CLIFFS** Should I get a toy car to play with or upgrade to a nicer, classier, more powerful car that I'm missing in owning just 1 car now.

 

Do you own a house already?

 

Between the wife and I since we are in the military we each own a house.

 

Look, you don't have kids, but it really sounds like you're planning on them in the near future. Either way, you don't really have to allocate for them yet. Maybe the NSX or a new Camaro convertible.

 

Although I'd typically vote CTS-V, with the amount of miles you'll be putting on it, I'd keep the M45 (which by the way in most people's eyes is already a sick sports sedan) and get a toy. The Cobra is so easily modded to get some serious power, not that it didn't already have tons from the factory, so you could have your civilized sports sedan for the DD and a monster Cobra for the weekend fun. I think the NSX, although and obviously amazing car, might not be the power-house of a car you're looking for.

 

Get a toy. Thats what Ill be doing once I ditch my current, never ending project.

 

My vote is to keep your current car and get a new toy!

 

Steven thanks for your input, as it's always greatly appreciated! I understand not having to allocate for kids yet, but we will be going down to 1 income in about 2 years or so. Whatever I get I will be getting and keeping for a long while. I'm a Mustang person at heart but think I could easily pass one up for an NSX.

This is exactly how I feel. I "think" the looks of an NSX will fill my void of wanting a monster Cobra with tons of power. I've read up a lot on the NSX and they are actually very quick cars especially 97+ with the 3.2. Thanks for the good words about my car now, she rarely gets comments like that unlike my TL.

This is sounding like the best alternative. Never ending projects aren't all bad just can cost an arm and a leg!




Thanks for all the input everyone! I think I will start scoping out new toys and keep my DD now.

 

Get a Toy!

 

Have you thought about an Elise? If youre looking at 97-up NSX's, and Elise can be had for less.

And yes, my other project has been with me for over three years. Very little has happened with it and Im selling everything at a loss. Im not happy but you live and learn.

 

save your money.

 

If that was his goal, he wouldnt be here, LOL. Saving is no fun anyway...I would say get a fun weekend warrior...I'm partial to Corvettes, and my next car will be a C6 Z06...But if you're into Stangs, go that route - parts are EVERYWHERE, and relatively cheap too

Elises are fun as well, but 4 cylinder toyota power is no V8 thrill

 

Someone's grandfather is posting on AZine again.

 

Yea I've seen a few and their prices are very reasonable but not really what Im looking for. I'm hoping to pick up a nice project toy to KEEP this time. I miss my TL....

I think charliemike explained it best. 12 cars later in 11 years (3 of those years I was in countries that didn't allow me to have a car), I am a little past that point...

^^Thank you man! The wife loves the C5+ body styling. I miss all the work I done with my TL and want something new to "toy" with like you said. Hehe.....yes V8>I4

 

M45 was a badass car, but man it has not aged well I can see why you missed the 3G

 

^^LOL.....so true. I was looking at the '11+ M56 and would never pay nearly $60K. The engines are great since they are timing chain driven, but yes you gotta have a different "taste" buying one. The Aero lip kit made it easier buying mine!

 

Hell....you both own houses. You can afford the car. You don't have kids. Your wife supports your "addiction." And you put your life on the line to protect us.

BUY A TOY....You deserve it.

 

Have you considered an S2000 to fill the void?

 

Lol...Thanks for the good words! My wife actually returned from her deployment not too long ago and I'll be off on mine right here around the corner. I am taking in every second being here in the good ol' USA!! Haha....I'll let her know, that you said I deserve a new toy! She's pretty damn awesome!

Yes! I've almost bought one a couple times, but something else caught my eyes at the time. Never test drove one, but read a great review here on Azine about a very wealthy man that owned a few sports cars (lambo's and ferrari's) and said his S2K was more fun than his other vehicles. I am going to put this on my list of possible toys!

 

I'll fix this for you.

Go ahead, give them a call. I drive by it every day and it truly is a sight.

http://florencesc.craigslist.org/cto/2581913053.html

 

^^^DAMMIT MAN!!! I'm actually on Ebay right now looking at some 03-04 Cobras. I was right around the corner in Augusta, GA but I'm in TX now and about to deploy. She looks sooo good!

 

F355?

 

an NSX will get you looks like nothing else.

a modded NSX drove down my block in boston the other day, license plate was NSX T. turned every god damn head on the block

 

My current personal goal is to DD the TL and have an AP2 S2000 in the garage for the weekends. If you can swing the NSX, do it!

 

Even though I'm Canadian, thanks for your service.

If you're being deployed in a month, I would wait until you get back from it before you buy a car. How long are you being deployed for? Because any car you get would just be sitting, collecting dust, and losing value for however long you're gone. Things could change quickly in a year.

Have you considered a new Charger or 300C? Don't know how much SRT-8s are, but if you could swing a new 300 SRT that would be a great replacement for your M.

If you want a toy, there are plenty of great suggestions already here. Some others that I can think of off the top of my head:

Porsche Boxster
BMW Z3 or Z4 M
Nissan 350Z
E46 M3
Mazda RX-7/RX-8, Miata
STi or Evo

Good luck deciding! Just make sure your finances are good for it.

 

How is the college life going? Ross you never seem to surprise me bro! I actually considered the F355/F348. Back when I was in high school Silk the Shocker and Mya did a video with a F355 and I'll never forget it! Honestly man I've been on a few Ferrari/Lambo forums and read that they make their clutches extremely weak. They did this so they wouldn't have people coming in with Transmission Warranty issues. I've seen a few ads on eBay with only 15K miles "need maintenance" like a clutch. A clutch for a F355 is $3k+ from what I read in the forums.

KillerG, I dont know what all I can mod on my own with a NSX. I would love the looks, but I have a couple DIY's here on Azine with different projects I undertook with my TL. BLUF.... over modding an NSX!

Tyler, man I looked on craigslist and found a couple S2K's here in El Paso for under 10K. One rebuilt with a salvage title with work wheels for only $6800. What to do man, what to do....lol? I've been very fortunate with the 10 years I've been in the Army and served multiple overseas tours to be able to purchase the cars I have now, but more importantly take care of my family. The NSX is more than doable bro, but I want to be able to mod it as much as I did on my TL. Haha....I think only a few have seen my progress thread and DIY's....but I know you've even seen my video's. ATLP4TMFW....

Aman...thank you Sir for your support! I have under a month before I leave and will not be getting my "toy" until I get back. All I know is that I'll be back sometime next year....lol. I have my Infiniti here but will be putting it in A/C storage area.

Yessir, things can change much over the year so I will keep my Infiniti and hoping when I come back the $$$ for a TOY will be a lot cheaper. I had a chance to buy an low mileage SRT Charger when I bought my TL, but I can appreciate my Infiniti now, knowing that it will be the family car.

My little brother is in the Army also and done several overseas tours and has a 350Z. I've always wanted an BMW, but afraid of maintenance costs, but may look into the 2G RX-7's. Thank you again for you help and input!

 

Thank you for your service

5 of my 9 years in the Army were at Ft. Gordon. Disgusta is not my kind of town.

Anyhow, have you ever thought of going the route of a SRT or a Viper, and then looking into a shop in Houston called Hennssey? I believe they could help you modify yourself into a stupor. Just a thought.

 

You could always SC an NSX to satisfy your power crave.






Edit: said power, meant speed.

 

Donnie, how about this to make you want the NSX even more?

http://www.vehix.com/car-classifieds...ser=dmVoaXg%3D

But here's something that'll deter you though. Carfax came back saying that it was owned by 5 different people. I'm not sure if you're willing to take that risk, but that is one mint looking ride! I would get it, but I prefer sports sedan and I'm not a baller to have one as a weekend car. lol