So I love my TL. Lets just get that out of the way. Every day when I walk up to it in the school parking lot surrounded by a selection of bland practical Camry's, Corolla's, Impreza's and Civics I must say that it certainly stands out.

As soon as I see the nose of the car with the stance it has and the concavity of the wheels and the new addition of black outs, I ask myself how I could ever sell this car.

Pic for reference.



At this time the car has about 74,xxx on it. I absolutely adore it but I made the fatal mistake of going on cars.com the other night...Long story short, bad news for the TL lol.

For under $25 Grand, you can now buy from a selection of rather lower milage G37s 6MTs.....already?

I'm at a crossroads. Genesis Coupe V6 or 2.0T, G37S Coupe/Sedan, 335i, 370Z. All of these are going for under 25k right now. Hell even Evo 10's are under 25k. I love my car but cannot stand fwd anymore. It was fun the RSX with a blower, but the TL's weigh is apparent at 3600lbs and fwd. I figure I could part out and sell the car and hopefully end up with about 3-4k between equity and mods. Put that down along with some of my yearly bonus and I'm looking at a $300/mo car payment as opposed to my $280.39 current payment. So, if you guys were in my shoes what would you do?! And please, if I've missed some kind of nice sports car in this price bracket please fill me in.

Btw, Option 2 is sell the TL and my MKII Jetta, get a REALLY crappy beater and either of these for when it doesn't snow...>.<



Or stay true to my Honda fanboyism...

 

I looked into getting a Lotus for a bit also but the thing you have to also consider is the cost of insurance, all of the cars you listed have higher insurance rates which could really blow a budget... hence me owning a TL and not a Lotus!
Also consider repair costs!

 

I hope you're not majoring in Accounting at school.

Yes, your payment only goes up $20 a month, BUT for how long?
When will the TL be paid off?
My suggestion: payoff the TL, put that car payment in the bank every month + the bonus money you mentioned each year and within a few years you'll have the money to pay cash for a toy.

The TL should run for a loooonnnngg time. Take advantage of it.

 

TL, Lotus, NSX...23?

 

Golden.

 

Go for it, but expect higher everything. Maintenance costs, you will need winter tires and summer tires, and higher insurance.

You live in CT, if you'd like you can see my 3.8 Genesis coupe and see if it's something you like. We can also compare performance as well.

 

= win.

Enjoy it while you can.

 

broke in the future, ftl.

 

Save for a house.

 

Buy a house before a new car. Get the car a few years after you buy the house.

House + new car at 25/26 > rent + new car at 23.

EDIT: stepping away from the computer mid-post has caught me yet again

 

 

My STi @ 0% over 60 months was 331.xx a month on a 20,9xx.xx loan.

The TL is 280.39 a month over 60 months on a 16,xxx loan or maybe even 17k. If I end up getting a car it would be something I could get out the door for about 25, then figure that between equity and mods I can more then likely get 4 grand. Take that with 3 more from my yearly bonus and I'd be financing 17k or so again. Payments would be very similar considering I could probably get better then the 5.9 I have now.

 

I can't believe you can get those cars for that much money. Good luck with what ever you decide. I'd go for the 335 coupe, but I'm a BMW fan boy haha Gen coupe would be sweet too.

 

Cross that bridge when you get there. Hahah

 

I live at home and have nothing but my personal expenses to pay. When you figure that I make about $25k a year. I spend between car payment and insurance about $6300 between the 2. Have a couple of hundred dollars worth of debt on a CC that I can easily pay off but am holding onto for a few more months to help with credit since its still 0% financing. The only thing that I'm not accounting for is the inevidable mod bug that is going to bite if I get anything. G37S, not too bad as far as prices. 335i even better since you can make some serious power for about 2k...Lotus Elise? $6,500 for a VF Supercharger that I absolutely will put on the car. NSX, $7,500 for a USED Comptech blower that I'd also somehow manage to get my hands on...only thing that sucks about nice cars is that they are so expensive to mod >.<

Maybe I'll just keep the TL and try to find a nice S2000, really miss mine.

Definately, where in CT do you live? I'd love to get a ride in a V6 Genesis. Heard nothing but great things about it, and would prefer to talk to an owner than a car dealer who won't stop calling for weeks...


Already looked into that. Only thing that will really kick my ass is property tax, but considering all these cars KBB at much less then the STi I had, which is what they use to appraise the value, it won't be too bad. And as far as insurance, the TL runs more than my STi did believe it or not. My TL + '90 Jetta with Geico is $258/mo after multi car discount. 08 STi and 02 S2000 was $298 @ Travelers. Individually speaking, the TL is about 8 dollars a month more, and for shits and giggles I had my old agent run a quote for a GT-R, I almost shit my pants. $312/mo . I know it goes based on value and damage you could cause to property and others and yourself...but seriously, a '09 GT-R cost me less then $150 every 6 months over an '04 TL??!?!?!

Btw, how do you like your ZX6R? Few of my friends have bikes...I kind of want a Repsol fairing'd 600RR.

 

Red text forgotten?

If not, that it exactly what's wrong with our country. Why be proactive and effective when you can be reactive and inept?

 

My recommandation is to keep your TL. It's nice enough of a car and young mileage-wise to not have to worry yet about any expensive repairs. If you have to, keep modding.

Pay off your credit cards, start saving up and start paying a mortgage. Driving a 25k car while making 25k a year isn't the best of ideas in my humble opinion. My personal rule of thumb is to give 50% down the value of the vehicle and finance the rest unless the financial rate is exceptionnally low.

I do realize this isn't the fun option but 5 to 10 years down the road, you'll be happy you did.

What I love about Acurazine is that you will be told the truth weither you want to hear it or not.

Good luck with your decision.

 

First off, when you say at home, I'm assuming that you mean living with your parents. How long do you plan on doing this? For the duration of you new auto loan? Also, keeping a running balance on a credit card does NOT help with your credit score.

 

Keep the TL as you seem to love it and finish school. Then play hard.

Or buy GT5 and pretend you have all these cars.

 

ballin at 21 making $25k

 

How did you get your bank to go 60 months on the TL is what I'm trying to figure out

 

holy hell... this guy is all over the place..

NSX, 335i, 350z, gen coupe, lotus, s2k, g37 etc etc... man, if you REALLY going to do this then narrow it down to 2-3 cars at least.

 

Eh, sounds like he's at the beginning stages, so imo allowable. Hell, last time I was looking at getting a new vehicle I was far worse. Everything from Tacomas, FJ's, Jetta TDI's, Caddy CTS, were considered and ended up with the G35xS.

 

I live in Fairfield County, but I don't mind going for a short drive.

 

Agreed. I don't want to spend more then half of what I make, but the only reason I am considering it is because atm the only expense I really have is my car and insurance. Other stupid things like XM and cell phone, but it all combines to less then a grand a year. I owe 11 on the TL, bought it for $15,600. Out the door with taxes and reg the car was just around 17,500. My thought process was get rid of that, Sell my MK2 for 2 grand along with parting the mods and I have 7k for a down payment. Take another 2 from the 7k bonus and now I'm basically back to the same monthly payments except I start over at 60 months instead of 48 which I personally don't really mind as I don't see myself keeping a daily driver for more than 3 years at any point in my life...or at least would like to lol. That being said I still have about 6,000 and change in the bank in my savings. That's going towards the home fund for the day I find a girl and move out. Being a foreigner we have many customs, one of which is the child generally lives at home until they get married >.<

Regardless, since I don't consider the bonus every year into my planned income my idea was this. $5k out of it no matter what I get goes to stocks, one of my friends is a genius so he's going to help me out with what to invest in and understanding how to do everything. Figure I'd treat myself with the rest since its a guarenteed yearly thing.

 

I'd probably make the hike out that way, I've heard so many great things about the roads up there. Someone highly recommended Rt. 7 for driving so I might take a trip up there. I'm in Rocky Hill near Hartford.

 

Didn't we have this discussion last year or something? I'd rather have a ton of cash on hand then new cars.

Fortunately, I earn enough money each year to live comfortably and have new cars. Right now I'm going broke off the wedding expenses, then a home

Save your money and really be ballin?

 

And for the record I do appreciate everyone's responses. I know the Azine crowd has a lot of older wiser members then most other car affiliated forums and I respect you guys but the question at hand more or less is is what you would do, not what I should do. Sorry if I rambled on in the first post and got away from the point, I tend to do that . If you were buying a vehicle in the mid 20k range would you have a shitty beater and awesome summer car, or an all around nice sports car for every day? And what would it/they be..

 

Really? Because to my understandings consistent payment history does...otherwise I'd like to know how I've managed to hit almost 800 from nothing in 4 years time.

Haha already have half of them. LF-A is sick in that game.

Working part time and going to school Full Time.

List of cars I've test driven in the last 6 months:
-E39 M5
-997 911 Carrera S (<3 Carmax lol)
-Evo X GSR
-NSX
-MKV Jetta TDI Cup
-MKVI GTi
-3g TL-S
-AP1 and AP2 S2000
-First gen RX8
-E55 amg
-E90 328xi
-05 TSX 6mt
-06 RSX-S
-350Z both pre and post engine update. Think it was in 05?
-06 Stage 2 STi


The list goes on and on..

 

Dude, credit is about to not look so hot for me for a couple of years so was in the same boat.
Test drove new TL 6MT AWD, Genesis 3.8 (only had auto and 1 in saddle interior and it sold same day), mustang GT 5.0 3 times.

At the end of the day I realized I could justify it however I felt like it, but in the end I would sincerely miss the TL. PLUS I was full of shit, my car payment would be MUCH higher than 315/month with 95/month insurance...and cost of taxes on new purchase etc.

No other car stole my heart like the TL still does to this day. My goal now, much like NSXNEXT recommended, is to pay off the TL very soon...and save up money etc for a toy car I can buy cash at some point in the future.

And not to threadjack with an image, but here she is...I KNOW 3 months in after the novelty of RWD and bad gas mileage wore off and reality of an OVER 20K balance owed hit me...I would be VERY mad that I made that decision.

J.


It really is a jack of all trades and master of none and although NO I can't whip it around a corner sideways...it is predictable in a turn and a great good looking car.

 

Damn, rolling in that Lotus would be tits. My personal opinion is don't get an automobile you can't pay cash for. Who knows what could happen in the near future? Finances might change, your parents might move, you might get disabled or knock your chick up. Always save $$ for a rainy day. You'll have plenty of time 10 years from now to be enjoying a nice sports car, trust me on that.

 

You obviously looking for something fast...

I don't know your drive background but nsx and lotus insurance is going to be ridiculous.

 

Agreed. Btw I really like your car, what wheels are those?! And Yeah trust me between my old 240 and my S2000 I really miss rwd , considering maybe picking up an S2000 a little ways down the road and just doing simple bolt ons to it. Always blew my mind how a street car could rev to 9,000 over and over and over so reliably...Everyone always says save for when your older, but the reality is that our time alive is precious. There have been many of young deaths Central CT recently for various reasons. Really opens your eyes when a 13 year old kid on his bike gets ran over that you never know what could happen. I firmly believe in living life to the fullest so I'm going to enjoy it.

Oh and do you have a link to a diy or whatever I need to run DRL's like you on 04-06 headlights?

 

Agreed, all those are extremely possible scenarios. I'm very lucky to be in the situation that I'm in that really the only thing that could happen is I either die or get disabled like you mentioned. Only reason this is even going through my head is because I know I can safely do something like this without risking being on the street or losing my job at a moments notice.

 

Haven't gotten a quote for the Lotus, the NSX isn't all that much. My agent explained to me that the way quotes are based is by a few factors. Value of car, amount of damage you can cause to property/persons/yourself. Theft rate is also taken into consideration, cost of parts for repairs, etc. This might be hard to believe, but out of an NA1 NSX, MKIV Supra, my TL, an 08 STi, 02 S2000, and an 02 RSX-S (high theft rate), a 2000-2002 Audi S4 trumps all those for insurance rate. Don't ask me why it honestly doesn't make any sense to me.

As far as speed, honestly it doesn't need to be ridiculously quick. Something between 250-300 whp depending on the drivetrain layout would be optimal. I'm looking to start autocrossing a lot next season, maybe even attend a track day or 2 at lime rock.

 

Thanks man.
Yeah, they are work emotion XC8 19x9 with a staggered offset. They were painted custom black by previous owner (who never ended up using them).

DRL's...FOUND THE LINK!
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/diy-installation-daytime-running-lights%2A%2A-detailed-pictures%2A%2A-3g-garage-g-067-a-596398/

PS...I LIKE where you head is at...pay off the TL...then get an 2001 S2000 as a toy for under 8K eventually...I too am blown away by the high revving motor. One thing I DEF miss about my BOM 05 RSX-s.
When I go reverse though...I AM RWD!

 

hahahaha technically yes.

 

I have a few friends who live nearby Rocky Hill, the go to the U. of Hartford.

Rt. 7 isn't that scenic, I like Rt. 58 a bit more, it overlooks the Aspetuk resevoir as well.

Let me know when you plan on heading down here.

 

Oh and about the comment that you should save up for your home instead and don't waste all your money away. I understand saving is critical for your future as you don't want to work until your dead. However, you also need to take into account that you may never have the opportunity to enjoy these luxuries in the future.

You can't always live for tomorrow.

My advice to you is just get yourself the best deal on your new car and make sure you keep a cushion of money, whether it be money in the bank or availible credit through credit cards and have money invested that will increase over time, e.g. CDs, stocks or bonds.

I understand that my car and insurance constitutes a large amount of money, $540+$150 per mo/, but I am content with it, because it makes me happy. It also still alows me to save money each month.

 

Exactly! Only exception is I will keep at least 5 grand in my savings at all times. I refuse to for any reason fall back onto having to use credit cards. I have 2 and they're for just stupid bs. I'd like to keep it that way, but exactly man you need to live in the now. I can only hope I'll live to see 30, 40, 50, and beyond.