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Your Realistic Dream Garage?
About two years ago I was browsing through a Finnish classified car ads magazine and started thinking about how few of the cars I would have actually been willing to pay the asking price for.
I guess most of you that has ever browsed through a web site or magazine for used cars, or perhaps set a foot in a used car showroom agree that ever too often you stop and think, "[I]how[/I] much did you want again?"
I get the feeling when I see restored [I]Beetles[/I] and [I]Volvo Amazon's[/I] on sale for 15 000€+
I like classic cars and I would love to own one, but would [I]I, personally[/I], pay the asking price for a vintage Ferrari, for instance? Even if I had the money? Hardly.
Nonetheless every once in a while you come across a nice find though, a jewel of sorts - but just not [I]quite[/I] what you was looking for... [I]if only[/I] you had a friend that needed that type of car now... [I]if only[/I] you could put a bit more of your monthly salary on cars... [I]if only[/I] you had the space!
In the paper the only car that stood out for me personally was an old Datsun 240z, in seemingly good shape with an asking price of 4000€. With no way to keep it and plenty of holes to stick my hard earned cash in, I stayed with the loyal public transport system.
So the question is, [I]if[/I] you had a large garage and no worries in the world, what cars would you personally buy (with [I]your[/I] own money or a loan that [I]you[/I] would have to repay eventually) and for what reason? Out with your odd choices!
As you can see from my list, what I lack in reasoning I fill in with feelings. Also as far as favorite- anythings go, obviously your preference and taste changes with time, but don't be afraid to pitch in!
I know there has been many similar threads, but none quite like this, so bear with me:
[B][1][/B] For me, I'd definitely keep my [B]BMW E34 M5[/B]. I'm too attached to it to ever give it away even if I'd find a more suitable daily driver. I love the car for what it is, I love taking it to work and back home, even being stuck behind tourists driving below the speed limit. I don't [I]need[/I] to overtake in this car, I don't even [I]need[/I] to drive fast in it. But knowing how easily I [I]could[/I], gives me a nice tingle in my stomach. Combined to a huge trunk and loads of space everywhere it's hard to see why I'd ever want to be without it. Only reason [I]not[/I] to drive it would be trying to keep the mileage low.
[IMG]http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=292348&stc=1&d=1230321730[/IMG]
[B]Other alternatives:[/B] Other newer M's, Audi S's
(meaning only what I, personally, see as possible substitutes)
[B]Reason for preference:[/B] Simple and plain: the newer the car, the more it costs and the worse value/money ratio. There are many cars that would go under the [I]"daily driver"[/I] category that I'm very fond of - but wouldn't change for my car. Also looks, Association, Practicality
(In comparison with the alternatives)
[B]Price I would('ve) be prepared to pay for a substitute:[/B] Up to 20.000€, as a daily driver even higher prices [I]could[/I] be acceptable depending on the situation.
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[B][2] Fiat 500[/B]. Simple - this is the coolest car ever made. If you'd ever want to make an memorable entrance to anything from a party to a business meeting - [U]this[/U] would be the car to do it in. The fact that you can get one for just a few hundred, ranging up to a few thousand € makes them very attractive as a 2nd or 3rd car. This car is for me what the Mini is for the masses.
[IMG]http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=292349&stc=1&d=1230321730[/IMG]
[B]Other alternatives:[/B] The many sisters cars and clones out there, everything from 600's to SEAT and Puch.
[B]Reason for preference:[/B] Availability, Cost, Being "the one"
[B]Price I could be prepared to pay:[/B] Up to 4000€ (for this car or an alternative)
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[B][3] Honda S2000[/B], pricey - but personally I feel the early models might be worth it. A perfect car for just driving, not going anywhere, not stopping to pick up anything. Just you, a passenger and the car burning fuel down a sunny, twisty country road. My first choice as a second car, but because of the price - 3rd.
[IMG]http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=292350&stc=1&d=1230321729[/IMG]
[B]Other alternatives:[/B] Many similar cars, from MX-5's to Boxters, unlike with the Fiat 500 these "alternatives" wouldn't stop me wanting one. For that I'd need a Lotus or a TVR, but availability and price comes in there.
[B]Reason for preference:[/B] Availability (In the UK, things would be different), Price, Association
[B]Price:[/B] Up to 20.000€
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[B][4] FIAT Panda 4x4[/B], yes I said it. The perfect car for where I wouldn't want to take the rest. Whenever there'd be driving on gravel, snow, ice or if I'd just need a workhorse, this car would be it. I'm not saying I wouldn't drive the other cars on gravel, it just would be more enjoyable in this. Also this would be the car to lend to your friend without worries.
[IMG]http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=292351&stc=1&d=1230321729[/IMG]
[B]Other Alternatives:[/B] Land Rover Defender
[B]Reason for preference:[/B] Price, Genius of the Panda, Association
[B]Price:[/B] Up to 6.000€