Looking for advice, selling the Lotus

[udlose03]

Well its just not making financial sense for me to hold onto the Lotus anymore, I am 23 so I pay insurance and my regular car payment for a car that maybe sees the pavement once a week. Anyways, I have decided to sell, but what I havent decided on is what to get next. I figured I would turn to the midwesterners as I am looking for a car that will be compitent in the winters while still a great performer. I havent ruled out keeping my DD, but I wouldnt mind having a new car that can do DD and winters. If you have experiences or suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Not looking to spend more than $45k ish., under is of course always welcomed. Also I am not looking to buy brand new, anything 06+ is cool in my books. My front runner right now is a used M5.

[NOLA911]

Originally Posted by udlose03

Well its just not making financial sense for me to hold onto the Lotus anymore, I am 23 so I pay insurance and my regular car payment for a car that maybe sees the pavement once a week.

A 23 year old spending 45k on a used car to save money doesn't make financial sense to me... but I will play.. s500 AWD

[udlose03]

Originally Posted by NOLA911

A 23 year old spending 45k on a used car to save money doesn't make financial sense to me... but I will play.. s500 AWD

Im not looking to save money, Im just saying the money I am spending isnt getting me anywhere. Insurance isnt cheap and to be paying it for a car that sits 6 days a week.....

I have no problem making the payments, but I'm at a point now where I would rather have a vehicle where I can maximize my use of it.

[Bane]

Evo?

You could use it year round out there. It's also considerably less than $45k and more fuel efficient compared to an M5.

I hear they are a BLAST to drive in the snow...

[keinayo]

+1

Originally Posted by Bane

Evo?

You could use it year round out there. It's also considerably less than $45k and more fuel efficient compared to an M5.

I hear they are a BLAST to drive in the snow...

[udlose03]

Originally Posted by Bane

Evo?

You could use it year round out there. It's also considerably less than $45k and more fuel efficient compared to an M5.

I hear they are a BLAST to drive in the snow...

Definetely another car I had in my mind, I really need to get out and drive one of these.

[D713B]

Get rid of both and get an Audi RS4. Great performance, 4 doors, some luxury, AWD.

Used Cars for Sale: Listings Near Zip Code

[PhlypSide]

Keep your daily driver for winter duty or people transport.

Learn how to ride a bike.

Use the bike as a daily rider when it's warm and dry out and the DD when it isn't.

Don't look back, you'll see all those slower cars back there (there's a lot of them) ..... well at least til the turns come up, or til you get over 120MPH or so when the aero advantage of cages starts to rear it's ugly face.

[udlose03]

First of all I didnt realize how terrible the M5 is on gas, 11 MPG city???? wow.

I like the RS4 and wouldnt even mind an S4, another car on my short list as something I need to drive.

And a bike, I just know I would get hurt at some point, I have a sixth sense about bikes.

That Evo suggestion already has me looking a bit deeper, I think for me, and I know its lame to think it, but I dont like the Stigma that comes with the name. So I need to get over that, and realize this is a great car.

[Veruca]

I know exactly what you need. An '07 VW GTI.

You don't want the Evo - too much to insure.

[udlose03]

Originally Posted by Veruca

I know exactly what you need. An '07 VW GTI.

You don't want the Evo - too much to insure.

very nice, clean car, but not for me.

[Veruca]

Originally Posted by udlose03

very nice, clean car, but not for me.

No hard feelings. I feel the same way about it.

[Murix]

I would recommend a 135i though not many used ones right now.

[6_speed]

BMW M3 or 330i ZSP <b>convertible</b> - you'll still get to do opentop like your Elise.

Just throw in a set of winter tires.

[NMRJock]

I don't really understand.

You have a daily driver (what is it?).

You don't want to keep paying for the Lotus because you don't use it, but you want to buy another 2nd car?

What makes you think that you'll use this other 2nd car more than the Lotus? What is it that keeps you from getting use out of the Lotus?

Also, you mention making payments. Why don't you sock away some cash to buy your fun car outright. You'll be a lot less upset about the carrying costs if you're not making loan payments.

[udlose03]

Originally Posted by NMRJock

I don't really understand.

You have a daily driver (what is it?).

You don't want to keep paying for the Lotus because you don't use it, but you want to buy another 2nd car?

What makes you think that you'll use this other 2nd car more than the Lotus? What is it that keeps you from getting use out of the Lotus?

Also, you mention making payments. Why don't you sock away some cash to buy your fun car outright. You'll be a lot less upset about the carrying costs if you're not making loan payments.

My DD is a 97 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I dont use my Lotus becuase I am uncomfortable parking it anywhere in public. May sound dumb to some, but the fact of the matter is the cars draws way more attention then I had anticipated and it is not always positive. I havent really ran into any particular instances yet, but I used to have a camaro that I had invested a good amount in to make it fast, this car was by no means luxurius or really nice, but still one night while I was out a chair was taken from a local school yard and thrown at it. I know its bad to reflect on one instance, but this is what made me protective of my future cars, I guess I am looking for something more able to blend in so I can finally take my car and park it where ever I would like.

In response to banking up, I am able to put down a pretty decent downpayment while leaving money on the side for my normal expenses, etc. With prices the way they are now, I'd sooner by cheap now and finance rather than wait till after winter and hope things are still going the same direction.

[cemaykan]

Keep the 45k in the bank, and lease a S5.

[bluemansail]

Towards the top end of your budget, but 911 -- e.g. C4S (Auction Presale) or newer C2 (Auction Presale). Opposite end of the country, but you should be able to find something similar on your coast.

[dasmoofler]

Don't do it! Blasphemy I say! Sheer blashpemy!

OK, seriously, let's look at this. Lose the wing and you'll lose 80% of the "stands out" factor. But I bet you know that already.

The weather is agreeable now so why not drive it everyday? I trust it's not a bad area. I bet you're wrong about people taking a potshot at it. Attitudes towards hot rod Camaros, I think, is probably way different than those towards an Elise. There are relatively few Elises/Exiges around here and it's been my experience that when people catch a glimpse of something so rare they tend to fawn over it rather than trash it.

I hope you take some time to mull this over. As you know there are maybe a dozen or so Lotuses in the SE WI region and I know of none that have ever been vandalized.

[tvacc]

2005 or 2006 Mini with the Works kit.

My 2nd favorite car. Like it better than my Elise but not more than my Seven