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I'm going to be getting a couple cars when I get back from Afghanistan.
Here's the list of possibles
545i with a manual or SMG trans,
CTS-V 06 or older,
C5 Z06 or C6 coupe,
So I know there's little cohesion to my list, what's wrong with that?
Pros and cons for the picks are really what I'm looking for.
Ummmmmm, nice! I envy your dilemma!
So your list has 3 cars and you are getting "a couple". If they are both for you the options narrow. The CTS and the BMW are both big sedans so you choose between those two for hauling a crowd in warp mode. The Vette is a 2 seat sports car that doesn't pretend to be anything else. If you are truly getting 2 cars it should be one of them because 1 guy doesn't have any need for 2 people haulers. The Vette and the CTS share very similar motors and engineering so getting both is pretty much out. Considering that the Vette has to be one of your choices you should go German with the sedan.
Maybe it's just my age, but I really don't think the CTS is very attractive. I'm glad Caddy is trying to build a modern luxury car, but regardless of how great the numbers are..I think it looks like an Aztec. YMMV, consider a black one if you go that route. Those sharp corners seem to fade a bit on the black ones. 
EDIT: Dang, I can't believe I almost forgot...KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN OVER THERE!
Buy a house
Down PMT on House + Used C6 coupe with Z51 suspension....I never thought I would say this, but 420 HP is enough for anyone...especially on the street.
maroon92 wrote:Down PMT on House + Used C6 coupe with Z51 suspension....I never thought I would say this, but 420 HP is enough for anyone...especially on the street.
Apparently 21 is the new 60!
An E39 M5 will be cheaper and vastly more fun than a 545.
The "regular" vettes are old people cars (I've never, EVER seen anyone under 60 driving a regular vette. Getting one with an auto makes you instantly 70 no matter how old you may be). C5-Z06 >>>>>>>>>> than C6, no matter the performance difference.
The first gen CTS is a joke once you've looked at any of it's competitors. The interior sucks in epic fashion for a luxury car. The new ones are greatly improved and certainly worth the price.
Who cares who you've seen driving Vettes? They are incredible performance cars for a very good price, either base Vette or Z06. This is Grassroots Motorsports, not Grassroots Fashionably Cruising the Boulevard. Maybe I'm not recognizing sarcasm, but why bad mouth the Vette?
Of course, maybe I've just got a thing for old people cars. I'm 33 and drive a Jaguar XJR, which is not exactly popular with the younger crowd.
Bob
Bob
I agree with others that said buy a house and get one car. Not sure why you'd need two pricey cars, but I'd personally go for the Vette. And don't assume it has to go away when you start a family - my Dad had a Vette as his only car the entire time I was growing up - works surprisingly well as long as the wife is cool with a 4dr./family car.
To answer your original question, though, I'd get the 545 as the first car and then add the Vette if you really want to spend the money. The 545 is a great car - very well balanced, nice power, and great for almost any driving situation. I have a soft spot for the Corvette, as I grew up with them, but some people don't think they can serve single-car duty.
Seriously, though, save your money. 
E39M5 + House + Investments
Take out a loan and buy all three!
House with a garage. Seriously.
Stay safe over there.
Yessir, do the house and garage first. And dammit KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN.
1) Thank you.
2) Please come back safely.
3) + 1 on the house, unless you get stationed somewhere else and don't want to rent it out or come back and live there.
4) I'd get away from the list and keep/get a reliable DD and a 356...maybe make it an Outlaw. I have nothing against your choices, but I'd get something out of the norm...something cool with character.
5) Just my humble opinion.
I should have clarified, the othe car is going to be a fiesta, I want one of the ones listed. And I guess G8 needs to be added to the list, though I guess those are going to get pricey?
The house issue is a no DP thing, VA loans kick ass.
C6 Z51 or C5 Z06
you can't lose either way
I second the Bimmer.. as long as it is an E39. they are pretty much full proof, cheap, and much more simple compared to the newer ones.. the last of the "classic" BMWs in both looks and durability
I wouldn't mind the "getting a couple cars" problem.
If you are going to get a C5, I would recommend the '99 Hardtop Coupe. Then grab a 540i (E39).
Can you swap parts between a Vette and CTS?
I also would eliminate the CTS. Just not my style. Too much additional money for not enough additional stuff.
Z06 can't be beat for the performance per dollar category.
Man.. I'd get a couple of really sweet classic cars instead..
Like a real mini cooper
or a super sweet bug eye
or If I had deep pockets a Big 6 healey 3000.
The big healey would actually make you money in the long run.
+1 on a classic or at least an older car thats at the bottom of its depreciation curve. Making money on a car beats losing money every time, and if you have a Fiesta for a DD it can be as wild, exotic, and unpractical as you can afford.
Ferrari 308's trade in the C5Z06 price range...
Just saying
P71 wrote:Ferrari 308's trade in the C5Z06 price range...
Just saying
I've actually thought about a 308, but I think the fiesta will out perform that car!
my issues with the vettes, is maintnance, like what are tires going to run.
that's more the type of info that I was looking for.
I'll be able to afford the buy in price, it's the recurring costs that I'm worried about.
Maintenance? Ever own a BMW? They are really reliable--don't get me wrong. But they have a lot of stuff. Regular wear and tear occurs on like 5 computers, four camshaft position sensors, oil level sensors, etc. But damn, there's a 2001 M5 on my block that I would LOVE to buy.
If you like the looks of the C5, buy the Z06 and don't look back. Otherwise, the C6 might be a better performer, and I personally believe that it looks a little bit nicer.
Stay safe. I have some friends over there right now. They say it's getting better (at least in Iraq). Hopefully it's the same for you.
