My First New Car for my upcoming 60th Birthday, opening that can of worms

Sort of...I have bought two new vehicles in the past 4 decades but both were for my wife/family.  

One was in 2001, a Suburban 1500 4wd.  Still in the herd with 350K miles.  It hauled kids for 15 years, then was the first vehicle for most of the kids.

6 months ago I bought my wife a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

There is something nice about that Toyota...I know where it's been and how it's treated.  I have a maintenance plan.  I plan to trade it in at the end of the warranty.  I feel like an adult when I drive it (rarely).  

 I have advised countless people (including talking to myself) to not do this but at this stage in my life, I'm running out of hours to take care of the hobby cars and it would be incredibly nice to just get in a car and go.

I had convinced myself I was going to get a base model Honda or Toyota.  At work, nobody believed me.  I told myself, I just need something to get me 35 minutes back and forth every day.  And if I want to go outside that bubble, I want something that doesn't require a tool box each time.

My wife, an incredible automotive enabler, was pointing me to a C8.  She thought that would be a nice commuter.

We saw an M4 the other day and she liked the way that looked and sounded.  Bless her heart.

I'd like to keep it under $40k.  Then I start thinking, I don't really need a back seat. I don't need something with a ton of power.  I have a modified C5 that is faster than anything I need on the street.  My latest race car is a tube frame v8 that I can boost to insane power if I desire.  That should take care of that sort of endorphin release.

Ed Higginbotham and I have shared a Miata NA for lots of years.  I love it.  A new Miata would be cool.  I like the RF but I've never driven one.  The newest Miata I've driven is an NC, my dad's.  When my father passed away a couple of years ago, I should have bought it.  Instead I facilitated the sale it to fellow at work who shortly thereafter totaled it.

I'm liking the sound of the new version GR86.  My daughter has an FRS and I really like jumping in it.  It reminds me of my 944's.  I'm on the call list when the first sample is delivered in my area.

What am i missing in addition to these two?

I completely realize there are plenty of cool cars out there I could pick up used in this price range but I am interested in experiencing that new car smell.

Unleash the hounds.

My 2015 FR-S is hands down the favorite of the cars I've owned.  The GR looks to be even better.

My last new car purchase was in 1989 so I'm no help. But if you need a new backhoe I'm your man.

In reply to parker :

Ha! My 15 FR-S is my forever car. 6 years later and I still enjoy looking at it. Still enjoy driving it. I busted my ass to keep it. And the credit built up from paying it of got me my house. In retrospect,  zero regrets. 

What about the new Z? That's supposed to be around $40,000.

bearmtnmartin (Forum Supporter) said:

My last new car purchase was in 1989 so I'm no help. But if you need a new backhoe I'm your man.

So much kindred spirit. I have a 1989 JD 870 that could use a backhoe. My new loader purchase was one of my better moves. 

Appleseed said:

In reply to parker :

Ha! My 15 FR-S is my forever car. 6 years later and I still enjoy looking at it. Still enjoy driving it. I busted my ass to keep it. And the credit built up from paying it of got me my house. In retrospect,  zero regrets. 

What about the new Z? That's supposed to be around $40,000.

Good thought...that went in and out of my mind. I had a 1975 280z I enjoyed until it returned to the earth. The 370's I've driven felt a bit hefty to me, but I haven't carefully read the previews on the new one. Thanks for that idea. 

Great options between the Miata and FRS. 
Maybe take a look at the upcoming Nissan Z?

Maybe a Maserati? :)

I'm in the same boat you are, just 20 years ahead (40 years old.. behind? Ahead?  It's a timey-whimey kinda thing).   I don't have time to deal with repairs for a daily driver in my new chapter, and all of project car time is devoted to keeping my track car maintained (sounds like your car is cooler, though!)

If you're ever around CT, you're welcome to check out the GT RF that I just picked up yesterday.   With Mazda S-plan, it was 37,100 out the door (taxes, title, tags).  

I just haven't been inspired by the BRZs/FRSes that I've driven, they're great cars.. just not for me :). I've also seen a few with the engines popped before 100k which makes me a bit nervous especially paired with my already shakey feeling on modern Subarus.

Yep, you nailed it.  The two best choices that seem to fit your requirements. I am close to ordering a GR86 as a DD and I already have a Miata and a RX7 both of which I am keeping as neither are DDs.  You probably have already seen this vid from Hagerty but if not it's likely you will find it interesting especially with your 944 comparison. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaR843im04A

I am toying with the same criteria as jh36.  Cool DD for ~$40K   I'm already making my dermatogolist's boat payments so no need for a roadster.

The GT RF seems perfect in that plan.   But, I'm a huge fan of mid-engine design.   So, I started looking at 2010 ish Porsche Caymans.   But... 11 year old car, used, and German... kinda got scared.

In reply to WonkoTheSane :

I appreciate that offer. Very nice of you...Thank you. It looks like you got yourself a beauty.

2022 GR Corolla 

Wait a year and grab the new Nissan Z car?

In reply to Feedyurhed :You probably have already seen this vid from Hagerty but if not it's likely you will find it interesting especially with your 944 comparison. 

I have not seen that!!  Well they wrote that sales tool for me!  I know lots of people complain about "slow" 86's  and they sure do with 944's also.  But there's nothing like putting a 944 on the edge on track.  But wait...I'm looking for a commuter.  Well, I do take some of employees for rides on race weekends.  Looks like the Toyota would bring some smiles out from them.

In reply to calteg :

At 3,300(?) Lbs and over 400hp, I think it is not the car I seek.  I do like the lines, but I think a lower weight, toss-able car is more up my alley.  

jh36 said:

 I know lots of people complain about "slow" 86's  and they sure do with 944's also.  But there's nothing like putting a 944 on the edge on track.  But wait...I'm looking for a commuter.  Well, I do take some of employees for rides on race weekends.  Looks like the Toyota would bring some smiles out from them.

 

Slow is relative.  As someone who cut his car enthusiast teeth in the 80's and early 90's the 86 is plenty fast.  Way faster than my MR2, 240Z, RX7 or 911.  Even in today's traffic it's extremely rare for me not to leave everyone way behind from a light in the FR-S.  Most people drive like they're on heavy tranquilizers.

I don't know how you could go wrong with an RF, it just seems to do everything you want, with the bonus of a targa top. The only other fun 2dr under $40k I can think would be a fun commuter is a Mini. 

If you like NA Miatas, I think you'd like the ND. I do like my current BRZ (or did. when it was running) so I think a GR86 is not  bad choice either.

As a left field suggestion, would a Veloster N tick the right boxes?

Pssst......over here.... JD4410 sporting a WoodMaxx6600(BHoe) ...check it ....best $$$ money I've ever spent. What about a WRX-STI.....yes, not a 2door but.....or perhaps just the WRX? 

Here is a collective answer...

I greatly desire rwd.  
FWD is not as enjoyable to me. Just not my thing.

AWD...I did some laps in a 1st gen wrx and while my lap times were quick, I didn't enjoy it viscerally. 

I think I'm between the GR86 and RF. 
 

The Toyota has a little more space, it reminds me of 944's, and I think if I like the current frs, I will really like the new one. 
 

The RF is cool and reminds me of the NA, just more refined.  With a hardtop I don't have to find a spot for.  And not rusty. 
 

As for the Cayman and Maserati suggestions, those are both cars I've thought about. Especially the Cayman. I've driven a couple in anger and the GT4 is probably the finest car I've ever driven on a track. But I'm trying like crazy to stick with my unusual path toward a new car. This info has been very helpful. 

In reply to parker :

"Most people drive like they're on heavy tranquilizers."
 

So true.  
I grew up driving lower power cars....a TR-4, MGB-GT and a Healey 100-6.  I developed the habit at an early age to get on down the road. 

Why buy new when you then get to participate in that huge first year depreciation?

I understand it if the model you want isn't going to be around in a year or two (and I have bought new when I felt this would be the case (my 2009 Solstice coupe, one of only a couple of hundred with manual trans was bought new), otherwise look for one that is 2-3 years old - leases are 2, 3 and 4 year terms.

Let someone else pay for that relatively huge depreciation bite - you'll still be able to find a well looked after slightly used car.

wspohn said:

Why buy new when you then get to participate in that huge first year depreciation?

I understand it if the model you want isn't going to be around in a year or two (and I have bought new when I felt this would be the case (my 2009 Solstice coupe, one of only a couple of hundred with manual trans was bought new), otherwise look for one that is 2-3 years old - leases are 2, 3 and 4 year terms.

Let someone else pay for that relatively huge depreciation bite - you'll still be able to find a well looked after slightly used car.

I'm the case of RFs (I don't know the frisbee market as well), you want a 19+for the engine & suspension, which only gives you 2 years to look for, and the used ones with 10-40k miles are a few grand less than new. 

For example, most of the used GTs I see are going for 29,500-31,000 (depending on mileage). I paid 32,500 for mine with s-plan, tax, title, tags are the same, and I got a 1.9% interest rate.  A used one would be in the 3.5-3.75 range, meaning at the end of 3ish years that I hope to have it paid off, there's a net difference of about $1400. There's even less if you take the full term to pay off the loan.

In reply to wspohn :

Well, you are singing the song I always sing. My reasons may not be awesome. 
1-I'd like a new car. 
2-The car I am leaning toward is not launched yet (2022 Gr86) and I want to buy before that curve will swing my way. Heck, I may be incapacitated by the time that happens. 
3-The values seem to be holding fairly well (granted this is a strange economic time and inventory is just as weird)

4-rates are solid