Topic: 'Soft spot' choices - who has given in?

[Julie]

Okay, so we all have a soft spot (or I guess several of us at least) for a particular model.  Something that has not stopped taking your breath away.  But for whatever reason, it wasn't/isn't the rational thing to buy - whether because it was too expensive, too impratical or too statistically unreliable or whatever.

With some recent talk around here about the great value some used cars can be, for fun, I checked out a car that I've always lusted after but that is now relatively inexpensive.  But that makes no sense for me to buy (for various reasons).  But that I still lust after for reasons my left brain cannot understand. 

What are your experiences?  Have you made the jump?  If so, how has it been?  Are you considering making the jump?  Have you thought about what it would take for you to make the jump?  

[safristi]

............NOT YET.................. ............and it's NOT a soft spot....

[Julie]

............NOT YET.................. ............and it's NOT a soft spot....

 

[Wheelboy]

Safari, that's your best post yet.      But please tell us that's not YOU in the photo.

[initial_D]

I'll stick to apple pie!!  Love PIE! 

Always wanted a BMW E30 M3, and a Ferrari 328GTS (red-on-tan) ... working on it them. 

[Careener]

C6 Corvette.
I don't have one for two reasons-
Ridiculous cost of insurance
I have 2 young kids and would feel like a tool having a nice car like that and not being able to enjoy the experience.

I feed my "addiction" by renting one every time I go to Las Vegas.

[Careener]

^^
Edit in new post since I'm on my Blackberry..I meant the kids not being able to share the experience of the nice 2 seater.

[The Mighty Duck]

I have a soft spot for the Honda CRX. Lovely little car, would love to own one sometime.

And the old Porsche 944 Turbo. Really want one of those!

In both cases, not really practical, and the Porsche is cheap enough to buy, but not so cheap to keep running... :S

[GDAWG]

I saw an Aston Martin Vanquish on the DVP 2 days ago...I could take one of those...

[Railton]

With some recent talk around here about the great value some used cars can be, for fun, I checked out a car that I've always lusted after but that is now relatively inexpensive.  But that makes no sense for me to buy (for various reasons).  But that I still lust after for reasons my left brain cannot understand. 

 

Sorry, maybe you wrote it before but I missed it - what car?
Railton

[No H2O]

There are a few cars that I have a soft spot for as far as styling goes, but I know I would be disappointed once I started to work on them. I find the fit and finish on most of them quite disappointing; some are even kit-car like.

I ended up with the car that I've have always wanted; I like everything about it. Talk about luck! That used Carrera GT is still parked at the dealer. I am waiting for a major price drop though. 

[Julie]

With some recent talk around here about the great value some used cars can be, for fun, I checked out a car that I've always lusted after but that is now relatively inexpensive.  But that makes no sense for me to buy (for various reasons).  But that I still lust after for reasons my left brain cannot understand. 

 

Sorry, maybe you wrote it before but I missed it - what car?
Railton

A 330CI ZHP (ZHP, aka M-performance package, being the key).  Imola Red preferred.  6-speed manual.

Makes no sense.  I've already experienced a newer gen. 3 series (with more power and refinement), and the TSX has been flawless (in addition to having low km).  I also really want low-maintenance cars.

The first time I saw one (back in 2006), I was totally floored. 

Those in excellent condition are very rare.  I wouldn't mind waiting and waiting... until the right one comes along.... but I won't give up my TSX for it, so it'd be a really stupid financial decision to get a 3rd car.  I'm surprised how much the TSX can keep me out of trouble, but I'm glad.   

[Julie]

There are a few cars that I have a soft spot for as far as styling goes, but I know I would be disappointed once I started to work on them. I find the fit and finish on most of them quite disappointing; some are even kit-car like.

I ended up with the car that I've have always wanted; I like everything about it. Talk about luck! That used Carrera GT is still parked at the dealer. I am waiting for a major price drop though. 

I was hoping you'd chime in, as you're one of the ones who's done it.

Hey, if you're going to get the Carrera GT, your forum-mates here should have first dibs on your Carrera - don't forget! 

[johngenx]

The first car I ever really lusted after was the 911 turbo.  After selling my business, it was the first thing I bought!  Well, sure, it was used, but it looked almost exactly like the car I first spotted on the pages of R&T and C/D and was everything I'd imagined and more.  Sure, I'd owned a 911 previously, but the turbo was a different animal.

One problem with realizing your "dream" is that the luster wears off fairly fast.  Well, not THAT fast, but the high operating costs and limited number of days I was enjoying the car hurt some of the experience, but overall, I say with certainly that I have no regrets about buying it, owning it, or selling it.

[Julie]

The first car I ever really lusted after was the 911 turbo.  After selling my business, it was the first thing I bought!  Well, sure, it was used, but it looked almost exactly like the car I first spotted on the pages of R&T and C/D and was everything I'd imagined and more.  Sure, I'd owned a 911 previously, but the turbo was a different animal.

One problem with realizing your "dream" is that the luster wears off fairly fast.  Well, not THAT fast, but the high operating costs and limited number of days I was enjoying the car hurt some of the experience, but overall, I say with certainly that I have no regrets about buying it, owning it, or selling it.

Interesting.  That's what counts right? - the overall experience, even if it has come and gone.  After all, all in life is impermanence. 

[johngenx]

Interesting.  That's what counts right? - the overall experience, even if it has come and gone.  After all, all in life is impermanence. 

Same for many things in life.  Climbing a mountain is similar.  It's difficult, and the summit experience lasts mere minutes, but in many ways it's a life altering few minutes.

[No H2O]

One problem with realizing your "dream" is that the luster wears off fairly fast.

Nope!

Sixteen straight years later, riding the Alps is as exciting as it was the first year.

I feel the same way about my 1990 BMW R100 GS now as the day I bought it back then.

The Porsche Carrera will most definitely be around as long as I am.

If the luster and excitement wears off, it wasn't the pinnacle of your dreams.

[safristi]

Many a day I wandered by their Merchiston showroom and drooled........then I got real and aimed for a LOTUS..................20 years later I got one in Canada (an Elan  )..............god knows wot "THEY" d types are worth.....prolly 3 months salary.......... .........

[No H2O]

I got real and aimed for a LOTUS..................20 years later I got one in Canada (an Elan  ).

We learn something new about you every day...we now know that you are a master mechanic. 

[Arthur Dent]

I give in as much as I can. I keep coming back to 1st generation Rx-7s - owned two and wouldn't mind another. They are a rack and pinion plus 30hp away from being just perfect.