<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (oilfield_trash @ Oct 12 2007, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I'm always lusting after other cars. ALWAYS. The wife has said I can have new 2 seater such as a C6.5 vette or an Elise.

There's a catch as always. Two in fact.

1. The spyder and corolla must go.
2. She gets a new something since that will be THE family car.

What does spyderchat think I should do?[/b]

Selfish answer. Keep the Spyder and wait for the successor. That way you save money and we keep you in the forum. Oh, and the wife gets nothing

 

Paying cash or financing?? if paying cash and you need to dump both to make it work then do what you gotta do... (if cash and you don't need to dump them then get it anyway because if you're not taking on debt then what's the issue with another car -- can't take the money with ya you know. -- although, having too many cars around can also become a problem.)

if financing - maybe work a deal to get her a new "something" now and you get something next year but only dump one (either the corolla or spyder - most likely the spyder since you're getting another 2 seater.)

 

hmmmm....

If you are lusting now for other cars....then you will always be lusting after other cars....no matter what you have at the time.
I say keep the Spyder and swap the corolla for the bigger family vehicle.

 

Honestly, I probably would trade a Spyder and a 2zz Corolla for an Elise. Not for a vette though, having fun in that would be difficult without a serious risk of speeding tickets or death.

 

For reference...

1. The spyder is paid for, has a 2zz and fresh paint.

2. The corolla is a 2zz and is financed.

I would probably be no happier in the end. The lure of an elise is strong though. The only thing would be living with it as a daily driver. My commute is short though.

I guess the real solution is to go test drive vettes and elises on my next friday off. Definitely have to show up in the spyder if I'm gonna have a chance of actually driving one.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (midshipman01 @ Oct 12 2007, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Honestly, I probably would trade a Spyder and a 2zz Corolla for an Elise. Not for a vette though, having fun in that would be difficult without a serious risk of speeding tickets or death.[/b]

There's something to be said for a big cushy cruiser after owning two high revving loud cars. It wears on you after a while.

 

That's the thing Oil field, it's an elise but as a daily driver ? If you have the corolla financed it's obvious you don't have gobs and gobs of money to throw at a car. If the initial cost was it I would say go get the elise but if you get in a "minor" accident you're looking at much higher repair bills then with say a spyder. Also I don't know if it would hold up as well as a spyder in a crash either. I would kill to have an elise as a daily driver but I really don't know that I ever will for those reasons.

 

I don't know about the Enterprise Rent-a-car locations where you live the the ones here rent Elises. I'm sure there has to be someplace in Houston that rents out Sports cars.
Vetts are insane, not something you can easily mash on the gas pedal when cornering, great for nice long straight a-ways.
Good Luck,

 

How much you selling the MR-S with 2zz for?

 

k20 elise...

Realistically though, you have a nice set of cars, a daily, a fun toy, and whatever the lady drives, I'd go with the "keep driving whatcha got and save up for a nice expensive toy in the future" outlook.

 

I think you mentioned it before as an interest, Facotry 5 Cobra. I'd like to ride in the Spyder before you get rid of it though since i've never had the opportunity to even see a 2zz MR-S in person, since your in the DFW area now correct? You have a good collection now, as others have said, so you may want to keep your current cars a while longer. After riding around in my friends FJ a few times I know I want to try and get one of these in a few years when they're more affordable in addition to the 2.

 

I like cars as much as anybody, OFT. And having two of three paid off feels great. Having all three paid off will feel better. I'm keeping the Spyder longterm, and driving my beater until it dies. Financially speaking, cars are a waste of capital. They depreciate so quickly, and if there are taxes and financing involved, well...

But you only live once, so drive what moves you.

I'd pass on the Elise for a bunch of reasons. First, you don't get that car unless you can keep it garaged and use it just for occasional pleasure trips. The roads and traffic and hazards particular to your region aren't the rolling green hills and countryside the car was made for. And Lotus build quality is the stuff of lugubrious legend. Have you test driven an S2K?

 

I'd go shopping with your wife and decide on something that both of you could enjoy...hopefully, it'd be something sporty and luxurious - like BMW...

Sell the Corolla - and you'll only have one depreciating object you owe money on.

Don't be so short-sighted that you neglect the future.

 

I've driven a s2k. If I could keep the spyder and get a s2k it would be a no brainer. I'd let her drive whatever to make that happen. Unfortunately she insists what will definitely not happen is me having 2 2 seaters. I just don't remember liking the honda enough to sell the spyder. Besides it would be moditis all over agauin.

The other option suggested was get a hardtop and some new ruibber motor mounts and make the spyder my daily and get a nicer 2nd vehicle.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (oilfield_trash @ Oct 13 2007, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The other option suggested was get a hardtop and some new ruibber motor mounts and make the spyder my daily and get a nicer 2nd vehicle.[/b]

That sounds like a reasonable plan to me.

Another reasonable plan would be to switch the Spyder out for an Elise and your Corolla would be the daily driver. I'd even consider selling the Corolla, too, and getting a truck or something much more practical and very far away from the Elise. You'd really appreciate the plusses of each one every time you switched. An Elise is really hard core, though, not for everybody. The other car you mentioned, the Vette, is a better choice for most people. I seriously don't know what I'd do myself, but I don't really have that choice right now... with the cost of education and a car for my kid looming up ahead. Which reminds me, take the long view. Car choices have to fit into your overall plan.

 

The reasonable plan is drive the rolla until its all or mostly paid for (about another 1.5 yrs), keep the spyder raunchy and fast, and trade the corolla on a 2009 135i, G37, or IS350.

If the spyder stays, the rolla's replacement will definitely be a slush box. I'm close to having my fill of wrestling a heavy clutch in traffic and after the gym.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

If the spyder stays, the rolla's replacement will definitely be a slush box. I'm close to having my fill of wrestling a heavy clutch in traffic and after the gym.[/b]

That's a good plan right there. Do that. My daily commute often involves heavy traffic, and the Contour is kinda what you want for that. Kick back, listen to something, work the brake pedal. A stick would be exhausting.

 

Wow OT....what a choice to make!!! i test drove both cars before and id pick the Elise...only down side is that you might have to daily it and repair/maintenance bills will rack up lots of $$$ but then again the vette is fast, has decent trunk/hatch space but also a gas drinker(V8) theres no possibility of a third car as in some reliable, used and cheap??? Maybe something under 5k?95 honda accord? If you dont mind the gas guzzler than the choice seems to lean more towards the chevy...

 

Move to France. It will change your entire perspective on cars and everything else.

Seriously. Get the Vette. I hate them. But that's what you want. You know that's what you want.

 

Divorce her and get a newer, younger , sportier wife as your daily ride.

 

Are you even sure you want an elise or vette? There is no way you're gonna be happy with stock form and aftermarkets parts aren't too cheap for either of the vehicles, just gotta find something to do with one of your cars to make them fun again. That might take the craze of getting another car, just maybe haha.

 

Whats the cap here on overall cost?

Once we know that we can properly suggest cars which we can drool over.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (oilfield_trash @ Oct 12 2007, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

For reference...

1. The spyder is paid for, has a 2zz and fresh paint.

2. The corolla is a 2zz and is financed.

I would probably be no happier in the end. The lure of an elise is strong though. The only thing would be living with it as a daily driver. My commute is short though.

I guess the real solution is to go test drive vettes and elises on my next friday off. Definitely have to show up in the spyder if I'm gonna have a chance of actually driving one.[/b]

ELISE! ELISE! ELISE! (Does that count as three votes?) Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the MR2, but it aspires to be something similar to a Lotus Elise but ends up the amateur. The Elise is the Pro and any chance to go pro...you take.

 

Anyone want to buy an extremely well sorted 2zz spyder with flawless new paint for $15k?

 

On a related not anyone want to buy a well sorted out mostly stock white 2002 spyder for $15 ?

Good lord I'd jump on that if I was going to buy a second mr2 right now OFT.