Well I thought that I should explain my position a bit better on the "expensive cars" topic. For now I drive a 1994 Ford Ranger. It's modified with airbag assisted suspension, intake, exhaust and a big stereo (I didn't do the exhaust or stereo, the previous owner did. I hate loud). It has a 160 horsepower 3.0L Vulcan V6 that gets 17 miles per gallon. I could probably get four grand for it if need be. In the next couple months I'll either be replacing the danger ranger or supplementing it with a summer car.
I want to keep myself as far out of debt as possible until I have a proper career path, so any car I get I'll be paying for outright. Here are the vehicles I'll be choosing from:
1. Bentley Continental GT - $187,279.50
2. Porsche 911 GT3 - $139,492.31
3. Jaguar XKR - $93,432.96
4. BMW M3 CSL - $91,684.27
...okay but seriously guys. This is what I was thinking.
1. 1990 Jaguar XJ6 - $5,000 plus repairs.
My friend's car. He needs something more practical so he can sell it to me for a good price. Comes with 18" mag rims and new pirelli tires. The catch is that the front right suspension knocks, it needs some head work and getting parts for a Jag up here is mighty expensive. 251 horsepower AJ I6, 0-60 in 7.7 sec. 15mpg.
2. 1998-2002 Dodge Dakota R/T - ~$10,000
Attractive option, because I could drive it in the winter. Fastest production truck in the world until the arrival of the big SRT-10. 250 horsepower 5.9L Magnum V8, 0-60 in 7.3 sec. 14mpg.
Or you know, I could save my money and put it towards a downpayment on a house. But I'm not THAT responsible. 
Which would you choose!
Lets go hunt aristocrats...and shout them to death
November 26th, 2006 at 06:45 pm
November 26th, 2006 at 06:57 pm 1164567446
November 26th, 2006 at 07:11 pm 1164568284
Both look nice - I am sure you will choose well!! Assuming the truck has a lot less miles on it I'd choose the truck, but it depends how well the cars were kept up. If you know your friend kept up the car well, then that is a big plus. I have bought 2 cars from relatives worth their weight in gold because I KNOW they kept them well maintained. That makes all the difference in a used car of course. But the truck may be new enough to trump that? Good Luck!
November 26th, 2006 at 07:45 pm 1164570331
For example, it may sound like a great idea to buy a cheap lemon, but then end up having to put tons of money and frustration into the thing to keep it on the road. Conversely, one may end up with a much better value with a fairly reliable ride, even if it means having to pay a bit more at first.
This is just a general concept, and does not necessarily reflect the specific choices that has been presented here. In fact, I don't know enough about the two car choices here to even hazard a guess for their TCO. Whatever it is, I would also consider looking beyond these two and see what else can you get out there.
Having said that, I think the Bentley would be a most excellent choice. Someday.
November 27th, 2006 at 02:59 am 1164596353
p.s. Your comments about the "fastness" of the car combined with your age scares me...it will probably scare your insurance company. When an insurance company gets scared they jack up their rates. Speaking from an injury prevention stance, I will skip the lecture about cortex development and vote for a reliable, solidly built, safe car that will get you to where you want to go while you are saving up for your house (which in many markets will appreciate enough to allow you to pay cash for one of your dream cars).
November 27th, 2006 at 01:59 pm 1164635976
Regarding trucks....unless you need it to haul stuff they just don't seem the practical choice for a commuting vehicle. Just my personal opinion. Save the money towards your dream Bentley!
November 30th, 2006 at 05:48 pm 1164908920