Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Decisions, decisions

[Grahame Reinthal (grahame]

Hi Dennis,

OK, you've thrashed out the "logical" rationalisations for each option. Now,
go with your heart!! ;-)

Grahame

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dennis Liu [mailto:BigHeadDennis [at] earthlink.net]
> Sent: Thursday, 24 August 2006 10:49 PM
> To: Grahame
> Cc: The FerrariList
> Subject: [Ferrari] Decisions, decisions
> 
> So...  Sigh.  Need some input from the boys (and girls) on this one.
> 
> My "daily driver" for the last, oh, 6 years or so has been an E38 BMW
> 740iL,
> 1995.  I've gotten it up to 163k miles, mostly reliable.  The usual E38
> problems, all addressed.  Runs great, but its time is drawing near,
> especially as someone (not moi) managed to rear end a truck yesterday with
> it.  Cosmetic damage, but probably $1500 worth.  Dang, too bad, as I
> loooooooove(d) this car.  So, what do I do?
> 
> 1.  Fix it and keep driving it until it blows up.
> 
> 2.  Dump it for whatever it'll fetch (any ideas?), and buy one of the
> following.  For a "daily driver", I would like a "biggish" sedan, as I'd
> much prefer to go on trips in it with my two young daughters and all their
> stuff in a sedan (or wagon) than the big SUV or the minivan.
> 
> 
> 
> 2A.  1999-2001 E38 BMW 740i SPORT.  Asking prices seem to range between
> $10k-$24k, with mileage between 75k-133k miles.  Upside - I love the 740i
> sport.  I'd make sure that all of the known problem areas are addressed,
> or
> else take a reserve for it.  Downside is that these are getting a bit old,
> and miles are getting higher.
> 
> 2B.  E39 M5.  Between $23k-$40k, mileage all over.  Upside - hey, it's an
> M5!  Downside - wow, potential maintenance and repair costs are scary.
> I've
> already spent way too much on those friggin' Eyetaliano beasts, so really
> not interested in adding another delicate beast to the fleet.
> 
> 2C.  Brand new Dodge Magnum R/T.  $28k-ish.  Upside - hey, 340 hp Hemi!
> Possibly the Charger instead, but why not get the added utility of a wagon
> too?  (no, not the 350 hp Charger Daytona package, a little too garish for
> my taste, methinks).  Decent fuel economy.  Fair bit of interior room (not
> quite 740iL, but close to 740i I think), lots of room in the back, great
> performance, new car warranty.  Downside - not much, aside from the cost
> and, well, it's a Dodge.  How dependable is it?  Depreciation is gonna
> hurt?
> 
> 2D.  Brand new Dodge Magnum SRT-8.  $35k-ish.  Upside - hey, 425 hp Hemi!
> REAL performance.  Warranty, room, looks pretty cool too.  Downside -
> fairly
> horrendous fuel economy (no variable displacement in SRT version, so big
> mileage hit, grrr).  And what will probably be a deal killer for me:  the
> $2100 gas guzzler tax.  YOWWWWWWWWWWWZA!!!!!!!
> 
> 2E.  Brand new Toyota Avalon.  $27k-ish.  Upside - relatively fast, fairly
> luxurious, and will run 200k miles with nothing but oil changes.  Bullet
> proof.  Downside - FWD, and, well, it's a Toyota sedan.  If only they (or
> Honda) made a RWD equivalent, like a competitor to the
> Charger/300C/Magnum,
> and I'd be the first in line.
> 
> 
> 
> 3.  Get rid of the Bimmer, and just use the wife's 996 as a daily driver.
> No room for kids, but way cool ride.  Could put snow tires on the spare
> set
> of rims (currently running slicks for track outings), and take out PFC-97
> race pads and install OEM pads.  Kinda shame to put the mileage on it
> (only
> 43k miles right now), but the thing has been BULLETPROOF to date, and also
> a
> shame to just let it sit in the garage.  Upside - no money outta pocket,
> baby!
> 
> 
> 
> 4.  Anyone have another good suggestion?  I've never been attracted to
> Mercedes-Benz.  The Bangle-ized 745/750 is wwwwaaayyy ugly.  Blech.  The
> Audi A8 is pretty sweet, but I like RWD, and it's too pricey for my needs.
> The Infiniti M45 sounds about right, but too expensive for my purposes
> right
> now too (why oh why doesn't Nissan have a version of the M45?  Or make the
> Maxima in RWD??).  Had an E39 BMW 528iT wagon, and loooooved it, but just
> too small for this purpose (hence another strike against the M5, and why
> the
> Infiniti G35 isn't on the list).  The older I get, the less I care about
> "prestige", and the more I like "no hassle".  Though I still like to drive
> vehicles I enjoy (hence, no Lexus LS on the list).
> 
> Anyway, that's where I stand.  Any thoughts would be appreciated!
> 
> Vty,
> 
> --Dennis
> 
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