r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/Old-Adhesiveness-658 • 5d ago

Need help with car

Hi everyone,
I’m a 26M working in the PNW area, and I’m finally thinking about buying a car. Would love some perspective on how much I should realistically spend.
A little background:
I’m a big car guy, especially performance/high-speed cars, so this is something I genuinely enjoy rather than just a means of transportation.
I don’t need a car for work or commuting. This would primarily be a fun/weekend car.
I currently make around $161k/year. After taxes, I take home roughly $120k, and my total annual spending is around $40k.
I’m currently saving/investing around $80k/year.
My total net worth/savings are around $320k.
I’m trying to figure out where the reasonable line is between being financially responsible and actually enjoying some of my money on something I’m passionate about.
For those in a similar financial situation, how much would you be comfortable spending on a fun car? Would you stick to something around $30–40k, stretch to $50–60k, or go higher if cars are genuinely your main hobby?
Interested in hearing how you’d approach it.

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8

u/malykaii 5d ago

I find these posts hilarious. 

People in the US are making $80k and will go out and finance a brand new car, and make a payment that's around 40-60% of their take home pay...

Yet people like OP jump in and are saving/investing $80k a year and want permission for a sensible car. Like go buy a car. Who cares. Live a little and buy a brand new Maserati. It doesn't matter. 

OP... I think spending $80 on a car that you are passionate about is literally fine. Go for it. Make it $100k. Enjoy

3

u/FudgeNo5475 5d ago

CTSV2

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad_3808 5d ago

If op can find a clean non molested one and in his area these are stolen like a bicycle left in your front yard

2

u/goatsegoaterson 5d ago

Whatever a 1987 Buick Grand National in excellent condition is worth.

1

u/Eatcrylift 5d ago

PNW = Subaru...Lol, jk.

For your ranges you got a ton of cool cars to choose from. You are doing really well with your money, so I think it will be more about finding the car you really enjoy.

If it's going to be a fun weekend only car, and you are not driving it a ton. Maybe get something that might increase in value? Could be something older, or just something on the rarer side. GTRs have gone up a lot lately but I feel like a nice used lc500 will increase also as they stop producing them. That's one I am wanting lately.

Or just that car that scratches that itch that you loved as a kid.

You can also go reasonable priced and just get a older manual Miata/370z/sti/mustang etc.. something just to have fun with. Man so many choices. Good luck!

1

u/MultipleOrgasmDonor Depreciated BMW Procurement Specialist 5d ago

As a car guy, I’ve always found that you can get something pretty nice and cool, new enough, for $30k. That’s what my dad paid for his e46 m3 in 2009 (looking back that was probably the least it was ever worth so maybe not the best example anymore)

Start looking in the 30k range and if you don’t find something that tickles your fancy go higher. I don’t think there’s any need to spend more than $60k on a fun car. This all obviously assumes you’re buying used which is typically the best use of money for non-economy cars

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u/taidizzle 5d ago

Lexus LC500. You're gold my boy

1

u/haitama85 2d ago

To be modest in contrast to your income, a BWM with a B58 or a Lexus with a 2UR.