Here's my situation... I'm just about to graduate college and about to start a new job with a pretty descent salary. I currently drive a 99 GS400 and as reliable as it is, it's starting to show its age. Nothing really "major" has gone wrong with it, but it's a lot of those minor issues that are starting to take their toll. I've been weighing my options and looking at my finances and trying to see what's available to me. The way I have it worked out, I can afford the payment in the range of a new IS250 ($32-35K-ish), but would have to keep it stock for the time being. I wouldn't be stretched by any means, but I also need to save my money for the days it pours. My other option would be to keep my GS and replace the parts that are worn out with aftermarket parts (ie: suspension, interior, etc...). By my calculations, my budget would be about $20k over a period of years and DEFINITELY not happen over night.

What has me torn is that I have never owned a "NEW" car where I can account for every mile put on it. At the same time, I've always lusted after my car and had always planned for it to be modified to my liking. My car's current state makes me sad because I try to take care of it as much as possible and make sure that I don't do things that would put it in harms way, but it seems like it's a magnet for the retards at my school. I have the marks on the body to prove that people are inconsiderate ***' that only care about themselves.

I've been down the modified road, and know how much of a pain in the *** it can be when it goes wrong, but how rewarding it can be when it goes right. I, at one point, would want to have a modified car in my life again, but don't know if now would be the right time.

Really, I'm just torn. I want the new car, but I don't want the payment (my car is paid off); I want the modified car, but I don't want the headache; I need to give my GS some TLC to make up for the misdoings of others, but I don't want to go through all that to just make it blend in with the crowd.

It's a conundrum. So I ask CL, what should I do?

 

Haha, this is where I'm at too.

Make IS300 much MUCH better ... or buy the M3 (apparently my car is worth almost nothing now)

- sorry, not trying to thread jack -

Personally, I'm definitely leaning towards the get something new shortly after I'm out (in my case the M3, in yours the IS250 or similar in price)

 

Keep the gs stock and if it does get to a definite point when you need to get rid of it, then you won't feel as bad turning it in stock than if it were modified, if you don't mind me asking how many miles it got?

 

193K... I've been around the world a few times...

 

One of the options that I'm looking at is one of the later year E46's. I've been able to find pretty low mileage M3's at some descent prices. Some are a little above my range, but with some negotiating, I can definitely bring them down. M3's seem seem to hold their value pretty well...

 

You can go get a certified pre-owned and get it much cheaper and can still do the mods

 

I would keep it for a couple more years.. but that's cause I'm a cheapp @$$

 

You can't go wrong either way. I guess it depends on what mods you plan to do with the GS. If anything, I would boost the GS if you decide to mod it, remember you live in no-emissions land.

 

Keep the GS, make it your modified car. Buy an IS as your daily, keep it stock.

Problem solved

What about a year or two old IS that is clean?

 

If you are not ready to commit to car payments, keep the old GS, it make th most sense financial waise.

 

Where are you looking? I've not been having nearly as much luck.

You're right though, while all our cars have taken a huge hit, M3 is still mostly unchanged.

I know an IS that's clean

 

Certainly a good idea to consider.

 

It's not about committing to a car payment, I've done the payments thing and I know how to handle those finances... I just don't WANT the car payment. It's nice to not have to pay $500 a month for anything...

 

I think you should keep the GS and modify it. It seems like you love the car (my impression), and seeing it modified would probably make you more happy/satisfied than driving a stock new car. But, just my opinion, gl on your decision.

 

I like your first idea... never really thought of that... LOL! Now would I want to pay $700 a month for car and insurance before I even start to mod? Hrrrmmm....

I've actually had my eye on a few CPO 2IS' around me that have about 95% of what I'm looking for in my next car (manual, nav, etc.). I'm considering that route more heavily considering the hit that I would take on a brand new car is enormous.

I'm even starting to consider a used car to modify the heck out of while keeping the 2GS. What's got my goat lately is a 1IS Manual with a 2JZ swap blah blah blah...

I'm looking in a 500 mile radius of where I live. Luckily for me, that encompasses a lot of affluent areas (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm, etc.) where a lot of low mileage used cars can be had for good prices. I'm noticing that if I stay within brand specific dealers, I'm going to pay a little more, but then again, I want that security that I'm not going to be buying a car that's been pieced back together with 100MPH tape (or at least I wouldn't hope)...

Is your IS a 5-speed?