Car you want and can get, but shouldn't

Anyone have a car that they have always deeply wanted, moreso than most other desirable cars, that they can realistically buy outright, but know they shouldn't? As in have to hold yourself back from buying it. I'm not talking mortgaging your house or casually thinking about how nice it would be to have a Ferrari 328.

The reason for the thread is seeing so many Lotus Esprits. Man, they are so (relatively) cheap to buy, but the maintenance frightens me off. True enough that with frequent driving, a good record and diligence with repairs it won't be quite as bad as its reputation suggests, like so many other cars with the same reputation. But still.

Aghh, I'd love a V8, or an S4. I wonder if anyone's ever fact-checked that saying about money on trees.

Interestingly enough, a Jeep.

I'm tired of counting scratches on my WRX. I want an XJ covered in Line-X. But it just can't tow enough to make it worth it.

If you are tired of scratches you need to give up and rallycross it!

My uncles '71 T-Bird. $500 back in 02-03. And I had more than enough left over from student loans to buy it.

Anything else was a pipe dream, dependant on money I dont have.

Depending on what mood I'm in, I'm usually lusting for an NSX, A 951, or 964. But I know I'll be doomed if I get any of them.

Maserati Biturbo, I was offered a ran when parked one for $250. I think looking at parts prices cured me of that one though. Other than that, I want a coupel of other alfas, but they arent scary enough to count, but a porsche 928 would fit on this list i think.

I had the opportunity to buy an 88 M5 back in 2004 for $4500 and it was a real gem.

i didn't pull the trigger because I was scared of maintenance and parts cost.....

Still wish I had bought it!

pretty much all of them.

Europa

This thread could easily turn into the "enabler thread"

A Viper GTS would be a great car I'd love to buy. The older ones are getting down in price to where it's possible. I wouldn't quite put it on this list though, as they tend to stick together pretty well for an exotic.

Currently trying to talk myself out of buying a Boxster S, a car I can afford to buy, but probably not afford to own.

Another '64 Plymouth sedan, although they're still getting turned into drag cars by morans who throw a 440 & a roll cage in and think the car is suddenly worth ~8x what they paid.

JeepinMatt wrote: ... I wonder if anyone's ever fact-checked that saying about money on trees.

I've talked to a few guys in the timber business; they assure me money does grow from trees, you just have to know how to pick it..

Absolutely no rational reason for one, and they are completely useless on-road. And yet...

M-35A would be just as nice.

Another 67 Plymouth Belvedere II (no 440, no cage).

Another TJ Wrangler (it will happen, just no room right now).

Early Formula Ford.

Cars I "could" buy but probably shouldn't (right now)....

Aircooled 911 (though I WILL own one someday) E39 M5...still trying to decide if the "maintenance nightmare" reputation is truly deserved

E24 (?) M6 E30 M3...though I think the 911 appeals to me more, for less. :)

Porsche 930

CTS-V, LSX FD RX-7, GTO etc etc etc. I like playing with cars but try to keep my toy purchases under $2500.

I have a company car so I can't even justify the the CTS-V or GTO as a newer reliable daily driver.

armored truck, my wife actually started the conversation by asking if she could get a truck, I asked what kind, she said Brinks, I almost fell off my chair...

The $1200 325is down the road. I have $1200, but should really save it for a house. Oh, and the $800 '93 SL2 that makes me sentimental for my first car. And then there's the $1000 Porsche 914s that are always on eBay, and the $1300 Miatas, and the $1000 1g MR2s...the list goes on and on...

ddavidv wrote: Absolutely no rational reason for one, and they are completely useless on-road. And yet...

Just get a civilian version. I DD'ed this truck before the lift and the 35s. (It only had 31s)

Yes:

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/1435745178.html

ddavidv wrote: Absolutely no rational reason for one, and they are completely useless on-road. And yet...

Oh, I guess the fear of zombie invasion isn't rational either, eh? eh?

pinzgauer, for an rv/tow vehicle conversion. ive seen them pretty cheap on occasion, but not cheap enough (plus the work needed) to justify it. It wouldnt be a " sensible" decision, but it would be pretty cool...

I also want another 928, and i know exactly where to find said manual 928 cheap, but im not ready yet gotta clear up some other projects first, 928's are attention whores...