As the not-so-rich son of not-so-rich parents, and the proud driver of a 20-year-old Toyota, I believe that 40 grand is a whackload of cash. Even for a car.
Sure, 40 grand is a trivial amount of cash for financially gifted folks who have expensive British cars and vacation for 9 months out of the year in Venice; or for movie actors, oil company owners, and plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.
But, for those of us with limited fundage who seek advice on how to spend their limited money on automotive products (which is to say “most” Canadians and probably everyone reading this), 40 grand is lofty.
I got to thinking about what 40 grand gets you in a fun car the other day while I was driving the Volkswagen Golf R. Incidentally, it costs about $40k.
For the 250 folks who will get to buy one this year, it should prove 40 grand well spent. You get 256 horsepower, all-wheel drive, track-ready brakes and suspension, and goodies like steerable xenon lights and a Dynaudio stereo. The Golf R is fun and entertaining to drive on pavement or snow, looks slick, and sounds even better. Plus, since it’s a five-door with a decent cargo hold, you can use it, literally, every day -- even if you’re sporting a family. With the Golf R, 40 large gets you a well-rounded, upscale sports hatch you could take racing if you liked.
There are, arguably, better deals, though-- depending what you’re after. Want the most ponies for your buck with a factory warranty? The Ford Mustang GT might be a contender. For about the same 40 grand you’d pay for a Golf R, you get 420 horsepower and all of the lusty, high-revving V8 sound effects you’d care to listen to. Plus, all of that instantly recognizable Mustang style.
Set on a turbocharged, hot-hatch with AWD? You might use your 40 grand on a Subaru WRX, and a nice trip to some place warm. Like the Golf R, the WRX is fun, flexible and very sporty. It’s getting old these days, and isn’t as upscale as the Vee-Dub -- but it’s more powerful, and about $4,500 cheaper. Or, if you’re willing to ditch the all-wheel drive, the Mazdaspeed3 offers a similar equipment level, more power, and will leave enough of your 40 grand behind for a shiny new street bike or Jet Ski.
My 40 grand? I’ll take a late-'90s Dodge Viper. You can get these for less, but not as easily if you want one that hasn’t previously been written off in an accident with a highway divider or fire hydrant. Sure, unlike the Golf R you can’t use this 40-grand worth of car in the rain or snow, or if you need to take more than one passenger anywhere. But, for your writer, the entertainment value and “scare-my-pants-off” factor for the money is high.
Or, if you’re the sensible type, that 40 grand could get you a new Golf (sans the R), and leave 20 grand in your bank account for a sweet new mancave or a long-term investment.
Choices, choices. And, true, they say money can’t buy happiness -- but I’ve never seen someone sad driving a performance car.
Sure, 40 grand is a trivial amount of cash for financially gifted folks who have expensive British cars and vacation for 9 months out of the year in Venice; or for movie actors, oil company owners, and plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills.
But, for those of us with limited fundage who seek advice on how to spend their limited money on automotive products (which is to say “most” Canadians and probably everyone reading this), 40 grand is lofty.
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I got to thinking about what 40 grand gets you in a fun car the other day while I was driving the Volkswagen Golf R. Incidentally, it costs about $40k.
For the 250 folks who will get to buy one this year, it should prove 40 grand well spent. You get 256 horsepower, all-wheel drive, track-ready brakes and suspension, and goodies like steerable xenon lights and a Dynaudio stereo. The Golf R is fun and entertaining to drive on pavement or snow, looks slick, and sounds even better. Plus, since it’s a five-door with a decent cargo hold, you can use it, literally, every day -- even if you’re sporting a family. With the Golf R, 40 large gets you a well-rounded, upscale sports hatch you could take racing if you liked.
There are, arguably, better deals, though-- depending what you’re after. Want the most ponies for your buck with a factory warranty? The Ford Mustang GT might be a contender. For about the same 40 grand you’d pay for a Golf R, you get 420 horsepower and all of the lusty, high-revving V8 sound effects you’d care to listen to. Plus, all of that instantly recognizable Mustang style.
Set on a turbocharged, hot-hatch with AWD? You might use your 40 grand on a Subaru WRX, and a nice trip to some place warm. Like the Golf R, the WRX is fun, flexible and very sporty. It’s getting old these days, and isn’t as upscale as the Vee-Dub -- but it’s more powerful, and about $4,500 cheaper. Or, if you’re willing to ditch the all-wheel drive, the Mazdaspeed3 offers a similar equipment level, more power, and will leave enough of your 40 grand behind for a shiny new street bike or Jet Ski.
My 40 grand? I’ll take a late-'90s Dodge Viper. You can get these for less, but not as easily if you want one that hasn’t previously been written off in an accident with a highway divider or fire hydrant. Sure, unlike the Golf R you can’t use this 40-grand worth of car in the rain or snow, or if you need to take more than one passenger anywhere. But, for your writer, the entertainment value and “scare-my-pants-off” factor for the money is high.
Or, if you’re the sensible type, that 40 grand could get you a new Golf (sans the R), and leave 20 grand in your bank account for a sweet new mancave or a long-term investment.
Choices, choices. And, true, they say money can’t buy happiness -- but I’ve never seen someone sad driving a performance car.