fast1

Tie up $100K or borrow at .49% and invest the cash?

Let's not forget the not too distant past; $100K can become $70K. And if you want a sure thing, let's not forget Bernie Madoff.

chuck911

That is me all the way. After more than 15 years driving a '79 SC I am finally getting within reach of a new 911. The comments above about it being harder to spend what you've saved vs borrowed are true, as true as the reality that you can just as easily lose it all in the markets. Anyone can run the numbers, but nobody can put a price on the value of collecting your very own personally spec'd Porsche, especially not one you have spent most of your life dreaming about- and will probably enjoy driving for the rest of your life.

You mentioned liking your color choice partly because you'd seen it a lot. Some potentially very nice options out there are hard to choose simply because it is so hard finding examples to know what you're really getting into. In my case for example I'm really liking Anthracite Brown over Espresso full leather, even though I've seen no real life examples. With painted vents, dash, door and center console trim in body color, should be a very rich, sophisticated look. Check out Z356 posts on these kinds of options. Guys like us, we get maybe one chance (if we are lucky) at something like this, might as well take the time to do it right.

Good luck!

cole328

if you plan to keep it 5 years or longer, buy it outright (or finance it if that is your financial situation). if shorter, or can run through your business (like me), lease it either way, enjoy it

cole328

+1000 I would never "buy" a depreciating asset. I get bored far too easily, and love the convenience of leasing. you pay a tick more in the LT, no doubt, but you always have something new / better. Those that have 15-20 year old porsche's and tell me they still Love them (as much as the new 991) are frankly drinking the proverbial Koolaid

917k

Totally agree. I do (partially) finance my cars. When rates are this low - assuming you have 770+ FICO (I suggest that when buying a P-car then this should be in the zone) you in effect have a leveraged loan. The only time this has not worked for me - ie investments return > loan cost, was from 3Q-07 to 1Q-09. But I keep a spreadsheet and I am way up.

But for my mental wellbeing I make sure I have a couple of years' depreciation at a min. as a down pmt. Then depending on rates fin over 3-5 (typically pay off early).

Franklin229

Yes, but you can buy a used car with most of the depreciation already paid for and not have nearly the amount of overhead to try to make up in investments.
You'll also keep more of your cash.

991Dreamer

My two cents: as long as you are taking care of your other obligations (family, retirement, etc) why not live a little along the way. If you can afford to put 75% down and finance the other 25% and easily pay your other bills, you can afford this car. Life is too short to be all about the $$$. Funny how we all have things that are just not worth it. I will spend $100k on this car but won't pay $5 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Not because I don't love the coffee but it's just not worth the money to me. Gotta be able to live with the decisions you make.

BTW-my credit union is offering 1.74% for up to 6 yrs.

simsgw

Good build. Parking assist for the rear comes standard with my Cab and I wouldn't have ordered it, but find it works well and is helpful occasionally. As for the rest of the debate, let me quote a pretty smart guy: "Always budget the luxuries first."

Being a sensible guy, that sounded like terrible advice when I read it about 45 years ago, and it really is a terrible thing to tell a person who inclines to... let's say personal indulgence. But over the years I've realized the value in it. Indulgent people, especially self-indulgent ones, always will be that way, whatever advice they read. For the rest of us...

I took it as marital advice for sensible people and treated it that way. I always budgeted luxuries for her first, because I learned that I worked as hard as was needed to make the essentials happen. I might have just said "It's only a whim" if it came to working a second job to get one of us a toy, but the toys illuminate a life. The essentials just are. Essential that is. So we work as hard as we must to take care of those, but it's very easy to lose track of lighting up the rooms we build that way.

She managed to tempt me occasionally into luxuries like sports cars and diving gear and flying, so it wasn't one-sided, but I had to think of that rule as being advice for treating one's family, or it would have felt self-indulgent and I grew up with a horror of that sin. On the evidence, Cindy thought of it the same way in reverse. It worked for us for fifty years, so I commend it to all the sensible people I know.

Budget the luxuries first. Then work your *** off providing the essentials.

You can feel secure in the grave.

Gary, indulging himself now

rpilot

Statements like these have made me value your advice Sir, in the brief time I have been here on rennlist, even if I don't necessarily agree with you. Thank you for those pearls. And, that was a real thank you, not sarcasm.

mtbscott

I love how 3 month old threads get revived....I'm sure the OP has either bought a car by now or moved on. Just sayin'

Tacet-Conundrum

Let's not get into opportunity cost here.