Thanks heaps for all of your input. It's much appreciated. So the R8 seems to be the choice. Did you both choose the R8 because of cost compared to the GTS? Do you have any negatives for the R8. Things I should be aware of? And how much do you think a 2011 R8 would depreciate as soon as I drive it out of the lot? The reason I ask is because the Senator WAS worth 84k new in 09 and has already dropped to 65k. Is it better to pay 65k for something that was worth 84k or buy something that costs 64k retail but might be instantly "worth" say 55k?
Cheers.
I understand what you are saying, but that arguement can be used for ever. Buy a 5 year old car and it's depreciated even more..... 'saving' you even more. Also, the drop in price for the 09 Senator example you've given isn't enough to warrant it's purchase in my opinion. The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want a new car or a used car? Trying to compare old vs new like you are doing is a circular arguement that will only do your head in.
Answer these honestly:
1) What are the most important attributes you want in the car model chosen? The R8 and Senator are completely different beasts. You said in your first post that the Senator is preferred "for heaps of different reasons". That sounds pretty definitive to me.
2) Since the features of the Senator appeal to you the most, the next question is what can you buy with the funds allowed? Is brand new available (unlikely), or is 2nd hand ok?
3) Will you be happy with 2nd hand, or are you prepared to pay a premium for new? This is important, because if the Senator is something you really want, but 2nd hand is an issue... maybe a budget rethink is in order.
4) If 2nd hand IS suitable, then why are you even considering an R8 brand new? Buying a car isnt about spending the exact amount of money you want to spend, its about buying the exact right car for the right price. What you spend (within reason) is secondary to buying the right car you want and can afford.
5) Have you test driven any of the cars you've considered purchasing? Maybe once you drive the different models, you'll narrow it down to exactly which model you want.... then its just a matter of deciding how old you are prepared to go (or even buy new).
At the end of the day, our opinions on which car you buy mean jackshit. You are the one that's handing over the cash, so you better be damn sure its the exact one YOU want. What if we all said, "Buy a fully optioned Prius mate!" You'd tell us to get stuffed! But really, what's the difference in that scenario? We are still suggesting you buy a car you dont really want right? It's just that I've made the example a little more obvious.
Your car, your choice mate. But if I had $65k to spend, I'm not too sure I'd buy a Holden anyway.
If depreciation is important to you (and it would be to me if spending that amount of money), I'd probably go for the Senator. But if someone was handing me the keys to either car and money wasnt important, the R8 would win hands down.
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