Dream car on a big law salary Forum

[Anonymous User]

After paying off loans, have any of you bought your dream car? If so, what car and do you have any regrets on buying it?

[2013]

I know someone who bought a pretty fancy car (G Wagon). But that was after they bought their condo. So, I want to say they were a fifth year when they bought it. I don’t think it’s like the dream cars you are probably thinking of (Bentley, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc.).

[Anonymous User]

I have no loans and personally, I'm banking every cent I can so I don't get golden handcuffs. Therefore, I drive a really shitty car (probably the shittiest in the office, including support staff, etc).

there was a pretty extensive thread earlier about whether biglaw associates should drive flashy cars. I think the conclusion was you're going to catch some hate, but haters gonna hate so who cares.

[Anonymous User]

A DeLorean to go back in time and not go to law school

[dabigchina]

A DeLorean to go back in time and not go to law school

this is the smartest thing i have seen in a while.

[BansheeScream]

Yeah search like Shelby mustang or something. There was a wildly long car thread a few weeks ago.

[nealric]

After paying off loans, have any of you bought your dream car? If so, what car and do you have any regrets on buying it?

If you've paid off your loans, it's not absurd to get a car you like (within reason). Just make sure the payoff is worth it to you.

I bought a WRX STI after my loans were paid off (previously drove sub $10k cars). It isn't my "dream car" per-se (I will probably never be able to afford a 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale at $10 million +), but it's a car I lusted after when they first came to the U.S. while I was in college. It wasn't really a huge financial commitment relative to income, though it's hardly looked at as appropriate for a staid tax lawyer. I also bought an 80s Alfa Romeo Spider to tinker on.

I personally wouldn't stomach a new BMW/Merc/Porsche, but I also tend not to dream about fancy new cars. And yes, there was a long thread about someone wanting to buy a Shelby GT500 as a biglaw junior.

[Anonymous User]

A DeLorean to go back in time and not go to law school

[gogu]

Yeah, bought an M3 (series/package/color/year that many M3 owners including me consider to be the best) -- truly my dream car (I still dream about it). Then I realized parts/maintenance/tickets/insurance are expensive, it was a bad decision financially, traffic in my region sucks, and I don't have time to track it as much as I'd like. So I sold it after a few years, and recently bought my dream house, which is a lot more fulfilling overall. I recommend you save up for your dream house, then buy the dream car later.

[Aptitude]

I bought a WRX STI after my loans were paid off (previously drove sub $10k cars). It isn't my "dream car" per-se (I will probably never be able to afford a 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale at $10 million +), but it's a car I lusted after when they first came to the U.S. while I was in college. It wasn't really a huge financial commitment relative to income, though it's hardly looked at as appropriate for a staid tax lawyer. I also bought an 80s Alfa Romeo Spider to tinker on.

The Subaru WRX STI's are very staid looking. I'm guessing 9/10 people will not know it's capability or the fact that it's a rally car. It looks like any other Subaru sedan with slight alterations. I'm guessing an even higher percentage of Attorneys, especially older ones into their BMWs/Porsches have no clue about the car's capability, and assume it's just a 4-door passenger car.

Unless you have a body kit and custom paint job, then awesome.

Yeah, bought an M3 (series/package/color/year that many M3 owners including me consider to be the best) -- truly my dream car (I still dream about it). Then I realized parts/maintenance/tickets/insurance are expensive, it was a bad decision financially, traffic in my region sucks, and I don't have time to track it as much as I'd like.

The ticket thing is annoying. When I had a sports car known for attracting police attention, I definitely got far more tickets when prior I had never gotten pulled over.

Basically, if you have a sports car that attracts attention, it doesn't even need to be a luxury sports car, it can be a red Honda Civic coupe, a Miata or old Camaro, and you can't really have that much fun with it on the road or you'll get pulled over. I drive the same in my truck as I do in my sports car, and no tickets. I get the comments from the officer that tickets too, "You think just because you drive a sports car....."

That's where the huge advantage of regular looking Japanese cars like the Subaru WRX or Honda Civic Type-R come in. They look like regular 4 door sedans to the vast majority of people. Which is why I love them - European cars are too showy. Love the humbleness and high performance of a good Honda.

[nealric]

I bought a WRX STI after my loans were paid off (previously drove sub $10k cars). It isn't my "dream car" per-se (I will probably never be able to afford a 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale at $10 million +), but it's a car I lusted after when they first came to the U.S. while I was in college. It wasn't really a huge financial commitment relative to income, though it's hardly looked at as appropriate for a staid tax lawyer. I also bought an 80s Alfa Romeo Spider to tinker on.

The Subaru WRX STI's are very staid looking. I'm guessing 9/10 people will not know it's capability or the fact that it's a rally car. It looks like any other Subaru sedan with slight alterations. I'm guessing an even higher percentage of Attorneys, especially older ones into their BMWs/Porsches have no clue about the car's capability, and assume it's just a 4-door passenger car.

Unless you have a body kit and custom paint job, then awesome.

Yeah, bought an M3 (series/package/color/year that many M3 owners including me consider to be the best) -- truly my dream car (I still dream about it). Then I realized parts/maintenance/tickets/insurance are expensive, it was a bad decision financially, traffic in my region sucks, and I don't have time to track it as much as I'd like.

The ticket thing is annoying. When I had a sports car known for attracting police attention, I definitely got far more tickets when prior I had never gotten pulled over.

Basically, if you have a sports car that attracts attention, it doesn't even need to be a luxury sports car, it can be a red Honda Civic coupe, a Miata or old Camaro, and you can't really have that much fun with it on the road or you'll get pulled over. I drive the same in my truck as I do in my sports car, and no tickets. I get the comments from the officer that tickets too, "You think just because you drive a sports car....."

That's where the huge advantage of regular looking Japanese cars like the Subaru WRX or Honda Civic Type-R come in. They look like regular 4 door sedans to the vast majority of people. Which is why I love them - European cars are too showy. Love the humbleness and high performance of a good Honda.

I suppose it depends on where you live and drive. I drove a red Miata and never got pulled over. The WRX STI has a big wing on it and is also bright red- I've never been pulled over. Come to think of it, I haven't been pulled over in more than a decade. I don't drive like grandma, but I'm strategic about when I get on it. I can get my real jollies on the track.

[Aptitude]

I bought a WRX STI after my loans were paid off (previously drove sub $10k cars). It isn't my "dream car" per-se (I will probably never be able to afford a 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale at $10 million +), but it's a car I lusted after when they first came to the U.S. while I was in college. It wasn't really a huge financial commitment relative to income, though it's hardly looked at as appropriate for a staid tax lawyer. I also bought an 80s Alfa Romeo Spider to tinker on.

The Subaru WRX STI's are very staid looking. I'm guessing 9/10 people will not know it's capability or the fact that it's a rally car. It looks like any other Subaru sedan with slight alterations. I'm guessing an even higher percentage of Attorneys, especially older ones into their BMWs/Porsches have no clue about the car's capability, and assume it's just a 4-door passenger car.

Unless you have a body kit and custom paint job, then awesome.

Yeah, bought an M3 (series/package/color/year that many M3 owners including me consider to be the best) -- truly my dream car (I still dream about it). Then I realized parts/maintenance/tickets/insurance are expensive, it was a bad decision financially, traffic in my region sucks, and I don't have time to track it as much as I'd like.

The ticket thing is annoying. When I had a sports car known for attracting police attention, I definitely got far more tickets when prior I had never gotten pulled over.

Basically, if you have a sports car that attracts attention, it doesn't even need to be a luxury sports car, it can be a red Honda Civic coupe, a Miata or old Camaro, and you can't really have that much fun with it on the road or you'll get pulled over. I drive the same in my truck as I do in my sports car, and no tickets. I get the comments from the officer that tickets too, "You think just because you drive a sports car....."

That's where the huge advantage of regular looking Japanese cars like the Subaru WRX or Honda Civic Type-R come in. They look like regular 4 door sedans to the vast majority of people. Which is why I love them - European cars are too showy. Love the humbleness and high performance of a good Honda.

I suppose it depends on where you live and drive. I drove a red Miata and never got pulled over. The WRX STI has a big wing on it and is also bright red- I've never been pulled over. Come to think of it, I haven't been pulled over in more than a decade. I don't drive like grandma, but I'm strategic about when I get on it. I can get my real jollies on the track.

I drive very reasonably too. It wasn't as if I was doing burnouts in the middle of a road on a Mustang or drifting in a GT-R.

Did you like the Miata? It's generally considered a chick car, even among JDM fans. Never understood that rep, I've always thought it was one of the best cars for the money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1qgtCt1jG0

[nealric]

I bought a WRX STI after my loans were paid off (previously drove sub $10k cars). It isn't my "dream car" per-se (I will probably never be able to afford a 1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale at $10 million +), but it's a car I lusted after when they first came to the U.S. while I was in college. It wasn't really a huge financial commitment relative to income, though it's hardly looked at as appropriate for a staid tax lawyer. I also bought an 80s Alfa Romeo Spider to tinker on.

The Subaru WRX STI's are very staid looking. I'm guessing 9/10 people will not know it's capability or the fact that it's a rally car. It looks like any other Subaru sedan with slight alterations. I'm guessing an even higher percentage of Attorneys, especially older ones into their BMWs/Porsches have no clue about the car's capability, and assume it's just a 4-door passenger car.

Unless you have a body kit and custom paint job, then awesome.

Yeah, bought an M3 (series/package/color/year that many M3 owners including me consider to be the best) -- truly my dream car (I still dream about it). Then I realized parts/maintenance/tickets/insurance are expensive, it was a bad decision financially, traffic in my region sucks, and I don't have time to track it as much as I'd like.

The ticket thing is annoying. When I had a sports car known for attracting police attention, I definitely got far more tickets when prior I had never gotten pulled over.

Basically, if you have a sports car that attracts attention, it doesn't even need to be a luxury sports car, it can be a red Honda Civic coupe, a Miata or old Camaro, and you can't really have that much fun with it on the road or you'll get pulled over. I drive the same in my truck as I do in my sports car, and no tickets. I get the comments from the officer that tickets too, "You think just because you drive a sports car....."

That's where the huge advantage of regular looking Japanese cars like the Subaru WRX or Honda Civic Type-R come in. They look like regular 4 door sedans to the vast majority of people. Which is why I love them - European cars are too showy. Love the humbleness and high performance of a good Honda.

I suppose it depends on where you live and drive. I drove a red Miata and never got pulled over. The WRX STI has a big wing on it and is also bright red- I've never been pulled over. Come to think of it, I haven't been pulled over in more than a decade. I don't drive like grandma, but I'm strategic about when I get on it. I can get my real jollies on the track.

I drive very reasonably too. It wasn't as if I was doing burnouts in the middle of a road on a Mustang or drifting in a GT-R.

Did you like the Miata? It's generally considered a chick car, even among JDM fans. Never understood that rep, I've always thought it was one of the best cars for the money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1qgtCt1jG0

It's a widely misunderstood car by non-car people, and even by many car people who don't drive on the track. They don't have much power and look "cute," so people often think they aren't a serious sports car. But they are far and away the most raced car in amateur wheel-to-wheel road racing- and for a good reason. Cheap consumables (brakes/tires/fuel), easy parts availability, and fantastic support means you are much more likely to be driving rather than working on your car in the pits. The chassis is well balanced, gives good feedback, and rewards smooth inputs. If you bin it, new chassis are available for next to nothing (mostly because of the large sales numbers from the sorts of folks that give the car its "chick car" reputation). They are also most people's first recommendation for someone looking to learn driving on the track. The lack of power keeps you from covering up mistakes with throttle.

Mine was a Mazdaspeed Miata (two year special for 2004/5), which is the only factory turbocharged Miata. The extra grunt is really nice for daily driving, although they aren't as reliable on the track. It's a LOT more fun to drive than a lot of cars people lust over with a ton of power (C63/M3, etc.) because while you can't use massive power on the street, you always have the fun of the connectedness and wind in your hair with the top down. They are a total ringers in local ES Autocross, however- I would guaranteed beat any naturally aspirated Miata that showed up. I will probably own another Miata again- likely a spec Miata for racing. Failing that, I plan on getting another for a daily when I no longer have kids to haul. If the daily option, I'd love a LS-swapped one. 400+hp in a 2,300lb car will shut the haters up pretty quick

[Aptitude]

will probably own another Miata again- likely a spec Miata for racing. Failing that, I plan on getting another for a daily when I no longer have kids to haul. If the daily option, I'd love a LS-swapped one. 400+hp in a 2,300lb car will shut the haters up pretty quick

If I got a Mazda it would be if they released another RX. Was a big fan of the RX-8.

Fun fact, Mazda won Le Mans over all the European brands like Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, McLaren. After, Mazda's Le Mans win, they disallowed Mazda's rotary engine from future races. Then it was all the European manufacturers winning again for years after.

Mazda made some great cars. I would love for the RX to come back. IMO, the best sports car within that price range.

[thatlawlkid]

it's def the type of car/how loud it is. My buddies 5.0 is loud as hell even at idle so he'll get pulled over going 35 just because it sounds like he is speeding.

[nealric]

will probably own another Miata again- likely a spec Miata for racing. Failing that, I plan on getting another for a daily when I no longer have kids to haul. If the daily option, I'd love a LS-swapped one. 400+hp in a 2,300lb car will shut the haters up pretty quick

If I got a Mazda it would be if they released another RX. Was a big fan of the RX-8.

Fun fact, Mazda won Le Mans over all the European brands like Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, McLaren. After, Mazda's Le Mans win, they disallowed Mazda's rotary engine from future races. Then it was all the European manufacturers winning again for years after.

Mazda made some great cars. I would love for the RX to come back. IMO, the best sports car within that price range.

Unfortunately, the chances of a new RX are slim to none. They are fantastic race engines, but poor street engines.

[turbotong]

I bought a gently used bmw 4 series convertible. I enjoy it. A little pricey, but I've earned it. Once I drive it into the ground, I may go back to a Honda Accord.

[Aptitude]

I bought a gently used bmw 4 series convertible. I enjoy it. A little pricey, but I've earned it. Once I drive it into the ground, I may go back to a Honda Accord.

The Accord is better anyways. And you can make that Honda much more enjoyable than the BMW. You can have a lot of fun with your Accord.

[dabigchina]

I bought a gently used bmw 4 series convertible. I enjoy it. A little pricey, but I've earned it. Once I drive it into the ground, I may go back to a Honda Accord.

more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

also, v6 accords are ridiculously fast nowadays.

[onionz]

Lotus Elise, hands down.

[nealric]

I bought a gently used bmw 4 series convertible. I enjoy it. A little pricey, but I've earned it. Once I drive it into the ground, I may go back to a Honda Accord.

more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

also, v6 accords are ridiculously fast nowadays.

Driving a fast car fast is even more fun

The problem with the Accord is you have a big 'ol v6 hanging out on the front axle sending power through an open differential. They scoot pretty well for what they are, but the fundamental setup prevents them from ever being a serious performance contender. A BMW with a turbocharged longitudinal inline 6 sending power to the rear wheels (especially an M car with a limited slip differential) is going to have a lot more performance potential. That said, new non-M BMWs depreciate like day-old bread, while Accords keep their value. If you can't turn a wrench (and really even if you can), the Accord will be far cheaper to keep running. So the Accord is probably the better daily choice for most- it's plenty quick for merging into traffic and very few BMW drivers actually use the performance their cars offer.

But tying this all back to legal employment: Both Accords and non-M BMW 3/4 series really fulfill the same niche: they are like the anonymous business casual outfit in biglaw- nobody will remember your car if you drive either. I think for most normal folks, that's a good thing.

[nealric]

Lotus Elise, hands down.

I'd go Exige S if I were to buy a Lotus. The supercharger gives it the necessary oomph the non-supercharged Elise is missing and the mohawk intake makes it look like a proper exotic. I had one in my garage for a year (storing it for a friend but I had the keys to drive it from time to time). It's absolutely atrocious as a daily driver- your eyes are level with the tops of the wheels on economy cars and large SUVs loom over you like monster trucks. Getting in/out is a gymnastic feat. But there's few other things on four wheels with the same visceral thrill. Great car, but only as a second/third/nth car for the weekends, country drives, and track days.

You WILL look ridiculous getting out of an Elise/Exige in your biglaw attire.

[Aptitude]

But tying this all back to legal employment: Both Accords and non-M BMW 3/4 series really fulfill the same niche: they are like the anonymous business casual outfit in biglaw- nobody will remember your car if you drive either. I think for most normal folks, that's a good thing.

I don't see a lot of Accords, or Hondas among attorneys in my area. I usually run into many BMWs, Volvos, and Mercedes. I see a sizable amount of Teslas and Toyota Priuses among solos and small firm attorneys. Subarus and Jeeps are quite popular. I haven't seen a modified Honda in a very long time anywhere - I saw a Civic Type R last month and was amazed.

Japanese coupes in general have been scarce, both among attorneys and non-attorneys. I remember when they were the thing 15-20 years ago. Even Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul drives a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Seems Honda, Toyota, and Mitsubishi have surrendered that market to Ford and Chevy.

[icansortofmath]

I think a solid color (black or gunmetal or something like that) works fine with well fitted suits.

Lotus Elise isn’t even that expensive. As long as it’s not bubblegum pink or lipstick red so entire firm would see your car in the parking lot from windows and make you the “guy that drives that obnoxious sports car,” a lotus Elise should be an appropriate car for a biglaw associate.

[nealric]

I think a solid color (black or gunmetal or something like that) works fine with well fitted suits.

Lotus Elise isn’t even that expensive. As long as it’s not bubblegum pink or lipstick red so entire firm would see your car in the parking lot from windows and make you the “guy that drives that obnoxious sports car,” a lotus Elise should be an appropriate car for a biglaw associate.

Seriously though, have you driven one? There's no real way to enter/exit gracefully.