Dilemma :(

[MadMaxx]

I've been thinking about this so much it hurts

Ok, heres the deal. 2 years from now, my (soon to be) wife have decided to have children. I figure by that time, my (again, soon to be) viper will have to be sold off.

Up untill yesterday, I was going to just out-right finance part of a Gen1/Gen2 RT/10. I have my eye on a 96. However, after an email from a dealership, I have a 99 GTS coupe on the brain as well.

The 99 Coupe would be a 2 year lease. While the payment is 150$ less than the 96 (because it's financed), it has a pretty steep residual. However, I don't know if I will be in the car long enough to even care. The RT could be sold tomorrow if I had to, as where the lease may be more difficult to get out of w/o loosing a few grand in the process. But, the 99 also has a 3 year Warrantee from dodge, as the 96 does not.

Oy.. this *****

Each has it's pros and cons... Just don't know which route to take. I could get the viper and (god forbid) hate it after a few weeks. I would be stuck in the lease more than the financed.

HELP!!!! Any advice from the wise ASP-Sayers out there?

MadMaxx

 

[Gerald]

U only live once.. Getting married and having children? Let me know when the car is in the classifieds

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Use the "withdraw" method.

 

[MadMaxx]

That doesn't help me

That clock in her is starting to tick so loud I can hear it...

James

 

[ViperGTS]

1.JOB/BUSINESS
2.WIFE+KIDS
3.HOUSE
4.CAR(S)

BTW, if you don´t have the money to buy cash, re-think twice...

 

[MadMaxx]

I'm probably only going to get 1 shot at this before I have rugrats running around.


MadMaxx

 

[Anthony - 98 GTS]

Buy. You can always sell when the time arrives. If thing go well in the next couple of years you will have the option of keeping it.

 

[MadMaxx]

I figured the best option (so far) is to buy the RT then upgrade to a coupe if the time comes. Just have to cross my fingers that nothing goes wrong.

ScottP, I thought you sold your coupe?

James

 

[GONABITE]

Not to get into your family affairs but you did ask. I am in the same boat and I talked it over with my woman and she wanted the car almost as much as I did. The ol budget will just have to include the car like someone said you only live once enjoy it and don't leave anything out that you want to do. As far as which car go with a buy for the two reasons listed mods and ability to resell if for some reason you should absoloutely have to but when you plan that kid plen on keeping the car. Thats only my two cents. And my opinion.

 

[RonC]

What do kids have to do with having a viper?. Honestly they (kids) don't cost that much. And my 2yo daughter fits just fine in the RT/10 and loves it. I guess it requires you to have three cars instead of two so if that is not possible then bag the wife/kids....oops I meant Viper.

I think if you can't buy the car either outright or very close, don't get it. You won't enjoy the car like it should be if you are working to pay the bill. If you do buy, I would imagine you can sell it later. I know some guys here lease the car, but I am not convinced it is the best way to go financially. Either way the car is a money pit (A very cool money pit).

Good luck

Ron

Oh yea, you should be able to get a extended warranty contract on the 96. Maybe in the $1500 range. That should remove the warranty issue with the 96 v. 99

 

[jcaspar1]

i agree with Ron! If you can by the car outright you won't enjoy it as much as if you struggle to get it. If you have the means to by a new Viper outright, you should be financing a 360 Modena. If you can buy that with cash than a 550. If that is easy, how about a Saleen S-7. Still money left over? Then finance an F1 instead. If you have enough in your checking account for an F1 then it is time to look into airplanes.....

You get the picture!

P.S. I bought my Viper two weeks before our first child and good timing it was! I never would have had time to look for one after our daughter was born. It is a great escape I enjoy to and from work 3 days a week!

 

[joe117]

Take this and run with it....Never Have Any Children.....I never had any, never wanted any. A wife is great, most folks these days have a few over time, that's to be expected, people often change. Perhaps you won't, perhaps you will stay with your wife for life but the odds are against you. A bad relationship with the wife after the kids come is a life ruining experience, don't put yourself there if you can avoid it. Unless you really want kids, find yourself a wife that isn't into having kids. You will be happy, and if not find another. Without kids it's not much trouble.

 

[onerareviper]

Previous post by MarkusReinhardt
----------------------------------

 

[onerareviper]

Wow Joe.

That's a unique perspective. Better put your flame-proof suit on!

P.S. - The key is finding the right woman, and none of these things are of concern. My girl is great, and I couldn't imagine taking that mindset. To each his own, I guess.

 

[genXgts]

Have to agree with Joe above, and he might even have me by a few years!!

Madmaxx you state that your wife has decided to have children. Right off the hop that would indicate by her "choice" to have kids, that your not quite so enamored with the whole thing, or the quote would have be more along the lines of "we are deciding to have children", no?? You should have a little input (no pun intended!

into whether are not your life will change forever on such a huge decision, yikes!

Then again don't read too much into my view, I avoid anything remotely long term (more than a few months) like the plague, could name literally hundreds of people shelling out numerous Viper payments in child support, alimony, house payments for the ex, car payments for the ex, etc, etc. Not sure if it has scarred me for life yet, doing my best to sample some local offerings......

until the "one" comes along, I'm out making things happen to provide a financial base for me to live off the rest of my life. That someone that is out there right now, that has no input into my success now and can come in and take half of that from my sweat equity, not a chance!!

Single and loving it! Your mileage my vary, seems the married members of this board I would venture to say beat the odds on marriage breakdowns as with financial success (ie Viper owners), a host of other qualities come into play. Reasoning skills, negotiation skills, leadership qualities that are harder to come by in the general population.

If nothing else Gerald,Chuck,Joe and I can drink ourselves silly at VOI40 and wonder which charity gets it all!!

 

[Flexx91]

Markus,

Unless your dog is helping to pay your mortgage (i.e. Lassie, Benji, Rin-Tin-Tin), how can you put a dog before your job/business???

Just curious (number one is always first and farmost).

 

[MadMaxx]

My problem is I don't keep cars. Never do, probably never will. I set out fully knowing that I will sell the RT in (probably) 6 months time for a coupe, then sell the coupe for something else. I've been doing it for years, had like 30+ cars in 5 years LOL

Got it from the muscle car game... keep it untill you find something better or a deal you can't resist.

Honestly, I doubt I would have a viper more than a few years even without kids. I know it sounds funny to some of the zelots (putting flame-proof suit on) but I don't think i'll ever fall in love to the point I want to keep it.

James

 

[onerareviper]

Flexx91,

You mis-read. It is I that put his dog before job/business. Let me create a scenario: I get a call at work that my dog is very ill and needs to be taken to the vet. I must leave work, as no one else is able to drive the dog to the vet at the this time. Although, I have an extremely important meeting that day with several CEO's, that cannot be rescheduled due to certain factors. The meeting is so important, I will probably lose my job if I decide to go and take the dog to the vet. I would not think twice about leaving work... My dog is like family. There will always be another job, etc... I know this scenario is unlikely, but just trying to portray why I placed job/business after dog.

When your on your deathbed, do you think you will be thinking about your job accomplishments/$$$ made, or the loved ones in your life? Not trying to get corny here, just something to think about. Jobs come and go...

P.S. - I had my dog 'Rosie' for 9 years. More loyal than 99% of the people I've met in my life. Absolutely more loyal than any company of corporation I've worked for.....

P.S.S. - Sorry for changing the subject. BUY THE VIPER. They hold there value well, especially the years your speaking of. Most of the depreciation is already accounted for... Also, you can always buy an extended warrantee. Many people selling 96-98's probably already purchased an extended warrantee. I would look into that, as you probably can't afford a hugh unexpected mechanical problem. Good Luck...

 

[C O D Y]

JOE, I can't believe you said that!

Because we usually have to stay quite and listen to all the parents babble about their kids. I guess it's time we said how we feel. You're right Joe.

 

[joe117]

I didn't think I would get much in the way of flame for my previous post, and I didn't. As far as buying the Viper goes, Mad Max, do whatever suits you. My advice was brought on by the feeling I got that you were not the one that really, really wanted to have kids. You can never go far wrong by not having them. You have years to change your mind. Think Al Bundy.

 

[onerareviper]

Joe,

I must admit, I am very surprised more/any people didn't have an opposing opinion to your previous post. I guess a lot of people agree with your point of view - at least on this board. To each his own, I guess...

Later

P.S. - I guess "Till death do us part" doesn't mean much nowadays. Why even get married if your wife is disposable, as Joe suggest? If you feel this way, why not just stay single? Some people just aren't meant for marriage, and should stay single, IMHO. Nothing wrong with that.....

 

[Bonkers]

Afterthought to Joe,

I agree with you totally on the kids thing. I think if you have one single doubt then you're not ready. But lately I've been doing some interesting reading about women's ability to have kids. The Doctors I've been talking to say that women start losing their ability to have kids at 27 and by late 30s its borderline impossible. Your chances of having kids past that point is null.

And while it really rips me apart to say this out loud, you have to be considerate of the fact that if she wants kids, she'll only get very few years to accomplish it. You'll have the rest of your life to get the Viper (cuz people like myself will always be around somewhere doing what they can to preserve whats out there.)

Just a completely different look at the situation, no lecturing intended.

 

[ViperGTS]

Flexx91 and onerareviper
===========================
Seems to be some confusion:

SURE, Family is first!

However, we have talked about money, or?

>>>BTW, if you don´t have the MONEY to buy cash, re-think twice...<<<

First of all: EARN some money (JOB/BUSINESS).

Than, spend the money:

1. family (may be dogs, cats, rats, snakes, ...)
2. house (for the family and the cars and the dogs and cats and ...)
3. car(s), boats, bikes, ships, airplanes, or whatever.....

double-

 

[randall]

joe117,after enlarging your picture i can see why you shouln't have kids.
my 3 y.o. twins was the best thing i ever did,i would give up all my cars for them anyday!

 

[Viper99]

First...You should definitely have children. It makes the passion and desire you have for owning a Viper seem insignificant.
Second...Are you putting any money down on the '99 lease?
The ONLY way leasing a Viper makes sense is if you are putting no money down, have a reasonable monthly payment and using the car as your daily driver. If this is just a fun, drive-it-now-and-again car that your paying $750-800 a month with a lot of money down it makes no sense at all.
Buy what you can afford now. Enjoy the car and drive it if and when you want. Who knows what 2 years will bring...you may be able to have the children AND THE CAR!

 

[onerareviper]

Sorry Markus,

I misinterpreted your post. Your one of the WWF's good guys again.... That must mean Joe is Vince McMahan. LOL

Later

P.S. - Maybe you better not take off that flame suit yet, Joe.

ALL IN GOOD FUN, OF COURSE.........

 

[onerareviper]

Tony (Viper99),

Tell us your detailing secrets... Sorry to change the subject, but that red is deeeeeeeppppppppp in your avatar. That shine looks different than a Zaino shine. Deeper and softer, but still very reflective. I'm gonna take a guess and say you finish with a wax.

Thanks in advance for any tips....

Later

 

[Vypr GT2]

Bonkers sez: <<The Doctors I've been talking to say that women start losing their ability to have kids at 27 and by late 30s its borderline impossible. Your chances of having kids past that point is null>> Wow....these numbers are not even close to right. Add 10 years to each....

MANY women these days have babies in their 40s (a few even in their 50s)- granted, with Mom in her 40s you have an increasing risk of having a fetus with Down's syndrome...

 

[GTS Bruce]

Leasing is too expensive.You pay all that money and at the end have nothing to show for it(except a good time).leasing a car is like renting an appartment.Better to buy and have something left to sell when you get out.Of course you need to put enough down to never be upside down in the loan be it house, boat or car no matter what happens in that market. Bruce

 

[garolittle]

Here are the things I spend most of my time thinking about:

Family
Girlfriend
Car
Job
Travel
Wishing I had won the Big Game Lottery the other night.