This featured image is from my trip this past summer to St. Pete! No relation to this post, but wanted to include the image.

The past week or so has been filled with significant internal conflict regarding Future Dilemma. I’ve just been all over the place. I have some notes so I’ll collect where all my head has been.

Last week, I found myself with four scenarios, in no particular order.

  • Acura Integra Type S
  • Nissan Z
  • Toyota GR86
  • Fourth option: Explore the Celica

So after all the deliberation and the previous list, it came down to four scenarios. Let’s explore how this came to be. After further thought, it came down to a number of thoughts:

  • I would prefer not to have a used car. This erased a number of higher priced options from the list, namely, those of German manufacture.
  • I’d rather not make payments on top of paying maintenance. This reinforced the previous notion. Now, it is not completely erased–if I can fold the maintenance into the deal, there is potential, however, depending on the car (which likely German make), we are talking into six figures. This leads to the next note…
  • I’m not sure if I can stomach paying over $100k on a car. This is regardless of whether it is financially feasible or not–the idea of spending that money is a concern in and of itself. The issue is always whether the juice is worth the squeeze, which is an entirely personal decision.
  • I prefer to maintain a manual transmission. Given the secondary car will likely always be full EV, I’d like the option to still row some gears. This erases a sizeable chunk of vehicles from the list that have forgone the manual option. Also, note that there were some options that included a second full EV. The only way I get another full EV is if I give up the Tesla Model Y, and I like it too much to do that. No other full EV option makes me want to spend the money, including the several Mercedes EQS SUV options out today. I would rather spend it on a manual ICE vehicle.

Given the previous four options, I continued to ruminate and do research, and ironically, came to a new conclusion, which is where I sit today. It is still four options, but they have adjusted! Here is the current list, and in a particular and defined order

  1. Toyota GR86
  2. Acura Integra Type S
  3. Distant third option: Porsche Cayman S
  4. Fourth option remains… Explore the Celica

The reasoning behind this list is starting to take some shape, which I am happy about, because it means I am coming down from clouds and leaving behind the romance of the situation. While this is definitely an opportunity, it is not the last time I will have the option to buy a sportscar. That being said, the Porsche Cayman S is still on the list, because it is an opportunity. Now to my realizations:

  • The order of the list appears to be value-based. Outside of the fourth option (Celica), which is the most cost-efficient of any option, the list is in the order of value. Having the delight of the vehicle in addition to being able to afford maintenance and maybe even save money impacts the full ownership experience. This point is why the Porsche keeps falling down on the list. It goes back to the juice being worth the squeeze. Porsche has always been, and to be honest, may always be the goal. It’s just hard to enjoy the car knowing the financial commitment of financing and/or substantial maintenance/ownership costs.
  • I came to the conclusion that gas mileage is important to me. It’s not important to everyone and I get that–but it is important to me. It’s the main reason why I haven’t discussed Camaros, Mustangs, or Corvettes, which are damned fine options when it comes to plaything sportscars. It’s all fun and games until the gas tank nears E. The idea of spending anywhere from $60-100 dollars every week or two on gas is enough to make me rethink my decision. This is also the primary reason why the Nissan Z fell off the list. While it doesn’t necessarily have poor gas mileage, it isn’t the best, and the gas tank is rather large (16 gallon).
  • I like four cylinder motors. This is a completely irrational/personal affinity. When I really sit down and think on it, for the majority of my life of driving, I have driven four cylinder vehicles. Also, I like turbos. I like the sound of them spooling, I like the surge of energy they produce, and I like the fact that they tend to coincide with better fuel economy.
  • In a way, I’ve already owned and enjoyed the first two cars. The Toyota GR86 is the next iteration of the Subaru BRZ, so there are considerable similarities. The Acura Integra Type S shares the same motor as the Honda Civic Type R, which I recently traded in for my Model Y. Given this information alone, I thought… why did I get rid of the BRZ? Solely because it was too slow. I ended up trading it in for a 911, which is not really a fair comparision, I realize. Everything else about the BRZ was absolutely great–it just didn’t have the speed. Why did I get rid of the Civic Type R? I traded the Civic Type R for my Model Y. Frankly, the Model Y was better in every way–it was faster, roomier, and had infinitely better gas mileage. The fact that the suspension was stiff (for an SUV) was just bonus, as it resulted in improved stability and handling. The only real thing I missed from it was the styling, the motor, and the transmission, all of which were fantastic. Given that reasoning, I should probably take the Acura Integra Type S as there aren’t really any faults, however, talking heads are saying that the GR86 has more torque than the previous BRZ, so it at least warrants a test drive. As for the Cayman S, let’s be honest, I would love it. I just can’t swing that kind of money at this point in my life–I would have to take an uncomfortable loan or I would simply need to wait.
  • The reason why the Porsche Carrera fell off the list in lieu of the Cayman is due to the previously explained realizations. While the iconic flat 6 motor in the Carrera is downright fantastic, I know myself well enough to know that I’d prefer a 718 as it is a four cylinder turbo with two seats, great for the track. It’s also a mid-engine design which should prove for better balance. Last, but not least, it is more financially viable. However, the fact that I want to avoid used cars does affect its potential in regards to Future Dilemma…
  • Maintenance cost/effort has continued to be an issue as these are all ICE vehicles. I would like to continue to work on my own car, however, Porsche’s engineering is not the most mechanic-friendly. It seems more like an auto mechanic’s labor of love, similar to older rotary motors. You will have to really enjoy working on them to realize the value, otherwise, you’re looking for dealerships and independent mechanics to get familiar with them. This, along with the fact that my father predisposed me to Japanese motors early with his years of experience with them, continues to push me towards the Japanese options.
  • Lastly, I want to discuss the fourth option. The primary thing holding me on the Celica is the fact that I spent roughly $3k on it. I’ve easily put close to that much into already getting it to the point that I like it. I imagine I’m in it for $7-10k at this point. The only way to make this make sense is to recognize the 15k or so miles I’ve put into it. You have to rationalize that the enjoyment of driving it for those miles is worth the money put into it. Now, if I decide on the fourth option, I have to take the limit off of the money I put into it. Basically, at that point, I accept it as a money pit and just have fun with it. Do I want to paint correct or paint it? Have at it. Do I want to get an intake and exhaust for it? Why not! I can’t put any spending limits on it if the point of keeping the car is to avoid buying a new one. To be honest, that’s how I treated it back when I sold my MX5 to pick it up–I knew the car was in need of TLC and that’s exactly what I gave to it. The concern now is that I’m already in it for 5k, so if I keep spending money on it, I would need to perform mental gymnastics to rationalize the loss I would take when/if I sold it. Alternately, I will never be able to sell it–I would just drive it until the engine reaches catastrophic failure and/or parts become difficult to find (read: cost-prohibitive to fix).

I’m not looking to make any decisions until likely Q2 of 2024 so I can see how my 2023 taxes pan out. I don’t want to end up digging myself a hole regarding taxes.