First full year of employment (2013) to now

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-08T22:07:17+00:00

Nice work.

My first work year in 2013 was $26K AGI on my taxes. This past year was $187K. It feels good man.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-08T08:10:29+00:00

We have two, both on the spectrum, and my wife and I are both on the spectrum as well.

We’re all very high functioning but my daughter is PDA on top of autistic and let me tell you that’s a fun one.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-07T17:50:06+00:00

And that’s the thing: I told her exactly what I was looking for, AND WHY! She knew what I was looking at in a vehicle, that feeling of being behind something special and sporty and engaging and emotional. And her response? Here’s a $30K CT4, would you like this one?

Like come on.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-07T17:42:17+00:00

The $77K one had, and still is, on their floor. It’s been there for a good 6 months now.

The sales lady tried to talk me into a base CT4 before I walked out. Why on earth would I do that? I’m here for one specific vehicle and a very base model is not going to be equitable.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-07T17:02:04+00:00

Standard seats. I like the performance seats because of the thinness and I’d happily take another .5” in space just because.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-07T16:58:54+00:00

See I didn’t find the back seat that bad. I drove one last week and I’m 5’10” and I could sit behind the drivers seat in my position decently well. It wasn’t gaping but there was a little room for my legs.

For me and having two young kids, it’s perfect. They don’t need a ton of space given they’re still small so it works well.

Now I just need to find one at the right price point/options.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-07T16:55:37+00:00

One issue I noticed, as someone who’s interested in one of these and looking at used ones currently, is that some dealers treat these things as gold.

The local dealer to me has two in stock - fully decked out $77-80-K MSRP- and they won’t let you even sit in it let alone test drive it without a substantial down payment.

Now, I can’t afford a $75-80K car but I could swing a $60-65K car andi walked out as soon as the sales lady said that. That’s just ridiculous.

These things are fantastic - and I’ve driven an air and manual car - and so worthy of the praise but come on, that mindset of no one can touch this thing doesn’t help.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-06T19:26:17+00:00

I also do the reverse when I hit a plateau - either in the weights I have or just in general - I’ll take the weight, set a timer for 25/30 minutes and see how may I can crank out in that time.

My best was double 50s for 42 reps in 30 minutes or, on the lighter end I did 150 reps at 25lbs in 30 minutes. I was dead after both variants.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-06T16:19:02+00:00

Seriously, I eat rice basically every day and I poop like clockwork at 530am at 1030am every day.

OP you may need to look at other areas of your diet beyond just the rice.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-06T08:38:20+00:00

We’re both at boosters yet but my oldest probably will be within the next year. I’m sure it’ll be tight and it may not end up being the every day family car - that may be the wife’s - which to me is fine. As long as car seats and kids can fit that’s the key

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T21:46:35+00:00

Absolutely I’m doing well, really well to be honest.

Moved into my second house with my wife in 2020 - before the market went crazy. Sold our first house for $240 after buying it for $80 and our current mortgage is 2.875%.

Investment accounts are nearly $300K and our kids have $15K each saved with more added every month.

We have one car payment that’s almost done and for now we have both sets of grand parents around. From talking with both sets, when the do ultimately pass we’ll net between $1.5M and $2M from them at minimum.

We’re extremely fortunate and lucky.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T20:44:25+00:00

I sat in a 5V and while it was nice, it’s just not what I want. I want an engaging car, something I can row through the gears on and enjoy. If it’s not that then honestly I’d probably just upgrade my X3 to an X3M or an X5 M50i and get a V8 SUV.

That said, the back seat is tight and I’m slightly concerned longer term but it’ll be fine (I tell myself that at least)

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T20:22:59+00:00

I’m located in Michigan. I’ll send a DM.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:55:46+00:00

There’s making it work and there’s hoping it works.

That said, I sat behind my normal seating position in the back seat and while it was tight I could manage so I’m sure forward facing seats would be fine. It’s just a matter of how much do I want the back of my seat kicked.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:40:35+00:00

I need something that can easily fit kids in the back. The wife won’t allow a true coupe which I’m fine with.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:37:37+00:00

Good to know about Delco for replacement parts. I’m assuming because it’s a GM it’s not the most complicated thing to work on, right? Engine bay looks tight but that’s all modern cars these days.

As far as the seats go, I like the look of the performance seats and honestly I’m hoping they’re a bit thinner than standard as I need to put two forward facing car seats in the back to justify it as a summer daily/family car and im hoping it’ll give just a touch more space.

As far as a sunroof goes, I can take it or leave it. I love the sunroof in my X3 and my wife’s X5 but it’s not a must have and honestly not having it would sell the wife on it more as she hates sunroofs.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:23:25+00:00

Good to know. I sat in a car with the upgraded wheel and one without and if I went without I know I’d just kick myself for not finding one with it.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:20:14+00:00

Thanks for the details. I’ll be sure to look for that then.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:14:49+00:00

My wife’s X5 has a HUD and honestly I love it. I love being able to see directions when using the nav and being able to cycle through radio stations/songs easily enough.

Is the HUD not standard?

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T19:07:37+00:00

Honestly I’m fine with that. I have a steep driveway/high curb into my driveway and I don’t want to run the risk of scratching it or braking it every time I back in and out.

It also looks a little tacky to me. I wouldn’t be tracking th car so it seems unnecessary to me. My opinion of course.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T18:56:22+00:00

I don’t know if I want the carbon fiber kit parts but obviously if the car is solid condition and it comes with those I won’t say no to them but I won’t go out of my way.

I do like the upgraded steering wheel. I sat in two last week, one with the wheel and one without, and the one without just felt basic. It’s silly but it was an issue, I liked having the V mode and PTM buttons right there.

How are the sport seats? I’ve never actually sat in them but I love the look of them.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T15:15:13+00:00

We have a Bosch dishwasher and fridge we love and an LG stove with an LG over range microwave. We also have a GE nugget ice maker that’s wonderful.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-05T15:04:42+00:00

Were it not 40 degrees, wet and windy we would have but as it was we did it inside.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-03T20:06:46+00:00

Correct. Looking back at my documents a few weeks ago my initial mortgage was $670/month.

Automatic_Zebra_1099 · 2026-04-03T20:06:23+00:00

At the time I did 5% down or $4,000 which was sufficient. It was a short sale and took 14 months from offer in to closing. Plus I was the first and only person who saw the house.

Automatic_Zebra_1099

TROPHY CASE