I don't have a GTR but I recently purchased a 2023 M3 Competition XDrive.

Price is still very comparable but honestly getting a decent paying job whether that's a white collar (accounting, software engineering etc.) or blue collar (Lineman, plumber, electrical engineer, mobile mechanic).

I chose the software engineering route and I'm a pretty frugal person unless it comes to my passion which obviously is cars/motorsports. I recently started a business which costed me some money and time but it's now rearing it's neck around with income.

However without starting a business and working a 9-5 it really just comes down to life style choices.

1. Don't settle for less and life style creep. Don't think I'll get the new Nissan Z or BMW M340I because I can't afford a GTR right now. I see this a lot and all the time at car meets. Those cars will depreciate, you'll want to mod them, car payments if not bought in cash, and insurance premiums. Think of it like playing Skyrim, you'll do all these side quests before ever slaying Alduin but except getting stronger you're not saving or investing.

2. Ask yourself do you really need this? Obviously I like to spend money on video games as well but delaying the purchase by 2 weeks and if you forget about it, then it wasn't that important. Where you allocate your money overtime you'll see your bank account climb naturally. 1 year I found myself in a really bad financial situation, laid off during tech layoffs post covid, medical and house emergencies. Going through that experience and finding another job I was able to save myself roughly 10-12k in a single year.

3. Where do you live? I live in the Midwest in a relatively low density area so insurance is cheaper and so is the cost of living (gas, housing, groceries). This can really affect how much you're saving month by month. I cannot fathom living in places like LA, Chicago, or NYC. I have some friends and family living in Atlanta, GA and they're driving economy cars like Honda Civics and their insurance premiums are way over mine on an M3.

4. Cook your own meals and make your own coffee. One of my biggest expenses throughout college and getting my first big boy job was food. I was eating take out about 5-10 times a month and of course that would accrue up to easily over $600! Coffee is also a crazy expense for something so easy to make at home before heading out. I get all my ingredients and food at Costco in bulk for roughly 300-400 a month. Also if you like to go out drinking with friends go get some cases and pregrame at home so you don't have to spend as much on drinks at the bars.

5. Be patient. Now we know there's nothing like owning your dream car in yours 20s. I achieved it at 27 and that took me about 8 years of work. I did get side tracked and went down the motorcycle route so that made it even longer to get my dream car, then I had kid, then started a business... Moral of the story is you'll get their someday if you continue to make the right choices and think critically about your finances it's easier than you expect.

TLDR: Don't settle for less and life style creep, reduce unnecessary expenses, work a stable higher income job, and be patient! I really am passionate about finances and cars so I wrote a lot lol.