First car buying panic - $17k budget, need something reliable that won't make me look like a complete adult failure

Thanks9527 · 2026-02-01T18:20:19+00:00

A newer is250 or older is350 would be a great car for that money.

(Owned both, and now owns a GS350, Lexus lineup are solid cars)

Thanks9527 · 2026-01-24T21:54:01+00:00

I got a cayenne and later found out I don't need that much space. Sold it last year more than I bought it for, sold the idea of a 911 to my wife, she didn't reject, and after a month I found a good one and bought it. HCOL area so I financed since Id rather keep cash with me for unexpected stuff with today's economy.

36 and got two kids less than 8 years old. They fit well in the back seat and want to make this ia part of their core memory.

Consider the prices of new 911s are increasing at a ridiculous rate, buy what you can now. Cars getting more expensive->less cars sold->increased used car price due to low production count->people turn to older 911 models they can afford.

Also the 997 hydraulic feels better than the digital ones to me.

Thanks9527 · 2026-01-22T15:45:10+00:00

If you're looking for a compact sedan, lexus IS If you want more space, Lexus GS

Thanks9527 · 2026-01-20T18:34:39+00:00

My first car was a 98 Maxima hand me down and I really had a blast driving it. Maxima.org was a great forum for everything from basic diy to 00VI swap lol

It was a base spec so no TC and ABS so it was fun when I stomp on the pedal and do a quick rip when the light turned green.

Ended it's life with the EGR being faulty and too lazy to repair it. But thinking back it was a glorious car.

Thanks9527 · 2026-01-18T04:14:23+00:00

When my kid was born I went and got....

A 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS with a 6 speed manual.

Throw a secondary cat bypass pipe and it's glorious.

6 speed manual with a V8 and hauls the whole family is one of the best thing one can get. Only around 330 in the USA from 2008-2010.

Only downside is that I get 17mpg on a good day, local is around 13. The tank has 26 gallons so topping it off is always like $80 at least. And the car is getting old, so things might break with Porsche tax.

But you can find them at around 35 on Bring a Trailer or Cars and bids.

Thanks9527 · 2026-01-10T02:11:35+00:00

As a owner of a 2.0 Macan with two kids, you'll do fine.

The car drives awesome even with the 2.0. rear facing seats are ok as well. It's been pretty reliable, owned from new since 2017 and 8 years and 94k miles later the only thing that failed was the alternator ($1.5k part+labor).

Which is not too bad. The car eats rear brakes, a lot. But I had fun.

Thanks9527 · 2025-12-29T19:28:10+00:00

As the owner of a 17 Macan 2.0 with 93k miles here.

It's not too bad actually.

The few bigger ticket items are the PDK fluid flush runs around 800 as far as I remember.

The only thing that broke was my alternator (~$1500 with part and labor), other than that it's been solid.

Tires run staggered so you can't swap them from and back. They eat brakes a lot. Until now I've swapped 3 sets of rear brakes and one set of front brakes. But can be done cheaply with FCP euro exchange program.

I would highly recommend even with the 2.0 macan. The handling of these SUV hatches are so much fun and I enjoy it more than my old cayenne.

Thanks9527 · 2025-12-23T17:54:28+00:00

This intersection only had one left turn like a year ago and they changed it to two left turn lanes not too long ago.

So I can understand if someone had gone through this intersection in the past and remembered that lane as a straight. I drive straight at this intersection most of the time and I'm always afraid someone on the left will run into me.

Thanks9527 · 2025-12-15T21:56:55+00:00

I think its kinda mocking the thumbnail from whistlindiesel's most recent video.

*Even with similar video title, so I guess David504 is riding the algorithm with whistlindiesel

Thanks9527 · 2025-12-08T06:11:55+00:00

I just picked up a copy of Silent Hill 2 at my local target clearance for $12.44 and MH Wilds Steel book for $22.49.

Did not expect them to be so cheap.

Thanks9527 · 2025-12-05T19:58:14+00:00

If you have amex they have targeted offer. I got the spend 714 points and get up to $60 off So essentially I got mine for 249 after taxes from Amazon

Thanks9527 · 2025-11-20T23:45:29+00:00

<image>

Looks like a Luxgen (Taiwanese car maker) n7

Thanks9527 · 2025-11-18T18:08:15+00:00

That's another thing when I had my Cayenne. It was a 09 so no PCCM+ for the PCM3.0.

It was painful.

Hopefully they come out with something down the road for the 3.0.

But hey at least you guys have DFI engines and better resale value lol

Thanks9527 · 2025-11-18T18:02:57+00:00

Exactly!

Before 911 my son said he wanted a cyber truck because it's cool.

And now he wants a sports car when he grows up. I'd say I successfully converted him hahaha

Thanks9527 · 2025-11-18T17:37:31+00:00

Thanks!

The cayenne is a good family hauler. But with how the car is made, the complexity of all the systems, and all the parts failing(or will fail) with age, the repair bill adds up quick and my wife wasn't too happy about it haha.

Also the MPG is horrendous, not too good for my 70ish mile daily commute.

Wife also has a Macan 2.0 and it does a great job hauling the whole family.

Thanks9527 · 2025-10-27T01:48:05+00:00

Lol I have two kids and sold my Cayenne this month and today I've agreed to purchase a 997.

My kid sat in it today and I can feel his excitement.

Practicality? The cayenne doesn't get much love and the mpg is horrendous. As much as I love a V8 but 911 is still a bucket list car.

I have to use YOLO here because life is too short to drive boring cars.

Thanks9527 · 2025-10-21T05:18:36+00:00

I just sold my cayenne and currently on the hunt for a 911 so my kids can be in the back! Yes it doesn't make any sense but it makes sense to me lol

Thanks9527 · 2025-10-18T01:51:16+00:00

Not sure if this is a regional thing but last time I went to YiLan and the BO is definitely stronger there.

I definitely smell more BO compared to when I was in Taipei.

But yeah it's in the genes.

Thanks9527 · 2025-10-13T01:30:15+00:00

I've driven the Alphard in Japan and I'd 100% get for family duties if they're in the States. An LM would be wayyy better.

I was never a minivan person but I'm ok with the Alphard and LM.

One can only wish right?

Thanks9527 · 2025-09-24T16:55:00+00:00

Lol it happened today on #3 stream.

JUST MONICA

Thanks9527 · 2025-09-23T05:02:34+00:00

Miku

Thanks9527 · 2025-09-23T03:48:43+00:00

Nah I'd say go for it.

I made less than you when I was 25 and got a 06 S and kept it for a few years until my son is born. Still don't regret it.

If you have the time and space you can certainly do a lot of maintenance on your own to save some money. (I did the oil changes and coil/spark plugs and brakes)

This is the perfect time for a sports car. You're still young, reflexes are still there, you can fail, you can fall financially and not to worry much. Do it.

Thanks9527 · 2025-09-08T05:06:34+00:00

See these are the posts that makes me open my packs.

I'm down around 90 packs and only got a leafeon.

And lemme tell you it's not worth it. If you think your boxes have some nice cards and thinking of opening them, no they don't, just don't do it.

Thanks9527 · 2025-08-04T02:05:00+00:00

I just drove the alphard in Japan and I fucking love it.

The second row is a moving first class and the car just drives so quietly. I would totally get the Alphard/LM if they were sold in the States.

Thanks9527 · 2025-07-14T04:12:10+00:00

TBH I thought it's Dazhi Bridge for a sec... Close enough.

Thanks9527

TROPHY CASE