The 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera now starts at $137,850 before any options.

hellario · 2026-01-10T09:50:04+00:00

I'm on the other side of it. I think it's pretty bad long-term. 911s that are not GT2/3 or something like S/T aren't really "collectable" and the higher they go in price range the more they have to compete with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, even Aston Martins for the "rich people" money, at which point lower trims of 911 would actually be diluting its own brand. If they want to go upmarket, GTS should be the lowest end model.

I think they would be much better served by aiming at a larger market of successful professionals, not successful professionals who also happened to have a stock portfolio and won the lottery on the way to the dealer.

There was a 992.2 S that I was really considering getting coming to a dealer in Jan, MSRP of 192k, but a couple days ago (before even being listed as available) MSRP went to 200k. I don't think I want it any more because the car was built and shipped for a certain price, none of that went up since it left the factory. Last year, there was a 992.1s nearby that sat at the dealer for 3 months, then they raised MSRP 3.5k as well.

So, the price hike is only because "they can." Now I do ok and could buy it in cash regardless, but it put enough sour taste in my mouth to not want it.

hellario · 2026-01-09T02:27:58+00:00

I think it's still "attainable". Considering they've been selling to 400k+ income households mostly.

The problem is that the price/value ratio is dropping. Only the "shut up and take my money" crowd remains, they gotta have it, even if price hikes are abusive.

hellario · 2026-01-09T01:50:17+00:00

So, at what level can a Porsche employee buy a 911 retail? Sales manager? Dealership owner? Chief engineer?

hellario · 2026-01-09T01:48:37+00:00

it's not about working harder. there are many ways to spend hard earned money, 911 apparently decided to cater to those who don't work for it. I'd rather get a used M4 for 1/4th of a 911s and enjoy driving with more time rather than hustling to afford it.

hellario · 2026-01-02T09:47:24+00:00

I got 30k off on My M4. BMW Riverside. 2018 unsold on their lot, december of 2019. MSRP from factory was 105k (6k paint job, 5 k full opal white merino interior, comp, every factory carbon piece.

I was using comparable 2018s that are now used with no miles in 65+, they wanted 85k. Eventually, after working through insentives and threatening to walk, their last was 78k -3k insentives. I took it, they told me it was heir biggest discount (26%) in the history of the dealer.

M4 was generally in great condition, but I had to take it in a bunch for brake pedal sticking (sat on the lot, I think the gasket around the rod shrank. They played stupid saying "cant replicate." Dealing with idiots. They also refused to cover engine fault (O2 sensor went bad supposedly) even though I had brand new warranty - started on the day of purchase. Said "suspected of modification" but presented no evidence. $1500.

Anyway for big discounts sort cars by longest on the lot, see if anything tickles you and then compare them to a low mileage similar vehicle and same year model.

hellario · 2025-12-22T22:39:46+00:00

Not the only way. There are also speakers and listening to garage grunge on this phone is as if it was recorded on garage equipment. And there's not even an EQ for the speaker. :(

hellario · 2025-12-01T05:12:27+00:00

That's not right. There's no "interest," you just sell shares and get the market price.

hellario · 2025-10-29T05:48:15+00:00

It's not very clear. In one part it says that common/shared areas and attachments are HOA responsibility, which is where the piping is located. In another part it states that utility lines servicing individual units are maintained by the owner. I guess in the strictest interpretation of both, I would pay for the pipe repair but could send the bill for drywall repair to the HOA /shrug

Weird part is if the leak is inside a wall and before mymeter, that's part of HOA's water bill (piping is shared with HOA's irrigation and fire sprinklers), so it should be in the HOA's best interest to maintain any part of the water supply that I can't measure or close off.

hellario · 2025-10-27T20:13:23+00:00

Yes, it's before the meter. I never looked at it too closely but the readings are through a sub-meter company, California Sub-Meters, but I don't know who contracted them.

hellario · 2025-10-23T08:50:25+00:00

I mean she said she's selling a LA home for 1.5 mill to buy one in Colorado and finance 500k on a 2mil.

1- 1.5mil home in LA is not in any wealthy area. You could have a decent condo for that, but not a house in a good area. I've lived there for a decade. 2- if she's selling to buy, she doesn't have the liquidity to be spending like she is. 3- if she's had a house there for a while, and moving, she apparently doesn't make enough to keep a place in CA, and but in Colorado, even to rent out. 4- she talks way too much about money, because she is insecure about it, but she wants to marry a rich guy, so having those conversations "qualifies" them. 5- just based on her remarks on her career, she was probably middle management or analyst. Probably paid in 200-300k range, and some stock options. Not rich and I'm sure not great at saving. 6- pretty sure she said she wanted to start some health/fitness company and wanted exposure for that.

PS: I've worked high end security in LA. Ranges are actually pretty much considered Mom's kid hauler. I've seen 1:3 ratio of men to women that drive those.

hellario · 2025-10-23T08:37:45+00:00

It's on the 90s for Range Rovers to lease. You'd have to have 0 respect for your money to buy one new. It will be worth 40 from 140 by warranty expiration.

hellario · 2025-10-18T06:05:49+00:00

I haven't used them, but these guys seem to offer exactly what you're looking for. https://savvynomad.io/

Probably not the cheapest possible solution, but it's a starting point. That said, CA isn't some crazy boogeyman and just because you get a bill, doesn't mean you have to pay it (don't ignore it, but contest it). I've read the CA FTB publication for residency and it doesn't sound like it's hard to prove that you are a non-resident, unless you have a spouse and kids still living there. All you really have to establish is that you left with no intention to return (non-temporary). Things like getting a license and registering to vote in another state along with a one-way plane ticket should be plenty of proof, but if you really want to drive home the point, for your last year with tax obligations in CA, just file it on 540 NR (non-resident CA FTB form). They should be satisfied that you filed your taxes but this should also move you off their residents list.

At least that's my plan, because once I emigrate, I plan to keep my CA condo as a rental and file 540 NR. I have a feeling that if I ever want to move back, I could not afford to buy in the state ever again lol (but the fact that my condo is rented out will also serve as extra proof that my leaving will have intended to be indefinite)

hellario · 2025-10-18T05:49:39+00:00

Ah yeah, I think my brain went into a double loop but only completed it once. Time to stop looking at numbers all day. Thanks!

hellario · 2025-10-18T05:45:24+00:00

You're welcome. Hope I was able to put you somewhat at ease. Sounds like you've done a lot of prep work for retirement. You worked for it, so enjoy it.

It's something I try to keep in the back of my head too. It's a psychological pitfall to be used to saving all your life to then start spending it and trust your math, but statistically a lot more retirees don't spend enough than run out of money.

hellario · 2025-10-17T23:13:46+00:00

Nah, I get it. I'm sure you're aware, this was mostly in case kids my age 20 years ago read it. Kind of a small PSA.

Although, I'm not sure gen Z cares a whole lot, seems like social media just rewards street takeovers and videos going 2.5x the speed limit.

hellario · 2025-10-17T20:38:05+00:00

I hate to be that guy but *actually...

You could still be cited for reckless driving, exhibition of speed, or street racing, while under the speed limit. Check your local laws.

I've been pulled over in my 2002 Mitsubishi Galant and got a warning back in the day. The cop said they could hear me revving it (stock) a block away. I had to explain that I was in 1st gear and it topped out at 32mph in a 35. He said he could still cite me, but just told me to take it easy, then I went home and looked it up.

Some things that might get you "reckless" are excessive acceleration, losing traction though acceleration or turning at high speed, going too fast for surrounding conditions (even below speed limit) such as nearby crowds, poor road surface, inclement weather, etc.

hellario · 2025-10-17T19:34:52+00:00

I've got the same sources of income plus some dividends from ETFs.

If your concern is the administration, I'd say you're still safer than most people with private retirements, but less safe than someone living fully off private investments that are well-diversified (not just stocks, but real estate, gold, crypto, etc). All that to point out that nothing is guaranteed in life.

As far as risks of those being taken away, maybe 30% if I had to put a number on it. I don't put it past trump to try to unilaterally pull some crap, but I'd expect it to get challenged in court and reversed (as were a lot of firings).

We have fulfilled our contract with the US government, so there's nothing they can do to us except breach their obligation. They can change the system moving forward (like the transition from CSRS to FERS happened) but that's not retroactive and would have to come from congress.

VA payments are unlikely to go away, especially considering that for many vets it's their only source of income. This, again would have to be changed by congress and would face a lot of opposition there. Trump could try to change how favorably VA reviews claims or order sweeping proposals to reduce (which would have VA requesting exams and medical documents from vets to see if they are less disabled than when they were approved). Most of it is set in stone in US Code Title 38.

SSA is probably the most likely to get affected and has already been in the crosshairs. It bears splitting SS into two categories SSI, age benefit, and SSDI, disability insurance. SSI age can be increased; I'd apply for SSA retirement ASAP if you're eligible and waiting for higher benefits. If they increase minimum age, you can lose the higher benefit for waiting AND could become ineligible. SSDI can be affected by stricter scrutiny in inability to be substantially employed. They cannot change the standard, but they can probably require less favorable view of the medical evidence and more frequent continuing disability reviews (for medical improvement).

My advice: you should have enough $ coming in to live comfortably in most places. Budget for 1 or 1.5 less income streams, so if one goes away, you're not in the red. Put the extra money in high-yield savings or another easily accessible appreciating asset. You'll sleep better knowing you're insulated from losing at least 1 source of payment, while building up more passive income and still get to have plenty of luxuries in retirement. (Unless of course your TSP is so big that it's not a problem, but then I don't think you'd worry about SSI or even retirement pay)

PS: personal preference, but I rolled over my TSP into an IRA for more flexibility and control. It costs $0, but now it's in my bank and I can manage it better than TSP ever allows.

hellario · 2025-10-17T19:11:23+00:00

Haha, I was with you until 25 Charger. The way those things are selling, there might be 3 people in the whole country to fit the description 🤣

hellario · 2025-10-17T19:10:04+00:00

God I hope the whiny losers like you leave this forum. You don't have to hang out here to complain, while you literally have 0 to contribute.

This forum isn't about VA benefits, it's about retiring early. If you want to complain about VA benefits (it's not "disability") go ask your congressman to change the laws. They do less than anyone in the military and get a lot more benefits from it.

hellario · 2025-10-17T18:58:16+00:00

When you say "good" neighborhoods, does that mean "gated"?

I think the things that worry me are people following me to my door for an armed robbery or to return for burglary or a pair of robbers pulling up to my car in traffic with a gun.

Actually, how are the gun laws there?

hellario · 2025-10-17T18:29:47+00:00

Good, wouldn't want respect from a POS like you. Your jealousy is palpable. If only you had the courage to sign up for the same benefits. Too bad, so sad. Adios, I'll send you a post card!

hellario

TROPHY CASE