Dang! Tough questions without all the information needed to give an advised opinion. I understand about not throwing all financial info on the net. Why do you want the car? Would it be your only car or just a toy? Reason I ask is if just a toy I don't think one should finance a toy. Given that income depending on your other expenses you could pay cash and avoid all the finance charges.I just need to hear opinions/voices of reason in my dilemma. I understand the bias of posting in a CTR forum, but maybe I'm just looking to hear what I want to hear. But I welcome all opinions
Just to get a full picture, just a little background
In early 30s, married, no kids (but planning for near future), sole breadwinner for the house. Monthly income of about 17k/month but only started the job 4 months ago after years of schooling and training so don't have a ton saved up (~70k) Don't want to necessarily get into all the money since its not a financial advice sub, but I spend roughly about 5k/month on essentials. I haven't finalized my refinance, but also looking to spend about 5k/month on loan repayment.
I want to buy a 2019 CTR. Best offer so far (in socal), 42k out the door (including warranty), my current plan is to put 12k down, already preapproved for a loan, monthly payments will be ~550/month.
But have 2 years left on lease (2019 accord manual), I'd lose about $4000 selling the lease at this point.
my current dilemmas
Thanks for reading, I know there are no "right or wrong" answers, lot of is personal preference and decision making, but just want to hear people's thoughts and opinions.
- I know I'm essentially wasting money to get what I want early- but is this completely irresponsible financially? Is waiting the only and right answer?
- Is this car even worth it at this point in my life...I can be spending that money on school loans, saving up for house, etc.
- Less of a financial dilemma-- should I wait for 2020 model (I like the honda sensing, but not a need need, but just feel like I'd be missing out; but also anticipating huge markups for 2020 on release esp in socal, so would I have to wait another year or so to see reasonable prices)
I never suggested anything. I mentioned the mazda because as far as steering feel, being on center is concerned, it's better. Other CTR owners have mentioned the slight on center play the steering has on the CTR. Does sports car steering mean on center play in the wheel? That was my comparison. I never made a direct comparison saying the mazda/wrx was a better car, only stated my driving experience and personal preferences. Where I live speed limits are 35-50 mph so in my daily driving conditions this contributes to the WRX being more fun. I don't think you read what I wrote.There's no reason for someone in your position to not get a Type R if you want a Type R. Most places are still selling it over MSRP but you can usually get near MSRP now with some haggling.
Everyone's entitled to their opinion- I think suggesting that the non STI WRX or a Mazda 6 is comparable to the CTR is very far off base. If your method of measuring how good a car is comes from just pushing the pedal to the floor at a stop light the CTR is not the car for you. The Type R is a driver's car- it is meant for people who appreciate the shifting experience, the steering feel, the feeling of grip and control when braking, taking a corner as quickly as grip allows, and powering out at the end. The CTR is an order of magnitude better than the WRX at all of these.
Mazda 6? It's a big econo box. That's it. No, it doesn't have sports car steering.
You've posted this statement a few times, but a CTR is actually going to be much faster than a stock WRX, even up to 50/60, the margin will depend on how well you drive the CTR. With the WRX, you simply mash in the pedal and it goes because AWD magic. With the CTR, you have to learn how to pull hard in 1st and 2nd gears and it takes a little while to learn and you'll be more prone to mistakes in the long run; it's not as simple as mashing in the pedal as you kind of have to do it just right. Have you used Hondata's traction control? That might fix a lot of the issues you're seeing with the CTR and its unusable power in 1st and 2nd gear since it has been said to eliminate most, if not all, of the wheel spin with its magical TCS sorcery. In this situation, you simply mash the pedal and it'll pull; and it'll nearly as hard as the WRX (after you've rolled off the line).I will tell you the CTR may not be what you think it is. I say this from experience. I have a 2019 CTR, Hondata 93 oct tune with improved throttle response, PRL HVI and PRL TIP. All that and my GF stock WRX is more fun in daily driving conditions. The only time I get a smile is the freeway ramp for about 2 seconds. Anything more than that and you are playing with fire. I'm hoping a custom tune will get me where I'd like to be. As I look around for my next mod I also toss the idea of trading my CTR for a WRX. As great as the CTR is it did not tick the boxes I was hoping it would. Also, our winter car 2014 Mazda 6 w 144,000 Ohio miles has dead center steering. All the rave reviews about the CTR steering had me so excited about that. It's pretty good but not what it was hyped up to be. The Mazda is better.
It's tuned and modified to provide more torque down low and be smoother (balance/counter shaft). The rods and pistons have been altered, the turbo is smaller and pulls less boost, a balancing shaft has been added back in. Those are the only changes I can remember off the top of my head. So the car has a lot less power as a result (nearly 10%) if memory serves, but is also much heavier (about 300 lbs). This leads to a power to weight ratio that is about 20% worse on paper. On top of that, it is also missing an LSD.Your Accord has the same engine as the Type R, except it is tuned for comfort as a family sedan than a performance track weapon. My opinion is keep the Accord a little longer and wait until you get a good deal in the refreshed Type R because it has all the nice bells and whistles. Also by that time, you will lose less or not losing at all with the lease. I also suggest test driving the Type R and compare it with your Accord so you don’t regret your decision later.