On the car forum I frequent yesterday - The Car Lounge - a user posted a question of “What long term automotive goals are you planning for?”, which created quite a thread, with many users chiming in with their respective plans and dreams for the future. It’s rather nice to see people remaining hopeful and optimistic, amidst these times of huge uncertainty, though I guess it’s a biased representation: those that have lost a job aren’t wont to post about their future car plans.
We count ourselves lucky.
Because of the massive uncertainty caused by the current COVID situation, my own long term automotive plans are quite simple: pay off the GT3 as soon as possible. Now is the perfect time to pay down debt: monthly expenses have gone way down since the lockdowns began, and with future prospects murky at best, I want to be as prepared as possible. That means to not be encumbered with a huge car note, should I need to move or find something else to do. Fortunately, I have about a new entry-level luxury sedan’s worth of payments left on the 911, so I have to say this plan is going quite well.
And if I come out of this coronavirus pandemic unscathed, then the plan is to keep the GT3 forever - it might be the last “fun car” I buy. With the automotive industry heading towards a landscape I don’t particularly like: turbocharging and electrification, is there even an opportunity to upgrade for those of us who preference analog feel and naturally-aspirated motors? My 911 is plenty fast as is, and it presents a level of enjoyment that I think I can be satisfied with for a very long time to come - I bought it with the intention of it being the “forever car”, after all.
Should I need another car for commuting purposes, I’ll likely lease something super cheaply. Contrary to popular belief, the automobile can indeed be just an appliance for us enthusiasts; each type of car has its purpose.
Right now may not be the best time to be reading this book…