It may be 54k but you don't have to spend jack shit on tires/steering wheels/maintenance (nearly nothing)/repairs etc the car is set up great and worry free. It also looks amazing. IMO that is worth an extra 300 a month or so.
When you start adding up all the mod/cost of mods that can easily put you over that. Vs something you will just get to enjoy straight out of the box.
Once my job situation clears up this year I'll be doing some thinking on this. I am tired of a turBRO yaris egg.
I've got all the mods I'm going to do to this car. If it's not where I want it, I'm not going any deeper, so the mod budget is a moot point. It has brand new tires on it (evo V112's that I've had on nearly every performance car I've owned), and I'm going to burn those off before changing the wheels and/or tires. Tires for the C5 will be WAY cheaper than the C7 given wheel diameters and I will go through tires quickly, so this is an important consideration. I'd have to maintain a C7 to the same level I'll maintain the C5 since it'll see regular track duty. Those costs are likely similar, if not slightly in favor of the C5. Also, insurance on the C7 is quite a bit higher than the C5, but it's about what the ATS costs, so it's not a huge deal. Overall, the C5 is likely the same or cheaper to operate than a C7.
You got me on looks, interior, and worry-free lifestyle, doe. If the C5 starts acting up, it'll be in trouble. I've got a short window of time in the year to enjoy it, and if I'm spending it working on it, it's done. I have to ride out the ATS lease before I decide anyway, which is 2 years away. Maybe when that's up I'll be ready to trade the C5 for a C7, and maybe I can find a used 2LT in the mid 40's.
A new $54k C7 has many concessions for me. Dimming side mirrors are epic. My C5 has it, and I love it because it means not being blinded by the myriad of trucks and SUVs rolling behind you at night. Cooled seats are incredible, and I'd love to have them. Same goes for the HUD. The 2LT is ideal, but then I'm at $60k new, and that's a little cray. I can stomach mid-50's...I think. I just don't want to buy a cheap car and make concessions then regret it later.
