Wish List: 2014 Nissan GT-R Coupe Track Edition

Asked another salesman about his dream car today! This one was a bit more difficult. He doesn't just have "One car" for him, he has dozens. It took some coaxing for him just to pick one in a REASONABLE amount of time!

He landed on the 2014 Nissan GT-R Coupe Track Edition.. Good choice, I think

We decided to go with the most expensive version. After all, this is a wish list. Labeled a "world class supercar", the GT-R comes with a 3.8L V6 Cyl engine and 545 horsepower. It has AWD and ALL the options. The only difference between the Track and Black edition is that the Track is more competition ready.

First released in 2007, it was a successor to the iconic Skyline GT-R. While is not badged with the Skyline name, the current GT-R certaintly has its roots in that line. They are both nicknamed "Godzilla". Between 2008 and 2012, Nissan produced only 5,336. It holds the record for the fastest 0-60 MPH with Guinness.

The MSRP of the 2014 is $115,710 on Nissan's website. We decided to go ahead and "build" one. We picked all the accessories and came to a final price of $119,490. If we wanted to finance it? The monthly payment would be $2,184 over 60 months!!!!

Currently, there is actually an auction for Paul Walker's GT-R featured in the Fast and Furious 4. It is going for $1.35 million.

Sources: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_GT-R ; Carscoops http://www.carscoops.com/2014/02/paul-walker-nissan-skyline-gt-r-from.html ; Nissan http://www.nissanusa.com/sportscars/gt-r ; MotorTrend http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1211_2014_nissan_gt_r_japanese_spec_drive/photo_10.html ; Millionaire Car Club http://millionairecarclub.com/2013-nissan-gt-r-races-a-jet-hd-video/#.UvKpY7SYWF8 ; Edmund's http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/gt-r/2014/?style=200467340&sub=coupe#specs-diff

Wish List : LaSalle Convertible

Today, we asked another salesman about his "dream car". It only took him about 30 seconds and he asked "One I just want to have, or a daily driver?" We told him anything he wants. He landed on the 1939 or 1940 LaSalle Convertible. 

While the LaSalle was made by Cadillac, it never actually had the Cadillac name. This allowed it to be priced lower than its counterparts who did have the brand name. A major reason it was released was to fill a "price gap" in General Motors's lines. It was designed by Harley Earl and this vehicle had a big effect on his life; he later became the overseer of all General Motor designs. The car was named after the French explorer, Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle. 

First released in 1927, it was considered agile and stylish. Sales did not do so well, especially in the early years. Some of this had to do with the Great Depression but even when the economy began to pick up, the LaSalle did not. However, the similar Packard One Twenty introduced in 1935 did not suffer in the slightest. Packard sold 72% more than the LaSalle over 6 years. 

One suspicion for this huge gap in sales is that the LaSalle did not carry the Cadillac name! It was only $1,000 cheaper than the lower priced Cadillac in 1934, but sales continued to be lackluster. The idea is that maybe the LaSalle would have sold better if it was sold under the Cadillac brand as well.

This was attempted in 1937. It was advertised as completely Cadillac built and the price was lower. It did help sales quite a lot! But not enough. It seemed to late. Cadillac has prestige and it was too late with the ongoing depression to advertise the prestige of the LaSalle.

 

Even though sales were not as good as they wanted, between 1933 and 1940 sales did continue to rise. In 1939, 23,028 sold and in 1940, 24,133. In 1939, the LaSalle also became more "Cadillac" in design.

We managed to find a few for sale on the internet. The first one seemed to have some restoration parts but was a beautiful car for $74,900. There was also a 1940 50 series Convertible sedan on Ebay for $57,500 with only 21,127 miles. It has the V-8 with a 3 Speed column shift. Only 125 of these were made.

It's a beautiful car and at first, we weren't entirely sure why this one was his choice but then he explained. He had owned one when he was younger. He sold it in the 70s for $10,000 cash. However, he found it again in the 80s when it sold at auction for $280,000. Like Miss Daisy said, "I should have kept my LaSalle."

Sources: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaSalle_%28automobile%29 ; Ebay, http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cadillac-Other-Convertible-1940-lasalle-series-50-sedan-convertible-original-cadillac-excellent-/321242888223?forcerrptr=true&hash=item4acb91781f&item=321242888223&pt=US_Cars_Trucks ; Hemmings, http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/lasalle ; Driving Miss Daisy movie

Wish List : 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo with a Whale Tail!

This week we asked Jeremy what his "dream car" was. There was no debate; he knew right away what he wanted: a 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S. He actually wanted the RUF but he wanted to make it easier for the research! Oh, and can't forget he wanted the whale tail.

The 911 was first introduced in 1963. It's a Grand Tourer from Germany and over the years they have been used in a ton of automobile competitions. They were actually one of the most successful in the races. In 1999, it came in 5th for the Car of the Century. It was voted #2 on Automobile Magazine's list of "100 Coolest Cars". Currently, the Porsche 911 is one of the oldest sports coupes still in production.

The 1994 Porsche 911 was under the number 964 when released. The first one was in 1989 and the Turbo version in 1990. Only 2,282 were made of the version Jeremy wanted. It has a top speed of 163 MPH and hits 60 MPH in 5.5 seconds. It still had the aircooled engine in '94. There is only 76 of the Slant nose version and only 17 Package cars. There is actually one featured in the 1995 movie Bad Boys.

Searching for how much the 94 Porsche goes for was a bit difficult. We found one with 105,864 miles that sold for $60,000. Most others shown have much less miles but request that you call for the price. It's estimated that a 20,000 mile 911 would still fetch 6 figures though! It had an original MSRP of $99,000.

Would you like to see your dream car featured? Leave it in the comments below!

Sources: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_964 , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911#911_GT1 , Complex Rides http://www.complex.com/rides/2012/05/the-50-coolest-movie-cars-new/bad-boys-1994-porsche-911-964-turbo-36 , Thomas Classics , Sloan Cars http://sloancars.com/inventory/ , Cars on Line http://www.cars-on-line.com/porsche.html , Motor Car Group http://www.motorcargroup.com/web/used/Porsche-911-Turbo-S-Slant-Nose-1994-Solon-Ohio/1305861/

Wish List

What is the one car you'd want more than any other? Ignore price and imagine you could get any car, which would it be? Leave your choice in the comments below and we'll try to do a piece about it!

One of our salesman, Andrew Jackson, picked the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Edition. The original SLR was started in 2003 and ran until 2009, when it was discontinued. McLaren and Mercedes-Benz had split ways and the it seemed the SLR would end. It had been inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe and Race Car from 1955.

However, in December of 2010, Mercedes announced they would run a very limited edition of the SLR. Only 25 were made and only 7 of those were sold in the United States! It is very similar to the previous makes aside from the Stirling Moss. The McLaren was released with revised body work and interior plus upgraded steering and sports exhaust.

While Andrew prefers the silver versions, he can't help but call the one above sexy. It has a top speed of 2007 MPH and goes from 0-62 MPH in only 3.8 seconds. The 2011 kept the 5.5L supercharged V8 that gets 626 horsepower and 575 lb ft of torque.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren had an original MSRP of $1,025,400.00. We found one today that is a custom gold and red that was asking for $10,000,000!!! However, we managed to find another that was $890,000. Might be closer to your budget.

The SLS succeeded the SLR and continues today.

We found quite a few strong opinions about the design and revival of the SLR. Some say it's ugly, others love it and are glad it's back. A few believe it's outstayed its welcome. What do you think of Andrew's dream car?

Sources: Top Car Rating http://www.topcarrating.com/price.php?brand_id=108 ; Tech Autos http://www.techautos.com/2010/12/05/mclaren-resurrects-mercedes-benz-slr-for-25-car-limited-edition/ ; Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_SLR_McLaren ; Top Automotive Collection http://top-automotive-collection.blogspot.com/2011/04/2011-mercedes-benz-mclaren-2010-preview.html