Each year I buy a $100 raffle ticket towards a charitable organization's car drawing. The delema is what to take if I won. The options are:

(1) 240hp Porsche Boxster S valued at $53,000

(2) $50,000 cash

(3) 340hp new Porsche Cayenne S (V8 SUV!)

My first thought is take the money, I've got the S2000 and the wife's got a '01 Outback.

On the other hand, I read so many glowing reports on the Boxster S I would be very, very tempted. I only ever sat in one but never drove it.

The thought of a Porsche SUV sadden's me -- now they are just like every other car company but having one in my garage would allow me to get over it quickly.

This would be a really tough choice for me. How about you?

 

Take the cash & invest it. Both cars will depreciate, whereas you can make the money work for you.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2KFanatic
[B]Take the cash & invest it.

 

just remember, you can gamble on the downs of the stock market by selling short in a back-assward way of thinking.

not sure which I'd take, probably the cash or the SUV - because it will have a higher resale value right off the bat. I'm anxious to see it in person. porche's become an aquired taste over time.

 

If your interested in short term, there are individuals w/more knowledge than I. But long term, you really can't beat stocks. The market is depressed right now, prices are great. I would purchase & sit on it for 3-5 years. It all depends on what kind of turnaround your looking for.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dlq04
[B]

Please advise where... the stock market (in general) hasn't done crap in 1.5 years.

 

take the cash.

you're gonna get soaked for taxes either way and taking the car means you have to dip into your wallet immediately. moreover, if you decide to sell the car, you're gonna take a bath (relatively speaking since you only paid tax, etc. on it) as it will be a used car.

if you're worried about where to put the $ then think more stable (but less exciting) returns ala CD's or money market accounts.

 

I'd lean towards the Boxster S, unless for some reason I was turned off by the test drive. Tax on a 50 grand car would not be nice but earning 1-1/2% in the money market is not nice either. A CD might earn you 5% if your willing to sit for 5 years. Guess in the end, I'm more a car nut than an investor.

 

Interesting thread, but OT..

 

Having test driven the Porsche Boxster S just a week ago and topping a speed well over 120, I'd definately have to recommend you drive one! I would take the Cayenne or Boxster and enjoy it for awhile and then turn around and sell it for a fair market value!

If you take the $50k in CASH, you'll be penalized with at least a 40% tax penalty! Take the car, pay only the sales tax on the value and enjoy it. After a few months or so, sell it or trade it towards something else. A Porsche would definately put you in the realms of "boat trading."

 

I would go to a dealership and pretend to be shopping for one and see if you can test drive one. If you like it better than the S than take the car. If not, take the money. Because I don't think that you'll be able to actually test drive the car if you win. The SUV option is definately out. I think that most of you would agree with me that the idea of Porsche SUV is just horrible.