Who's the Cadillac of Hi-End Audio?

I'm leasing a new GMC Yukon and for $326.00 month there was absolutely nothing else I could find that had the ability to carry, tow and drive in it's class for that money.

I have zero experience with Cadillac, it would never work for my photography business and I was never drawn to it as a sports vehicle.

I have owned four BMW's, including the 540 V8 wagon. Five Volvo's (three of which were turbo charged wagons), and three Honda station wagons. (Cute but useless for many things).

I think much about an automobile, ANY automobile is about what you intend to use it for. If I were a single guy and no equipment to haul, I would own a Porsche, assuming I had the money. Since I must make a living and carry half my photo studio with me, there is little to compete with the big three auto makers for hauling, especially for the costs involved.

I have owned over 45 automobiles or trucks, including one Ferrari. The choices I made at that moment were a balance of what I wanted, what I needed and what I could afford. I always wanted MORE car than I could reasonably afford, sometime I made the decision to spend more than I should.

I must say that looking back, I am happy that I did, great memories are made from the unexpected things in ones life, especially things born of passion and excitement.

Automobiles are all about THAT moment, they have different values in different decades depending on their quality, gas economy, style, social acceptance and price. I can honestly say that I have been mostly satisfied with all the cars I've owned in some way or another.

Some, particularly the German and Italian cars, evoke a passion that escape most of the others. If you've not owned such an automobile, it's difficult to explain or justify.

I agree with those above who say the Japanese cars don't stir much in the way of passion. A strange level of emotionless perfection combined with reliability, as was their audio gear back in the 1970's.

Strangely, my GMC has a bit of personality that reminds me of several old GM products from years ago, including my 1955 Chevy Nomad station wagon, 1958 Chevy convertible and the four big block Corvettes.

When I hit the lottery I'm selling the GMC and buying 15 cars to replace it, most of which will be useless for hauling but a hell of a lot of fun to drive.

If I had to guess what was the most reliable automobile made, I would guess either Toyota or Honda.

This based what I have read and heard over several years, plus my personal experience of having owned one Toyota and six Honda's.

I have also owned seven Volkswagen's, including the new Beetle with water cooled engine. Volkswagen, Toyota and Honda are VERY different in style, personality and finish. All are excellent in their own way, but I do have a special spot in my heart for German cars.

When I bought my first Honda in 1978, American Automobiles were not very well made and fuel inefficient at a time when we had gas shortages. Buying a Honda also made sense because of EXTREME value. A new Civic with AM-FM radio, air conditioning, and sport wheels could be purchased for $3800.00 new off the showroom floor.

This low price setting trend continued until about 1986, until they begin to get overly popular, causing the price to rise to within a few thousand dollars of the Volvo 740 Turbo wagon (and the Volvo had sunroof, drop forged allow wheels and leather).

Later, after Volvo evolved to 100% front wheel drive, dropped their no fault / no cost, bumper to bumper warranty and was gobbled up by Ford, the unique personality and low prices vanished completely.

Right now, American SUV's and trucks from both GM and Ford have rebates, incentives and zero percent interest, making them the best deal in decades. My new GMC retailed for over 40K, and I am driving it for $326.00 a month with no money due at the end of 36 month lease.

Considering I cannot spend a dime on repair during the time I drive it, that is not bad overall operating expense.

Surprisingly, the slow economy has also hit extreme luxury cars. A ultra high end 745 BMW was just leased by of my friends at $750.00 a month on two year basis.

He paid ZERO down, not even tax. He gets a free BMW X5 as a loan car when he gets his oil changed, and if he's busy, the dealership will pick his car up and drive him where he needs to go.

Granted it's a LOT of money, and WAY over my budget, but for the guy that can afford that kind of luxury, that is an incredible way to drive a $75,000.00 automobile and not have to be responsible for it long term.

As I said before, this is all about what you want, need and can afford. I would have a stable of automobiles including a BMW 6 series coupe and the new Aston Martin DB 9 if I had Bill Gates money :^).

AARP?

Amazing Analog Record Performance?