Am I crazy to do this???
 

I realize most people on this site don't downgrade their rides, but hear me out...I need opinions.

So I've got my nice GA GT....11k miles on it, I love it. Has an average retail of $16,500 according to NADA, I know on the lot I can sell it for $15,500. Its perfect. Even had Mobil 1 in it since 1,000 miles. Not one scratch. This car brand new as an '03 after rebates and discounts goes for $18,500. So, someone can save $3,000 or roughly $60/month over 5 years to buy my car over a new one, and all they gain is 11k miles. Sound like a good deal?

What I want to buy is an '00 GA SE1 coupe, with 26k. Has all the same goodies as my GT (CD, roof, etc.), except its a 2.4 rather than a 3400. But here's the catch. With tax title plates, this thing will run me exactly 8 grand :) For $900 more, I can add a 36/45 bumper to bumper warranty. So by buying this car, I can bank almost 5 grand (the difference between my payoff and what I can sell the car for), and buy this one with no $$ down, lower my payment $50 a month AND take out a 3 year rather than a 4 year loan like I have now (7 months into it).

So how many other people would do this? Am I crazy to give up my nice GT, or does this make too much sense not to do?? The '00 is in nice shape, the 2.4 is adequate....help!

Doesn't matter if that SE is manual or not. I would not do it at all.
I can understand going from SE to GT....but GT to SE? I guarantee that you will miss GT.

not to get too off topic, but 2.4 se's come with a sunroof?

also, i guess it depends on if, you do, want to save money, but u will lose power. ur going from a 6 to a 4 cylinder, so if your not worrying about power, then go for it. i personally would stay with the gt.

Yeah, I would say stick with the GT. It looks sportier, has far better performance than the SE 2.4, and it's just a cool car. But I remember you saying you hardly go over 3k RPM so i doubt you will actually miss the performance of the GT by jumping to an SE 2.4. If you feel that it's worth it in the end to get the SE, well I guess go for it. I don't know though, I think you will miss the GT later on. Don't like the GT?

2.4 SEs were available with a roof. Its part of an option package that added the CD, multi-spoke 16s and a sunroof.

I guess for me, having the Z28 satisfies the need for speed, and this is more of a point A to point B car. Having the extra $5k in the bank for me I guess is just sorta comforting :)

I know I will miss the GT, because it is a better car. But is it worth the extra $6,500 or so?? I expect the majority here to disagree with me because as I said, people normally upgrade rather than downgrade. I guess the thing is, I've always felt like I tied up too much $$ in a daily driver, and this seems like a cheap way outta that.

Other thoughts? Thanks for those so far...and I entirely understand where you 2 are coming from!

I'd do the down-grade... I've even thought about getting back into another SE with a 2.4 (I used to have a SE V6) .

If cash is what you need and the GA is the car for you, then I'd say that sounds like a pretty good plan :)

A GA is most definitely the car for me...I've had a '95 SE 3100, a '98 2.4 SE and now the '02 GT, and all were just what I wanted...inexpensive, solid cars with good performance for the $$. The thing is, the '02 isn't all that inexpensive compared to the other ones!

Being in grad school, 5 grand in the bank and $50 a month less is just kinda nice :)

It sounds like a plan to me, especially considering you have the 30th Ann. Z28. If the GT is just an every-day, get-you-to-where-you-need-to-go car and the Z28 is the mean machine, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Take the 5 grand you save and put it into the Z28. :)

It sounds like you already made up your mind, go for it! :thumbs:

Well, the GT looks much better and is much better but I am planing on selling my GT as well and getting a z24. With all the money I got left over I would be able to get some nice things for the z24. And I just hate it that the aftermarket is so small for the grand am. Its up to you and what you want to do becuase none of us is going to be driving your cars.

gosh, seriously, think of all the money you could be saving! for the SAME car! (OK almost the same.)

I'd downgrade to the SE in a heartbeat. :thumbs:
$5k is alot of money. And $50 less a month is great!

Like, what's the difference??? (Aside from the obvious.) It's still your point a to b car, looks great, pontiac, grand am....etc etc.

Not many offers come along like this. :)

plus with the extra money you could get a supercharger/turbo ;x

bet that would make it better :thumbs:

well i know i would never give up my gt even if i had a z-28. hell i'd rather have my gt than a z-28 but thats just me.. flame me if you wish.. but you would be a :tool: to give up the gt.. just my honest opinion.. besides $50.00 a month is not that much more to pay for a gt over an se with more miles smaller engine etc.

i would keep the gt. however, i do see your reasoning. if you're gonna get just an everyday driver why not get like a 96 ga or something similar for 5k? that's even more money. also keep in mind that even though you have 5k in the bank, you do but you don't if you get what im saying. You're 5k in the bank might actually be nothing depending on the size of you're loan. I would put the biggest chunk towards the loan and save on paying interest (if you are). ive also considered the same thing you are. everyday i wonder why am i driving this car im just losing money. its paid off but the depreciation is terrible. ive spent lots of money on cars and guess what i never get all of it back. what i should do is just get like a 90-91 accord or any car thats cheap, runs well, looks not so great and drive that. insurance is cheaper depreciation is no big deal cuz i only paid 3k for it. but i just cant do it, must be the insecurity in me or something. im happy with my cars and ill probably continue to drive nice cars.

If its just from pt a to pt B get the SE. Just seems to be the smart decision. The 2.4L does have potential to have a lot of power (more then any 3.4L I've ever seen). Vizzion has a Daily driven 400+ whp 2.4L.

You would need to change your avitar from "Got Tourqe?" to "Need Tourqe?

Has the SE been taken care of as well as you have taken care of the GT?

Personally, I like being the only owner of a car. I know everything about it, and what has been done to it. You wouldn't know that buying used. You would be trading in a car that you took great care of and rolling the dice hoping the previous owner did not abuse the SE.

VAGT brings up a good point. You will be switching from a car owned by you to one with an unknown history. There is a certain risk involved, even with an extended warranty.

When I pay off my GT in the next year, I'm going to keep it as the daily driver and possibly buy an older (1992ish) 5-speed 5.0 Mustang for recreation purposes. You can get those cars for $4-5K.

OH MY GOD!! Someone with some sense to them:thumbs:

yeah he's right in not picking the year 93' Hypereutectic pistons suck. If your gonna get a fox body don't get a 93 or you won't get forged pistons :)

Heres a pic of my friends 88 INCON TT car. God this car pulls hard.

http://www.columbusracing.com/pics/brianttstang.jpg