DeTomaso Mailing List: February 98, Message #68
     



From: 	Swervedriver <wideopen@fred.net>

Subject: Re: what should i buy?

Date: 	Mon, 2 Feb 1998 14:39:57 +0000



>From what I've read, the Lotus is a solid buy in terms of fun factor,

performance, and looks. I guarantee you it won't *feel* as fast as a

Pantera. All that torque is pretty amazing, even if it does give up some

on the top end. Also, there are sooo many aftermarket hop-up parts

available for the Pantera. What about this great mailing list. You won't

get that from some old Lotus, er, well maybe. But they won't have a mad

dog or D-Mann to keep you company. Bunch of old stuffy engineers probably. 



Anyway, back to the cars. The Lotus is a new car, and comes with all the

perks of a new car (warranty, reliability, smell). But it will also

depreciate like a new car, and that's something to think about. Unless you

really do something to screw it up, the Pantera won't depreciate, and if

the trend continues it may even appreciate a bit. 



If I were you, and wanted both cars, I'd:



1. Buy a nice early Pantera and drive it for a few (2 or 3) years. Enjoy

it, race it, park it in your living room, whatever.



2. When the time is right, and the initial demand is out of the way (i.e.

prices stabilize to the sticker price) sell the Pantera and buy an Elise. 



But I'm not you and don't want both cars, but good luck anyway.



Brian



P.S. Are you at NIH in the DC area?