AutoGuide Dream Car Garages: $500,000 Edition

Sami Haj-Assaad's Dream Car Garage

There are far too many cars out there to choose from, even when limiting my options to just $500,000. I believe that life is just too short to drive boring cars, so let’s scratch off the drab sub-compacts and family cars and get right to it. I also wish I could have bought some cars for my friends – I’m typically of the mindset that things (including cars) are more fun with the people you love, but since this post is about my dream cars and not what I’d do with half a million dollars, I’ll keep this list pretty personal.

I’ll start with my toys: a 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS with a few options and packages. Why the Cayman and not a 911? I love the uncompromising design of the smaller Porsche. It’s small and cozy with a tight wheelbase. I’d also love the right-behind-my-head placement of that 3.4-liter flat-six engine. I wouldn’t even need a stereo because the Cayman screaming to 7,400 RPM would be an intoxicating soundtrack to live with every single day. But let’s get to the point here. The Cayman GTS isn’t exactly about speed, it’s about fun. It makes 340 HP and weighs less than 3,000 lbs, making it agile, engaging and balanced. Just the perfect car I’d want to drive nearly every day, and you can pick it up for about $78,000 although I would definitely check some of the options boxes so mine would run about $84,930.

2015 Audi RS 7 – $117,300. Well, there will be days when I’ll want my friends around and for that I’m dropping $117,300 on a brand new Audi RS7. Having piloted one of these in the past for a whole week, I still can’t shake it out of my mind. It’s sexy, fast, loud and even inconspicuous when driven normally. Making 560 hp and hitting 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, the RS7 is a speed machine, but where I live snowy winters are a serious concern – could the RS7 be my winter ride? For $117,300, I’ll be parking it in my driveway.

Honda S2000 – $20,000. Okay, by now, you’ve probably noted that this list is both full of German cars and lacking in eye-catching convertibles. Well ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been thinking about that issue and plan to resolve it with a Honda S2000. How much would you say a picturesque S2000 go for? I’d say around $20,000 at the most. Although most enthusiasts would opt for the first-gen AP1 models, I’d have no issues going with a more modern AP2 model. The engine isn’t able to rev as high, but the added displacement supposedly gives it more useable torque. Another well balanced car, that won’t get me in too much trouble on the public roads, but provide a ton of fun on the autocross circuit and race track. A decent used version can be had for about $20,000.

BMW i8 – $136,650. Now I’m probably going to take a ton of flack for this choice, but here’s the reality. I don’t think there’s another car on the road that looks more futuristic than the i8. Drive past any group of people, car fans or not, and they’ll remember the car. Additionally, it seems like it would be quite interesting to drive. Its low slung, has an all-wheel drive setup and boasts an all-electric range of 20 miles. Of course, it’s still a BMW that can rocket to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds or return up to 76 MPGe. This one will set me back $136,650.

Mazda Miata (Team Eunos Cosmo Edition) – $29,460. Okay, so I’ve already got a Japanese convertible on the list – but I want something a little more personal. So with my $500,000 budget, I’d like to buy back the first-place finishing MX-5 that Mike Schlee and I piloted in the 2014 Mazda Adventure Rally. Although I spent most of the time in that rally sitting in the passenger seat and shouting directions at Mike, the most memorable moment of the rally happened for me while I was in the driver’s seat. Caught up in the competition of setting a superb lap time – I had a mishap and crunched the passenger-side rear quarter panel. It was my first accident on a track and it was really embarrassing. I’ll also admit it was pretty depressing too. I remember being really worried Mike would hate me for hurting our chances at winning. Fortunately we won in the end, but it was still a very memorable moment for me, which is why I’d love to get that MX-5 back.

2014 Corvette Stingray w/Z51 Performance package – $77,225. Wow, $77 grand for a Corvette? That got pricey pretty quickly didn’t it? Well, my choice for a Corvette wouldn’t be too basic. I’d opt to get the hot Laguna Blue paint finish, Z51 performance package, magnetic ride control, upgraded interior and a carbon fiber roof. That would make this Corvette one hot looking and performing ride, with comfort features and high-performance attributes. But let’s be honest, I’m not just buying a Corvette because of its performance level. I’m doing it to bring some balance to my garage. It’s the only American car and also the only naturally aspirated V8 car in my fleet. Four of the cars in my garage have four cylinders (or less) so I’d like to think that the V8-powered ‘vette is bringing a bit of Zen under my roof. This Vette’ will cost me $77,225 to bring home.

Subaru WRX – $33,290. Picking this car means I’ll have just $1,145 left over from that $500,000 limit, but I’m not just buying it so I keep close to the original guidelines. As the winner of the sporty compact car shootout, the WRX really impressed me. It was extremely fast, comfortable and liveable. This is my true daily driver, as I wouldn’t feel worried leaving it in any sketchy parking lots, or driving it in the winter or rain. The WRX is an all-year long, anytime you want it sports car, and for that I’d cram it right into my dream-car garage.