These Are the New Cars Our Readers Would Spend $250,000 on

Earlier this week I asked my readers to tell me which new car (or cars) they would spend a hypothetical $250,000 check on, inspired by a conversation I had with my amazing coworkers on Slack. Andy recently had a Mercedes-AMG G63 press car that had an MSRP of about $250,000 – that’s where the negotiation started – and that’s basically what I’d spend a quarter of a million on. Well, in my initial post I said I wanted an electric G580 instead of a G63, but close enough.

Your answers were extremely diverse, ranging from picking some of the more affordable cars that pushed the limits, to single cars that were under the $250k mark. And fortunately, only a few people had the answer “Nothing because new cars suck.” I’ve collected my favorite answers to this thought experiment question, but it’s worth re-reading all the comments to give you a fun idea of ​​what Jalopnik viewers like.

I can’t say many cars would tickle me at that number, but the Lucid Air Sapphire starts at $249k and with the performance it still isn’t worth that $, but it is an amazing piece of technology.

Presented By: Potbellyjo

This is probably my second choice after G-Wagen. Just a completely unrealistic vehicle.

The first car that came to mind is the Corvette ZR1 I’m going with.

Easy choice for me: Corvette ZR1X. Because 1,064hp from the ZR1 isn’t enough. And I really want to experience the sub-2 second 0-60 launch that Cedar Point doesn’t have. If you’re going to spend that much for a car, better buy a gonzo one with it. Plus, I got to take it to the Corvette Museum to see it in its natural habitat, surrounded by all the other Corvettes.

Easy. Corvette ZRX. It smokes almost every car that costs more than it and yet is easily a daily driver which you can’t say about a Lamborghini or a McLaren.

Submitted by: SyntoCrunch1, Xavier96, V-Eight Miata

One of the best performance cars per dollar on sale right now.

If it were to be new, it would be a daily driver as there is currently no new car on the market that can be a fun weekend car. That said, my choice for a 6-figure daily driver is the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo. After spending a year with my base Taycan, it’s perfect as a daily driver, but adding a little more power, a front motor, and more trunk utility would make it an ideal practical performance car.

Presenter: ODDSeth

Another top pick for me.

I will buy a new Rav4 for the wife and a new Tacoma for myself. Exciting option right?

Presented By: IB007

I hope the RAV4 is at least a GR Sport.

2026 Ram Power Wagon – $80k

2026 Dodge Charger Daytona – $75k

Keep the rest for modifications and a nice trailer or two.

The Power Wagon was always liked but the poor fuel economy could never be justified. The electric charger solves that. The Charger is a city car and a drag car. The Power Wagon is a work, towing, off-roading and road trip rig.

This Charger is as close to an original 60s muscle car as you can get for an electric car. Are there better electric cars with longer range, better features and a better price? Absolutely. Does it look amazing and go fast in a straight line? Absolutely!

If it wasn’t obvious I’m a Mopar guy.

Presented by: Bruman15

Honestly, this seems like a great pairing.

I maxed it out to $166,940, so I’ll buy another one for the wife.

Presented by: Fiji ST

A nice two car garage.

LC500 and Lotus Emira V6

Thanks to the Orange Caligula Tax, the price of both has increased by about $15K.

Submitted by: tex

An even better two-car garage.

Can I buy more than one car?

If so, how many Miata’s can you buy for $250k?

Oh Miata, there is always an answer.

Like 6.5 Miatas.

Presenter: Thomas Hajdisch, 63_HP, FriscoFairlane

You can buy a 7.9 base Miatas for $250,000.

By far and away, the most attractive new car in that price range is the Aston Martin Vantage. Sure, a loaded Porsche 911 is probably the “right” choice in this segment, but the Aston offers a little more edge and a lot more style.

My choice too. I drove its new S version a few months ago and first saw the revised model at a local launch event almost two years ago. I always thought it was gorgeous, but driving it far exceeded my expectations (and they were very high). The cabin is a beautiful place and this is a vehicle that makes you feel special. I have fallen in love with it.

Submitted by: Aldarian, Todd

Very good option.

A Porsche GT3. You’d have to be light on options to get one for $250k (base is $235k but they could totally go closer to $300k). However, if you can actually purchase it at MSRP you will have the option of making an immediate profit. Or, if you have the coin, keep it and enjoy one of the best sports cars ever.

I would buy a unique car for $250,000, and use that money to create the ultimate 911 Carrera T. You’re probably wondering, “Why not a GT3?” Good question. With the paint I choose, the GT3 becomes a $260,000 car. Thanks for raising the price, my friends from Stuttgart.

Also, a friend of mine just bought a 2026 GT3. It’s hard to live with that car. It doesn’t want to drive around town, it wants to go fast. It is extremely stiff as it is essentially a road-legal racecar. It is not comfortable to drive or ride in. For $250,000 in this game I went with a 911 Targa 4 GTS. It is more comfortable and easier to live with.

Presenter: Neil Richards, Drift of Air, Johnnywasasschoolboy

You can’t go wrong with any new 911, but I also want a Targa GTS.

M5 Touring. As a wagon fan and a BMW fan, this ticks the boxes. But more importantly, I’d see it as a service to my fellow wagon fans by trying to convince automakers that wagons can be sold in America.

Presented by: Santacruzin

Money left for Dinan mods, right?

If I’m stuck keeping a car or cars and not being able to resell them. In reality they were to be run in a middle class setting, it is between these two options.

A car 250k “gift” – Corvette ZR1 or Porsche 911 GTS, incredibly basic but I can’t justify that much on any SUV or sedan with huge depreciation. Special enough to wow, but not the biggest target on your head, it’s seen more as a mid-life crisis, trophy gain and not to make everyone think I need to be audited because of illegal money.

Multicar solution – entire fleet upgrade. No car is perfect in every scenario. TRD Pro Tundra for a great truck. For a track car, a BMW M2 (probably a dark horse Mustang) and that should be enough to be a good family driver. A loaded Lexus TX would be enough for me (I’ve already spent my real money on it).

Everyone who is going to say something more foreign or more German. I hope you all get lower repair bills and cheaper insurance.

Defender Octa for around $170-180k and a Tacoma TRD Pro or Trailhunter for around $70-75k

I didn’t see anything about cars not being available for sale or not being taxed where I live. Specify how I want them:
Volvo V60 Plug In Hybrid $71,000 at current exchange rates
Renault 5 Electric $33,000 at current exchange rates
Alpine A110 GTS $99,000 at current exchange rates
And some that are sold here:
Mazda Miata Club $42,000
Total: $245,000

I think I’ll split it. I’d get something big and comfortable for family trips, like a Chevy Suburban with the Duramax engine. A commuter car in EV form, like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. To accomplish this I would probably go with the Corvette Z06 if I could get one at MSRP.

Possibly several new cars. A Lincoln Nautilus for my wife. And a 911 T or even better a 718 Spider. Or the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Ultimate Limited Edition. An instant classic and a unicorn.

Presented by: Mark Tsai (Sam), Rob-Gittins, MyKinjaHandleWontFit, MisterMcGine3D, Paul Stabbins

See what I mean about you all having a good variety?