Anyone spend more on their system than their car?


I just signed the papers for a used Pontiac Vibe, will cost me $12,600 + tax and (almost dead)trade-in. This is a few $K less than I spent on my main system, and one of the reasons I didn't spend more is to be able to afford a new preamp sometime this spring. I'm not quite sure what else I would have bought. I do lust after the Hemi Magnums, but was determined to buy something socially responsible - I dunno, maybe if I hadn't blown so much on audio, I'd have gotten a Prius. Is anyone else not driving the car of their dreams to afford audio? Or skimped on other things that most people wouldn't to afford their system?
honest1
My system is just slightly ahead of my new car (Honda HR-V EX-L).  Got to keep priorities straight!  Must admit as a 1st time Honda owner that they did an amazing job with the HR-V design inside and out.  Most enjoyable ride I've had.
My wife drives a 2013 VW CC and I drive a 2013 GMC Sierra, both paid for and in like new condition and home is 14 payments from being paid off, I am pretty set on my stereo and I have probably $35,000.00 invested there and I believe it would bring close to that if I were to resell it with that said the only thing that supersedes my audio is a new motocross bike every 2 years and I have to say that the bike is the only thing other than family that brings me as much enjoyment as my audio and have been doing both for 50 years.
Sevs > thanks for resurrecting this thread!
folks Do think that u r crazy! ;-(

blindjim > you are welcome. Seemed the least I could do and I always try to do the least I can.
What someone else thinks of me is none of my business.
Sanity, its loss or continuance, oftens depends on particular perspectives. I enjoy having fun. Music that can raise the hairs or force the jaw onto the floor by its presentation alone, is fun. ‘spensive too! So what?! How deeply you are into the ‘goove’ depends on your devotion, wherewithal, and hmmm, well, that is about it actually. It, however, anything , consumes your ever waking moments, entices you into feeling that next gizmo is what is required to make you feel good, then that is insanity of another kind. Obsession ain’t just a perfume for women. They ought to make one called ‘Compulsion’ too. Add those things together and you get one card carrying audio nut… to use the kindest words coming to mind presently.

All that said, were I to have extremely deep, near bottomless funding? I’d likely try a whole lot more gear. For a while. Mostly to see who’s throwing bull and who ain’t….

One doesn’t have to spend the money some reviewers have listed in their ‘side bars’ to have an incredible sounding system. That is sheer fantasy. Pure hype. A marketing untruth. Again, I’m being as kind as is possible.

In the ‘70s I missed being able to buy a ’62 Corvette for $1200. Later, I bought a brand new car for $4995. After the military, I bought a bike for $1600. Then put about $5,000 to customize and set it up for drag racing. In the ‘90s I bought two cars, running, for $300. Later on, Got a truck once for $160! Running. Yep. They were trash, but it sure beat walking. Bought a better truck a few years on for $14,000 new.

I’ve paid off 2 of the 3 mortgages on my home and owe very little now on it. Can’t drive any more, so what now?

Boats came to mind. Guns, knives, ancient Mongolian art notions came and went.

Music. Played it for a long time. Horns only. Learning the keyboard now. OK. I’m in!!

Now, “its just a matter of time” as the song says. Again.


Mulveling > Yep, easily. Honda Accord. Nicer car would probably help more with the ladies, but I get by.

Schubert > Might help with the women but won't with a lady .

Blindjim > could be too, the ‘lady’ owns a complete top tier GamuT outfit, and can’t afford a car, so an Accord looks pretty good at that point. Or she lives in N.Y. City or D.C..

Stingreen; are you using Quickies and the Quicksilver Full Pre? Which speakers? Just curious.