Off Topic ForumThis is the place for mature discussions not necessarily related to cars. This is however also moderated and only registred members are allowed to post. No religion and no vicious attacks.
Alright, I'm sure I am going to hear it for this but I can't keep quiet anymore...This whole situation presented by Dan sounds like a complete crock to me...Sure, its possible for someone your age to afford all those expensive cars (though most of them are oil princes or boy band members). It doesn't make sense to me that to take advantage of this investment opportunity (which sounds bogus), you need to get rid of EVERYTHING and live like a pauper. The difference between life with or without an M5 is maybe 1500 a month, if you finance and pay insurance. Are you trying to say that the margin between a nine figure success (in 18 months) and your present life is 1500 dollars a month? Put all that aside, and look at this investment idea....DOUBLING your money in that period of time with NO RISK is preposterous....The kind of numbers you are talking about just don't happen in the real world...Even Hillary Clinton couldn't touch that return...To say that these investment returns are "conservative" just insults my intelligence...
You've been on this board longer than I have, so I will assume that you actually do own an M5, but if this was your 10th post, I don't think anyone would even give this topic the time of day.
Talk about an interesting line, Dan. You have piqued everyone's interest.
I monitor this board and no other because of the high integrative level at which discussion occurs. Obviously those that have been able to acquire an M5 at least from their own hand are sharp enough to have developed the method to afford one; ie pretty successful in business.
I enjoy the board because the discussions contain a certain integrity amongst its members in their discussions, aside from the occasional humorous exaggerations.
Being about twice your age and not unsophisticated of the ways of the world as well as the world of finance, I have to say that the comments of Ivan and Adequilio make the most sense so far to me. The proposed scenario of already having at least hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of readily available assets, and assuming a risk investment to the point of having to driving a $10,000 car is at best absurd and ridiculously risky; at worst doesn't smell right. Logic would state that, unless there is NO risk, some would be held in safe reserve. And I venture to say it is IMPOSSIBLE that there is no risk. If there were, even more reason to live at a reasonable level, as your no risk investment is bound to create more to pour back in. Something is missing here.
If you are young, ambitious, and naive, let me give you some friendly elderly (40) advice. Always diversify; never put all your eggs in one basket as there is NO SUCH ANIMAL as a sure thing.
If you are blowing smoke, let us all enjoy the laugh, and you will retain the credibility of your posts and the integrity of the board.
I vote you drive the Toyota and live meagerly because it builds character and a set of values that will pay off in life. And if I am off base here, I will personally fly to CA and wash and wax your Corolla.
..........So what I'm proposing is living with the shame (or is there even any?) of driving a single old beater car for the remainder of college, and really curtailing my lifestyle and expenses to the basics: food, housing, insurance, entertainment, speeding tickets (yes, you can even get them in a toyota!) - the basics. All for the possibility of, with some patience, some sacrifices, some tenacity, and a little bit of luck, of breaking the nine figure mark. I figure life has got a long way to go, and I'm still in the early stages....
Dan, I am doing this (investing) for a living, and after over 60 investments and 5 years of doing it, I can tell you that it highly unlikely, in today's market, to find any investment that has the low risk/high return. But I am prepared to listen..
__________________
Arie
Remember, with an automatic transmission, Shift Happens....
'01 M5 - Titanium Silver/Siilverstone/Aluminum trim
- PDC
- Split seats
- deleted spoiler
- M Audio
- 8000 phone
- Voice Reco
- TV tuner
I can understand Anthony's sentiments, after all, initially (with some no-shows on my part to certain events) board members doubted I had even the M5. Then Greg and I met up for the first time and that was that.
Again, it's certainly certainly certainly NOT a no-risk investment, but I've seen the attrition rate of companies int he current market and I personally feel that this is something unique. You know when there's something funny about an investment, and not in the bad way, but something about it drives you check, double-check, triple-check, etc. the numbers? Yeah. And I'm not necessarily saying live like a pauper, just give up a lot of unnecessary material goods like cars (which, as Greg has pointed out, i've spent a foolish amount on in the first place regardless) for a chance at something bigger. For all that I know, the entire thing can flop down, I'll fall flat on my face, and that's that. So the risk for me, as far as potential losses, is great, but the risk on the investment itself, it really doesn't seem to be huge. I don't think I'm entirely crazy, because a good friend of mine is betting the house on it, as are the others involved.
As for keeping some aside, yes, I considered it, yes, I've set some aside, but we're talking less than 10%. With regards to the M5, I didn't lease the car or anything, so it's really a 75k or not 75k type of thing. As for driving the toyota, i won't be solely stuck with it, as i'll have parents' cars at disposal if need be, but it would be primary. I'm not going out to BUY one, it's already there.
b56: not quite sure by what you meant about coming out to wash and wax it, but if you're willing, why not? Get a little gathering going locally, as it's been a while anyways.
Paul: i ordered another jet black, but bmw and i are in a row about an accident on their part. it's a long sad story continuing with the lemon dilemma, and i've been told by them to keep shut about it, at least until it's resolved.
One thing struck me through, as I read through it again ... and I'm not embarassed to say it, but i'm certainly embarassed that i posted this in the first place. I read over it and it just comes off wrong in too many ways, so I apologize for that. I meant for it to be a means of seeking advice in a broader sense, as I've gotten mixed comments from the people I trust within my own circles, and instead it really comes off leaving a sour taste in one's mouht. Again, my sincerest apologies for that.
But, as usual, I'm always interested in hearing the comments and critiques, and I'm taking everything to heart.
--Dan
PS: Arie: check your messages I'm sure that you also realize that while it's rare, it's not impossible. If you think about it, even the MAJOR scores of the internet bubble were rare, it's just that there were enough other success stories that the "average" worked out really well.
Another thing I wanted to add is motivation: Greg brought up the point of WHY I'm going for this all-or-nothing type of thing. Well, two reasons, I'm very bitter because I was recently swindled out of something that, upon further evaluation, is my fault in the sense that I didn't really cover my back and b) as bad as this sounds, I know I can rely on my parents if I lose everything. I mean, you won't find me on the streets of SF begging for change or anything. So given that, and given a firm belief in something, and really a the DESIRE to do well (I mean, that's what drove me to where I am in the first place, it wasn't that I was just a natural investor or VC and it's something that would happen either way, it was something I set out for).
Last edited by bobafett; 17th January 2002 at 23:47.
I think along Greg's lines. It's all abbout your "magic number."
The "magic number" is the amount of after-tax capital you're required to be sitting on in order to support the lifestyle you want without encroaching upon that capital or seeking independent cash flow.
My magic number is currently only 7 digits $USD, but then I am single, live in a cheap country [], have no plans yet for multiple homes and am optimistic about my and my financial planners' collective abilities.
Anything beyond my magic number becomes more of a career "game" and not a potential to upgrade my lifestyle, simply because my (TRUE) friends would ostracize/institutionalize me if my possessions got much fancier. Some already have.
If I were you (and I'm not), I would relish the eight digits. We just went through a Klondike period there. It was such a gift. You're totally set; just put your money to work for you sensibly.
The 25-bagger sounds real dodgy, but if you put in 1/25th of your wealth and it works, you're twice as rich... then you can order FOUR Vanquishes...
Finally: If you're unashamed of how you earned the money to be driving the Beast, then you shouldn't be ashamed to drive it. If you're not but it still gets to you, you're worrying too much about what others think. F*ck 'em.
Dan,
let me try to give you some nuggets of advice and thoughts.
1. you dont owe anyone an explanation- ever. so you have nothing to be embarrassed about.
2. know when to quit. sometimes you are better off getting out, taking some time and getting some prospective. For example, right now you are pretty bothered because an ivestment didnt workout. Its great to have the motivation to want to correct a bad performance- however, if you arent careful, you might hastily make a similar mistake and really get screwed.
3. be true to yourself.
4. try to keep family and friends out of investments. this is a sure fire way of generating tremendous heartache.
my final thoughts are, you seem to have your future pretty well locked up in financial terms. Heres a good little something to remember:
DFU (dont F up).
Seriously- you would kick yourself so hard in the butt if you did. Take a good chunk of this and put it away in an investment that you can live off the interest on. And NEVER touch it. thats just MHO.
no matter what- I always enjoy your posts here and you seem to be a good guy so I end by wishing you good luck and most of all good health.
__________________
All the best,
Jerry 00 Z8 Jet Black/Red Sport / some others
You now have this great "scheme", oh excuse me, investment. (I could not resist).
I would say you really suprise us on a regular basis. I am not going to try and advise you on your future. I have a difficult enough time keeping up with my own. You do not appear to me to be one who is going to blow all your cash.
Good luck with your upcoming plans and if the time ever presents itself to let us come along for a taste, so be it.
Mark
__________________
MY2001 Imola Red
Lux. Black Interior
Painted Calipers,
AC Schzitner Type III Two Piece 18 chrome wheels, Stage II HID's Low Beams and Foglights, Supersprint X-pipe (removed).
Autowerke CAI
Powerchip Software Upgrade
Stage I upgrade MB Quarts Speakers from Bavarian Soundwerks (our sponsor here)
Tubi Catback Exhaust
361RWHP
425HP and growing!
I'm sure that you also realize that while it's rare, it's not impossible. If you think about it, even the MAJOR scores of the internet bubble were rare, it's just that there were enough other success stories that the "average" worked out really well.
Some already have. 
then you can order FOUR Vanquishes... 
Linear Mode
