THE BMW 3Series: a stylish but practical choice
The whole world is talking about TomKat’s (Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) sudden divorce after five years of marriage and a daughter. Dirty details on the probable epic custody and divorce battles are filling up most of the news channels, from Tom’s superstar controlling ways and Katie’s fleeing to New York.
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are worth $275 million, but having an iron-clad prenuptial agreement (standard with superstar marriages) Katie Holmes already has a good picture of her take-away from this marriage before she even said “you complete me” to Tom Cruise. But there are items that are usually included in the dispute such as cars, homes, artworks and even the dog.
For Katie, she would need to know which cars to take from Tom Cruise’s rumored crazy collection of cars and bikes; there’s the $1.3-million Bugatti Veyron they arrived in during the Mission Impossible 3 premiere, his futuristic Lexus from Minority Report, his bullet-proof Porsche 911, etc. But there are other items you need to consider besides the brand, such as upkeep, resale value and how much it’s going to hurt when you get it.
For us on the other side of the world, and where divorce is still not legal, splitting up still has the same issues. It usually turns ugly when money is involved. Here are some tips to make sure you get what you want and he gets what he deserves.
Most Important: Understand what the car is going to be for you.
Part of your single life arsenal.
YOU want to shout to the world that you are all-woman, so make them hear you roar: Get the new Toyota FT 86.
If you have the same money-making capacity as your partner and you have high-end cars, go for a stylish but practical choice. You have to remember you are back in the market where perception is everything. If you can have two cars, relegate the big mom mobile to the family driver and zip into town in a nice and sexy sedan like the new BMW 3 series or Mercedes C class. Both cars are versatile enough to be either driven by you or by a driver. Both come in diesel variants so you are covered in terms of fuel consumption. The new BMW 320D (Diesel Variant) comes in three trim versions—the sport, modern and luxury—and starts at $3.4 million, while the $4.2-million 328i (petrol) packs a faster engine under the hood.
If you are more the SUV type but worried about how the size will affect your style, opt for a crossover. A crossover is basically a confused car/SUV. The Lexus RX350 comes in an all-wheel drive, traction control, a 3.5-liter V6 engine with all of Lexus expertise in luxury behind it. A pocket-friendly version is a Subaru XV with “break away engine,” which forces the engine block to move away from the passenger in case of a collision. Another option is the Mazda CX-5 with Sky Active Technology for increased fuel efficiency and better engine output. Something bigger is the Range Rover Evoque, youngest of the family, but packs the same 4×4 heritage with less of the “I’m for the jungle” appeal.
Part of the “Jumpstart my life” fund. If it is something that you would need to cash later on, go for the cars with big resale value such as the Toyota Land Cruiser or a Nissan Patrol Safari. These are classic bestsellers and will always be in demand as second-hand. Hyundai’s bestseller, the Starex, is another form and function vehicle that also gives a decent payback in the pre loved market.
SUBARU XV
Your Noble Steed. If the car will ferry you to all your duties solo, take into consideration the drivability of the car, along with its fuel efficiency and upkeep. The all-new Ford Focus boasts active park assist (hands free parallel parking), keyless entry and engine start, Active City Stop and Blind Spot Information system; these are driver aids to help you drive on the road in times you can’t help crying when you hear your theme song.
Hold him by the neck. If your hubby is part of the supercar club, one way to get what you want is to take his beloved supercar hostage. We have recently seen the surge of the supercars, with the launch of the Lamborghini Aventador (only a handful in the country, a favorite among rap and pop stars), Lexus LFA, Ferrari Italia, etc. They would probably rank the second-most painful to lose (maybe first for some) after you; a sure way to keep negotiations in your favor.
Going all out Cougar. Let’s all face it, once we split with our hubbies, they would probably get younger girlfriends. Well… two can play that game! Whether you are going all out Demi Moore and marry your Ashton Kutcher or be a JLo and just get a boy toy, your car must be trendy and sophisticated to separate you from the jejemon texting, anime cosplayer, 19-year-old girlfriend of the ex-hubby. You want to shout to the world that you’re all-woman, so make them hear you roar. Get the new Toyota 86, a stylish-looking sports car just about P1.5 million. If you got more cash from the split, get the New Mercedes Benz SLK, which looks a lot like its big brother: the SLS AMG. The SLK roadster has the “Magic Sky Control” a roof option, which automatically adjusts the tint shade to match the conditions.
Be smart; the car, after the house, is the second big ticket item in your list of assets. It is also very important because it brings you to work; you pick up your kids in it and generally make life easier. A divorce is a painful time, whether it was his or your fault; it always results in heartbreak. Since cars are always close to a man’s heart it’s a surefire way to get your message across.
For comments and suggestions, e-mail to jnt@tuasonracing.com.