📕 My Experience in Vehicle Purchasing 🚙🏎🏍🚁⛵️🚤🛩🚲

[AgentSapphire]

Welcome to my first post. In this thread I’ll share my experience and some personal advice in purchasing vehicles and related necessities. I’ll update this in the future to add new information. 

 

A brief intro of myself: As you can see, my in game name is EspionNoir. Originally I wanted to name my characters BlackSpy but eventually I decided to make it mysterious and used French . I’m somewhat a grinder, definitely not a griefer or tryhard (0.33 K/D Ratio now). My female character has earned around 170 million and have 50 million worth of assets (a rough guess), while my male character (her man lol) has just started his career. I enjoy doing exciting and challenging activities and missions. I’m now a part of an awesome crew with strong discipline and helpful environment (if you wanna join tell me, you will not be disappointed ).

 

The Story Begins.....

 

In the Beginning....: Even though the game gives your secondary character lvl120 and a high end apartment for free if your main character has a high rank, raising a character from scratch is always a long journey. Money doesn’t come easy, and there is no option of sharing things between 2 characters, so spending wisely, especially at the start, may be important for you (unless you buy cards, which IMO make the game no longer enjoyable in many ways). 

 

 

The Starter Pack: When you are saving for your first purchase, you might first want to get some cars for free. Actually there are some fast and practical cars that you can grab from the streets for free. Some good 4 doors: Felon, Jackal, Oracle, Oracle XS,  Buffalo, Fugitive, Schafter, Sultan. Some good 2 doors: Felon GT, Sentinel, Zion, F620, Fusilade, many muscle cars such as Ruiner, Dominator and Gaunlet. Just don’t forget to put insurance and tracker on them at Los Santos Custom!

 

Motorcycles: They are fast and agile, also dangerous like we all know. Some of them you see on the streets can be stolen and kept for free.

 

Bicycles: They also appear on the streets, but their spawn locations are more specific. They can be saved in your apartment garage. Sprinting in bicycles increases your stamina which decides how long you can sprint on-foot. 

 

Your Very First Purchase: Here comes the big moment of spending your hard earned money on your very first personal vehicle. So many options since 2013, right? Both domestic brands and imports....lol. You probably eagerly want to own that 2 door Windsor, but it is the best to delay buying it to some time in the future. Windsor is a fabulous car, but your first purchase should be practical enough that it can help you make more money. It may be boring already, but Kuruma (Armored) should be the 1st choice of yours. It’s body panels are bulletproof against normal weapons (except miniguns and explosives, as it can only take one round of explosives, RPGs and tank cannons), and the design of its windows makes it very hard for you to be shot when you are inside. It will help you run through the heists much faster and trouble free (especiallly for Criminal Masterminds and Elite Challenges). Duke O’ Death is also a decent choice. It has both advantages and disadvantages compared to kuruma. It can take one explosive and reach higher top speed, but only seats 2 and have more exposed windows.

 

To be Continued......

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 30, 2018 by EspionNoir

[MitchMaljers]

The Akuma and Bati 801 are too-hot to modify just so you know. I don't know about the Ruffian.

[AgentSapphire]

Just now, MitchMaljers said:

The Akuma and Bati 801 are too-hot to modify just so you know. I don't know about the Ruffian.

Thx for reminder

[No Use For A Name]

Ruffian can be stored

[Fennimoe]

Elaborate purchases, such as a Yacht, Blimp, Dump, etc should just be waited on until you have money to just "blow"

[HamwithCheese]

Ok.

[IceDree]

16 hours ago, EspionNoir said:

Your Very First Purchase: Here comes the big moment of spending your hard earned money on your very first personal vehicle. So many options since 2013, right? Both domestic brands and imports....lol. You probably eagerly want to own that 2 door Windsor.

 

My very first vehicle purchase was the Super Diamond.

 

Welcome to the forums.

[AgentSapphire]

Phase 2: After Some Notable Progress

 

At this point, you probably have finished all the original heist. You probably even completed Criminal Mastermind, Loyalty Challenge and All in Order Challenge. I highly recommend to do these challenges early. The reward from these challenges, 13 million (yup) in total, are very helpful for future purchases.

 

You may want to expand to other businesses and buy more advanced vehicles. Fortunately, with 13 million at least on hand, many of your needs can be met with ease. For now, among many, many options, I recommend these: Light Armoured Personnel Vehicles and Combat Helicopters.

 

Light Armoured Personnel Vehicles: Insurgent (Pick-up), Menacer, Nightshark. 

 

Insurgent (Pick-up): the first model in the game of its kind. Comfortable suspension and decent off-road ability. The pickup version comes with a default 0.50 Cal machine gun which is powerful against both vehicles and NPCs. A minigun is optional to replace the 0.50 Cal. It has a higher fire rate, but per bullet damage is not as good. Both variants can stand multiple explosives of all kinds (number differs between different kinds). In addition, the pick up version carries 9 people, 2 hanging on the sides and 2 in the truck bed. Costs 1,350,000 if you unlocked the trade price after completing the setup. If you spend another $202,500 in a MOC (discussed later), you can make it a personal vehicle (Insurgent Pick-up Custom, with more options like liveries and weapons). The unarmed version only costs 675,000 (trade price). 

 

Menacer: part of the After Hours update. Instead of owning an Insurgent like everyone else, you can now be more unique! Basically a more fashionable Insurgent, but with some differences. A bit less explosive resistance, but is more stable, powerful and has smaller windows, Costs 1,775,000, depends if you wanna spend another roughly 200K to stand out. Also comes with many options.

 

Nightshark: since this August, all players who participated in the Guest List Event had been allowed to purchase a Nightshark for free, as many as possible, for a limited period of time. Originally costs 1,150,000, but in some perspectives, less cost means less benefits. It is also very explosive-resistant, and it’s windows can stand some bullets before shattering. However, these windows are quite large. Instead of guns mounted on top, it comes with a pair of machine guns mounted on the from bumper, which are best described as “underpowered”. On the plus side, it has much better performance than the above 2. (Just a reminder that the window plates for Nightshark you can buy in the mid shops are purely cosmetic and not functional, no wonder they are cheap. They also prevent you from using your own weapons while being inside!)

 

Overall, these vehicles give you more advantages and force in missions, heists, and even PvP if you like (Should I express my opinion about the reality of PvP in GTA Online lol? Maybe not now, but you know what I mean ). 

 

To be Continued......

Edited September 29, 2018 by EspionNoir

[pez2k]

4 hours ago, EspionNoir said:

Nightshark: since this August, all players has been allowed to purchase a Nightshark for free for once.

 

I'm pretty sure the free Nightshark was only for players on the 'Guest List', only applied for one week, and allowed you to get as many as you'd want.

[Geisterfaust]

6 minutes ago, pez2k said:

I'm pretty sure the free Nightshark was only for players on the 'Guest List', only applied for one week, and allowed you to get as many as you'd want.

And you are correct, same applies to Revolter. If you're non on the list, no free cars for you.

[AgentSapphire]

Basic Combat Helicopters: Buzzard Attack, Savage, Annihilator, Havok

 

A chopper helps you get from place A to B faster. They also give you more advantage in combat situations. With some weaponry features, it is even better. Here are some options to start with. 

 

Buzzard Attack: The standard. Can be spawned right next to you if you are a CEO/VIP. Can be called by Pegasus, Can be stored as a Personal Aircraft. Comes with normal lock-on missiles with standard tracking ability and twin machine guns with high fire rate. Good speed and good handling. Durability against bullets is ok, but can only take 1 explosive. It's windshield is very large, so be careful not to get damaged too badly while being inside.

 

Savage: Savage is one of the few aircrafts with explosive cannons. Bullets coming out of explosive cannons can explode upon collision, destroying normal vehicles and in-game human with ease. Also comes with standard lock-on missiles. Can be called by Pegasus and stored as a Personal Aircraft. Currently, it can take 1 explosive without being destroyed immediately.

 

Annihilator: Niche market chopper. Returned from its glory days in Liberty City in 2008. However, as technology advances, it is clearly showing its age. Instead of having missiles, it has 4 machine guns with high fire rate. So if you aim it correctly at your targets, you can finished them quite quickly too. It's stable handling also helps your aiming. Can be called by Pegasus and stored as a Personal Vehicle. 

 

Havok: Also likely a niche market chopper. How skilled and adaptable are you? If you believe you are highly qualified, test yourself in one of these. Currently the smallest chopper available, it is equipped by a three-barreled minigun. While it doesn't have missiles, it can get to places your enemy can't in their oversized aircrafts. Combined with its maneuverability, it truly has its own advantage. Have some fun while trifling with your enemies! But please remember, always take care when landing it. Can be stored as a Personal Vehicle and called as a CEO/VIP.

 

All of these choppers cost close to 2 million. So before you make up your mind and buy them, consult others and do some research. Most of them can't be sold once purchased. Don't make yourself have regrets!

 

 

After all of these vehicle purchases and investments in various businesses, you probably still have some money left from you heist rewards. It's natural to have the desire of spending them on things. I highly recommend saving some of them. You never know if the new content in the near future will be something you always dreamed of , and you may also want to save for the more advanced items in your future GTA Online career. 

 

To be Continued......

Edited September 29, 2018 by EspionNoir

[AgentSapphire]

19 hours ago, IceDree said:

 

My very first vehicle purchase was the Super Diamond.

 

Welcome to the forums.

My first purchase for my male character was a Windsor Drop. That was kinda of an irresponsible purchasing lol. Considering it's 900k price tag, will likely not do it again as the first purchase....

Edited September 29, 2018 by EspionNoir

[AgentSapphire]

Later on I will post sections about More Advanced Vehicles, Tactical Vehicles, Vehicles for Leisure and Vehicles for Hobbyists. 

[AgentSapphire]

Phase 3: You Made It

 

Nothing proves more than 50 million in your bank account - the sign that you are one of the ultimate predators of Los Santos. 50 million might be a bit too much, but you must have earn quite a lot with your businesses and Doomsday Heist. It's a very good time to invest in some more advanced vehicles now. 2 major types: Versatile Vehicles and More Serious Military Vehicles.

 

Versatile Vehicles: I'd also like to call them 2-in-1s because they provide you with 2 transportation methods. Instead of switching from a land vehicle to an aircraft/watercraft, you can go places just in 1 vehicle without transferring. In essence, some of these vehicles are considered overpowered and tryhard/griefer's joy machines, but no doubt that this also proves how practical and advantageous these vehicles are.

 

Oppressor: It is a bike that has wheels, but it can also be a glider. Simply activate the boost and press X(etc) to extend the wings to take off and then glide. Can be equipped with superior missiles (unlocked by bunker research). It costs a fortune, but it firmly proven to be very useful against NPCs and other players (ahh).  

 

Oppressor MKII: The After Hours update also brought us the derivative version of the Oppressor. Instead of having wheels, it has completely evolved into a hover vehicle (is it still a "motorcycle"? :D). It can travel while hovering at a max. speed of 127mph, or fly at high altitude at 88mph. Also proven to be tactical. Can be equipped with missiles with superior tracking ability and limited number without doing research. Costs nearly 3 million. 

 

Deluxo: Cool 80's fashion. Obviously inspired by DMC 12, with some elements of VW Scirocco and Renault Alpine GTA. While it can do its job as a 4 wheel car, it can be turned into a hover car and a flying car with just 1 button. You can use it for cool factor, convenient travelling and mass destruction. Proven to be very powerful. Can be equipped with superior missile and machine gun combo. Costs over 3 million. 

 

Stromberg: Bond's film inspired. A R* version of the Wet Nellie. As expected, it is fully submersible, and you can use torpedoes with automatic lock on while being under water. On land, it can be used normally as a car with superior lock on missiles too. Costs over 2 million.

 

APC: Simply speaking, amphibious tank. Obviously, it has awesome explosive resistance. It can be used as a slow boat with 2 machine guns on the sides and a manual aiming cannon (manned by passenger seat), or the same vehicle but on land. Can reach decent speed for a vehicle of its type. It's cannon can be upgraded into a SAM turret with limited capacity.

 

Blazer Aqua: Simply speaking, amphibious Blazer quad bike. More of a fun toy actually. There's no way to drown it on water. Comes with dual front-mounted normal machine guns which are similar to those on a Nightshark. 

 

To be Continued......

Edited September 30, 2018 by EspionNoir

[Helegad]

Holy quadruple post. Reported.

[The Gator]

LOL at 50 million being considered “too much”

[IceDree]

On 9/30/2018 at 2:03 AM, EspionNoir said:

My first purchase for my male character was a Windsor Drop. That was kinda of an irresponsible purchasing lol. Considering it's 900k price tag, will likely not do it again as the first purchase....

Ha! I spent my first hard earned Million Dollars on a Windsor, it was the second car I bought in the game. 

[BOOGIEMAN219]

On 9/29/2018 at 3:06 AM, EspionNoir said:

(Just a reminder that the window plates for Nightshark you can buy in the mid shops are purely cosmetic and not functional, no wonder they are cheap. They also prevent you from using your own weapons while being inside!)

 

The window plates on the nightshark are not cosmetic, trust me I can drive straight at a tryhard even slowly and not get shot once you keep them to the left of the driver side. The slots in the window plates have many angles you can get hit but there is a way you can head on somebody without getting shot. 

[AgentSapphire]

On 10/2/2018 at 8:52 AM, BOOGIEMAN219 said:

The window plates on the nightshark are not cosmetic, trust me I can drive straight at a tryhard even slowly and not get shot once you keep them to the left of the driver side. The slots in the window plates have many angles you can get hit but there is a way you can head on somebody without getting shot. 

Thx . Some say that it also depends on if you are in free aim or assisted lobbies