Inspired from the discussion in the sale thread. If you were to pack up your life and move to Florida with your '85 500SL and '94 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, what would be the third car to make the move? I like all 3 for different reasons, so choosing is a challenge for me. Right now I'm just letting the market decide which one to keep.
Here's the choices:
1: '95 E300 with 190,000 miles. 30+MPG no matter what I do, low cost car, low maintenance. I love this chassis of car, the looks, and simplicity. I don't have to worry about stopping for fuel (600-700) a tank, but the higher price of diesel puts a damper on that. Certainly flies under the radar with the average Joe, and I wouldn't have to obsess, worry about it so much sitting outside like I would the other two.
2: 2002 SL500 Silver Arrow Edition: 70,000 miles. Great Grand tourer, and I'm convinced this is the most beautiful car I've ever owned. The perfect balance of old and new. The most valuable car of the 3. Much more complicated than the E300.
3: 2001 Jaguar XJR. 85000 miles. I imagine this one won't get many votes being a Mercedes forum, but I think this one is a close second in the looks department, but the Superchaged V8 is exhilarating. This car is completely sorted and hits the very narrow sweetspot of a reliable Jaguar. Its backed with the same MB transmission as the SL500 I've discovered. Price is right in the middle, and is much more comfortable than either cars.
The '85 SL is the untouchable car, though I'm so obsessed with keeping it nice and safe (have trouble leaving it out of sight when its not garaged) that it limits what I can do with it. The Roadmaster is too useful, relaible and comfortable to part with, especially since it would make little difference to the bank account.
