|
|
|
#1
|
||||
|
||||
What to buy next?
I'm selling my Jaguar Daimler on Sunday next, barring unforseens.
Problem is, I don't know what to buy next. I need a veahickle to get me round when it rains, that I can leave parked outside--unlike my sun-cars & garage queens, the SL500 and SLK. We've got a Suzuki Grand Vitara for inclement weather, but my wife uses it constantly, leaving me trapped in the house on a wet day I liked the Daimler for its extreme comfort and great ride. I was going to replace it with a Range Rover, but have gone off that idea. So I'm open to all suggestions. The only criteria is than they be European cars, since we get very few LHD cars in New Zealand. Ideas for something in a moderate price range? Ken Silver -------------- ~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style. ~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate ~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver. ~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather. ~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
My top picks for a daily driver are as follows:
1-Volvo S60/V70 AWD, or Volvo S40/V50 AWD- Offer extreme durability, reliability, practicality, and safety. 2-Mercedes-Benz C-class- Good alternative if you MUST have a Benz, the W202 series are particularly robust in all aspects. The W203 not so sure if theyre quite as durable, but also a nice car for daily driving. Only big prob with the W202 are leaking head gaskets (which can be remedied permanently), and is not really that BIG of an issuse to begin with, as long as its dealt with right away!
__________________
Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
VW Golf GTI
__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I don't think the MB's will melt if driven in the rain.
|
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Have you considered a classic Mercedes? Nothing says class and style like driving a legend. Formal elegance at its peak. Mercedes at its peak of craftmanship and style. Check out the '86 to '91 420SEL and the 560SEL or the two door 560SEC coup. A picture is worth a thousand words. I love my '89 420SEL!! http://www.gdtm.ru/MBimages/w126.htm http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/2188/
|
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Interesting selection here, but not too many people defend their choice with real enthusiasm. Is there no car that gets you going, even if it's only a rain car? Lexi = bland and boring. Some of them handle like dogs. My son had a Wyndom (rebadged Lexus) a few years back, it was a horrible performing luxury. Volvo = Swedish version of Lexus. Japanese cars = we have many, possibly highest % in western world. Not an orginal bone in their body and price is low. Nuff said. Older MB = mmm. Might be something there. The guy buying my Daimler also looked at an SEL but was put off by the ride. We're spoilt with a Jag. Diesel Rover = I still like LR, but diesel is too green for me, and I wouldn't consider anything but a Range Rover. VW Golf = a friend has the latest 2004 GT or something, phenomonally fast and technically advanced, but no style. XJR = Now there's a nice car, but in my price range they only have the problematic Nikasil engine. A real gamble. Ken Silver -------------- ~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style. ~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate ~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver. ~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather. Almost gone. ~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
I wish I had such tough decisions to make...
__________________
1992 300D 2.5T 1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold) 1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy" 1974 Triumph TR6 1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's) |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
You could also get yourself a new Z-car. Now that's a rockin' little machine if there ever was one.
__________________
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
KenSilver-
I know exactly what you mean.... after spending countless hours cleaing, polishing, and waxing every possible inch of my car, from the rockerpanels & wheels wells, to the door sills, hinges, and thhen dressin g thhe trim and tires, and polishing out the tailights etc etc etc, I find it hard to drive my 300DT AT ALL. Thank god I have a car to drive in unfavorable conditions....LOL. Yeah, Its definitely OCD behaviour, but nothhing beats that feeling when you pull a 20 year old car out of the garage that looks, feels, and smells better than new! Have you thought about a Passat? Also, Volvos have shed their stodgy image, and their cars are really worth a closer look, esp the AWD Turbo variiants... they can proove to be very entertaining to drive, as well as versatile, comfortable and durable, without being SO nice that you would want to add on to your garage to keep it like your SL and SLK! Not to mention, a 2 or so year old Volvo can prove to be a bargain buy! And the new S40/V50 starts at a vary humble price, and offers a new level of technological and aesthetic design from Volvo- consider the "floating" dash for example.... Newer volvos are indeed nearly like a Lexuus in terms of reliability... but they surpass Lexus in every other aspect depending on model/engine choices and driveline options!
__________________
Nate 1995 E420 1992 BMW 525i 1984 300D Turbo sold 1993 Volvo 244 sold 1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P! "The details are not details. They make the product." -Charles Eames www.cbs.nu |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
2000 and up Jags didn't have the Nikasil sleeves. The upper timing chain guides seem to wear and need to be done I think every 80k miles. The Jag V8 is a good engine but not as good as MB's V8. Jag has never had the r&d money that MB has. I think the timing chain design on the new V8's is a little weak.
What about a 97 XJR? Can't go wrong with the I6. What about an S600? In my area clean 95's are in the very low $20k range. Want to dance with the devil? That V12 sure sings an awsome song.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Good alternatives from you guys, thanks--I've considered them all, but this afternoon I was blasted out of my decision lethargy with the drive of a Lexus SUV!
I test drove a 1999 LX470, and wow is all I can say... and I'm not easily impressed. This huge monster gives the most comfortable ride I've ever experienced even in a car, and is absolute luxury inside as well. But the handling is the best part. Roads that used to shake the fillings from my teeth are just glossed over, and on the motorway/freeway it is an effortless cruiser. There are 4 comfort settings from soft to firm, and each one can be tailored to the road you're driving on. Like all Japanese cars, and Toyota's Lexus in particular, the options are legion. This even has a cooler bin in the center section, seating for 7, variable height control and self levelling, rain sensing wipers, light sensing headlights, and so on. Fuel consumption is high, but then with the SL500 I'm used to that. The best part is that my son is a manager at Toyota, so I've got inside access to problem solving. But I needn't have worried--he raves about them and says they just don't go wrong. So now I'm looking for coins under the sofa cushions to find twice the original budget, but I think it will be well worth it. Ken Silver -------------- ~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style. ~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate ~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver. ~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather, gone tomorrow! ~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Ken Silver -------------- ~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style. ~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate ~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver. ~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather. ~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
What about a G55?
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#14
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Ken Silver
__________________
http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Isn't the LX470 a "Lexified" version of the Toyota Land Cruiser?
__________________
Paul S. 2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior. 79,200 miles. 1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron". |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Would YOU buy it? | 94E420 | Tech Help | 14 | 01-03-2005 01:00 PM |
Would YOU buy it? | 94E420 | Off-Topic Discussion | 11 | 12-30-2004 03:00 PM |
What car should I buy???? | MarkM | Diesel Discussion | 4 | 12-21-2004 06:12 AM |
friend wants to know how many vacuum actuators to buy | WANT '71 280SEL | Vintage Mercedes Forum | 0 | 11-14-2004 11:08 PM |