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  #1  
Old 01-27-2005, 08:46 PM
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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.

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  #2  
Old 01-28-2005, 02:39 AM
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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!
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1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


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  #3  
Old 01-28-2005, 07:58 AM
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VW Golf GTI
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  #4  
Old 01-28-2005, 08:07 AM
MedMech
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I don't think the MB's will melt if driven in the rain.
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  #5  
Old 01-28-2005, 01:47 PM
az420sel
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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/
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  #6  
Old 01-28-2005, 03:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MedMech
I don't think the MB's will melt if driven in the rain.
Really? Aside from that - the repolishing would take up my entire life. Four cars x 2 rainy weeks @ 7 hours per car/day = er, lots of time. I'm no different than any other run-of-the-mill OCD...the physical and mental anguish would stuff my life up.

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.
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  #7  
Old 01-28-2005, 05:26 PM
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Red face

I wish I had such tough decisions to make...
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  #8  
Old 01-28-2005, 06:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KenSilver
VW Golf = a friend has the latest 2004 GT or something, phenomonally fast and technically advanced, but no style.
Well there you go! No need to wash/wax/detail if you don't care too much about it.

You could also get yourself a new Z-car. Now that's a rockin' little machine if there ever was one.
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  #9  
Old 01-28-2005, 07:55 PM
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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!
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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
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  #10  
Old 01-28-2005, 08:58 PM
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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.
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  #11  
Old 01-29-2005, 05:22 AM
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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.
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  #12  
Old 01-29-2005, 03:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by narwhal
Ahh, bland and booring it is!!
I agree, but it's quite different to anything else I've tried. I'm absolutely sold on it, and trying to justify such a useless purchase in the few hours I've got left to make up my mind.

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.
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  #13  
Old 01-29-2005, 09:53 PM
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What about a G55?
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  #14  
Old 01-31-2005, 06:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy
What about a G55?
Too late - I'm buying tomorrow!

Ken Silver
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  #15  
Old 01-31-2005, 11:21 AM
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Isn't the LX470 a "Lexified" version of the Toyota Land Cruiser?

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