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Feb 24, 2017 20:34:01 GMT
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This, I'm sure will be a familiar story for many, the looking back at what cars you've had over the years and then trying to fill in the gaps. Thus far, at the ripe old age of 44 I've managed to own, in no particular order - various in line 4's/transverse 4's , a straight and a V six, several flat 4's and one slant 4. This realistically leaves me with the 5 pots, V8's and V12's and my mid life crisis brain is screaming V8 now on an almost daily basis. I am now in a fortunate position to have the use of a company car for commuting duties and am considering what to put on the drive for the weekends, which will also tick off the V8 hole in my car history. The following are what I have come up with so far and would greatfully appreciate your experiences of ownership and any other choices that I should really be considering ; 1. Jaguar XJ8  2.Lexus GS430  3.BMW E39 540 ( Not a 7 fan, but I quite like the 5).  4.Mercedes S class.  5. Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 - Bit of a left field choice, but I heard one running an aftermarket exhaust last year and it sounded epic.  |
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Out of that list, I would choose the Jag for sure!
It's your own personal preference though really, take some for a test drive and choose one you like.
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Feb 25, 2017 13:02:08 GMT
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If you go for the jag it is later one without the nikasil lined engine...mine blew up in spectacular fashion!
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Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Rob M
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,915
Club RR Member Number: 41
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Feb 25, 2017 13:47:00 GMT
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Strangely, I was thinking about a similar car purchase and sacking the modern. I trawled t'web last night and, for me, the stand out was the Merc S500. I'm not saying that they don't have issues but, bang for bucks, they look like mucho car for anything under £2K. I looked into the Grand Cherokee, and thats a 'Why by A Range Rover when these are cheaper and pretty bullet proof? question. Its a disease I have, I just cant help looking for cars and thinking 'Hmmmm, I wonder......  Good luck in your search! |
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Last Edit: Feb 25, 2017 13:48:01 GMT by Rob M
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Feb 25, 2017 16:05:49 GMT
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Id go for a differant Lexus, either the ls400 or ls430. Ive had 2 ls400s as daily drivers. Wonderful cars, ive since bought a legacy gtb and wish i never, want a ls430 now.
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Feb 25, 2017 17:20:15 GMT
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W140 CL500 it would have to be. Bulletproof throughout and the nicest car I've ever had or driven.
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-(
10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily
03 Import Forester STi - Sold
98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-(
99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold
02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX
88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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Feb 25, 2017 19:22:43 GMT
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Thanks for the input, and the more I think about it the Jaguar tends to come out on top and it would be good to compare it with the Series 3 I had back in 2002 which I loved to smoke about in, although the almost daily chasing of electrical gremlins did become an annoyance in the end  Saying that, a 500 Merc does also strongly appeal  Another car that has only recently come onto my radar is Audi's A8 as they have dropped to silly money now, but I'm fairly sure they would be a time bomb waiting to go pop at the sort of money I would be buying one at ?  |
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Feb 27, 2017 21:04:12 GMT
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If it were me I'd get the E39. They are less troublesome than the Jaguar, and while both rust the Jag does enjoy rusting more.
That and if you get a manual I reckon you may see your money back, if not a little more. Getting a good one for under £2k may be tricky ; you'll get a better XJ8 I reckon.
My preference would be the XJ8 myself if it were a car to get. I love the things.
The fly in the ointment? The Mercedes E430 W210. Another tricky one for the budget but I have seen a few for sale at that mark. How good they are I don't know. The bodywork on those does rust at a mental rate however.
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,423
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Apparently A8's are extortionate to run from a servicing point of view. I'd say get an e-class but a mate of mine recently had a 5 series and it was perfect!
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Feb 28, 2017 20:40:40 GMT
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W140 CL500 it would have to be. Bulletproof throughout and the nicest car I've ever had or driven. Funnily enough I have been researching the slightly newer version, which for the money some of the rougher ones have dropped down to is a whole lot of fabulous looking car. I think in the right colour with the right wheels I might even get away without looking like a drug dealer !  |
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,423
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Not retro but... Before I bought my CLK, I started looking at CLS's  ❤️ |
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W140 CL500 it would have to be. Bulletproof throughout and the nicest car I've ever had or driven. Funnily enough I have been researching the slightly newer version, which for the money some of the rougher ones have dropped down to is a whole lot of fabulous looking car. I think in the right colour with the right wheels I might even get away without looking like a drug dealer !
They are nice but won't be as well built/engineered. It also won't hold it's value like a W140 - with one of those, you can buy it, drive it for however long and sell without loss. Not many cars have that going for them.
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-(
10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily
03 Import Forester STi - Sold
98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-(
99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold
02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX
88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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Not retro but... Before I bought my CLK, I started looking at CLS's ❤️ They are indeed a good looking car but sadly way out of my league. |
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Funnily enough I have been researching the slightly newer version, which for the money some of the rougher ones have dropped down to is a whole lot of fabulous looking car. I think in the right colour with the right wheels I might even get away without looking like a drug dealer !
They are nice but won't be as well built/engineered. It also won't hold it's value like a W140 - with one of those, you can buy it, drive it for however long and sell without loss. Not many cars have that going for them.
You're quite right,and there is certainly a timeless classicness about the W140's that the newer ones don't have. |
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E38 BMW possibly even in 750i v12 ??
Seen these pretty cheep and big barges too
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E38 BMW possibly even in 750i v12 ?? Seen these pretty cheep and big barges too I may have been a bit hasty in ruling out a 7 series, so may look into them a bit more. |
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E38 BMW possibly even in 750i v12 ?? Seen these pretty cheep and big barges too I may have been a bit hasty in ruling out a 7 series, so may look into them a bit more. Good barges for the money ,terrible mpg but who cares with that silky v12 and dollops of torque haha Hell the one I had even had double glazed windows ,blinds and 90,s yuppy house brick phone front and rear haha Electric rear seats the lot For the money it's a lot of car haha But make sure ye get the best you can for your budget as they can be troublesome with battery drain issues and stuff Here's one I had   |
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I may have been a bit hasty in ruling out a 7 series, so may look into them a bit more. Good barges for the money ,terrible mpg but who cares with that silky v12 and dollops of torque haha Hell the one I had even had double glazed windows ,blinds and 90,s yuppy house brick phone front and rear haha Electric rear seats the lot For the money it's a lot of car haha But make sure ye get the best you can for your budget as they can be troublesome with battery drain issues and stuff Here's one I had They are certainly a lot of car for the money so may well be considered if a good one turns up when the search begins in earnest. I was having a chat with a chap at work today who suggested a CLK430, which do appear to come in under the 2K limit  |
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Saying that, a 500 Merc does also strongly appeal 
