A BIG LONG QUESTION

[Des]

What cars are there, that you could realistically afford to own, that you would like to own?

I am sure everyone could spell own super cars worth an apartment in Sydney or a cattle ranch in the NT.
But what cars are there really, that you could actually afford to own within your own living space and economical constraints?

For me, cars I could actually afford to own, and hope to own, even just for a short space in my life are:

--VW Beetle, split window, pre 1954 model, black, all original
--Mercedes 170
--Jaguar, V12 from the 1970's.
--Another M100 powered car,
--some form of German built convertible, as tempting as it is to take a chainsaw to a $500 114/123 Mercedes and make my own, always wanted a SL, or a cabriolet of some sorts.

[AMG69]

Des, I'd love to drive a series 2 V12 XJ6 back to back with a 6.9!

[116Benz]

As much as I would love a matching 6.3 and a 3.5 cabrio in met. moss green with cognac leather, I'd settle for either a BRG/ Tan leather MX-5 (early 1.6), velocity red RX-8, radiant ebony MPS 6 or a dark coloured W124 cabrio with a light leather interior.

[mb280sel]

If you are in the market for a Mazda, please let me know!!

[116Benz]

You dont want to sell your CX-7 do you? The parents have their 12 mth old 3 Maxx Sport for sale as the new C Class arrives in October (it's replacing 2 cars). I really am going to miss that car, I loved it.

[michaeld]

If I came across a nice original '55 Cadillac Eldorado Seville, I would bite on it.

I've also always rather liked the '66 Lincoln Continentals (both sedans and 4 doors).

Both have classic appeal status, but not TOO MUCH classic appeal status to put them out of reach.

[500eguy]

This is a good question, my choices are:

MB 6.9
MB 6.3
MB 190e 2.3-2.5 16
MB w140 S500-S600
MB Pagoda
BMW e24 6 series
BMW 3.0 cs
BMW e34 M5
VW MK1 GTI
RR Silver Cloud

Sorry for the long list:)

[Des]

VW MK1 GTI


Sorry for the long list:)

The Golf's are such great little cars, they handle so well, it's like driving a "go kart"

turn in
floor it
hold on

they just grip and grip

I just love the handling on the golf, never driven any of the newer models, personally the newer golf's look too big and fat, the current polo is the size the golf should be. small and nimble.


I should add that I've always wanted a mini, the old style ones, and a roller.

[s class]

W140 S600L
early 80's M5
early 80's Cadillac (but only for a short time)
300SE long finnie
Ford Escort Mk5 RS turbo.  (you guessed it - we never got these in South Africa)

[bahnstormer109]

A 450SEL used to be on my list, but has now been crossed off.

that still leaves

W123 280CE
W126 (havent decided on a partic. model)
W140  (any)

im also partial to old jags and volvos and HZ caprices.

[mb280sel]

Working with new cars for over 7 years now, it seems that I too have driven almost every car as it comes onto the market.

For sheer power it is hard to go past the Mazda 3 MPS. $39,990 = 190kW 380Nm torque and 90% of it is available from 2000rpm. To get all this power from a 2.3 litre with a direct injection turbo - for this price is hard to go by.

For a fun car, and having had numerous ones (inc a 2007 Limited edition) - the Mazda MX5 is sensational package. Although the power from it's 2.0 litre engine is nothing spectacular (still no slouch), the way the engineers combined handling, responsivness and pure high limit exhiliration is a kin to a go kart. It always leaves a huge smile on my face - even if just going to the shops!

But Every time i pull the 280SEL out of the garage - there is nothing out there brand new, that can match that magical feeling.

[Des]

But Every time i pull the 280SEL out of the garage - there is nothing out there brand new, that can match that magical feeling.

That Sir, is called the Mercedes experience, Non German cars are soulless appliances, much like your fridge/freezer, built to meet a need, a market, built to make money. They have no soul or passion
Even a W116 incorporates German precision engineering, a legacy of "being the best" full stop, end of sentence. Aerodynamics, improvements in braking, steering and suspension brought about from racing. safety innovations. comfort.

I recently had the displeasure of driving a Daewoo of "some sort" what a horrible little car, the suspension was rough and sharp, steering vague and heavy, seats that were uncomfortable, rattles and groans from various parts of the car, enough though it only had 32k's on the clock.
The only upside was that I drove it faster to get to my destination so I could get out of the car and never have to drive it again. Clunky transmission, when you had to reach for the undignified "manual" gear lever the entire car vibrated and shook bugger me, 30 year old W116's and W123's are worlds apart from this horrible little cars.

[116Benz]

Working with new cars for over 7 years now, it seems that I too have driven almost every car as it comes onto the market.

For sheer power it is hard to go past the Mazda 3 MPS. $39,990 = 190kW 380Nm torque and 90% of it is available from 2000rpm. To get all this power from a 2.3 litre with a direct injection turbo - for this price is hard to go by.

For a fun car, and having had numerous ones (inc a 2007 Limited edition) - the Mazda MX5 is sensational package. Although the power from it's 2.0 litre engine is nothing spectacular (still no slouch), the way the engineers combined handling, responsivness and pure high limit exhiliration is a kin to a go kart. It always leaves a huge smile on my face - even if just going to the shops!

But Every time i pull the 280SEL out of the garage - there is nothing out there brand new, that can match that magical feeling.

The penny's dropped now about the buying of a Mazda....If the new 6 was released this year, it would be that instead of a new C Class in the parents garage in October, it was that close a race of what to buy next. The CX-7 Lux (radiant ebony with sand leather was picked out) was next.

I dunno Des, The MX-5 is a damn good package, they've replaced Benzes twice in my garage. It has a wonderful soul, W116's and W123's are in the mix as well.

[mb280sel]

My sympathies go out to you for having a Daewoo, but I hope you are not comparing a Mazda with a Dogpoo sorry I mean Daewoo. As mentioned previously, I have been in the new car industry for long enough now to make a judgment in my professional opinion on what is, or is not a good car. I am sorry but anything Korean such as your Daewoo does not rate with me. Sure they are cheap in every way, but they do not even in the same league as manufacturers such as Mazda. If you have owned one or known someone who has owned one I don't need to make my point - sir - full stop end of sentence.

[Des]

Had a mazda 1300 from 1971, didn't seem a bad car for what it was, small and cheap to run