While I love my E38, and it's still fairly "luxury" compared to modern cars, the old jags are where it's at, from teh older XJ6/XJ12 to the Mk X/420 and even older. One of my personal preferences would be for a jaguar Mk VII or Mk IX with a "modern" Jag 4.2 and fuel injection. Solid older car with a strong, solid engine. And the wood inside can make it feel very old world luxurious...
I agree, you were on the right track with the vintage Jaguars. Although, miost nice examples are sort of pricey. At least, I haven't seen many I'd consider very cheap for a while. An early XJ or 420 (the shorter wheelbase one) would be your best bet if you are on a budget. I'd like to pick up an old Jag sedan or two as well, and an E-Type of course...
96DXCivic wrote:Fit_Is_Slo wrote:Cool as that is, does it count as a luxury sedan?aussiesmg wrote: I got your super-saloon right here, 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase IIII'd kill every pig in bartertown for that sweet ride.......Fastest four door saloon from 1971 until 1986 when Maserati built their sedan.
Sure, it has windows that wind down by use of only one hand, central locking if four door locks are clicked at once, luxury AM radio, subtle distinguished paint scheme, superior lighting from spot lights, turn in is predictable (it wont), braking is straight and consistent (ly longer distance every time), and pulls like a freight train (no really)
I'll let my Chrysler go for less than half of what pretty rough Jag Mk2s go for. Think about it...413 cu in v8, that's factory (gross) rated at 340hp and 490 ft lbs...push button automatic...35K original miles...AstraDome instrument cluster...most of the original paperwork and service records...it's a deal at $4500.
It has a huuuuuuuge wheelbase, 126" I think, so it is a super comfy cruiser. It is pretty long though, I think it is 19 feet. It's about a foot or so longer than my buddy's '63 Conti.
I will put my 2 cents in.
I have owned a Mercedes 6.3 and 6.9. The 6.3 is not very sporting and the 6.3 gets the worst mileage of any car I have ever owned and repairs are in Ferrari land.
The 380/500/560 SEC cars are possibly the best built Mercedes cars ever and I love them. I owned a 560SEC and it was a tremendous car.
Maserati: Unless it is a newest series Quattroporte, run away. They are nothing but problems that are even more expensive that Ferrari. I had one, pretty to look at but just a pain. That being said, a Quattroporte from only a few years ago can now be bought for as little as $40,000 and they are an amazing car. Service costs are expensive and you can't do it yourself so be aware of that.
The E28 M5 is an awesome car. Sporting, a terrific future classic and not horribly expensive to maintain.
The Bentley T2 is a terrific car but not too sporting though definitely luxurious. The service costs are very expensive unless you can do it yourself and then they are just expensive. A better bet would be to get what are known as the 20,000 series Bentley or Rolls Royce cars from 1989 and on. these include the Bentley 8, Turbo R, Brooklands and Mulsanne and the Rolls Silver Spirit and Spur. If it is in nice shape and has a complete service history they are great and will cost about 1200-2000 a year to run. As far as luxury is concerned these cars are the flat out winners.
The XJ6 Jaguar is a beautiful car. The best choices to me are a 86-87 Series 3, or a 95-97 X300 car. You could also consider a XJR from the same era or even a V8 XJR. The XJR is like a Bentley Turbo only a bit smaller and cheaper. In fact it might be the best luxury performance sedan value anywhere. The Later cars are not terrible to live with and are reliable and luxurious. The Mk II is a beautiful car but they are getting a bit prices but are still a decent value.
Good luck with your search!
Carson wrote: I'll let my Chrysler go for less than half of what pretty rough Jag Mk2s go for. Think about it...413 cu in v8, that's factory (gross) rated at 340hp and 490 ft lbs...push button automatic...35K original miles...AstraDome instrument cluster...most of the original paperwork and service records...it's a deal at $4500. It has a huuuuuuuge wheelbase, 126" I think, so it is a super comfy cruiser. It is pretty long though, I think it is 19 feet. It's about a foot or so longer than my buddy's '63 Conti.
thank god you didn't post a picture, I'm starting to pull in over a grand a week now as as server and I'm hoping that $18,000 condo in SE is still there at the end of the summer. I do not need to be tempted by cool old Americana.
My vote goes to late 80s early 90s Bentley Turbo R. If that's too much $$ I'd go with a 560sec.
In reply to nutherjrfan:
Well then don't look at the last post on the first page! That's where I posted a picture or two. And by "don't look," I mean, "do look" and buy it.
How do hard is it to find parts for a Mk2? I have seen a bunch in less then great condition and considering my plan for any of these cars involves modification. The car doesn't need to be in great shape. If a Mk2 was the car, I was thinking fuel injection with a Megasquirt, modern stereo, radial tires and upgraded brakes.
Well for something a little newer I think 2003-04 Infiniti M45s are pretty cool.
Styling may be subjective, but they can scoot. I dream of a black one hunkered down on some bronze Volk TE37s.
EDIT: Ya, I know you said classic, but hey, I kinda think these things are. Hardly ever see 'em around here.
Carson wrote: In reply to nutherjrfan: Well then don't look at the last post on the first page! That's where I posted a picture or two. And by "don't look," I mean, "do look" and buy it.
ooohhh, get behind me Satan, thank God it's not in black! Who knows come Nov. tho'. I'll keep an eye on it. I'm serious about saving 20k this summer.
The answer is always Polara. Who needs luxury when you can get tanked on whiskey and mow down every trashcan and mailbox in your neighborhood with nary a scratch?
PS: Hotlinked via Google Images to this site...which is now my new favorite thing on the interwebs. There is so much berkeleying win here, it's insane:
http://alsrapidtransit.blogspot.com/
In reply to Andy Reid:
How is 6.9 as far as repairs and gas mileage?
poopshovel wrote: The answer is always Polara. Who needs luxury when you can get tanked on whiskey and mow down every trashcan and mailbox in your neighborhood with nary a scratch?
lol, I feel miserable with the sniffles right now, but that made me laugh, thank you poopie
coll9947 wrote: Well for something a little newer I think 2003-04 Infiniti M45s are pretty cool.
I love these things! Not sure why, but the one I drove was seriously fast! It's like my old Q45 on steroids. Unfortunately my wife likes the 3 series better, so I may end up with that...but there is something about the M45 that makes it the perfect commuter car.
$2500, what's not to like?
96DXCivic wrote: How do hard is it to find parts for a Mk2? I have seen a bunch in less then great condition and considering my plan for any of these cars involves modification. The car doesn't need to be in great shape. If a Mk2 was the car, I was thinking fuel injection with a Megasquirt, modern stereo, radial tires and upgraded brakes.
A 'cheap-ish' Mk2 belongs into the same bin as a free Porker. You should be able to get pretty much any part you need (from the UK if necessary) but these things rust something horrible and often in places where it's really, really expensive. Plus the interior costs a bomb to restore, the engine isn't cheap to overhaul either etc etc.
If you buy one, you'll learn to weld pretty much the same way I learned to weld (by buying an Alfa).
This is definitely one of the cars that you want to buy the best one you can afford and not buy anything that obviously needs work (they all do anyway).
Over here in the UK the better bang-for-the-buck would be an S-Type of similar vintage. For some reason, everybody wants the Mk2 but the S-type (similar body) actually has IRS, which I believe is actually the same as on the E-type. Doesn't do much for trunk capacity, though.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
I know how to weld somewhat. I need some more practice but I have done it before and I was planning to swap the engine. The interior is the one thing I am worried about.
You'll get plenty of practise on a Mk2, but they're not that easy to work on - fairly complex shapes, lots of box sections to rust through, no rust proofing. Interior is usually a couple of cows (not cheap) and requires either the skills of an upholsterer or practise and specialist tools. Oh, and don't forget about the wood either.
BTW, I'd be tempted to stick a decent Jaguar AJ6 or AJ16 engine in.
The suggestion that had been made earlier of a X300 XJR is much better IMHO - I'd go for the straight six as that's supposedly the better engine unless you go for a very late V8.
volvoclearinghouse wrote: Alternatively, no one did American Luxury better than Imperial in the late 50's through about 1968. The '67 and '68 models have power front disc binders, too, and stop about as well as they go. And with a 440 4 bbl, they sure do go!
I originally posted the two-door Imperials as a suggestion but removed it when I saw he wanted a sedan. I realize that the four-doors are equally beautiful, huge, and American-stately. One of the few cars that I would simply prefer as an automatic.
This is a coupe, but Leno really made me love the Imperial.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
What about the early XJ6s? I prefer the early style ones to the late one but how much do they rust.
In reply to Carson:
I like big American cars but I haven't really seen any that fit with what I am looking for.
Rover P5 with the Buick V8? sorry no pixors, but I remember riding in one, quite nice 60's english car.
I'm searching the CL for sub 2k and look what's avail. for $5 - needs assembly and honest salesmanship. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/1690399946.html
not mine.
That 6.3 is a scary thought. I think id buy a maserati biturbo before id get that. A big part of what car to chose depends on how much you want to drive it and how much time and money you want to spend fixing it. At least for any of the reuseable parts, you can get a whole biturbo for not all that much and not have to buy new stuff. lol The problem with most of the old luxury euro cars is the parts will be $$$$$.
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