Learn me: 5-10 year old land yachts

BoxheadTim wrote: IIRC XJRs are also slushbox only.

Yes, but at least on the V8 XJR it is a decent box (Mercedes W5A580)

NickD wrote: I admit, I don't know much about the Phaeton, other than they were gorgeous and hopped the fast train to Depreciation Station. I would like to see one done up in full VIP style, laid out on air suspension over some real high-end wheels.

Good news! They come on air suspension from the factory.

Isn't a slushbox kind of the point with a land yacht? You're not buying that kind of car for driving engagement.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

G8MikeGXP wrote: I don't have any answers to your questions, but for some reason I've always wanted a 2003 or 4 Infinity M45. I think it was a Nissan Gloria in Japan. A C&D test in 2003 didn't like it as much as an A6, E320 or 530i. But they liked the 4.5 liter V8. Auto only.

I came to post about this car..

These are one of the most gorgeous things made in recent nissan history. Do want.

The only somewhat current Merc with a manual was the w204 Mercedes. Which were 4 or 6 cyl C classes.

I've seen 6spd swapped e38 740's recently. I'm probably getting me a w220 or late w140 next.

You could find you a 12 year old Excursion....what's more land yacht than that?

Here is how I'm coming to the conclusion I need something other than my first gen, 230k mile, insight and '89 4 speed k2500. Even though I love the conversations when I give them a ride, it isnt ideal.

Carry 3 other people for business needs often, typically mid to upper managment

Look professional as Im still growing in my field.

Capable of 20k a year without killing me on cost.

Certainly dont need a luxuary car, but was curious as to what grassroots would say after my last week of experience with the 5 series.

Thanks for the help

I have no experience with any of them but those Jags are really pretty cars.

Wall-e wrote: I have no experience with any of them but those Jags are really pretty cars.

Very pretty. Much more so than that plain-looking Datsun you people like for some reason.

Newest E39 is now 13 model years old

In reply to KyAllroad:

Hmm... The Phaeton is an interesting choice. There are 39 of them currently for sale on Autotrader. Of those, 3 have the W12 engine. Prices are a bit all over the place. Some well under $10K and a couple in the mid-20's (average ~$11.3K). Mileage tends to be around 100K, although a couple are well under. There's an '04 with 134K for $4900. The cheapest W12 version is an '04 for $13,500. And is 117 miles away from me...

If I'm not mistaken, the V8 is the same horrifying 4.2L we post pictures of whenever we have a discussion about Audis...

I kinda agree a manual transmission is not a game-changing requirement in a car like this. But I am always fearful of automatics, high mileage, a general lack of maintenance and repair/replacement costs as they age. I'm not sure I'd want any automatic that doesn't have a warranty of some sort.

Which reminds me... Volvo 850 - not a "luxury barge" by definition, but in some of the ways that matter (those incredible front seats!!!) it fits the bill. And they were sold with manual transmissions. The big downside being it's a 20 year old car.

For a Jr Exec car...

Saab 9-5 made a lot of manual versions.
Could be a good choice.

I personally had a '95 Volvo 850 wagon with manual and it was awesome but that is also now 20 years old.

No discussion of the Phaeton is complete without Mr. Regular's review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AINSi9ofD7U

I drove a V8 Phaeton before the buying the Jag. It was an 04.

The interior had been abused - it was absolutely trash. The paint on all the dash buttons had bubbled, as if someone had acid on their fingers while touching it all the time.

In reply to catapultkid:

Jaguars reliability took a massive improvement when Ford Bought them.. So much so that for a while they topped the reliability index in their class. I haven't heard about Jaguar lately except the people I know who Have bought them lately seem to be very happy and intend to buy again..

I do know that German cars have reduced their traditional reliability while maintaining their high ownership costs.. Plus the local Lexus dealer's service shop seems very busy when I drive by.

In reply to Ian F: Some Automatics seem to last forever (with proper service, Change the fluid every 65,000 miles) while others act like they have a fixed life and an expensive rebuild will be soon required..

frenchyd wrote: In reply to catapultkid: Jaguars reliability took a massive improvement when Ford Bought them.. So much so that for a while they topped the reliability index in their class. I haven't heard about Jaguar lately except the people I know who Have bought them lately seem to be very happy and intend to buy again.. I do know that German cars have reduced their traditional reliability while maintaining their high ownership costs.. Plus the local Lexus dealer's service shop seems very busy when I drive by.

Huh? I'd like to see where Jaguar topped their class in reliability. When Ford bought them, maybe their reliability went from total and utter E36 M3 to simply E36 M3, but it's still E36 M3. And if you're seeing a busy Lexus dealer service department, it' probably because owners are too polished to change their own oil. They may not be the most exciting cars, but they're reliable as gravity.

JohnRW1621 wrote: For a Jr Exec car... Saab 9-5 made a lot of manual versions. Could be a good choice. I personally had a '95 Volvo 850 wagon with manual and it was awesome but that is also now 20 years old.

I second the choice of the Saab. Seriously, do that.

On the topic of the Phaeton. Yeah the 4.2 V8 is the same as we discuss from Audi. Timing chain assembly looks like a watchmaker/jeweler made it. Auto trans is a 6 speed ZF unit with a "lifetime fluid". It lives between 330 hp motor and 5,000 lbs of air suspended Teutonic road crusher. The side windows are double glazed, isolating you from the road even more. Several times I'd be driving along thinking "geez, everyone is going slow today" only to look down and realize I was cruising along at 110-120. Sadly the North American models came with a governor that limited them to 130.

KyAllroad wrote: Sadly the North American models came with a governor that limited them to 130.

IIRC, you can bump the limiter to the 155 the Euro cars got via VAGCOM. The Euro cars also got bigger brakes (8 pot up front instead of 6) to stop the behemoth from those speeds (V8 is ~5200 lbs, W12 is ~5400).

I bought a 6y/o Lexus GS450h w/~118k for 15k. It was a $58k car 6 years ago. It's wonderful and I love it, but what i really came here to say is that you can get the same basic car without the hybrid bits for 10k as a gs300/350, or go for a gs430 for a little more.

Honestly, after a few months with this car, i'm sort of shocked that something like it is available at 10k with reasonable miles. It's a lot less frumpy than the same-price LS's and pretty spry with a 290hp v6 (or 340hp in the 450h). The v8 sounds potentially entertaining in the noises department, although not as fast as the hybrid. It's VERY quiet. Styling inside and out has aged well enough that it still has some presence and panache.

I rode/drove M4ffew's XJR as well and think if you get the right one, they are pretty damn neat at the price point and they have a style that i don't think will ever fade into 'normalcy' or anonymity. The main struggle there would be finding one nice enough to not have any frayed ends detracting from its fanciness that doesn't also go for top dollar.

G8MikeGXP wrote: I don't have any answers to your questions, but for some reason I've always wanted a 2003 or 4 Infinity M45. I think it was a Nissan Gloria in Japan. A C&D test in 2003 didn't like it as much as an A6, E320 or 530i. But they liked the 4.5 liter V8. Auto only.

I always thought those were remarkably handsome and understated. You never see them, especially not recently.