Sign In Join 

You are here: [F] Forums / Classic Cars / Buying Luxury used cars



Buying Luxury used cars

411 messages,  Last post on Jul 13, 2009 at 10:22 AM

You are in the Classic Cars Forum. Your Host is mr_shiftright

What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon


Messages Page 37 of 41
1
...
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#361 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque by hpmctorque
May 19, 2009 (7:05 pm)
Reply
My delayed response to my question, and to shifty's and fintail's answers(all posted below) is, how I wish BMW and Mercedes would offer decontented versions of the 3 and 5 Series, and C and E Classes, respectively. Just imagine how appealing such cars would be if they weren't so high maintenance. I wouldn't miss that leading edge electronic stuff, but I'd be ecstatic about owning a reliable example of these cars that's not a money pit after the warranty expires. I'll bet there are others who feel the same as me. Maybe these are available in other markets.
    
"Given their premium pricing, why can't Audi, BMW and Mercedes match the Japanese luxury brands on reliability and durability, other than engines? I suppose the cynical answer would be with another question, such as 'why can't the Japanese make a car that feels as good to drive as a BMW?' There's got to be a better answer, however."
      
Replies to this message:
Mr_Shiftright (May 18, 2009 2:25 pm)
fintail (May 18, 2009 2:37 pm)
Mr_Shiftright (May 18, 2009 3:00 pm)
  
#326 of 360 Re: Why? [hpmctorque] (Mr_Shiftright) HOST May 18, 2009 (2:25 pm)
 
"Too complex/ over-engineered?"
      
  
#327 of 360 Re: Why? [Mr_Shiftright] (fintail)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 18, 2009 2:25 pm)
 
"Germans seem to have a 'innovation for the sake of innovation' mindset when it comes to automotive electrics - which means results are mixed at best. Germans are engine builders, not electronic gadgetry builders, it seems."
#362 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [hpmctorque] by fintail
May 19, 2009 (7:27 pm)
Reply

Replying to: hpmctorque (May 19, 2009 7:05 pm)

Decontented Euro-style options would be very cool - manual transmission cloth interior cars with manual climate control etc. But I am certain the marketing types would reject the idea, as they are very image conscious, and their Japanese competitors don't offer such cars. They might see a lowline car as damaging image.
 
MB and BMW both started out in NA with more spartan models and the cars were a lot less complex until the mid 90s. Since then, everything we get is loaded by Euro standards.
#363 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [fintail] by lemmer
May 20, 2009 (5:41 am)
Reply

Replying to: fintail (May 19, 2009 7:27 pm)

The other thing is decontenting wouldn't fix a lot of the issues I am seeing on used BMWs. They have weak cooling systems, suspensions that don't last to 100K (shocks are the one thing, but the whole front suspension), radio displays that crap out, etc.
 
On the other hand, I've decided that I'd rather have BMW vinyl than leather. It looks just as good and holds up far better.
 
As for me personally, I have just about given up on finding a decent sub $10K BMW. I am leaning towards an '03 G35, but part of me just wants to give up and buy a Lexus. I wonder if an ES300 with a great set of tires really feels significantly worse than a BMW in my daily drive to work.
#364 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [lemmer] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
May 20, 2009 (5:45 am)
Reply

Replying to: lemmer (May 20, 2009 5:41 am)

the Lexus is a fine car but a mush-bucket to drive IMO. Bilstein shocks, excellent tires, some sway bar bushings, and better exhaust note might make a better faux BMW out of it however. That sounds like $1500 bucks or so.
#365 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [Mr_Shiftright] by lemmer
May 20, 2009 (6:29 am)
Reply

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 20, 2009 5:45 am)

Have you ever driven a G35? They aren't mushy, but they just can't seem to get the "driving experience" details down like BMW does.
#366 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [lemmer] by texases
May 20, 2009 (6:37 am)
Reply

Replying to: lemmer (May 20, 2009 5:41 am)

While you'll enjoy the smooth ride and good interior of an ES, it'll never be near a BMW in handling. (I wish, I've looked into it for mine). But I'm commuting in Dallas, so it's a better fit for me. It's a Camry that's been improved in every way, but with no emphasis put on performance. The FWD character will always be there. I've put Avid H4s tires on mine, it's fine, but far from a performance sedan. Tire Rack lists no performance shocks for mine, nor for a 2003 ES. So I think you'd be better off with a G35, plenty of performance parts for it.
#367 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [lemmer] by fintail
May 20, 2009 (6:46 am)
Reply

Replying to: lemmer (May 20, 2009 5:41 am)

For MB, a lot of problems seem to come from gadgetry. The lowline cars are still used as taxis in Europe, that tells me in more basic form they are durable. But when the beta-version "tech" is slathered on the cars we get, the problems can arise.
 
Regarding the Lexus, maybe a GS would be easier to tune for driving enjoyment?
#368 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [fintail] by lemmer
May 20, 2009 (8:08 am)
Reply

Replying to: fintail (May 20, 2009 6:46 am)

You are right about the GS. I think it is definitely a better choice for performance.
#369 of 411
Re: #325 of 360 Why? by hpmctorque [lemmer] by bumpy
May 20, 2009 (8:25 am)
Reply

Replying to: lemmer (May 20, 2009 5:41 am)

Wrong Lexus. IS300 manual with the sport package, if you can find one of the three that hasn't been molested yet.
#370 of 411
Re: Here is a nice example [andre1969] by lemko
May 20, 2009 (10:15 am)
Reply

Replying to: andre1969 (May 19, 2009 3:30 pm)

Yeah! Get a big 440 V-8 with a 6-pack out of something like a 1969 Polara! Holy smoke, do you think a R-body could handle it? Imagine some knucklehead in his tacky (politically incorrect term) Honda being smoked by a 1979 New Yorker!!!

Messages Page 37 of 41
1
...
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

You are here: [F] Forums / Classic Cars / Buying Luxury used cars

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement