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Classic 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
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Replying to: fintail (Dec 31, 2008 6:53 pm) Americans were so used to driving mom's sofa or a block of ice with a steering wheel, that the Benz characteristics of firm suspension, firm seating, precise shifting and REALLY good brakes were a shock to former Cadillac owners. Some never ever made the adjustment and they went back to Pillowville.
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 02, 2009 10:24 am)  Firm supportive seats are better for long trips if you are even slightly above average in size. Looking at the market now, it looks like people realized luxury doesn't have to be button-tufted with ocean liner handling.
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Replying to: fintail (Jan 02, 2009 12:08 pm) I had a fintail in 1971, which I traded in for a brand new 280SL pagoda which I ordered with a manual transmission. Benz sold me that car for $10,800 !!. Of course, that WAS a year's salary back then. I've owned quite a few "risky" used luxury cars, including: BMW 735i, MB 300D, 300SD, 560SEL, 560SL, Audi 100, (sorta luxury), Jaguar XJ6 (sold quickly after just READING about the car's problems, which it didn't have at the time), Alfa 164LS (quite luxurious). Also a few Cadillacs, etc. passed through my hands but I didn't own them but for a few days. My strategy was always to buy very *very* well-cared for luxury cars that someone else had JUST dumped a boatload of money into, then drive them a quick 5K--10K and then bail out while everything was still okay. I pretty much escaped serious internal injuries on ALL of the above. The only "quasi-luxury" cars that really beat me up were Saab Turbo convertibles.
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 02, 2009 12:32 pm)  ...I know in those inflationary times, those things had amazing resale value too...I have some NADA/KBB books from 1976, and late pagodas booked at nearly original MSRP. Is there a luxury car that isn't risky? Even the old Japanese makes have their drawbacks. The bigger they are, the harder they fall...anyone want a 1983 Rolls? Didn't think so.
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Replying to: fintail (Jan 02, 2009 1:15 pm) One thing you have to do is really study the reputation of various cars. There's a good deal of "collective wisdom" out there which is often worth ten Haynes manuals or 100 Klick and Klack radio shows. Some luxury cars, I'd bet on, and some I'd bet against. BWM 3 series? Replace the radiator, thermostat and water pump and be happy for the duration. BWM 5 series? I'm betting you'll be pretty much okay. BMW 750 series? May God have mercy on your soul. Audi Allroad? Good luck, you'll probably need it. Jaguar X Type? you poor thing Mercedes 300E -- I'd bet in your favor here. 83 Rolls? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 02, 2009 1:21 pm)  For some reason I think of old "Dallas" reruns when I see these '80s Rollses.
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Replying to: lemko (Jan 02, 2009 2:09 pm) You could double the price of the car in one visit to the repair shop-----EASY. I just saw a repair bill for a 71' Corniche.....brakes, tires, suspension, blah blah...car has 88,000 miles on it....the bill? $19,500. |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 02, 2009 1:21 pm) A coworker of mine has an Allroad...bought to replace a V70 that was out of warranty and nickeling-and-diming him to death (he's pretentious and hauls a couple dogs - he sees himself as being above a Subaru). Now the Audi is getting expensive, apparently an involved brake job is required now.
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Replying to: fintail (Jan 02, 2009 6:29 pm)
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Only a fool or someone who's insanely rich would buy, or even lease, a car that's virtually unfixable today, or one where the cost of repairs and maintenance are unjustifiable. I look for sales of high end cars to remain depressed for a long time to come, as Americans increase their savings rate over the next several years. Also, credit will probably loosen up, but it's highly unlikely to be as readily available as it was in recent years. Times have changed. Near luxury ($29,900-$39,900) is the new mid luxury ($40,000-$59,900), and mid luxury is the new high end.
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