torn on cars

J

jedovaty

New member
I was in an accident in september and totaled my 2003 jag xkr coupe :cry:



Now I cannot decide (from least t to most expensive):

- stick with dad's 1995 s320 with 300k miles (~free)

- a new jetta tdi

- a classic benz such as 280sl or 190sl (and drive it half the time, interchange with the aforementioned s320 above)

- get another jag xkr coupe (nothing newer than 2006, they get ugly imo)

- audi a5/s5



I saw an a5 yesterday on the road and thought it looked almost as good as the xkr coupe. Beautiful car. I really want the tdi version (diesel holds a sentimental value to me) but those are not available in the states :doh. I can get a jetta for half the price and tdi. And the jag - for some reason, it was a love-hate for me. It was beautiful, attracted too many old guys (chick magnet feature was busted) but because it was used (and slightly abused until I babied it), it never felt right. I love the old benz's, have a great mechanic lined up for them, they are convertible and small and so much fun to drive even if slow - but they lack the safety features and modern bells like heated seats and nice sound system. With the jetta, I'd feel too "common" (I like to be unique) and maybe like I'm taking a step back. The s320 feels like I'm driving dad's mercedes, which, well, I am - but I'm dieing to invest in the RE market now having spent the last 10 years living at home and saving my hard earned income, and the car is enourmously comfortable.



Thoughts? Features I "want" - unique, good looking, heated seats, convertible. I realize I cannot have all these without spending too much (if I could afford one, I'd get a 300sl roadster from the 50's and put in my own seats). I live in so cal, so new cars like bmw's and mbz's are fairly bourgeois. I wish I could lease but I put too many miles on the car per year (about 20k).



There are deals to be had out there now wrt new cars. I've heard cool stories about the bmw's with 0 maintenance programs, huge discounts off the sticker, or amazing lease deals. I like how they well outperform the audi at a lower cost, too, but - there's just something too common about them, too, like the jetta.
 
Normally, I would say that you should probably continue driving the car you have which would cost you nothing. On the other hand, this really is a good time to be a car buyer. There are fantastic used car and new car deals. Here, BMW is offering a $10,000 discount off the e92/e90 M3.



Personally, the unreliability of the Jaguar throws me off. Combine that with a lack of quality control, and it's not my pick of the litter (unless you're looking at the DB9 replica Jag-probably out of your price range).



An Audi A5/S5 is a pretty reasonable choice. It's a very luxurious, beautiful, and powerful vehicle. My biggest concern with a brand new Audi would be resale. If you can find it for the right price, then by all means go for it.



A Jetta TDI is pretty reasonable car, though a bit on the expensive side for cars in its class, and considering Volkswagen's reliability/quality control issues. Another concern I would have is the way the oil companies manipulate the cost of diesel. It's far less expensive to produce than gasoline, and yet it costs more? On the other hand, if you're the handyman/do-it-yourself kind of guy, you can go the WVO route and operate your vehicle at a far lesser cost.



WVO = Waste Vegetable Oil



If you have no idea what I am talking about, visit this site:



Greasecar Vegetable Fuel Systems
 
I don't understand the constant complaint about VW reliability here? VWs are considered well built and get good ratings in Europe. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that US VWs are built in Mexico??

Diesel is maybe cheaper to produce than Gasoline(here in Finland diesel is cheaper than gasoline) but it needs about 15% more oil to produce than the same amount of gasoline.
 
here is a compromise for you. Look at the w124 chasis 300cd. early to mid 90's mercedes coupe with a diesel. They are rare and unique, soild, safe, and you can find them with heated seats.



They look like this.

100_5457.jpg




If you like the idea of the 300cd, but can't find one, you might consider the w123 chassis.



1978Mercedes300CD2.jpg
 
Mark77 said:
I don't understand the constant complaint about VW reliability here? VWs are considered well built and get good ratings in Europe. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that US VWs are built in Mexico??

Diesel is maybe cheaper to produce than Gasoline(here in Finland diesel is cheaper than gasoline) but it needs about 15% more oil to produce than the same amount of gasoline.
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Europe *may* be getting German-built VW's. The majority of the VW's here are built in Mexico/Brazil and they do suffer quite a few reliability issues. There was a 98 Jetta Wolfsburg in my family that was nothing but trouble. Obviously, one opinion doth not make unanimity but I have heard very similar stories pretty unanimously from other VW owners.
 
New Jettas are made in Mexico. New Rabbits (Golf) are made in Germany. Unfortunately, the Mexican plant has been known for lax quality standards. I know that VW wants to be on track as the largest automobile manufacturer(worldwide) and part of that philosophy is addressing the quality issues (either perceived or real). VW decided to make the expensive (for them) choice of building the Rabbit in Germany and shipping it to the States (rather than build it in Mexico).



Personally, Id take the 1995 S320 (free) because I am a cheapskate at heart.
 
Avoid a5, s5 is not a bad choice except resale



BMW 0 maintenance is basically 3 free oil changes so don't factor this into the equation(you may get a set of pads to)... they allow you to change the oil only every 15k miles....



if your looking to save , used e46 m3 decent choice
 
With the dollar rate you could import a German made VW/Audi with stonking 2.0TDi engine. With Variable servicing you can do up to 30,000 miles between oil changes, all warranted by VW/Audi as long as you use a VW/Audi approved oil. You will be getting nearlly 60mpg (manual 6 speed) or 50mpg auto.
 
I'm not sure how resale value here plays much of a role. Unless I buy an older vehicle that's fully depreciated (e.g. old w123 or w126 mbz), I'm going to kill value anyway with all the miles I put on the car.



My jag was very reliable, the only major issues I had was a broken telescoping wheel and the passenger window motor, both easily fixed and under warranty. That said, thanks for the notes on the VW.



Diesel has been more expensive here mostly due to demand - it fuels more than just cars, it's used in industry, and thanks to the global economic boom we experienced, demand rose considerably. It doesn't QUITE make sense because diesel and gas come from effectively the same source.. :nixweiss



I like the idea of the mbz coupes, I've looked into those before, but I'm hesitant to pick up a used car again. It was just too much of a love-hate for me.



The search continues :) Thanks for ya'll's help!
 
jedovaty- I'd say get another XKR, but maybe I'm just spending too much time around the XKR owners in my Jag club :D



My wife and I had a pair of the big Benz coupes (W126 560 SECs, one was an AMG car). My wife and I simply *LOVED* them, but they're not getting any newer and the maintenance can be really something. Much as we liked them, once we got the Audis we never really gave them another thought. Glad we had them, but wouldn't buy one now.



IME (and everybody will have their own opinion), a truly vintage Benz is more fun to think about than it is to really drive ;) so I'd pass on the 280SL (a friend of mine has one for his wife's other car and it just doesn't do it for me). The 300 SEL 6.3 sedans drive *almost* like modern cars, but the maintenance will simply kill you and finding a nice one is tricky.



S5s are nice *IF* the sunroof treatment doesn't bug you. I was surprised to find that it really bugged me. Sorta a pricey ride though.



I don't think the Jetta will do it for you, but that's just a guess. Their R32 or something like that might be more to your liking, but after the Jag...eh..I doubt it.



Interesting situation, wonder what you'll decide to do :think:
 
grease said:
whats wrong with the sunroof? I havent sat in one yet.
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It doesn't have a completely-light-blocking position, or at least I didn't figure out how to make it block 100% during the time I sat in one (somebody correct me if I'm off-base here). I despise sunroofs anyhow, so maybe I'm touchy on this subject.



Otherwise, and other than the MMI (which I guess we're stuck with just like the grille), it *is* a really great two-door IMO. This might sound nutty, but I'd rather have an S5 that's serviced by my Audi dealer than a Bentley Continental GT that's serviced by somebody I don't know.
 
Accumulator said:
This might sound nutty, but I'd rather have an S5 that's serviced by my Audi dealer than a Bentley Continental GT that's serviced by somebody I don't know.
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This is what has me a little worried, and I can totally relate. I have a guy who is awesome for MBZ (especially the older ones), and both my jag service advisor and mech were fantastic and actually looked out for me - believe it or not, at the dealer. If I go into a different brand, how will I find someone good? I have found some great deals on used xkr coupes and I could continue an excellent professional relationship with that dealership, and although the car is sexy as hell - I'm just not drawn to it any longer? I dunno. Maybe I'm still traumatized by the accident :ignore and the "hate" portion of the love-hate with that car.



I haven't decided yet, but I think I will have to, soon. The pink s320 has problems - the rear bushings are shot, the left rear window is stuck open (I cannot take apart the door to fix this on my own without destroying the trim), the brakes are messed up, the amp is gone so no music, and etc etc. What makes the choice a little difficult is the fact that the car is free (despite the maintenance nuisance), and the girls who have ridden with me have enjoyed the better-than-limo-like experience of luxury :woot2: That said, I could always get a similar car that's newer and has less miles... they are surprisingly cheap. No, I dunno about getting another used car though.



Accumulator: I must test drive the audi, I will try today or later this week, I'm curious to see this sun roof thing you talk about. I have driven a few 280sl's and they are fine, I enjoyed the ride, except the musty smell with the soft-top up (it's not very cushy, actually, somewhat bare-bones) - the first 8 years of my life were spent in a 1971 benz (4.2 v8 280sel or something like that), followed by an '84 300sd for well over 400k miles, so going to the 280 or even a 190 is like returning home :)
 
jedovaty- OK, the additional info clarifies things a bit, and I absolutely understand the familiarity aspect. And I also appreciate not-too-techie cars without all the bells-and-whistles.



And yeah, I'm an absolute sucker for W126 Benzes myself (well, gotta be the '86-newer ones with the telescoping steering wheel) but once we went with the Audis I never looked back (at least not much ;) ).



But the dealer who took over the local Benz franchise has a lot to do with that; short/polite version: he and I can't do business and the nearest good independent guy is a long ways away.



Isn't that S320 mighty slow? Not like I can't go for underpowered Benzes, I like the '86-'91 300Se a lot.
 
If it helps clear things up a bit more, I'm in the late 20's early 30's age group - I don't care what kind of image others feel about me, however, that doesn't prevent me from creating an image of myself that I want to have (part of the reason I'm drawn to the xkr or a5). The S320 car simply makes me feel like I'm driving my dad's mercedes.



The car is "slow", but once at speed, it just cruises - there's so much room in the car, it is very quiet, great sound system (when the amp isn't busted!), and the back seats are marvelous if you have passengers. I get excellent mpg's for such a large car, too. Although kinda ugly, the w140 is one of the most comfy cars I've ever driven. Now, I've seen on craigslist some s600's from the late 90's selling for about $15k-20k with decent mileage.. that would be kinda fun :D I wonder if the a5 would make me feel yuppy - that's one reason I'm sort of staying away from the bmw's. The jag has more of an "I've arrived" rather than the bmw, "hey look, I'm becoming successful". Where would the audi fit in? A test drive will hopefully answer this dilemma!



The w126's look so stately and posh, which appeals to me. As do the older w113 (e.g. 280sl) or even the 190sl. But they are dated.
 
jedovaty- Heh heh, well, when I was your age a friend said some of my cars reflected the style of a constipated German banker :o If *you* like it, then that's that IMO.



And hey, I got my XJS when I was 25 and everybody thought I should've bought a 'vette or Porsche instead. Twenty-three years later I'm still glad I have *it* instead.



But no way I'd want a W140 600, I'd be terrified of the maintenance unless I knew a lot more positives than I do now; some guys I knew when they were new cars had endless trouble with 'em just like guys did with the first BMW 750 cars.



Audis never seemed like yuppie-mobiles to me (the way the M3 sure does :o ). Maybe it's because I was always playing rally-driver-hooligan with 'em in the snow :D They *can* have a sorta serious...almost cold, calculating vibe to them, but I like that.



FWIW, we went directly from a pair of 560 SECs to the Audis.
 
Hey Jedo,

Was sorry to hear about your little incident, but you are fortunate that you are able to pick and choose another car afterwards.



I would only say to go with whatever you like the best, because you will have to live with it for awhile. That being said, still be careful. You can really be in love with something, and as time goes by when that something ends up being a pain in the tush, you'll wish you'd never set eyes on it. On the other hand, you could compromise and get something that you casually like, and in time your love could grow as the car gives you good to excellent service.



Lol it sounds like I'm giving some "other" advice, but the jist of it is to go with your best thoughts and what you like the best.



Oh and me? If its a primary car (meaning what you want to be seen in), then 9/10 times I'd prefer new than used or (certified...etc), but cost can also be a deciding factor. If its a car purely for reliable transportation, then go with something with an excellent reputation for reliability...new or used.



Good luck....and show us your pick.



Edit:.......maybe Accumulator will have something to sell you......maybe he'll make some money on it.....to buy himself some (fill in the blank). Sorry Accumulator, but its been awhile lol!!!!
 
lbls1 said:
.......maybe Accumulator will have something to sell you......maybe he'll make some money on it.....to buy himself some (fill in the blank). Sorry Accumulator, but its been awhile lol!!!!
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Heh heh, hey lbls1, yeah..we haven't been having our regular exchanges recently :D



Heh heh#2, by the time I decide to sell something there are usually some good reasons why nobody here would want it!



And heh heh#3, *me* make *money* selling something?!? That'll be the day :o
 
Heh Heh...



lol you make money....now why would you need to do that pal???? Lol!!!!!



I figured this would be a good tip in to relieve some of the crampness you have in your multi car garage! That way you can make room for the frige stuffed with a box of (you know....) ................lol!!!!!!!



Too much.....but I'm glad bc you're the only one here I can get away with this stuff for a little while!
 
Heh heh, people here probably live in fear of the lbls1/Accumulator thread jack :o "You never know when those two will resume their nonsense..."



And I'd hate to pay the electric bill for turning on the garge refigerator just to keep a jar of you-know-what nice and cool :nana:



jedovaty- Will you be driving this vehicle in winter weather?
 
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