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Some car stuff, by way of Top Gear.
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:54 pm
by piccini9
So, there was a Top Gear marathon on yesterday, and I watched some of it.
One of the segments was on
really cool cars available for relatively short cash. I know we are all about the two wheel deal here, and won't be surprised or offended if I am roundly shouted down.
Just check out these two ads.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/cto/2576995873.html
OK, it's a Corolla, nice car. A to B. Good little grocery getter.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2558994401.html
A few years older, more miles and all but, HOLY FUCKING HELL!
Just look at that thing. It's a German rocketship for 15k.
I can't afford either one, but if I could I know which cage I'd rather pilot.
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:06 pm
by Aggroton
I've been in agreeance with you and top gear.
I have an 02 Audi A6 with the 4.2 l that will do mach 1.
Why the Fuck would you buy a used Toyota?
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:57 pm
by rc26
1967 Shelby GT 500. There are no substitutes.
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 11:56 pm
by xtian
That is untill you have to fill the tank, change the tyres or have anything done to the engine. Been there done that.
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 12:42 am
by motorpsycho67
3-deuceFord428CJ wrote:1967 Shelby GT 500. There are no substitutes.
I'd rather have a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:48 am
by DerGolgo
Everything that works in favor of these exotic cars when they are on the showroom floor, the rakish looks, the exclusivity, the gargantuan power, the ginormous engine, the space-programmesque technology, the finest of bespoke components, all of that works against the car once it's driven off the lot and a prospective second owner will consider practicality, wether there's a garage able to service it near where he lives, the insurance costs, the fuel consumption, which of the many, many flashy features and unobtanium parts will break and how long it will take to get spares, nevermind what unholy sums those spares will cost.
Saying over here goes: A Merc depreciates 50% the moment you drive off the dealer's lot.
My father used to pimp around with a 1989 560 SEL. A set of tires had to be ordered weeks in advance and cost about as much as a hardware-store chinese fuck scooter. When the height-adjustable air suspension decided it didn't want to suspend anymore, the repair turned out to be more expensive than the remaining value of the car. Still managed to pass inspection, though, so he kept driving it.
In it's favor, the thing was built like a tank, probably saved his life on three occasions and the official Mercedes repair shop managed to fix it like it had never even been scratched every time (the electrics of the adjustable rear-seat had even them flumoxed, though).
First car I ever drove on my lonesome, and boy, I can sure understand the allure of a nice big merc.
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:45 am
by Pattio
motorpsycho67 wrote:3-deuceFord428CJ wrote:1967 Shelby GT 500. There are no substitutes.
I'd rather have a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS
I shall have some member of the 911 family someday. Those two letters 'RS' are shockingly expensive to include- I shall be happy with the garden variety.
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 2:49 am
by piccini9
3-deuceFord428CJ wrote:1967 Shelby GT 500. There are no substitutes.
Can you find one for $15k?
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 4:06 am
by motorpsycho67
Pattio wrote:motorpsycho67 wrote:3-deuceFord428CJ wrote:1967 Shelby GT 500. There are no substitutes.
I'd rather have a 1973 Porsche Carrera RS
I shall have some member of the 911 family someday. Those two letters 'RS' are shockingly expensive to include- I shall be happy with the garden variety.
I'm sure I'll never own a real RS, but there are kits to make a regular 911 look like one
I'd be satisfied with any early 70s 911...
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 11:23 am
by guitargeek
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:16 pm
by Pattio
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:42 pm
by stiles
I'll take the Toyota, thanks.
2 words:
Money Pit. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Jag, Benz, Range Rover, BMW, etc.
Others have covered it here, and I agree with dergolgo. Cars like these are cheap for a reason, and Toyotas aren't. Depreciation like an anvil off a cliff really means something when every component is past its' design lifespan and you're footting the huge and frequent repair bills out of pocket.
Say you have a 15 year old Benz that needs a lowly heater core, a common repair for cars of that age - some Benzes require 15+ hours for that job, a bunch of special tools and the parts aren't cheap either. Figure $2000 for that job on that car, where a Chevy would be 1/4 that or less. $1000 for a set of tires that last maybe 25k and are very pothole vulnerable, lots of expensive, sophisticated technology (parts cost alone - $800 for an airbag controller and & $700 for a simple transmission fluid change for a 2001 S4 audi, $1,100 for a smog pump on a '96 750iL, $1100 per headlight for a HID headlight ballast and $350 for a little chiclet of interior wood trim for that same car, and so forth and so on). If you blow the turbo(s) or the transmission, be prepared to shell out $5k for a good used replacement or more for rebuilt units.
I would never, ever own a car like that out of warranty. Why do you think leasing cars of this class is so popular?
Re: Some car stuff, by way of Top Gear.
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:46 pm
by stiles
A few years older? That corolla is about one year old. The Benz is about 8 years old, with about eight times the mileage. Assuming both are legit ads, that is. Big, big difference in operating, maintenance, repair and insurance costs.
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:56 pm
by calamari kid
I was talking to a guy who had a BMW 700 series that he picked up second hand. He said it was an amazing car to drive. I asked him how the maintenance was on it, he said "That's why I traded it in on an Acura."
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:56 am
by piccini9
stiles wrote:I'll take the Toyota, thanks.
2 words:
Money Pit. Why do you think leasing cars of this class is so popular?
There was not a lot of
"thinking" going on when I posted this.
It was more of a, "Oooh Look! Pretty, shiny, fast things! I want one!" kind of a post.
Re: Some car stuff, by way of Top Gear.
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:00 am
by Rabbit_Fighter
stiles wrote:
A few years older? That corolla is about one year old. The Benz is about 8 years old, with about eight times the mileage. Assuming both are legit ads, that is. Big, big difference in operating, maintenance, repair and insurance costs.
Yeah . . . I've received several cars and motorcycles for free, yet some still cost more than others.