What would be your "one car for life"?
Discussion
One day I shall buy an 60's Land Rover. I shall probably buy something a bit tatty and do a bit of work on it, infact I will probably always tinker with it, but seeing as it's got no computer gubbins it will last forever (insert appropriate rust joke here).
I would never worry about resale value, because I would never sell it.
I would never worry about resale value, because I would never sell it.
This is my contribution.
I've had it nine years, so it's already a keeper.
Factors which allow it to stay are, in no particular order,
Absence of depreciation.
Containable running costs
Cheap insurance and reasonable on fuel.
It's never going to be so valuable as to necessitate it's sale
It's very practical, and can fulfil the role of a family car as well as a toy.
We've had some really special cross-continent memories together and have more planned.
I know how it works; I understand the model, it's history and significance to AMG history.
it has a 284bhp, straight 6 hand-built motor with no LSD.
It gets garaged over winter, so every spring it's like getting into a new car again.
My boys and I love it to bits.
I've had it nine years, so it's already a keeper.
Factors which allow it to stay are, in no particular order,
Absence of depreciation.
Containable running costs
Cheap insurance and reasonable on fuel.
It's never going to be so valuable as to necessitate it's sale
It's very practical, and can fulfil the role of a family car as well as a toy.
We've had some really special cross-continent memories together and have more planned.
I know how it works; I understand the model, it's history and significance to AMG history.
it has a 284bhp, straight 6 hand-built motor with no LSD.
It gets garaged over winter, so every spring it's like getting into a new car again.
My boys and I love it to bits.
This is my contribution.
I've had it nine years, so it's already a keeper.
Factors which allow it to stay are, in no particular order,
Absence of depreciation.
Containable running costs
Cheap insurance and reasonable on fuel.
It's never going to be so valuable as to necessitate it's sale
It's very practical, and can fulfil the role of a family car as well as a toy.
We've had some really special cross-continent memories together and have more planned.
I know how it works; I understand the model, it's history and significance to AMG history.
it has a 284bhp, straight 6 hand-built motor with no LSD.
It gets garaged over winter, so every spring it's like getting into a new car again.
My boys and I love it to bits.
I've had it nine years, so it's already a keeper.
Factors which allow it to stay are, in no particular order,
Absence of depreciation.
Containable running costs
Cheap insurance and reasonable on fuel.
It's never going to be so valuable as to necessitate it's sale
It's very practical, and can fulfil the role of a family car as well as a toy.
We've had some really special cross-continent memories together and have more planned.
I know how it works; I understand the model, it's history and significance to AMG history.
it has a 284bhp, straight 6 hand-built motor with no LSD.
It gets garaged over winter, so every spring it's like getting into a new car again.
My boys and I love it to bits.
rohrl said:
I long loved the shape of the W124 Mercedes E-class. It's so classy and from the end of the period when Mercedes built cars to a standard rather than a price.
If, like the car pictured, it had a Brabus 7.3 litre V12 under the bonnet I can't see that I'd ever need another car.
That's awesome! is there a build thread?If, like the car pictured, it had a Brabus 7.3 litre V12 under the bonnet I can't see that I'd ever need another car.
Not a fan of the alloys and would prefer it to look a little more standard, but I think I could live with it!
glazbagun said:
That's awesome! is there a build thread?
Not a fan of the alloys and would prefer it to look a little more standard, but I think I could live with it!
I found it on an old thread in an MB 500E owners forum.Not a fan of the alloys and would prefer it to look a little more standard, but I think I could live with it!
It was apparently built long ago by Brabus for a rich German named Bernard who also has/had an 7.3l W140 S-class.
Genuinely have no idea what to replace this with.
Family and dogs- check
Performance- check
Long distance mile muncher- check
Towing- check
Bike carrier - check
I love the interior look and comfort. You just put it in d and after a long day it's a comfy and quiet for the commute home, hit S and hold on.
McSam said:
CorvetteConvert said:
McSam said:
An F40.
By the premise of the thread I'm never going to sell it so I don't care what I'm doing to its value by putting endless miles on it. I'd track it as well. don't think it would ever stop being special. I need a car to challenge me and it'd certainly do that.
As i have said elsewhere that was the most over-rated car i ever drove...but i can see why many people would think it would be an amazing car.By the premise of the thread I'm never going to sell it so I don't care what I'm doing to its value by putting endless miles on it. I'd track it as well. don't think it would ever stop being special. I need a car to challenge me and it'd certainly do that.
Where do we start? (We are talking about a car fetching three quarters of a MILLION pounds almost, nowadays.)
The panel fit and finish on the three i have seen is appalling. Kit car standard and no more than that. Flimsy, tatty.
The interior was basic to say the least, but if PTW ratio was the thing, then i get the stripped out nature. But it was poor for the money the car cost when new.
The clutch was stupidly heavy, the brakes poor for a car that can do 200 mph and the gear change a real disappointment for a Ferrari.
Then you have the motor, a hopelessly laggy brute of an engine. Pretty much nothing until the huge turbos spooled up, then an almighty shove before it was all over at disappointingly low revs for a supercar. By 6,200 rpm they are done and dusted and it doesn't wake until 3,500 rpm. The 5 speed gearbox had ratios so wide that it was dead easy to get caught off-boost and thus have next to no go when/if you suddenly needed it.
I would compare it to 2 cars which come to mind.
The 458 which is a better car by light years in every way you can imagine. Looks, sound, fit and finish, power, handling, gearbox, brakes, steering, everything!
The other car would be the Ultima (767 bhp Yank V8) a friend has. Fit and finish and interior to match the F40. But with almost 300 bhp more, huge power from idle to 7,000 rpm, fantastic brakes and way way faster in real life, due to instant throttle response, something the lag-laden F40 hasn't got.
I genuinely think that the F40 is a crazy, crazy car and i am glad they made it, but next to a 458, a 458 Speciale, one of the new McLarens, an Aventador, etc., they are expensive and poorly made and thought out.
CorvetteConvert said:
The 458 which is a better car by light years in every way you can imagine. Looks, sound, fit and finish, power, handling, gearbox, brakes, steering, everything!
Believe it or not, the F40 was never intended to be a rival for the 458. Try comparing it against a Ferrari 328 instead, or a Countach, or Porsche 930 Turbo. If you're going to objectively compare anything to the latest and greatest then all old cars will come out badly, even the most iconic classics.Schermerhorn said:
Landcruiser Amazon ....these things are keeps for life surely?
TLandCruiser said:
rohrl said:
I long loved the shape of the W124 Mercedes E-class. It's so classy and from the end of the period when Mercedes built cars to a standard rather than a price.
If, like the car pictured, it had a Brabus 7.3 litre V12 under the bonnet I can't see that I'd ever need another car.
Fantastic, and just the sort of thing that I could imagine, if I ever got hold of one, would never be sold. Or the AMG E60 versionIf, like the car pictured, it had a Brabus 7.3 litre V12 under the bonnet I can't see that I'd ever need another car.
PHer MBZ6's Brabus 190E 3.6 would be very high on the list of cars for life IMO too, as would E24man's Alpina E34 B10 4.6 Touring
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