Poor, skint person contemplating a Turbo R....
Discussion
Promised myself a Bentley since... well, forever! Nearly bought one a few years ago but all the cars I saw were really doggy, so bought a Merc SL instead.
Now, single, poor and living in squalor. To cap it all, I'm a cripple that can barely walk, not that that's really relevant. I have the cash to buy one and really, really scared. I am no longer able to do much maintenance myself so whatever I get has to be reliable. I've seen a few old ones (early 80's) with low miles and history, but, I really want one of the later ones with centre gearchange and fuel injection/abs etc.
Also considered the straight Mulsanne/8/Brooklands and they seem, generally, to be better buys - more car for the money/better history/lower miles/better condition. Is this as good a car?
What is the best thing to do? Baring in mind this will be my only car and it will have to live outside. Not ideal really and I sort of feel sorry for whatever car I get as it will not be used to such shabby treatment.
Really looking for advice as to what to look out for, desirable things to have, cars to avoid and the best amount to budget for the car and maintenance - looking at about 2000-3000 miles per year. Also, any trusted specialists who can look after the old girl in the Torbay/South Devon area.
Many thanks.
Now, single, poor and living in squalor. To cap it all, I'm a cripple that can barely walk, not that that's really relevant. I have the cash to buy one and really, really scared. I am no longer able to do much maintenance myself so whatever I get has to be reliable. I've seen a few old ones (early 80's) with low miles and history, but, I really want one of the later ones with centre gearchange and fuel injection/abs etc.
Also considered the straight Mulsanne/8/Brooklands and they seem, generally, to be better buys - more car for the money/better history/lower miles/better condition. Is this as good a car?
What is the best thing to do? Baring in mind this will be my only car and it will have to live outside. Not ideal really and I sort of feel sorry for whatever car I get as it will not be used to such shabby treatment.
Really looking for advice as to what to look out for, desirable things to have, cars to avoid and the best amount to budget for the car and maintenance - looking at about 2000-3000 miles per year. Also, any trusted specialists who can look after the old girl in the Torbay/South Devon area.
Many thanks.
Thanks for the advice chaps. It's definitely one of those things on my 'bucket' list to own a Bentley. Loved them ever since I was a child living in Kew and seeing S3's and Silver Shadows in abundance. Been in/driven a few Shadows and they really don't do it for me - far to floaty and wallowy which is why a Turbo R (or one of its close cousins with the same suspension) really appeals.
Does anyone know of a decent specialist in the Devon/Torbay area?
Does anyone know of a decent specialist in the Devon/Torbay area?
All fair comments Graemel (hope I spelled that correctly!). I do have a history of owning cars beyond my means and have never skimped on maintenance - that's what credit cards are for, right?
I loved taking my SL out, coming home, washing, polishing then into the garage and all its soft covers on, but that isn't going to be possible for a while. I don't intend to stay where I currently live for much longer and a garage is a definite requirement - one large enough to hold a Turbo R!
If one appears on the horizon that fits the budget with the correct history within the next few months, then it will be bought and have to live outside and be my only car for a while. Perhaps it will give me the impetus to get my life in order!
Ultimately, it will be my second car for high days and special occasions, a more practical (read: cheap) car will also be acquired.
I'm currently driving a new(ish) MX5 and with two dogs it really isn't sensible and friends all tried to talk me out of getting it. However, both dogs love it! Neither of them are small and they fit and are safe... so where there's a will, there's a way!
A Bentley of that generation is a life requirement for me. I can (it would appear) comfortably afford an Arnage, but they just don't 'do it' for me in the same way. I am broke as in I'm on a pension, but I have cash in the bank, I just choose NOT to spend it!
Whatever car I acquire, will, in short order, be a better car than when I acquired it - believe me. So, any advice as to what to seek is gratefully received. I want a Turbo R, but I don't 'need' a Turbo just the 'R' bit.
Many thanks one and all.
I loved taking my SL out, coming home, washing, polishing then into the garage and all its soft covers on, but that isn't going to be possible for a while. I don't intend to stay where I currently live for much longer and a garage is a definite requirement - one large enough to hold a Turbo R!
If one appears on the horizon that fits the budget with the correct history within the next few months, then it will be bought and have to live outside and be my only car for a while. Perhaps it will give me the impetus to get my life in order!
Ultimately, it will be my second car for high days and special occasions, a more practical (read: cheap) car will also be acquired.
I'm currently driving a new(ish) MX5 and with two dogs it really isn't sensible and friends all tried to talk me out of getting it. However, both dogs love it! Neither of them are small and they fit and are safe... so where there's a will, there's a way!
A Bentley of that generation is a life requirement for me. I can (it would appear) comfortably afford an Arnage, but they just don't 'do it' for me in the same way. I am broke as in I'm on a pension, but I have cash in the bank, I just choose NOT to spend it!
Whatever car I acquire, will, in short order, be a better car than when I acquired it - believe me. So, any advice as to what to seek is gratefully received. I want a Turbo R, but I don't 'need' a Turbo just the 'R' bit.
Many thanks one and all.
Wacky Racer said:
Single,...poor,...living in squalor....thinking of buying a used Bentley.......
What could possibly go wrong?.......
I have never said I was sensible! I'm on the look out for a woman with a nice house and a HUGE garage that likes dogs and cripples!What could possibly go wrong?.......
I've seen a couple so far: the first I really liked, red, cream leather and really pleasant... apart from the mammoth water leak and convincing lack of history! The second was older, on carbs and wouldn't run properly, also had recent paintwork (not mentioned on the phone) and bubbles appearing on the arches. Not impressed.
Still, I drove the red one and loved it. Still thinking about buying it even though I know it needs work.... rose coloured specs/heart ruling head.
I am aware that these things cost several small fortunes to run properly, just not what precisely it is that needs doing. Are the engines (I imagine that head gasket failure is a major drama!) reliable? I know the old GM 400 'box was pretty strong but what about the later 4 speed?
I'm really sure I'm going to get one, but unsure as to what to spend! Do I buy cheap and then spend money (lots of) on making it 'right' or, spend lots on the initial purchase and hope that's it a food 'un?
There seems to be a huge disparity in prices: £5K up to £20K for, what seems to be the same car! I don't mind travelling to view, but it would be nice if one or two were a bit closer to home! Also, it would be nice to know if the car was a good one before traipsing off to Cheshire to view.
I really want a red Turbo R with efi, abs, 4 speed ( I like the centre gear change!) and a light coloured interior. I want low miles and great history and I want pretty much immaculate. The car will be a 'keeper' so a hobby as much as a vehicle. As soon as I get somewhere to live with a driveway/garage then I can maintain at my leasure. I have always done quite a bit of work on my cars, but with advancing spinal problems, the amount I can do in one go is limited so a second car to provide actual transport will be required!
I've seen a Brooklands for sale about 75 mules away. It has a light coloured interior... but it's green. Not a fan of green cars and a lot of the late Brooklands seem to be the same colour. I find it interesting that the quoted BHP is the same as the early Turbos. Am I right?
Any one got a view on the Brooklands?
I'm really sure I'm going to get one, but unsure as to what to spend! Do I buy cheap and then spend money (lots of) on making it 'right' or, spend lots on the initial purchase and hope that's it a food 'un?
There seems to be a huge disparity in prices: £5K up to £20K for, what seems to be the same car! I don't mind travelling to view, but it would be nice if one or two were a bit closer to home! Also, it would be nice to know if the car was a good one before traipsing off to Cheshire to view.
I really want a red Turbo R with efi, abs, 4 speed ( I like the centre gear change!) and a light coloured interior. I want low miles and great history and I want pretty much immaculate. The car will be a 'keeper' so a hobby as much as a vehicle. As soon as I get somewhere to live with a driveway/garage then I can maintain at my leasure. I have always done quite a bit of work on my cars, but with advancing spinal problems, the amount I can do in one go is limited so a second car to provide actual transport will be required!
I've seen a Brooklands for sale about 75 mules away. It has a light coloured interior... but it's green. Not a fan of green cars and a lot of the late Brooklands seem to be the same colour. I find it interesting that the quoted BHP is the same as the early Turbos. Am I right?
Any one got a view on the Brooklands?
mark387mw said:
Meet you in the middle with this find
http://www.click-cars.co.uk/view.asp?id=10020&...
Hmmmm. Now that is nice. http://www.click-cars.co.uk/view.asp?id=10020&...
I'm still deliberating!
Decided it's got to be a Turbo R even though a late Brooklands really appeals... and is cheaper. I'd love one of the last TRs with the 400hp engine but, the prices are all over the place. You guys have sold me on the Turbo R engine though and I do rather enjoy a bit of 'go' on occassion. Also, I know that if I get a Brooklands there will always be a part of me (a major part) that keeps on about the TR I should have bought.
I think it's got to be a mid 90's edition. I like the centre gearchange (I'm very odd!) and I like the later wheels rather than the early ones. I'm not so bothered about exterior colour so long as it's not green or black but the interior has got to be a nice light colour with nice wood (not birds eye maple). I saw a lovely red one, but the wood was red as well - hated it!
I know this is going to be a major expense both to buy and also maintain, and I dread buying what I think is a 'good' car with sensible miles and nice history and then instantly getting hit for a further few thousand on repairs. This will probably be a 'last' car as there will be bugger all chance of ever selling it for what it owes after repairs, so I'd like it to be a good 'un. I do very little mileage anyway (3000 pa) so fuel costs aren't even being considered.
Any advice on what Mark I need to be looking for, differences between them, active ride (which I hear about but don't understand) etc?
Decided it's got to be a Turbo R even though a late Brooklands really appeals... and is cheaper. I'd love one of the last TRs with the 400hp engine but, the prices are all over the place. You guys have sold me on the Turbo R engine though and I do rather enjoy a bit of 'go' on occassion. Also, I know that if I get a Brooklands there will always be a part of me (a major part) that keeps on about the TR I should have bought.
I think it's got to be a mid 90's edition. I like the centre gearchange (I'm very odd!) and I like the later wheels rather than the early ones. I'm not so bothered about exterior colour so long as it's not green or black but the interior has got to be a nice light colour with nice wood (not birds eye maple). I saw a lovely red one, but the wood was red as well - hated it!
I know this is going to be a major expense both to buy and also maintain, and I dread buying what I think is a 'good' car with sensible miles and nice history and then instantly getting hit for a further few thousand on repairs. This will probably be a 'last' car as there will be bugger all chance of ever selling it for what it owes after repairs, so I'd like it to be a good 'un. I do very little mileage anyway (3000 pa) so fuel costs aren't even being considered.
Any advice on what Mark I need to be looking for, differences between them, active ride (which I hear about but don't understand) etc?
I've been doing a LOT of reading over the last week or so and remembered that I joined the Australian RRB forum, so have been reading that.
It seems to be that the car to go for is in the year range of 90 - 93 so you don't have to put up with the Zytec management... shame, as I really like the look of the late cars and approve thoroughly of the increased performance. Also heard that these later cars were prone to OMG head gasket failure... really don't want a 6000 bill!
Still contemplating a late Brooklands though. 300HP, and all the updates appeals greatly. However, I dither...
Finding 'the car' is pretty bloody irritating though! So many are in dealers hands and I don't know who to trust. Having bought many cars in the past from dealers where the full service history turns out to be a few stamps in the book from 'Joes garage' and the immaculate condition turns out to be full of filler and a cheap respray! Neither of which I want! I want to find a car in private hands where it has been loved and cherished and I can talk to the owner. But, obviously they are few and far between, and even fewer and further the ones in colours/specs that I want!
It seems to be that the car to go for is in the year range of 90 - 93 so you don't have to put up with the Zytec management... shame, as I really like the look of the late cars and approve thoroughly of the increased performance. Also heard that these later cars were prone to OMG head gasket failure... really don't want a 6000 bill!
Still contemplating a late Brooklands though. 300HP, and all the updates appeals greatly. However, I dither...
Finding 'the car' is pretty bloody irritating though! So many are in dealers hands and I don't know who to trust. Having bought many cars in the past from dealers where the full service history turns out to be a few stamps in the book from 'Joes garage' and the immaculate condition turns out to be full of filler and a cheap respray! Neither of which I want! I want to find a car in private hands where it has been loved and cherished and I can talk to the owner. But, obviously they are few and far between, and even fewer and further the ones in colours/specs that I want!
matt5791 said:
V8 FOU said:
The problem with Zytec is?
No stupid twin distributors, no HT leads, more power, better running, better emissions.......
absolutely, and better economy. Zytec is one of the reasons I opted for a '96 model year Continental R. (and the liquid cooled chargecooler)No stupid twin distributors, no HT leads, more power, better running, better emissions.......
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