Arnage, Flying Spur, Quattroporte, XJ S/C or Lotus Carlton?
Discussion
Hi all,
Due to resurrecting another Land Rover, I might be in the market in the next 6-8 months to upgrade from my 2005 Range Rover V8 to a petrol powered fast luxury sports saloon. I really don't want something so dull/common as a Merc/Audi/BMW so have narrowed it down to a few other choices. Budget about £15-20k top whack
My first thought was an early Green Label Arnage, with the same 4.4 V8 as my RR. This has the benefit of being able to handle LPG and thus keep fuel costs about the same as my also LPG'd RR. It is also a superb bruiser of a car and the last proper Bentley.
However, they are now getting quite old and quite leggy. Do I really want to be daily driving a 20 year old Bentley?
So, my next thought was a Flying Spur. A more modern take on things and even more capable. But, there's a gamble that they will be within price range in time without going for the extremely "brave" end of the market.... not something I want to do with a car that complex! I've also heard of eye watering service costs and some quite frightening electrical horror stories (loom in the sill getting wet?)
The current leading contender seems to be a 2007-12 QP with the proper ZF autobox. They are hovering around 17k for a decent one, and they do a reasonable MPG too. There seem to be lots of good Maserati Indy specialists around. Again though, this isn't a car renowned for its reliability is it?
Another "hope they dip in price" option is a current shape XJ with the 3.0 V6 supercharged petrol. I gather it's a superb engine, and the featherweight aluminium shell allows astonishing economy. Dad currently has a diesel version and is it an extremely impressive car. However, it's also very, very long to the point where it won't fit in a lot of tight multistorey carpark curved entrances. You also have to use the force when drawing up to kerbs because it really is a struggle to see out of with the high waistline and barrel sides. Both of these in the past have led to Dad kerbing alloys on his.
Do I really want this level of trepidation every time I take mine somewhere unfamiliar?
So what about the wildcard? I've lusted after an LC since childhood, but the problem now seems to be finding one that hasnt shot up to stupid money. And I gather they do like to rust too - again, do I want to DD a now very old car?
What is the PH collective view?
Due to resurrecting another Land Rover, I might be in the market in the next 6-8 months to upgrade from my 2005 Range Rover V8 to a petrol powered fast luxury sports saloon. I really don't want something so dull/common as a Merc/Audi/BMW so have narrowed it down to a few other choices. Budget about £15-20k top whack
My first thought was an early Green Label Arnage, with the same 4.4 V8 as my RR. This has the benefit of being able to handle LPG and thus keep fuel costs about the same as my also LPG'd RR. It is also a superb bruiser of a car and the last proper Bentley.
However, they are now getting quite old and quite leggy. Do I really want to be daily driving a 20 year old Bentley?
So, my next thought was a Flying Spur. A more modern take on things and even more capable. But, there's a gamble that they will be within price range in time without going for the extremely "brave" end of the market.... not something I want to do with a car that complex! I've also heard of eye watering service costs and some quite frightening electrical horror stories (loom in the sill getting wet?)
The current leading contender seems to be a 2007-12 QP with the proper ZF autobox. They are hovering around 17k for a decent one, and they do a reasonable MPG too. There seem to be lots of good Maserati Indy specialists around. Again though, this isn't a car renowned for its reliability is it?
Another "hope they dip in price" option is a current shape XJ with the 3.0 V6 supercharged petrol. I gather it's a superb engine, and the featherweight aluminium shell allows astonishing economy. Dad currently has a diesel version and is it an extremely impressive car. However, it's also very, very long to the point where it won't fit in a lot of tight multistorey carpark curved entrances. You also have to use the force when drawing up to kerbs because it really is a struggle to see out of with the high waistline and barrel sides. Both of these in the past have led to Dad kerbing alloys on his.
Do I really want this level of trepidation every time I take mine somewhere unfamiliar?
So what about the wildcard? I've lusted after an LC since childhood, but the problem now seems to be finding one that hasnt shot up to stupid money. And I gather they do like to rust too - again, do I want to DD a now very old car?
What is the PH collective view?
What sort of mileage and trips do you do out of interest?
Any of your choices are going to need a not insignificant warchest I would suggest as plenty to go horribly and expensively wrong.
For me I'd go for the QP all day long as it has to be one of, if not the, coolest saloon cars ever made.
If the XJ is a bit too big (and it is huge I agree) perhaps an XFR might be an alternative? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
Any of your choices are going to need a not insignificant warchest I would suggest as plenty to go horribly and expensively wrong.
For me I'd go for the QP all day long as it has to be one of, if not the, coolest saloon cars ever made.
If the XJ is a bit too big (and it is huge I agree) perhaps an XFR might be an alternative? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
SWoll said:
What sort of mileage and trips do you do out of interest?
Any of your choices are going to need a not insignificant warchest I would suggest as plenty to go horribly and expensively wrong.
For me I'd go for the QP all day long as it has to be one of, if not the, coolest saloon cars ever made.
If the XJ is a bit too big (and it is huge I agree) perhaps an XFR might be an alternative? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
It will be for commuting, about 30-40 miles round trip per day maximum. Plus the odd long motorway jaunt. Last year I commuted 70 miles a day in the RR which was bearable due to LPG giving ~30mpg equivalent fuel bills, but I'm willing to go down to ~20 average figures due to the lower mileage. Any of your choices are going to need a not insignificant warchest I would suggest as plenty to go horribly and expensively wrong.
For me I'd go for the QP all day long as it has to be one of, if not the, coolest saloon cars ever made.
If the XJ is a bit too big (and it is huge I agree) perhaps an XFR might be an alternative? http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/j...
I'm not a fan of the V8 jags (which is why I listed the V6 XJ) as I think they are far too fake and shouty with their tuned exhausts - and the mpg is pretty dreadful too. I'd consider a V6 XF but would probably then forever regret getting an exec segment car rather than a luxury segment one.
I'm aware of the bill potential, however touching wood the only non- consumable item bill from 20,000 miles in the RR - again not a paragon of trustworthiness - was a £1200 gearbox rebuild. I can't even really complain about that, seeing as I bought it on the mileage right where they are renowned for playing up and needing work. Fingers crossed that whatever replacement I choose is as dependable!
TBH I would happily keep the RR for another 100k miles, but I've got the itch for a fast, driver's sporting saloon
ChemicalChaos said:
It will be for commuting, about 30-40 miles round trip per day maximum. Plus the odd long motorway jaunt. Last year I commuted 70 miles a day in the RR which was bearable due to LPG giving ~30mpg equivalent fuel bills, but I'm willing to go down to ~20 average figures due to the lower mileage.
I'm not a fan of the V8 jags (which is why I listed the V6 XJ) as I think they are far too fake and shouty with their tuned exhausts - and the mpg is pretty dreadful too. I'd consider a V6 XF but would probably then forever regret getting an exec segment car rather than a luxury segment one.
I'm aware of the bill potential, however touching wood the only non- consumable item bill from 20,000 miles in the RR - again not a paragon of trustworthiness - was a £1200 gearbox rebuild. I can't even really complain about that, seeing as I bought it on the mileage right where they are renowned for playing up and needing work. Fingers crossed that whatever replacement I choose is as dependable!
TBH I would happily keep the RR for another 100k miles, but I've got the itch for a fast, driver's sporting saloon
QP then. LC is a totally different proposition and if you're looking for sporty and engaging the QP is an obvious winner. XJ very luxurious but more of a cruiser and far too big for any B road fun.I'm not a fan of the V8 jags (which is why I listed the V6 XJ) as I think they are far too fake and shouty with their tuned exhausts - and the mpg is pretty dreadful too. I'd consider a V6 XF but would probably then forever regret getting an exec segment car rather than a luxury segment one.
I'm aware of the bill potential, however touching wood the only non- consumable item bill from 20,000 miles in the RR - again not a paragon of trustworthiness - was a £1200 gearbox rebuild. I can't even really complain about that, seeing as I bought it on the mileage right where they are renowned for playing up and needing work. Fingers crossed that whatever replacement I choose is as dependable!
TBH I would happily keep the RR for another 100k miles, but I've got the itch for a fast, driver's sporting saloon
If I wasn't covering 25K+ a year I'd have a QP in a heartbeat. Achingly cool and the soundtrack alone is almost worth the price.
Nice choices. For me, it would be the QP. Remember when they fist brought out that beautiful last shape car, EVO lapped their test track in it faster than the equivalent M5 so they are seriously swift as well as being drop-dead gorgeous. Especially in a decent colour combination like this one...
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
As for reliability, just take your time and find a decent one, their reputation isn't really any different to the older Range Rovers so if you've been OK with a 2005 RR, a QP shouldn't be any different.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...
As for reliability, just take your time and find a decent one, their reputation isn't really any different to the older Range Rovers so if you've been OK with a 2005 RR, a QP shouldn't be any different.
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